Lens-Artists Challenge #52 – Serenity
“To taste life, so true and real. Sweet serenity.”
Jonathan Lamas
This past week my husband and I traveled to Bar Harbor, Maine for a family wedding. The weather forecast was awful but happily for the most part, wrong. Skies cleared and the sun broke through just in time for the outside service. As we moved indoors for the reception the skies darkened once again and rain fell hard on the area we’d left just a few minutes earlier.
“Don’t underestimate the power of humor and the ability to laugh at yourself to deliver peace and serenity.”
Charles Glassman
As I wandered around the beautiful nooks and crannies of Bar Harbor, I saw many classic New England homes fronting beautiful Frenchman Bay. Most had large porches and beautiful gardens. I found myself smiling at the thought that the gardeners’ work might last longer than the number of days residents enjoy the results before winter’s cold returns. On the other hand, the serenity one must feel sitting on the bay-front porch as the flowers bloom behind must surely be well worth the effort.
“You cannot perceive beauty but with a serene mind. “
Henry David Thoreau
Serenity is defined as being calm, peaceful. Flying in a small commercial airplane would not seem a reasonable place to find it, but for me a return to the lush greenery and meandering waters of the low country always brings with it a sense of peace and comfort. I captured the iPhone image above as we flew over the rivers and creeks surrounding Charleston on the approach to our local airport.
“Nature is never other than serene, even in a thunderstorm.”
Frank Lloyd Wright
Once back home, we enjoyed a visit to the most recent neighborhood addition, the new clubhouse and revitalized landscapes of Cougar Point. It was a beautiful, yes serene, evening if a bit warm compared to the dry, cooler air of the northeast. 😊
“There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and elevates it.”
Washington Irving
I think Washington Irving had it right in his quote above. Personally I find nature and its scenery of all kinds helps me to achieve serenity in this crazy world. What about you? What is it that helps you to find serenity in the face of growing chaos? We look forward to seeing your responses – remember to link them here and to include the Lens-Artists tag to appear in our WP Reader section.
PLEASE NOTE: We are hosting a special Lens-Artists post at noon EST next Saturday, July 6th, to celebrate the One Year Anniversary of our Lens-Artists challenge. Please be sure to check on posts from Patti, Ann-Christine, Amy and me as we publish special posts to mark the occasion. We look forward to seeing you then.
Last week Amy invited us to share some of the UNIQUE aspects of our world and your responses definitely rose to the challenge.
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE:
Irene of Heaven’s Sunshine shared thoughts on her 40th anniversary celebration
Izzy of Isadora’s Art and Photography shared an artist’s version of the Tree of Life
Nurul from Stories of a Wanderer shared a story of Prison Island – which never had a prison!
New to Lens-Artists? Click here to learn how to join us. And thanks as always to those of you who continue to support and encourage us.
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Must say it was hard to think “serenity” on the fourth of July! Made it though, and I’m looking forward to Lens-Artists first year celebration.
https://lindylecoq.com/2019/07/05/lens-artist-photo-challenge-52-serenity/
Good point Lindy! Thanks for pushing through!
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Tina, you have some beautiful serene places. I can see me relaxing in all of your photos 😀
Here is my entry or the week. ENJOY.
https://ceenphotography.com/2019/07/05/lens-artists-photo-challenge-52-serenity/
Thanks Cee – I’m a big fan of relaxation 😊
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I’ve been to Bar Harbor too – it is a beautiful spot. Your photos capture it so well. You are also braver than I am with the small plane!!
http://oneletterup.com/2019/07/05/serenity
LOL, it had about 30 seats so not THAT small. I’m a bit of a chicken on that front too😊.
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A link to my submission for this week’s challenge…https://musinwithsusan.com/2019/07/05/lens-artists-challenge-52-a-serene-spot/
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To explore serenity is always life-enhancing. odaciuk.wordpress.com/2019/07/05/aspects-of-serenity/
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Maine is wonderfully vibrant and it sounds like you had a great time with your family. Terrific shot of the tree and clouds. Happy 4th!
Thanks Jane, and Happy 4th to you too
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So peaceful! I love the colour combination in your photos: green of grass and trees, blue sky and deep blue water 🙂
Thanks Len, much appreciated- that’s Maine in a nutshell !
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Truly remarkable captures these are, Tina. I specially loved The Lone Tree and Best Seats In The House 🙂
Here’s an old entry from my side for this week’s Serenity: https://hammadrais.wordpress.com/2018/12/24/anticipating-serene/
Have a nice day!
Thanks very much Hammad – that lone tree really touched my heart 😊
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, Tina.
I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve combined your challenge with Su Leslie’s Changing Seasons challenge. Here is my link in case the pingback doesn’t show up. Kind Regards. Tracy. https://reflectionsofanuntidymind.blog/2019/07/03/the-changing-seasons-june-2019/
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Love the theme and I’ve got just the photo to share: https://aliveandtrekking.com/2019/07/03/serenity/ 🙂
Glad to Have you with us, thanks for joining the Challenge
Thank you and my pleasure!
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I love the plane view and the chairs the most. ❤ Here are my twenty Slovenian serene window scenes (oh, okay, one is from Trieste):
https://manjameximoving.wordpress.com/2019/07/02/lens-artists-pc-windows-to-serenity/
Thanks MMM, dirty work does and only an iPhone were a challenge but I liked the airplane shot too 😊
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Here’s mine: https://chava61.wordpress.com/2019/07/02/lens-artist-photo-challenge-52-serenity/
Thanks for joining us!
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What peaceful photos of different scenes you have, Tina. I love all of them. I found a few of mine.
https://theshowersofblessings.com/2019/07/01/lens-artists-challenge-52-serenity/
Thanks Miriam, for both your comment and for your continued support of our challenge!
You’re welcome, Tina. Wow, one year had gone by. I look forward to your team’s post next week!
Hard to believe isn’t it?! See you next week😊
Yes, see you next week!! 🙂
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Great timing for the wedding Tina! What a lovely area you live in as well. I haven’t been around much lately, but I couldn’t resist your challenge, thank you. https://lucidgypsy.com/2019/07/02/serenity-2/
Fantastic Gilly, thanks for jumping in!
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Great challenge! I visited Bar Harbor for work once; it was the off-season, but I could see why people love to visit there! Serenity, indeed.
Thanks Mei-Mei
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Hi Tina,
Your photographs reminded me of my daughters’ wedding last year. It was in an old historic house on the Hudson River.
It was a beautiful area with a lovely gazebo and indoor festivities for more hours than I could have imagined.
Thanks for taking back to that special day when we all celebrated the gifts of love.
Beautiful photographs of serenity. I’m a bit late. Hope you enjoy my selections. Thanks to Amy for choosing my entry last week.
I appreciate the work all of you put into these weekly challenges. Have a great week …
Isadora😎
https://isadoraartandphotography.com/2019/07/01/lens-artists-photo-challenge-serenity/
Thanks Izzy, happy to bring you back to a fond memory. Our kids have a home outside Hudson, it’s really pretty up there. As for choosing you for last week, that was ME😊😊
WOW … Super THANKS for selecting me. A high honor indeed.
Yes … The Hudson area is beautiful. My daughter enjoys hiking. The mountains are perfect for it. The views spectacular. If it wasn’t cold there it would be my place to live too.
Thanks again, Tina ☺
I’m with u Izzy- summer and fall only 😊😊
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👍 😎
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fabulous post Tina…gorgeous shots ….and words..as always😜 I find serenity in tasks that force me to focus & concentrate for long periods of time….like a round of golf…making several pans of lasagna at the same time…making 5 apple pies at one time….i tend to find peace at these times…perhaps escape??? not sure??? happy 4th GF🌭🎉
LOL, only you would find serenity in things that would make the rest of the world stressed!!! Happy 4th to you too GF
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😜👍
Here’s my calm contribution to the challenge:
https://davidmsphotoblog.com/2019/07/01/lens-artists-photo-challenge-serenity/
Thanks for joining us David
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Maine has always struck me as somewhere I would like to visit and your photos do the same.
Thanks MM it’s beautiful in summer and early fall. Too cold for me otherwise!
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As usual, your photos and quotes are exquisite and so well matched. I, too, agree with Washington Irving. For me, all of nature gives a chance to find a serene moment or two
Thanks so much Patti. I suspect photographers and authors more than most appreciate nature as a place to find serenity
Such a nice collection of serenities!
Thanks Anne. Somehow I think you find your serenity with a 4-legged friend 😊
Indeed I do. Especially when we go out for a walk in the forest.
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