Heat. That’s what I feel in this image. The heat of summer, direct sun, scorching and uncomfortable.
And yet… the promise of coolness. Once you get away from the edges, move through that heat, there is a deep relief.
There is a saying people use where I work: “Run to the fire.” It speaks to the idea that you shouldn’t run away from challenging things, but run to them.
This image speaks to me of running to the fire. Of running to the heat, dancing at the edges where it is uncomfortable, seeing how far you can go. And knowing, always, there is a retreat to come back to. There is relief away from the hot edges.
I think you can’t fully enjoy the delicious respite of that cool retreat if you haven’t felt the heat. If you haven’t pushed yourself into the intensity of it, seen how much you can take, you can’t relish the contrast. Cool becomes cold quickly when you stay too long in the deep shade.
Run to the fire. Feel the heat. Relish the cool. It’s the contrast that makes life interesting.
It’s no surprise to me this would be my Photo-Heart Connection for July. My life is on the busy side lately, between taking on new challenges at work, in my photography world and a kitchen remodel. I’ve definitely been running to the fire, and, knowing what I have lined up, I will be hanging out near the hot edges for the next six months or so. There is a small part of me that views everything with trepidation, worried about my stress level and whether I can do it all. But there is a large piece of me that says, “Bring it on!” I know I love a good challenge and will rise to the occasion. In the end, I’ll be able to look back and see what I’ve accomplished, truly enjoying the respite of the cool shade. I am encouraged; my Photo-Heart Connection tells me I can do this.
What is your Photo-Heart Connection telling you this month? What message do you find in your images? Share it with us here, and then visit others. We all have much to learn through our photography.
I loved this image when I saw it on Flickr, Kat. It really communicates heat and is a perfect photo for August! Good for you for taking on the challenges and running toward the fire.
I tried to link up, but it won’t recognize the link on my blogpost, so I submitted for your approval, Kat.
It should be showing up now, Gina! I have no idea why it didn’t work the first time. Thanks for submitting for approval.
Run towards the heat, love that idea. To truly appreciate one we have to experience the other.
Lovely image. I know what you mean about summer heat. But, of course, summer leaves provide shade to keep us cool, too. As I age, I find I am hating both cold and heat more than I used to. My comfort zone has narrowed to about 62º to 72º. In my area, we had a terribly cold winter, but July was one of the coolest in history. Not COLD, just pleasantly cool.
I spent most of my life running to the fire, but in retirement, I try to spend most of each day doing what I want to do (art, photography, reading, writing, watching DVDs) and skipping those necessary errands if I can.
It’s funny, but I’ve spent most of my life running FROM the fire. Perhaps it’s my introverted nature that makes me crave peace, calmness, serenity. While I can and do meet the challenges life brings, I’ve never been one to say, “Bring it on!” But I can see and feel the heat in your image, and I love the spectrum of colors from hot to cool. I think it’s good that people range across a spectrum, too, from fire seekers to shade lovers.
What a beautiful photo-heart connection Kat. I can relate to what you are talking about, I have had to face many challenges and changes all the months of this year and I know I will face even more along the upcoming months… I feel I am ready to do it but I am also looking forward “the respite of the cool shade”