Finding Inspiration in the Most Unusual Places...

   After my 500th post, some people have commented on my ability to post something different every single day.  I sometimes marvel at it myself but it all comes down to being able to find nuggets of inspiration in the most prosaic of places.

   Like the doctor's office waiting room.  This magazine greeted me as I sat down to await my appointment.  I had never heard of this magazine but I instantly said to myself.  "What a perfect magazine for the contemplative photographer!"  After I glanced through it I discovered I was right.  Finding the sacred in the commonplace is one of my photographic sages characteristics and one I firmly believe in.

    Completely devoid of ads, this magazine celebrates the commonplace.  Ordinary life is elevated to an almost spiritual experience.  The photography is stunning, the text compelling.  Each issue focuses on a single topic like "attachment".  I loved, particularly, this phrase from their mission statement... 

That perhaps we might each find

the poetry within life's daily prose.

   Another bit of unanticipated inspiration came from another unlikely place, the television show, NCIS.  My favorite character, Abby Shiuto the forensic specialist, put forth this thought in a recent show...

I believe in Magic, Prayer, and Logic...equally.

    Such an unlikely thing for the goth, dog collar wearing scientist to say, I thought. She often says very unlikely things, which is why I love her character on the show.

   This one got me thinking about people's tendency to separate these ways of thinking...you can believe in one but not all. But are they really mutually exclusive? An idea for you to mull over at your leisure. I will end with another quotation from dear Albert Einstein whose wisdom appeared a ways back on this blog...