Tuesday 30 June 2009

Optimism - The Art of Looking Up


Optimists are the road sweepers of the soul. I had to look out the window after writing that - while my conscious self caught up with the inner - then smiled. You see, we're rather tame. We don't tend to do much drama, tear our hair out or scream into pillows. The idea of that just seems like a waste of energy. I would rather stare out at a beautiful view, reflect, maybe photograph it and share it with you. Like these ones from again - Morocco.


Optimism is not hard won by but some people do need to win it - back. I think that as children we were natural optimists. Open to the world and always looking up, peering at the sky, into a flower, staring at a melting ice cube.



Everything is fascination, everything is light and promising. To where does such an amazing viewpoint disappear sometimes? We sense and recognize it's passing either personally or in observation. Some of us are living examples of a life adequately lived with just a memory of complete happiness.

All is not lost. All is never truly lost. But, how to win it back? I think that one way is to step back from any distraction, sit down and just... think. Happiness is partly being reconciled with yourself. There is no one alive who is truly happy that is not true to themselves. So it might be good to reintroduce yourself to yourself. Who am I? What do I really want? Why am I here? From there you can search out your methods and tools to go forward. I found mine at the age of twenty-one and I am so grateful I did. Others will find their way, as long as they search it out.

There is such a life to be lived! And meaning like treasure to be unearthed; it would be a sad thing to leave this world with the epitaph, "I came for the food".


With regards to this world - realising you can't control it is an immense freedom. Observe this fact from a simple distance. Distance from anger, envy. Distance, from any negative reaction that springs like a struck match. This is not coldness; it affords you a truthful minute to look at things with clear rational eyes. I think that gives one more patience and ultimately compassion. Try controlling everything and you'll soon lose track of yourself and the point. Just, step, back.


It's hard to tell more without revealing. I used to live a life that glistened on top but was shallow underneath, yet had hugely complex feelings bartering for attention. Now it feels a lot deeper and incredibly simple. I just have to look up from time to time.

45 comments:

Shell said...

When you wrote this:"We don't tend to do much drama, tear our hair out or scream into pillows. The idea of that just seems like a waste of energy." I'm like that is so me. i like to rechannel any drama or heavier stuff into positive energy I can use.
I've always been an optimist. Just something in me. No matter how bad things get, I always find a way to see the good.

Purple Flowers said...

"To thine own self be true."

Hello Lindello said...

I love your thoughtful words! So glad you stopped by my blog. Please let me know what films you are working on! I would love to check them out if possible

Deidra said...

My grandmother always used to say, "Keep looking up." It was a great piece of advice. I needed to hear these words today. To get my eyes off my toes and gaze heavenward. Thank you!

Renee said...

I love your blog. You are very wise.

Love Renee xoxo

Unknown said...

I love your train of thoughts.
I am not always an optimist, sometimes I relate to it as being a realist, but I have kept a rather positive outlook to the world in front of me.
I found the more I have lived the easier it has become to be hopeful. Regardless of the state of world affairs...
PS: I have seen you commenting on my sons blog: A hint of sarcasm...

Clarity said...

Shell - so true "a way to see the good".

Purple Flowers - I love that quote from Hamlet and when Polonius continues: "..And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man."

Thank you HL, will update you soon.
Deidra - glad it helped, smile on.
Renee - thank you, I appreciate that.

Victoria - I see what you mean. The more you live, the more you see things as they really are. I didn't make the connection that "a hint of" was your son, you've raised a smart one.

Anonymous said...

Amazing post - very thoughtful and inspiring. Love the photos that you put with it, too - they're gorgeous! And "the art of looking up" is such a great way to put it.

la cuisine bourgeois said...

beautifully written and beautiful photos. oh, and by the way, the best place to get tea cups if you can't afford $100+ antique ones is Anthropologie. That's where mine are from. I don't think each one was more than $12.

:)

corine said...

Look on my blog for my answer to this post :-)

Laurel said...

You are amazing. Such a gifted writer. Really-these words so resonate with me. While I am an optimist by nature I tend to let fear get the best of that part of me from time to time. Fear creeps in...optimism disappears. I love what you said about children and I so see it in my four year old. I pray that all my darlings can keep a little of that childhood rosy view always. Love to you today.

ticklishfromadistance said...

This is such a lovely post. Every bit of it.

Honor Woodard said...

Stunning photographs and wise words, Clarity. I see a book emerging. Thank you for sharing your grace with the world. (and I, too, would be very interested in seeing your films)

VanessasRunway said...

You are a great, great writer! Loved this post! very true and very wise.

Lori ann said...

Dear Clarity,

What a wonderful way to start the day, thank you for this incredibly lovely post. Your images and words all come together in such a thoughtful way, I was sad to see it come to an end. So i went to the start and read (and looked) again.

I agree with you completely and i'd just like to add that i think for some, gaining back optimism can sometimes happen after a great loss or a lifechanging event, I think i've seen that happen.

Thank you for the invite, I love your blog ☺

lori

Anonymous said...

WOW! I needed that today!

.."There is no one alive who is truly happy that is not true to themselves"..I thank you for that! I always wonder how some people can be so happy all the time, it makes me feel like a complete depressing person, which I'm actually not!! And such beautiful pictures of a country which is still on my list. Hopefully in the future. Thx, XXX, Carmie.

Vivian said...

Your blog is so beautiful!!

Thanks for your lovely comment. I'm glad you also love Fall clothes :)

I'm an assistant producer, and I mainly deal with the script editing- good guess!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

You have described quite perfectly my own philosohpy of life. I think I must have been born optimistic, and am grateful for that fact. However, I choose how to look at things as well, and remain true to myself. I suppose that is why I am happy. Not giddy. Just happy.

Thanks for your comment on my Fourth of July post about the fireworks. Funny, yes I do suppose it is our "break-up" day...but how do you explain my anglophilia??? I adore Britain completely.

Barbara said...

Such unusual photos which make for interesting viewing. Like the sun through the trees.

Gardens of the Rose is just the other side of the M25 (north side and south of St. Albans)

There is a page on a horticultural web site for it. Google The Gardens of the Rose and you should get it.

polli said...

hi! thanks for wishing me happy birthday! its really nice to be getting birthday wishes on my blog ;0!

these images are stunning and so artistic :) very cool!

Dream Sequins said...

This is true wisdom- to look past the glittering stuff on top-- as you say-- and to find the deeper meaning within and without ourselves. Thanks for sharing that. And those photos from Morocco look amazing.

Jennifer said...

This is a wonderful post and much needed by me now. I am at heart an optimist who sometimes invites/exposes what is perplexing me. I have torn my hair out over things I can't control because some losses hurt and can be hard to recover from. Judgements from people who love you but don't understand you can make it a challenge to hold your head up.

As you mentioned, though, worries and scrambling to hold on to things and people that you can't control inevitably results in a loss of connection with your very own soul. It's ironic because all of that carrying on is about trying to preserve that sense of connectedness and security I think. Letting go and being optimistic and a healthy detachment to variables works much better :)

Penny Lane said...

i like the forest's pic =)

PL ♥

home before dark said...

I have seen your comments around and wanted to read what you said for yourself. Not disappointed!

For years I worked as a fundraiser/public relations director for our community's mental health center. A social worker I worked with, still beautiful in her 60s, still a bohemian in a very upscale way, a survivor of a difficult marriage and some very challenging children, said while digging around in her garden, "Oh you young people with your ideas of happiness all the time. Not many times of over the top happiness in life. Go for contentment, with a few splendid moments of pure joy."

I think of that often, now that I am almost 60 and I see her wisdom. Learning to be content in our own skins is a big part of our journey.

Glad you found you happiness early. You are blessed.

Lisa said...

Are you the same Clarity who once lived in Germany? If so we knew each other online back then. :)

Unknown said...

i'm still learning that not having control is freedom not a nightmare. i appreciate your insights- and morocco looks so inspiring; beautiful photos.

Mandarine D'Italie said...

I love your sense of expression, these words express my moments of intuition ... of enlightenment, although sometimes I still battle with my inner self seeing the half empty... it must be in my genes or perhaps is just an attempt to be combat fear... whatever it is, this post comes as a refresher, a white light into our - sometimes troubled lifes.
Thank you, I have enjoyed every single word of it,

catx

Ann said...

Nice images and cool thoughts... I'd love spending time with optimists ... they are such energy and life boosters.

I think I'm quite a drama queen at times but at the same time an optimist too.

Bonbon Oiseau said...

beautiful. and i looked up in marrakech and saw the same things i think...

Clarity said...

Thank you all. I am touched beyond letters. Peace, love to all.

Laurel - I hope so too, for all of us, xx.

Honor - my book? really? Film is easier to share just now. Thank you for your sweet words.

Home before Dark - thank you for "following" me here :) do you blog too? Lisa, I've never lived in Germany, thanks for stopping though.

Bonbon - Marrakesh is inspirational and we all experience it's grasp. I am glad you saw the same beauty within.

paolo said...

it's a philosophy that fits perfectly: The Art of Looking Up! ...and you are an Artist!

Tasha said...

Thanks for visiting my blog...that "model" is me hehe, so thanks! :) I really like this post!

Cafe Fashionista said...

What wise words seemingly flow out of your fingertips. This post is lovely! :)

Elisa Day said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind comment! I love your images and your words. I sure will be back

Sheryl said...

What a beautiful post and pictures. I am in the process of simplifying my life which is hard because I am a control freak. But your are so right, when I step back and let life happen as it will I have so much piece.

Have a great weekend.

Elisa Day said...

I got the wind chime from http://indiska.com/

Clarity said...

Grazie Paolo, kind words.

Cafe Fashonista, thank you, I try not to edit my thoughts, sometimes it helps, sometimes I need spellchecker.

Sheryl, thank you for visiting and hope for the best in your quest for simplicity!

Elisa, very sweet of you and I am glad to come across a unique artist.

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

hi CLARITY-


Loved loved loved your blog--and love your comments on my blog, www.thestylesaloniste.com
Thank you!
Adore your insight, fresh perspective and fearless and gracious expression and ideas.

I will be adding you to my favorites in the blog roll.

Love and peace and delicious food, D

muralimanohar said...

Lovely post. And incredible last picture.

beauty comma said...

Great post! It's hard being optimistic sometimes, I'm sure it is for all people but it's nice getting a reminder once in a while.

Aline said...

gorgeous photos and very well said!

flossy-p said...

So true. Such a lovely post, a great reminder, and gorgeous photo's too!

Baglady said...

I adore your photos.

wv= ableco. The company you call in when no one else can help.

Anonymous said...

Oustanding post. I think there are few places as inspirational as Morocco. I really want to travel there one day.

The Sophisticated Aesthete said...

I so agree with your post. Even though I tend to do some drama at times, I always find back to my hopes and ideals, and become optimistic again.