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nipping at the heels of imperfection
Perfection rarely exists in nature. At least perfection in the way that most of us define it: flawless.
When I looked at this photo, I thought “ugh, I didn’t notice that the leaves had been chewed on when I snapped it.” Forgetting, of course, to see the beauty of the light.
But I’m working on it. The older I get, the less I strive to be a perfectionist. It’s a silly goal anyway, because, of course, you never get there. And you waste so much energy in the trying.
And so here it is, my beautifully imperfect photo filled with perfectly perfect dappled light and imperfectly chewed on leaves.
I bet the bug that chewed on them thought they were perfectly delicious.
It all comes down to perspective.
Don’t you think?
Comments
I’m slowly learning to embrace the imperfections…mine and the world’s:)
Posted by: Leah C | June 11th, 2011 09:51
and the chewed leaves do look pretty cool, I like imagining the bug…perspective!
Posted by: Liz | June 11th, 2011 09:56
dappled light – 2 of my very favorite words. love the light, love the chewed leaves. maggie had an ear like that – as a kitten she was so loved by a dog that he accidentally nipped a piece of her kitty-cat ear. and i loved that ear.
embracing imperfections? i am headed to the lake today, glaring white skin, cellulite, 50 something arms and all. in a bikini. HE never notices those imperfections. i hope he feels about them the way i felt about maggie’s ear.
xoxo
Posted by: debi | June 11th, 2011 11:02
Thank you for this lesson. xo
Posted by: jo miller | June 11th, 2011 11:23
Very true. Sometimes the imperfections make things all the more lovely. Give them some character 🙂
Posted by: Ta | June 11th, 2011 11:55
In many cases, such as this one, it is the imperfections that give the photo character.
Posted by: Jamie | June 11th, 2011 12:57
You’re so right, we all need to celebrate the imperfections.
Posted by: Kathryn Dyche Dechairo | June 11th, 2011 13:29
Isn’t that exactly what is so beautiful about nature? It’s perfect imperfection??
Posted by: Marcie | June 11th, 2011 14:01
Au Contraire. There is nothing BUT perfection in nature. Every single thing in nature is EXACTLY as it is suppose to be. We humans, who live in a world of constructions, ideas and words, put parameters and boundaries on the definition of perfection. It may be true in a human eye and mind that something isn’t ‘perfect’ according to those limits, but nature doesn’t make mistakes.
Posted by: The Napkin Dad | June 11th, 2011 16:58
Thank “God” for imperfections 🙂
Posted by: Nana | June 11th, 2011 20:07
Wise lesson to read here
Posted by: Chantal | June 12th, 2011 02:09
Perspective indeed! I really enjoy the bold diagonal design and strong color in this shot! Very nice.
Posted by: Anna | June 12th, 2011 23:25
Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I too behold beautiful light in that shot.
Posted by: Esther Rivero | June 13th, 2011 14:48
yes kelly .. dappled light and imperfect leaves ARE perfection to me .. I often react the way you did but find myself learning to embrace the not so perfect ..it has added so much to my photography and everyday view..I have missed my visits here..
Posted by: elk | June 17th, 2011 08:44
I love the last line, “It all comes down to persepctive.” A friend of mine and I just sat at dinner discussing how life could be so different depending on your perpective. I’m also working on expectations–if I lay aside how I think something should be, it always ends up being just right, texactly the way it’s supposed to be. Just had to smile when I saw your post, since we’d just been discussing our perspectives last night.
I like to think those bugs had a feast.
Posted by: beth bartels | June 18th, 2011 03:25
I love this–I love your perspective. I didn’t even notice the chewed leaves until you pointed them out, and now I’m glad you did.
Posted by: Amy | July 24th, 2011 01:36