The Background:
I took this shot from the balcony of my motel just outside of Zion National Park. I had done a difficult hike that day and was not feeling up to getting out for sunset. I was blessed to be able to capture this scene without even leaving my room. I love the simplicity of the shot – the dramatic profile of the rock spires and the amazing sunset colors.
The Message:
I have written in the past about the importance of appreciating the small things and the little details in life. But I also think the opposite is true – when we face a challenge or a difficult moment, sometimes we need to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. When we look at this image, we can’t see the details – we don’t know whether we are looking at one solid rock or the combination of many individual formations – we can’t see the imperfections and the cracks. We see the rise and fall of the mountain ridge and, taken as a whole, it creates a stunning profile. In those moments of difficulty, we may need to look at the broad strokes and trajectory of our life and focus less on the specific details. Is our life heading in a positive direction despite our current setbacks? Are we trying to improve ourselves and our situation? If we remind ourselves of the larger trend and direction we are heading, we can put that momentary struggle into context and see a beautiful scene in front of us.
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