Monday, October 11, 2010

Enhanced Perception



This is my screensaver. I took this picture while walking Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine, easily one of my favorite places on earth. Why do I keep this picture as my screensaver? Because of what I perceive within the picture. Because of what’s beyond—the story within.
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Look at the berries. There’s a grouping of vibrant ones clustered to the right. And then there is one lonely shriveled one. See it? This picture serves as a bold reminder—every day I have a decision to make about who I choose to be. Will I surround myself with other thriving people or will I remain off to myself in an unhealthy, dying state of pity? There is always a choice no matter what we are going through.
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So one person might see this screensaver and say, “Oh, pretty berries.”
And I look at it, express the same sentiment but am also deeply thankful for an enhanced perception.
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I’m convinced that is the unique blessing writers are given—enhanced perception.
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Check out a snippet from one of my favorite poems by William Blake
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

I have a theory about creative folks. It’s a test, actually. I’m willing to bet most creative thinkers, writers, artists, etc. look up at the clouds and drift back to a child-like wonder. Clouds transform into something more. They are no longer about precipitation. They become shapes of perception.

If you consider yourself a creative person, am I right? Do you often catch yourself seeing beyond—in relationships and in clouds?

26 comments:

  1. Yes, but sometimes I really have to pause from the craziness and remember. :O)

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  2. Just lovely Wendy. And thanks for your encouragement today. I really needed it! You are a dear friend.

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  3. what a lovely thought. thanks for sharing!

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  4. I do! Not long ago, I confessed to my husband that "I spend a lot of time lost in my own head."

    He laughed at me, not because he thought this was weird, but because I thought this was news to him.

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  5. Your comment about the clouds takes me back to family vacations. Back before we all had to wear seat belts, I remember laying down while my dad drove down the interstate, and I'd look up through the sunroof at all the clouds and pick out images in them. :)

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  6. I see analogies in everything! It's a part of the writers 'gift.' ;) BTW, I'm 10K in a new novel and trying hard to fall in love with it! I think you mentioned on my blog you were under ten in a new WIP too. Thinking of you!

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  7. I do mostly in relationships--sometimes I think too much and should try to look at something more directly! LOL

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  8. YES!! You nailed it. You so nailed this one Wendy.

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  9. I happened to have written a character seeing something other than clouds when he looks at the clouds in my current scene in progress. Guess it's true for me.

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  10. Wendy, I love how you view the world and help expand the views of others. Wonderful post.

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  11. I am always seeing more than what's there. I'll see something, comment on it and have to endure the "huh?" that inevitably comes from those around me.

    But I'm so very, very glad I see "eternity in an hour".

    Great post :) And I love the picture.
    Jen

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  12. I love this post! It's so true and says so much without really using any words at all. People need people--even us introverts. :)

    I think you're right about creative people. That's what art, music, writing, etc. are all about: exposing those stories and relationships we've seen in the most ordinary of things. :)

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  13. True post, Wendy! I definitely agree with your insight,"...every day I have a decision to make about who I choose to be. Will I surround myself with other thriving people or will I remain off to myself in an unhealthy, dying state of pity? There is always a choice no matter what we are going through."

    Thanks for the encouragement to see beyond the immediate. Have a blessed week!

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  14. Hi Wendy! I enjoy your enhanced perceptions. Yes, creative minds are always spinning the extra metaphor. It can be a blessing, but sometimes it can be a curse--the best kind of curse, of course, but sometimes I think my non-writerly husband wishes I'd get my head out of the clouds! ;-)

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  15. Hi Wendy -

    I totally agree with you. While waiting at a diner for a friend, an idea for a post developed as I looked at their picture display. :)

    Blessings,
    Susan

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  16. Wendy! It's fun to have discussions like this with other creative types who understand. I can make a story out of anything I see. I'm constantly doing this at the grocery store, at the park with the kids. The other day my boys and I were waiting in the car while my husband went into a store, and there were two dogs in the next car over. We made up the best story about them driving away while their owner wondered where they went.

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  17. Oh, yes, my thoughts are often quirky and unexpected. Does that count? :) Great picture

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  18. I should have known you were a fellow Blake fan. :-) Just one more cool thing to love about Wendy.

    If I want to feel elevated, I think about "The Tyger." But if I want to laugh, I think about "The Poison Tree."

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  19. You are so right...I never see rain in the clouds. I see glory, power, puppy dogs and dragons. When I see that screensaver shot, I see the crisp red and vibrant green and breathe in the scent of the wild...

    Amazing what we see...when we look!

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  20. I love that poem. I can stare at the clouds for hours, but everyone always thinks I'm crazy when I ask if they ever feel small just by staring at the sky. Oh, well...

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  21. Beautiful post, Wendy and GREAT outlook. I needed this today!!

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  22. Absolutely, and I don't want to ever stop seeing things this way. It's so crucial to my way of life!

    Love this post, and that pic, Wendy.

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  23. Yeah, I do tend to look to the future when I see people.

    What a cool pic, and wonderful reminder. :-)

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  24. Such a beautiful post, Wendy! I love your thought about the choice we have everyday--so true! You are a beautiful soul, and I'm so encouraged by your thoughts.

    And yes, I always see shapes in the clouds:)

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