Perspectives all around us.

Which perspective tells you more?  Which is more pleasing to the eye, the soul, the mind?

Perspectives

            Yesterday we moved from our one bedroom vacation rental to our two-bedroom apartment that is upstairs and across the street from the Gulf.  On our moving day, I had a perspective drawing workshop all day.  A dear and talented octogerian artist taught the class.  His creativity and intelligence surpasses anyone I know.  Just being around him generates creative energy into me. I had a class last year with Wayman Brown and decided to take two from him this year.

            Perspective has always been a problem of mine.  Those of you who know me are laughing and agreeing.  Putting my rose colored glasses aside, I am referring to drawing buildings and roofs in perspective.  That can be quite the challenge.  However, if perspective is off, the entire drawing or painting is askew. 

            As I sat doing drawing exercises and listening to Wayman, a whole new world appeared.  He had changed my paradigm, made a dynamic shift in my thinking.  At sixty-eight, that is amazing !  I love learning and growing, but most importantly, I thrive on epiphanies and change. 

            Many friends enjoy the comfort and security of the familiar, sameness, repetitive tasks and knowing what is there day will be.  I, on the other hand, wake early each morning and go to my computer and write.  I don’t know what I will write.  I just start typing and  a chapter on my book emerges or a blog develops, or a poem is birthed.  A few pages later, I have a new truth, lesson, or happening on my screen.  Exciting?  Oh , yes, like today, I am writing about impressions. 

            Perspective from our upstairs apartment is so different than last month’s down stair apartment.  I see the ocean from the seagull and pelicans’ view.  I see so much more from here.  I understand the total picture of the waves, the tides, the reflection of the moon and sun on the waters.  It doesn’t even seem like the same ocean that I sit and watch under a palm tree.  That ocean was limited to my view of one set of waves, one flock of pelicans, and one group of shells sliding to and fro on the sands. 

            I cannot see the shells from my pelican view.  I see vastness, overwhelming beauty, but not so many tiny details.  I see shapes, colors, and reflections.  Both views are quite pleasing.  It is my insight, either eye level or pelican level, which ever I choose.

            I think that is life.  We choose our attitude and judgement.  We choose not to see the total picture at times because it is too overwhelming.  Other times, we get so bogged down in details that we miss the party.  It is as if we have a worm’s view, and keep digging deeper in that one realm to find more and miss an obvious happening.

            God gives us another point of view.  From the scriptures, we glean His perspective.  His omnipresent understanding of all truth gives me  a paradigm shift of hope , peace and power.  I yearn to see from His eyes, not mine.  Let me go and choose my new frame of reference today.  I choose to see what I want to see and ask that God ushers me into His vision throughout the day. What do you choose today? A worm’s examination , a pelican's view, or God’s perspective?

            I would enjoy hearing about an attitude change that you have experienced by viewing something in a different way. Help me understand your epiphany.   I think it would help all of us grow.  So, please share.

A Praise To Our Creator

 

A Praise to our Creator 

            The sea has a life of its own.  I can hear the waves hitting the sand one block away.  Its force announces its power.  In the night, it sounds like a growling animal hidden beneath the stars and darkness. 

            Early morning red sun creates pink and golden light patterns in the gentle waves.  Now, the sounds are soft and melodious.  Early fisherman and pelicans seek the first fruits of the morning, the first whites, snappers, and red fish.  Small little shore birds dive for baby crabs and other little creatures that call the ocean, home.

The loud screaming sun is a magnet to the sea.  Warming waters call swimmers to move from the shore to the water.  Walkers venture into ankle deep waves to enhance their walk on the seashore.  The ocean becomes a playground to children, adults, and fisherman.   This magnificent body of water is an endless pool of adventure.

Evening sun sets dramatically on the horizon.  The liquid sun bounces along where sky meets sea.  The audience is ding into the sea.  As it sizzles down into the water, applauds and the blowing of conch shells used as horns can be heard all down the shoreline. 

Porpoises play.  Sharks skim.  Pelicans dive.  It is their home, their sanctuary, and their shelter.   The majestic ocean is a reflection of its Creator with unknown depths, meaningful happenings, beauty beyond comprehension,  a constant truth, and a known presence.  I am in awe of our Creator.          

Dobie Gillis, the city dog

"Hey, look, mom, a garden in the middle of New Orleans, just for me."

This is the perfect fragrance.

Let's go find a girlfriend.

"Oh, my goodness, that is the cutest beagle across the street."

This was Dobie's last New Orleans' journey.  He loved making new dog friends and peeing on building corners.  I hope he will adapt to beach life as easily.  He's been a content car companion and loves when we take him sight seeing.   I bet Dobie Gillis is increasing his vocabulary on our winter journey.  We are going to Eustis, Fl.  for ten days.  I won't have much access to internet for a week or so.  Please stay tuned for a new blog when I have internet again.  Thanks for reading.

Pastor Debra Brown Morton

Pastor Debra Morton

This is Pastor Debra Brown Morton in the photo with me.  She is the pastor of a large church, Greater St. Stevens Full Gospel Baptist Church of New Orleans.  She and her husband pastor another large church of 5,000 in Atlanta. 

Debra was my student at Carter G. Woodson.  When we met this time, it was like we had never been separated.  We instantly loved each other and recognized the like Spirit within.  We spent three hours together on Thursday, another three hours on Friday at a dinner at Paul K’s Kitchen over a scrumptious New Orleans cuisine dinner.  We attended two of her Sunday services and one of her Bible study teachings.  We were so blessed.  I love this lady who has followed God, built two churches with her husband, Bishop Paul Morton,started Women of Excellence in New Orleans, as well as many other outreach ministries for women.  She is known internationally and has preached in Nigeria and London.  She is an anointed speaker and teacher.  She has the same passion and energy that she had as a middle school student in 1967.

 We couldn’t stop hugging and remembering all our school days together.  My time with Debra was both inspiring and humbling that she remembered me so well.  She remembered my words of encouragement, my gurgling giggles, and my eyes that grew so large when I would encounter a new experience.  She said I was so kind that the children decided not to give me a hard time because they knew I would just be nice to them anyway.  I can’t remember my persona at 22 or details of my first teaching job.  I am in New Orleans doing interviews to help me remember these times more accurately.  I do remember the love I had for these kids and the love returned.

My student, Arthur, and I meet again just forty-seven years later.

This is my former student, Arthur McClain, and his lovely wife Cheryl.  We met for dinner at Cowbill’s.  Arthur was the first student from forty-seven years ago that I found in my search.  We met last year and rebuilt our friendship from 1967 when he was my enthusiastic and soft-spoken student.  He would always volunteer to pass out papers, straighten desks, and do drama readings.  He still has a mellow, soft voice and now is enthusiastic about the Lord and how He has protected him through Katrina, poverty, and hardships. 

            Den and I enjoy he and his wife and laugh a lot when we are with them.  We love that New Orleans cooking.  Arthur is a key figure in my book.  I can still see that junior high guy within.  Arthur kept me laughing that first year of teaching, and he still makes me laugh in retirement.  One of the greatest blessings of being a teacher is reuniting with my students as adults.