Sunday, March 6, 2011

Things to not be seen.

It’s Horrible, Stupid, and I Hate It: Coping With Criticism
This morning I am sharing a blog that feels so dear to my heart. For all of us who have ever silenced ourselves because of what someone else has said or might say, this is a great read. See what you think. Here is hoping that the link works.

Things to not be seen.
 
I took beautiful pictures of a Sandhill crane  (he let me get so close that I was in awe) and proceeded to try to share it on Facebook. Well, that action totally crashed my new i phone and I lost not only the pictures but all of my contents in my address book. In a panic, we left the art fair and headed to the Apple store - one of the busiest places in America on Sunday afternoon. I kept staring at the phone in utter disbelief that all of my contacts and pictures could not be accessed. My worst fears were realized when the Apple employee advised me that he would replace my phone since something seemed to have fried it, but he could not help with the personal information. BUT, he said "no problem because you can go home and sync your phone with itunes on your computer and you will have your data back". Synced - Never! Oh, I meant to do it - one of these days - but one of these days just never got here and it was really not important until right, this minute.   Feeling lost and somewhat overwhelmed, I got home,  got online and promptly scheduled an early morning appointment with the local Apple store. Luckily, I had saved my old phone and once it was recharged I took it, my laptop and my sheer determination  early Monday morning to the store, planting myself in front of one of the nicest young men you could meet. It doesn't matter to me how he fixed it - all of my contacts through December were intact on the old phone and now entered on my new one as well as old pictures and music. Even better, a lovely young lady working at the store stepped in and synced my phone to my laptop and reminded me how it gets done so that I would never experience this feeling of loss again. It pays off sometimes to look older and clueless.

It seems silly now to have had such anxiety over something like this. And yet, I knew that certain pictures that were really special had now vanished as well as new contacts entered in the last couple of months. It is perhaps a bit melodramatic to compare it to a fire but I could imagine what one must feel like when all has been lost. The contacts were precious to me - lifelines to friends and family which would now have to be recreated.

When I shared this story with a wise friend of mine, I was reminded how some natives in indigenous cultures or less developed  nations do not want their picture taken because they fear that they may lose their soul to the image. She posed the thought that perhaps the crane had allowed me to share the sacred space together but it wanted me to hold the image in my soul and not need to look at a picture to be reminded of it's beauty or how I felt in the moment. I continue to consider how I approach some of the beautiful images of nature and realize that most often when I settle into them, they are etched on my heart and in my mind and I really do not need anything else.

It has been several days since trying to get this posted. I tried to go online and download a picture someone else had taken of a Sandhill Crane to share with you this magnificent bird. The only thing that happened was a near destruction of everything that had been written. I encourage you to find one to see, whether in real life or a picture taken by someone else - they are beautiful.

And, while you are thinking about it - Sync your contacts and save your pictures.

5 comments:

  1. Oh Sharon...I'm sitting here giving you a hug in my mind...

    It's our culture's way, to document everything--we feel like it hasn't really happened if we can't take a pic or video of it. But actually, the opposite is true. When we allow ourselves to just be in the moment, to feel it, see it smell it, hear it--absorbing it all--that's when we know it's happened. It becomes one with us. And you're so right--at that point, we really don't need anything else.

    This is making me think of an encounter I had with a stag last December (http://journeytoauthenticity.typepad.com/journey_to_authenticity/2010/12/spirit-animals-visit.html)

    He suddenly appeared and I knew that it couldn't be documented, that I had to live it--and I did. And now, it will forever be with me.

    I love how your blog posts make me think and feel, Sharon...

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  2. Karen, Thank you. Your comments are so special to me. I always look to you as a higher authority since I know that you actually know what to do in the writing sense and I find myself just putting it out there.
    It is true though, some of my most precious memories are etched on my soul and those are the ones that I hope remain until I take my last breath.

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  3. Sharon
    Like Karen I'm hugging you in my heart feeling deep gratitude for BOTH of you in my life ... (realizing I need to schedule time to open Google Reader soon to catch up with her and so many other friends and kindred spirits I've lost track of in my cRaZy busy-ness of late) ...

    Thank you for the link (yes it works). I read the article with deep appreciation twice ... then tweeted about it, printed a copy for regular reference, and shared it at Facebook. Now I'm responding to YOUR story ... of the Sandhill Crane, the drama of your anxiety producing iPhone experience, and so much more.

    I'm delighted you shared this link and your amazing poem with our Taos Writers Retreat Friends Group at Facebook. In case no one tells you today, you're a treasured gift to all of us ... a blessing without end that I hold dearly in memory with gratitude for the grace-filled soul experience of knowing you ... just as you are.
    Hugs and blessings,
    Virginia

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  4. Once, a long time ago I was challenged by my shrink to go on a trip without my camera. I did, going to visit my mother in Florida where she had gone to escape Vermont's cold weather. It was amazing what I saw and have held in my heart and memory of that trip. The color of the Gulf of Mexico, the tiniest shells hidden in the sand, the tropical green of the plants. No photos needed. Later I visited the Grand Canyon and though I had my camera with me, I decided not to use it. Cameras and photos can sometimes be a barrier to the spirit of a place or being. It is better to experience certain places or things rather than shield oneself behind the camera.

    Some things are only meant to be seen with one's heart and soul. they become more beautiful as time goes by, while photographs slowly fade along with the memories of things not truly experienced.

    Huge love to you,

    Joan

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  5. I have just discoverfed this blog while learning to use my first Apple MacBook Pro. So glad to find it. How do I get notified that you have posted a new blog, Sharon?

    Happy New Year!
    Gail

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