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Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Simplicity

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“If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

The presence of water.

A healthy diversity of insects.

Plants that produce food.

Yesterday, I went walking with a friend who writes biology curriculum for Montessori schools. We went to Iron Mountain in the Cascade range, one of my favorite places to climb for a stunning view of volcanic peaks. However, we didn’t climb much. We walked quite slowly, noticing the incredible biodiversity of plant life. She identified orchids smaller than my pinkie nail (Twayblade orchid), and we took lots of photos.

“If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself.”
― Albert Einstein

I often think of Life as incredibly complex – this great, interconnected web of diversity and specialization. However, when I slow down and sit with it, Life is as simple as being breathed. We are as we are.

And that’s what I might say to a six-year-old.

Many thanks to Mr. Philo of Philosophy Through Photography for this challenge. May we live simply and simply live.

27 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Simplicity”

  3. I love the Einstein quote. That’s the truth, isn’t it? To walk through your post is calming. And I love when you were hiking you talked of walking slowly. Tiny green orchids? That’s a real treat. Always a pleasure to visit you here.

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  5. Thank you so much, Priscilla Galasso, for joining us with your lovely selection for the theme.
    I love Einstein’s quote “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you don’t understand it yourself.” It’s a reminder that true understanding involves the ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms.
    Watching those lovely water droplets falling or the flower blossom, is sure to keep our minds in tranquillity!
    The simple and lovely insect click reminds us how we depend on them for our survival!
    Your amazing tiny orchid click reminds us of beauty in simplicity.
    I truly enjoyed it.
    Namaste.

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