Morning Shadows

Shadow is the obstruction of light. Shadows appear to me to be of supreme importance in perspective, because, without them opaque and solid bodies will be ill defined; that which is contained within their outlines and their boundaries themselves will be ill-understood unless they are shown against a background of a different tone from themselves.
Leonardo DaVinci

(photograph: Crater Lake Rim Trail/ early morning shadows/ Julie Cook/ 2013)

Sometimes things aren’t what they seem to appear. Most often there is always something more than what meets the eye. Are you one who accepts things at face value or are you the type who prefers to ruminate a tad over what confronts you—mulling it over, chewing on the ol cud as it were…..?

I unfortunately, in my youth, was one to be a bit reactionary. I think that was, in part, because I tend to be one who feels deeply and passionately which often allowed my emotions to get the better of me. Hot headed and yet deeply and firmly committed, I was an “act first, think secondly” kind of person. That had it’s pros but it also had its cons. It was, and currently still is, a calling card of youth, inexperience and impatience. Maybe that is simply so because the youth have more energy ready to expand.

Time, fortunately, has been kind to me with regard to my reactionary ways. Mellowing with age has been a blesséd event indeed. Sadly and undoubtedly I have left debris in my wake—regretful acts and words–hurtful to me and others…. Thankfully the knee jerk reaction is no longer as quick as it once was (the torn ACL may have something to do with that, but I digress).

I have learned to wait, to look again, to look closely before jumping to a conclusion, going off the deep end, blowing up, raising the battle cry…as things are not, usually, what they first appear to be. There are usually various solutions to whatever is coming down the pike and it does not have to necessarily be one of anger, counter anger, violence or that of a battle.

And maybe the jumping to a conclusion too readily is also part of that immediate, knee jerk reaction. Time graciously grants hindsight and experience–enough to know that what first appears as one thing is most likely something else entirely—and as that is, there is a calm reason, rationale, explanation that is usually behind all the blustery bravado of the immediate presentation—that’s what age gives to us—a clearer vision and a calmer demeanor to better handle, cope with or deal with the current crisis of the hour.

So the next time you’re faced with something that seems to hit you on the blind side, something that appears out of the blue, or something that provokes you to loose your cool—your natural instinct is one of fight or flight—that’s how we’re wired, but instead allow yourself a few precious moments to gather your wits, weigh your options and consider the out comes–you might even surprise yourself as to how quickly something that had a volatile potential, shrinks like a fading flower.

Is it really what you think it is—or is it something else…..