The sun was setting over Topanga Canyon as I took this shot. The entire mountainside was ablaze with a purple, pink glow; twilight descended hushed and unhurried. In a moment of inspiration I zoomed into the house and grabbed my camera. When I returned to the terrace I realized that no matter how I positioned myself something was blocking my view. Wanting to get the "perfect" picture I proceeded to run, crawl, climb, squat, bend, and tiptoe in every which direction in the hopes of finding a clearing. Very unlike the graceful twilight, I bumbled and mumbled (ok lets be honest, I cursed) under my breath, and after what felt like forever nearly gave up in total disgusted failure.
And then I saw the star.
The glow of the setting sun on the colored glass sent a million little sparkles of light dancing. Once aware of the sparkles, I began to see them everywhere - on the fence, in the windows, on the roof, on the floor, in the hot tub- and inside each sparkle was a perfect miniature reflection of the sunset itself. Surrounded by the endless mirroring of the little miracle I realized that what I had approached as a hindrance, an obstacle to overcome, was actually a gift. What was "in my way" was essentially providing me with a different perspective, one which reflected the interconnectedness of life and showed me the "worlds within the world".
In that moment the Sun and the Star met, and I, the awe struck observer, was changed.
I took this picture in Topanga Canyon.
I feel it captures a simple truth beautifully -
"We are limited, not by our abilities, but by our vision."
If you changed your point of view, how would you see the world differently?
