A poem by Elizabeth Coatsworth

To think I once saw grocery shops

With but a casual eye

And fingered figs and apricots

As one who came to buy.

To think I never dreamed of how

Bananas sway in rain

And often looked at oranges

And never thought of Spain.

And in those wasted days I saw

No sails above the tea,

For grocery shops were grocery shops –

Not hemispheres to me.

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It’s not what you look at…its what you see.

” Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture your heart.” 

                                                  – Ancient Indian Proverb

Man is such a busy creature.

Not that it’s always productive, or even good. We do evil things, we do good things. We try very hard to make sense of it all. But sometimes, if we walk slow enough, with an open heart and open eyes, nature reveals herself to us in ways that can teach us and guide us  and maybe make us better for having walked on the earth.

I went for a day trip with my friend Sarah to Lost Maples Park, a Texas state natural area off of F.M. 187 in Vanderpool , Texas. The maple trees were at their peak, and it rivaled anything in New England for it’s color.

We hiked, we photographed, we watched in wonder, mother nature painting on her canvas.  All we had to do was show up.

As I walked past a sycamore tree, marveling at the beautiful texture of the bark, what caught my eye was mother nature reminding me what a part of it all we really are. There was a tiny ‘bark’ figure, walking right off the tree trunk. I snapped the photo and had a good chuckle as I was remind yet again –

                                             It’s not what you look at, it’s what you see.

Rather than just one day, November 25th, I think the entire month of November should be set aside for giving thanks. After all, to my mind, there are countless things to be thankful for.

My sight, for one. Being able to see the daily wonders and changes as nature moves through her cycles is breathtaking to me. Here in the Texas hill country, the many crossings provide peeks down dozens of the  most beautiful natural passages.

I think as an artist, seeing is how I come to best understand life. And I am eternally grateful for that gift.

                             Because it’s not what you look at, it’s what you see.

( featured photograph by Catherine Massaro)

1. groceries

2. dry cleaners

3. water plants

4. catch up on emails

5. laundry

6. recycle

7. call mom

8. notice something beautiful

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE TIME OUT TODAY TO NOTICE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.

(photograph by Catherine Massaro)

The hardest thing to see is what is right in front of your eyes.

(featured photograph by Catherine Massaro)