Weekly Iphonography Challenge – Future Tense / Letsbewild – Reflections

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

Mother Theresa

WORLD TRADE CENTER IV

Those who follow me know I am not a fan of i-phonography. However, in the spirit of participation in the challenge, I am posting two photos taken today with my I-phone 4. Both shots were taken from the 9th floor of a building nearby, as photos from the street level are a bit less satisfying. Above, we see one of the new buildings under construction within the new World Trade Center complex (WTC IV), reflecting NYC’s beautiful blue sky.

WORLD TRADE CENTER I

And then, the nearly-complete World Trade Center I Tower looming taller and larger than the skyscrapers nearby. I chose these subjects because they speak to me of the importance of learning from the past while living in the present and building for the future.

As for the Let’s Be Wild Weekly Challenge “Reflections”, I believe these photos meet both definitions of the word:

Reflect: To show an image of;

Reflect: To think deeply and carefully about

If we reflect on the buildings, the sky and its reflection, and the future, we come to a very important conclusion. It is ours to decide what we will teach our children, who learn by example. Shall we teach them to build a world where all people live in peace – understanding and celebrating our differences? Or shall we teach them about hatred, enemies and fear? Let us all hope for a future designed around the former.

I asked my 6-year-old granddaughter, who is studying poetry in first grade, to write me a poem about the future. Here is what she penned:

The future will be fancy and great! You will really like it.

You will be as happy as a cat.

You will get to go around the world. You will really like it.

Children see the world as a wonderful place full of possibilities. We could learn a bit from them there. From our granddaughter’s lips to God’s ears 🙂

Tags: letsbewild, photography

51 thoughts on “Weekly Iphonography Challenge – Future Tense / Letsbewild – Reflections”

Naomi Baltuck on April 14, 2013 at 8:03 pm said:

Hi Tina,
I really like your work. Thanks for the follow. I look forward to following your blog too.

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on April 14, 2013 at 8:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks Naomi! Don’t know how I’ve missed you up until now!
  
  Reply ↓
Shakti Ghosal on March 30, 2013 at 9:04 am said:

I found your opening lines so very powerful.

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

My current post is on “Mindfulness” and the pleasures of being in the present.

Shakti

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 30, 2013 at 9:39 am said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by and for your comment Shakti. I loved your post, especially the closing quote “do not wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect.” Wonderful!
  
  Reply ↓
poppytump on March 27, 2013 at 11:15 am said:

Great matching of thoughts and images for the challenge Tina .
What wise words from your little grand daughter ! Now describe your happy cat look for me LOL …

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 27, 2013 at 11:17 am said:
  
  LOL is right PT! My granddaughter smiles continually :-). So I’d rather be happy as a granddaughter than a cat based on what I see!!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
  Reply ↓
frizztext on March 27, 2013 at 8:12 am said:

your six year old granddaughter fragment made me smile –
and actually got a sms, that my next grandkid will not be a boy
(3 grandsons till now) but surprise: a girl!

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 27, 2013 at 8:36 am said:
  
  HOORAH! I have 4 brothers. You definitely need at least 1 girl!!!
  
  Reply ↓
frizztext on March 27, 2013 at 1:08 am said:

“happy as a cat.” = perfect goal!

Reply ↓
diane s on March 26, 2013 at 9:02 am said:

Well I see the Iphone ‘blur’ is a distant past tense =) — Gorgeous shot of WTC lV with the reflective blue sky & clouds! Your words are inspiring… & your granddaughter’s poem endearing. So Sweet! Thanks for sharing.

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 26, 2013 at 9:04 am said:
  
  Yes thanks to camera+ app and a stationary subject, LOL! Thanks Diane. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
adinparadise on March 25, 2013 at 2:20 pm said:

Beautiful sky, and great photos. I love your little granddaughter’s positive attitude to life. 🙂

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 25, 2013 at 9:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks Sylvia! I love it too; and her 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: Weekly photo challenge: Future tense | The (Urban-Wildlife) Interface
Leslee on March 24, 2013 at 1:18 pm said:

I always love your photos and ponderings — but I gotta say the poem brought a chuckle to my day. Thanks

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 1:24 pm said:
  
  Excellent, thanks leslee!
  
  Reply ↓
dogear6 on March 24, 2013 at 11:43 am said:

I hope you are as happy as a cat! That’s a wonderful thought for the day.

Nancy

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 2:55 pm said:
  
  Thanks Nancy! If only I knew how happy a cat really is 🙂
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: 3-24-13(Really 3-23-13) {Travel Theme: Time #2} [Weekly Photo Challenge: Future Tense] | The Quotidian Hudson
mithriluna on March 24, 2013 at 10:26 am said:

Such a lovely post Tina! And I really loved your granddaughter’s poem. Thank you for sharing. ~Mar

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 1:31 pm said:
  
  My pleasure Mar, thanks for stopping by!
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
  Reply ↓
Pam Kaspers on March 24, 2013 at 9:10 am said:

Amazing how the iPhone can come across in a pinch. I love the fact you included your granddaughter in your post. I bet she will be another blogger in no time. Enjoyed your blog, thanks,
🙂 xoxo

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 10:59 am said:
  
  Thanks Pam! She asked me what a blog is :-). Try explaining THAT to a 6-year-old. LOL
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
  Reply ↓
april kanew on March 24, 2013 at 8:07 am said:

I am truly ‘reflecting’ at this moment…..what beautiful words complimenting these very special photos….a very special poem….bet i know where her wisdom comes from….grandma/grandpa!!!!!

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 8:53 am said:
  
  LOL! Thanks April. She has quite the spirit 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Sharon Buehler on March 24, 2013 at 8:00 am said:

Tina, that was a really good post. We could imagine ourselves as that reflecting building and hope the reflection would be a pretty one.

Sharon Buehler 843-442-9602 (cell)

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 8:02 am said:
  
  Thanks Sharon. I really like the buildings with reflecting walls, esp those that have a beautiful older building next to them.
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
  Reply ↓
Linda Wyatt on March 24, 2013 at 7:42 am said:

Out of the mouths of those babes… I love all the resources you pull to make the point.. Great reflections..

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 7:50 am said:
  
  Thanks Linda. Mouths of babes for sure. With a portugese/Scottish mom, grandmother in England and a set of grandparents who travel the globe, I’m happy to see that “going all around the world” is what she sees for the future!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
  Reply ↓
Toni Orenga on March 24, 2013 at 7:15 am said:

Tina,

Loved your granddaughter’s poem! Also, thanks for bring a little of NYC to us. We have been away too long! Love to all of you. Toni

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 7:42 am said:
  
  Thanks Toni! Surprisingly beautiful up here this week, and of course having fun with my little person 🙂
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
  Reply ↓
Sas on March 24, 2013 at 7:11 am said:

I visited the World Trade Centre site a year after 9/11. As we stood there looking at the hole where the buildings once stood, I realised what a theraputic experience it was for a lot of people. You’re right, we need to use it as a positive influence on our future. Great post

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 7:47 am said:
  
  Thanks For your visit and comment Sasie!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
  Reply ↓
1annecasey on March 24, 2013 at 6:52 am said:

Beautiful photos and very thoughtful, thought-provoking words.

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 7:56 am said:
  
  Thanks so much Anne!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
  Reply ↓
Jane Iwan on March 24, 2013 at 6:07 am said:

God bless you, Tina. Very inspiring. Love, Jane

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 8:05 am said:
  
  Thanks Jane!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
  Reply ↓
suej on March 24, 2013 at 5:02 am said:

Liked your granddaughters take on life! And I’m with Confucius….Your images are nicely framed, showing off the clean geometric lines.

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 8:08 am said:
  
  Thanks Sue! Not quite as clever with the apps as you are 🙂
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
  Reply ↓
Nature on the Edge on March 24, 2013 at 2:45 am said:

Great shots, clean lines. A very poignant post; moving on and into a positive future.

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 8:25 am said:
  
  Thank you! Enjoyed your look at the future as well 🙂
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
  Reply ↓
Amy on March 24, 2013 at 1:01 am said:

Thank you for sharing your granddaughter’s poem! She is smart and is only 6 years old! It’s clever to use the reflections of the World Trade Center to reflect the future. Love it.

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 3:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks Amy! Getting tough to keep up w her LOL
  
  Reply ↓
Kathleen parramore on March 23, 2013 at 11:29 pm said:

Those wise granddaughters! Looks like they are finally topping off that building. It will be good to see its completion. Nice view and picture. K

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 24, 2013 at 3:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks Kath! Poetry and Haiku, who knew?!
  
  Reply ↓
catbirdinoman on March 23, 2013 at 11:03 pm said:

I love your granddaughter’s poem, and your reflections about the future. 🙂

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 23, 2013 at 11:09 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Cathy!
  
  Reply ↓
Mary Lynn on March 23, 2013 at 10:55 pm said:

what a sweet and insightful child! ML

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 23, 2013 at 10:57 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mary Lynne. Gotta go practice being happy like a cat 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Bailey on March 23, 2013 at 10:50 pm said:

Smart granddaughter

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on March 23, 2013 at 10:56 pm said:
  
  🙂 indeed. Gets it from her poppa
  
  Reply ↓