Recently, in the span of one week, we had record high temperatures in southern California, violent thunderstorms, and very fall-like weather, with rain and nearly 50 degree cooler temperatures than just a few days earlier. In short, its been absolutely crazy, and some locals have been telling me this is “earthquake weather.” I hope not.
Stormy Skies
What I do know is that I’ve spent a lot of time looking at the sky over the last few days. I’ve admired a series of gorgeous sunsets, and–like you, I’m sure–I’ve looked at the sky every morning as a hopeful indicator of what my day will be like. In fact, the more I think about it, we spend a lot of time looking at the sky. For centuries sailors have looked to the sky before setting sail (“Red sky at night…”); as photographers, we often differentiate a “so-so” photograph from an epic one depending on what’s happening in the sky; most people let what’s in the sky help define their mood, to some extent at least. So, the sky really does define our days, and our lives.
As much as it influences us, I also think we could learn from the sky. It carries the weather, but is ultimately unaffected by it, dealing with tumultuous changes easily and unscathed, and in a world that sometimes seems to be filled with our own hurry, hurt, and negativity, perhaps we could all take a moment to look up at the sky, take a deep breath and create our own high pressure system, so to speak.
What do you think?
Cotton Candy Sky
Excellent post Greg.
We can gain much by paying attention to the sky, and all of the natural world for that matter. If we can find that calm center in ourselves, if we can be like the sky and let the storms roll through without being devastated by them, we can maintain a clarity of vision and purpose that can guide us through most anything.
Thanks for your $0.02, pj. I agree completely, and can see that metaphor as one what can help us all from time to time…
I like the message in this post and the images are superb. I bet in print form, the sky in the top photograph is amazing. About 20 years ago myself and some associates were having a difficult time in a business we had together. One of my associate-friends at the time had previously made a living as a stand-up comedian, had a lot of charisma and could tell great stories. One story he told me has stuck in my mind. He had quit drinking years before. His sponsor in AA had once told him that the way he put his own problems in perspective was to go outside at night and look up at the vastness of the stars for about 15 minutes at a time. George then started doing this himself. It helped him go sober. During our challenges in business, I tried it a number of times and it does work. Sort of reminds you that the universe is huge, we are each quite small and our problems are not that big.
This is a fantastic story, David, thank you for sharing! I can totally understand how the therapy of a nighttime sky could help to ease just about any ailment. There are times that I take quite a bit of solace in realizing my insignificance in the world…