Open to Possibilities

by Celesa Hagan

Many times when I am out with my camera I ask a question that has been posed to me that has been very instrumental in capturing photos: “God, what do you want me to see?”

Recently I was in Colorado and was behind my lens continually asking this question. As you can imagine, there was much beauty to see.  The mountain ranges that circled Colorado Springs, the exquisite beauty of Red Rock,  and the grandiosity that came with the view from 9000 feet above sea level near Aspen Ridge.

One morning west of Colorado Springs I was able to spend some time at a retreat center at 9000 feet.  As I gazed at the beauty there was to absorb, I found myself thinking, “I have asked so often what do you want me to see God, that there seems to be something different that I need to ask.” Sure enough I began to think what would it be like to ask, “what do I hear?”  So, I closed my eyes and I began to  pay attention to the many nature noises that were taking place.  A distinct buzz from numerous amounts of flying grasshoppers, the unique whisper of the aspen pines, distant calls from the woodsy birds and then, as I tuned in more I began to hear tiny chirps not too far from me. I sat for a while listening more and more to the distinct sounds that I was hearing.  Then when the tiny chirps seemed to magnify, I opened my eyes. There just to the left of me was a bird house.  As I zoomed in on what was taking place, I saw a momma or poppa bird delivering food to these tiny chirps I had been hearing.  For the next 15 minutes I was overjoyed at capturing this everyday moment behind my lens.

What was unique for me is that I shifted what only seems to make sense when one is trying to capture a photograph-keep your eyes open.  However, as I paid attention,  I  was given a gift when I stepped outside of what I normally ask, and received a delightful surprise!

Celesa