Weekly Photo Challenge – Endurance / Travel Theme – Strong
“The strength we find within ourselves gives us endurance and perseverance.”
Ellen J. Barrier
(4 photos)
Our challenge this week, Endurance, has caught me feeling a bit philosophical, as has Ailsa’s Travel Theme, Strong. As always, there are many ways to interpret the concepts. For some literal examples of both strength and endurance, I invite you to visit my previous posts on man-made masterpiece Angkor Wat, or natural phenomena like Patagonia’s Andes Mountains and the Giant Redwoods of California. This week however, after spending a day photographing some of Kiawah’s incredible nature, I’ve decided to address the challenges a bit more abstractly.
Take the butterflies above for example. These incredibly delicate creatures teach us the value of moving with the help of the wind rather than fighting it. How much more easily might we endure life’s challenges if we accepted the help of family and friends? What about the strength we might draw from spirituality or a belief in a higher power? Allowing others to support us during times of need can be a much-appreciated gift as we deal with life’s inevitable moments of crisis.
“Scars are not signs of weakness, they are signs of survival and endurance.”
Rodney A Winters
In the abstract above we see two examples of endurance. The reeds’ delicate stalks endure by bending gently rather than resisting the often-extreme coastal winds around them. The trees, on the other hand, survive by setting their roots deep in the soil and using their strength to hold themselves steady as the wind blows around rather than through them. So too must we decide whether to bend or to stand strong in the face of life’s challenges. There is a place for both reactions depending on a given situation.
“Endurance: It is the spirit which can bear things with blazing hope.”
Anonymous
Here, the lowly grasshopper. His lesson? That endurance can often be achieved by blending into our surroundings. Had I not stopped for a closeup of the flowers around him, I’d never have spotted him. His coloring and form are amazingly similar to that of a simple stick in a field of sticks and flowers. For us too there are times when laying low and remaining unobserved is the best response, and others when it’s important to stand up and be counted. Each individual must determine for him or herself where to draw their personal line.
“Stay determined to endure hard times. No situation is permanent.”
Lailah Gifty Akita
Finally, a young bobcat I happened upon during my photography outing. His endurance lesson features adaptability to change, and to taking advantage of available resources. As recently as 20 years ago, much of Kiawah was an undeveloped barrier island rich with ground cover and teeming with prey. Today the bobcat has learned to use our boardwalks and golf cart paths to traverse the island more quickly and easily. They protect themselves from the sun in the shade of our porches, and naturally manage our marsh rat and deer populations. Might we not benefit from learning that endurance often depends on accepting change and making the necessary adaptations?
With thanks to Krista and Ailsa for their complimentary challenges, I invite you to click here and here to see some other bloggers’ interpretations.
Great captured, Tina… I like it… 🙂
Thanks Bams!
I love the thoughts that went with the photos. It was really something to think about and I agree that nature does have many lessons to teach us.
Nancy
Many thanks Nancy – caught me in a bit of a serious mood this week 🙂
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I hear bobcats are very reclusive so it must have been your lucky day. Those butterflies are beautiful too.
Hi Milka, nice to “see” you again! The bobcats are indeed reclusive but this one wasn’t sure if it would be smarter to run away or to compete with me in a stare-down. Eventually he decided to escape into the marsh but not before giving me a good amount of time to shoot his lovely little self 🙂 Appreciate your visit and comment.
That’s a great photo opportunity for sure. I’ve been taking the summer off to spend it with my kids and it’s been a challenge to get back into the blogging mood.
A lovely and thoughtful post, Tina. Thank you.
Thanks very much Cynthia; glad you enjoyed!
What an interesting interpretation, Tina. So imaginative!
Thanks Svetlana, much appreciated!
Ciao again Tina !
I know that not everyone is into blog awards, but I hope you won’t mind
that, as a token of my appreciation, I’ve nominated yours for the One
Lovely Blog Award
http://max510.com/2014/09/23/a-new-lovely-award/
Ciao Max – thanks so much for the recognition. I don’t do awards but I very much appreciate them.
Beautiful, timely, heartfelt post… Loved the perspectives.. Thank you T…. Linda
Thank you Linda – appreciate your support on this and everything else.
fabulous shots….a beautifully written post…..leaves one with much to think about!! The butterflies are quite special….how u were able to capture that moment is a mystery to me!!
🙂 lots of practice! Thanks April.
Words and visions of hope and courage. Thanks for inspiring my friend. We indeed endure life’s hardships because of family , friends and a God that never fails.
Thanks Island Traveler. Let’s hope our gratitude for them never fails as well.
One of my favorite blogs you’ve posted so far, Tina. I enjoyed the photos (especially “Two Butterflies”), but I was especially struck by your messages. 🙂
Thanks Vee, it was definitely heartfelt this week. Appreciate that it reached out to you.
It took you just four photographs to show that some of life’s greatest lessons can be learned by simply observing life around us. A brilliant post, Tina!
Hmmm…..brilliant. I DO like the sound of that Uday 🙂 Thanks so much for your lovely comment!
Nice post, I love the butterflies 🙂
Thanks PJB – they’re everywhere right now!
Great post, Tina.
Thanks Jane – glad you enjoyed.
Lovely thoughts on endurance and I love all the greens in your pics. The butterflies are amazing.
Thanks Maamej – I honestly didn’t realize there was so much green until I saw your comment! It was a lovely day on Kiawah for sure!
Beautiful and thought provoking, Tina. I really empathise with your perspective. After my post yesterday on the same themes, my mind too was on butterflies – another happy coincidence. 🙂
Thanks Jenny! So great minds really DO think alike LOL
Ha – perhaps, Tina! ;o)
Nice pics Tina !
Wonderful Bobcat !
Ciao ciao
Max
Thanks Max – he’s a little beauty isn’t he?!
These are each unique,fascinating and beautiful for 4 different facets and ways to look at nature!
They’re truly outstanding 🙂
Thanks so much Mary Lynn – I was very lucky that day as nature was everywhere!
Wonderful responses, Tina. The butterfly photo is simply magical. 🙂
Thanks Imelda; magical is such a lovely compliment!
Beautiful shots of nature depicting endurance. I love those butterflies
Thanks Nora – I took way too many shots of them but especially liked the combination of colors on this one.
Such a thoughtful and meaningful post Tina. I read it twice to fully enjoy and appreciate the depth of its philosophical content. Thank you, as always…Andrew 🙂
Such a lovely comment Andrew, thanks so much. Glad it spoke to you.
Great post. Love the images. 😀
Thanks so much Raewyn
Wonderful post and pictures Tina! The themes this week were really good.
I agree Meg, some really interesting responses this week. Appreciate your stopping by
Tina, nature has a great way to teach humans about endurance. A great lessons to learn in your photos and post. Perpetua.
Thanks Perpetua!
Lovely post! You had some amazing shots!
Thanks Sima, I was very lucky to come across so many beautiful creatures that day!
The image of the butterflies show their eloquence.
Thanks Sally, they are indeed amazing creatures.
The butterfly is as beautiful as this post is.
Many thanks Laurie, loved your compliment!
Great response, Tina, well thought out… Great images, as ever! 🙂
Thanks so much Sue; glad you enjoyed.
I love the butterflies and flowers picture. The definition of the butterfly wings against the flower petals. Lovely colours.
Thanks WC – I liked the colors on that one too. So soft and natural!
Some great lessons for life illustrated so well with quotes and photos. Thank you.
Thanks very much Annette, so happy to have struck a chord with you!
Gorgeous
Thank you; happy you enjoyed!
You are welcome 🙂
excellent – enjoyed each word and image – and leave with much – especially like this reminder ““Stay determined to endure hard times. No situation is permanent.”
thanks amiga
Thanks so much amiga – I liked that thought too!
Lovely post, Tina. Life’s obstacles bring introspection. Your images are a beautiful addition to your words.
Thanks Jane – I’m sure you know where I was coming from on this one.
Beautiful thoughts on the reality of our life. Imagine if we as a small spec try to resist the flow of a flowing stream how impossible would it be.
Flowing with the flow of life will make it so beautiful.
Thank you Tina for this lovely post.
Thanks Dilip, appreciate your thoughtful comment.
Love your pictures and narrative Tina. Like you, I chose one post to cover two challenges!
Thanks Shaanthz, thought the two challenges were nicely compatible this week.
Endurance, strong ~ this is what Bill and I need right now, as we pack like crazy people: movers come tomorrow!!
Much, much love to you both!
XOX Suz
Thanks Suz; good luck with the move!
Reblogged this on blogagaini and commented:
A very touching perspective on “endurance” that I wanted to gift to you today from Tina Schell of Trifles. Thank you Tina!
Thanks for the reblog and the lovely compliment Basiga
Beautiful photos, Tina
Many thanks Ms Diplomacy!
Remarkable take on, Tina! So much we can learn from nature.
Thanks Amy, much appreciated!
I like photographing butterflies — and you’re right: they are strong. But a bobcat — not so much. Eeekkkk! thanks for sharing the lovely photos and quotes!
My pleasure Rusha! The bobcats are SO beautiful and although small are fast and powerful. They’ve been our favorite predator here on Kiawah, we truly treasure them!
A wonderful and perfect serie photos and story for the challenge.
Thanks very much Jaap – it was a day for some serious thinking on my end.
A day of your shooting, T , & ‘living in the moment’ yielded a cornucopia of beauty & inspiring words.
( & a bobcat, woohoo! ) Thanks for sharing. dsupp
Bobcat WooHoo for sure Diane LOL. It was one of those perfect days on Kiawah where everything just came together.
The creatures may be small and yet they have he strength within them to endure whatever is thrown at them. They are to be admired.
Absolutely Colline. The butterflies especially are amazing.
Tina, what a thoughtful and well-thought-out response! The photo of the butterflies is beautiful and your thoughts are perfect for the challenge.
janet
Thanks very much Janet – somehow nature reached out to me this week.
Tina, Your words touch on such a beautiful concept, which I am just beginning to appreciate and accept. I have tears in my eyes as, once again, I thank you again for your friendship. Xoxo b
Barbara Munder Riordan
What a lovely comment Barbara, thanks so much.
A beautiful post, in images and words. Lovely, Tina!
Thanks so much Marion!
Beautiful photos and great interpretation! Thanks for sharing Tina.
My pleasure, thanks for visiting!
Lovely post ; ) very serious cat, as along as he does not get the other wonderful creatures here – we are OK! ..
Good point! Actually he’s our best hope for managing the proliferation of our deer!
Beautiful
Thanks Rabirius
I think as you point out Tina, the bobcats can indeed teach us all a valuable lesson! Lovely photographs as always! 🙂
Thanks Adrian – and they’re gorgeous too 🙂