Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #52: Serenity

Posted on July 6, 2019 by Helen C

This is my submission for Tina’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #52: Serenity.

“Serenity” is not a rare word. I knew what it meant, more or less. The first photo came to my mind was a mirror-like ocean when I was at Chesapeake Bay last year.

And, I remember the sunset.

That was all I knew about the serenity. Was that it? I wondered.

I did a quick glance at all photos that were submitted to this challenge. Most of them (97%?) are natural images that don’t have people in them. Hmm… is it possible to find serenity when we are in a crowd?

Watching the 4th of July parade, I stared at people across the street from me…feeling serenity, anyone?

I saw idleness. Serenity? Maybe not. As usual, I googled. I found an article: “Getting to Serenity: 10 Daily Habits for Inner Peace”. The 10 Daily Habits, according to this author, are: Give Thanks Continually; As Soon As Your Mind Wanders Off in The Wrong Direction, Get It Back on Course; Practice Acceptance; Be Kind To Others; Be Careful What You Drink; Get Enough Sleep; Watch and Read the Right Kind of Books, Movies and Television; Keep a Clean, Uncluttered Home; Spend Some Parts of the Day without Noise; Spend Time with the Right Kind of People.

So, I don’t have to sit by a mirror-like ocean every day? But I really felt serenity when I was there at that that moment!

Continue reading articles returned by Google. I saw the following quote.

The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.
~Robert Pirsig

I got it. I brought the Zen to the ocean; then, the ocean made it alive.

Thanks to Tina for this meaningful challenge.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

About Helen C

A retired computer programmer who loves writing and photographing, and has managed to publish a YA novel "Jin-Ling’s Two Left".
This entry was posted in photo, photo and thoughts, Weekly Photo Challenge and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

20 Responses to Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #52: Serenity

  1. loisajay says:
    July 6, 2019 at 2:03 pm

    I would gladly seek serenity by the Dock of the Bay any time. That is a most serene photo, Helen.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Helen C says:
      July 8, 2019 at 9:38 am

      Thanks, Lois. That is one of my favorite places to sit and wonder 😉 I particularly like the time when the ocean is calm like a mirror. Kayaking on calm water is an out of this world experience (then, mosquitoes would bring you back)! I am sure you know all about this 😉
      Have a wonderful day.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Tina Schell says:
    July 6, 2019 at 2:52 pm

    Helen, I really loved this post, especially your closing thought. We DI bring zen with us, don’t we? (Altho I’d venture to say even if one wasn’t experiencing zen upon arrival, one would find it at that first image

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Helen C says:
      July 8, 2019 at 9:32 am

      Thanks, Tina. It is a wonderful subject. I like that quote a lot; if it was not for the challenge, I don’t know when I would find it 😉
      I am having a family gathering at the end of July, and I am anxious to see if I can find zen there with two little kids running around making a lot of noise. Ha. It’s all in my head, isn’t it?
      Have a wonderful day.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. almeidadepaulo says:
    July 6, 2019 at 4:21 pm

    Perfect for the challenge Helen!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. Prior... says:
    July 6, 2019 at 6:11 pm

    Thanks for taking us in your journey … to explore serenity
    And oooooo – the You led up to the quote was artful.
    The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.
    ~Robert Pirsig
    —
    And I felt a bit of serenity in the boys in the street –
    Felt the waiting too – and maybe some heat- but the Ed white and blue outfits and different ages of folks imparted a sense of patriotism and appreciation for our country and maybe that has serenity notes in it….

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Helen C says:
      July 8, 2019 at 9:43 am

      Thank you, Yvette. Very interesting! I thought I saw serenity in some people’s eyes, but decided that it was probably an idleness look. A fine line, isn’t it? Ha.
      Have a great day.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Prior... says:
        July 8, 2019 at 11:36 am

        yes – it is a fine line indeed. and you let us ponder this line via the post .
        and I did not get to join in on the serenity challenge last week – but the first that came to mind was that the first checks I ordered were the “serenity” package – four different kinds of checks with sunsets and mountains in pastels – they were pretty

        Liked by 1 person

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  5. serendipity says:
    July 6, 2019 at 10:04 pm

    I think those 10 habits have one thing in common: they make you feel you have to do something to reach the state of serenity. But if you can make yourself sit quietly and calmly for a while, you will find some serenity I suppose?

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Helen C says:
      July 8, 2019 at 9:49 am

      Thanks for your comment. Well, I would say if you sit quietly and calmly for a while, you “may be able” to find serenity. Hmm… maybe I should ask: what’s the difference between feeling emptiness and feeling serenity? I need to think.
      Good night.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Lignum Draco says:
    July 8, 2019 at 8:18 am

    The first two photos are very serene. I could gaze at that sunset forever, it is so beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Helen C says:
      July 8, 2019 at 9:54 am

      Thank you so much, Draco. Sometime the picture looks better than the place, but in this case the scene looks much better than the photo, because one is surrounded by it.
      (Still have Portugal in my mind!)
      Have a wonderful day.

      Like

      Reply
  7. Julie@frogpondfarm says:
    July 11, 2019 at 5:00 am

    Wonderful post Helen .. Those first two images are just delightful

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. shanghaiskies says:
    November 20, 2019 at 5:15 pm

    I think you nailed serenity – especially with your first photo!

    Liked by 2 people

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