Heroes Not Zombies

This is one of my favourite autumn photos taken many years ago in “The Sma’ Glen”, a little valley in the middle of Scotland.

At this time of year the sun is lower than the hills on each side of the glen, so most of it is in deep shade.

This is one of those “view from on high” perspectives which lets us see not only the darkness of the valley floor, but the brightness of the blue sky above and in the distance.

The hills beyond the glen are glowing almost golden in the sunlight, and if you look carefully you’ll see the blue sky, and some bare trees, reflected in the water which lies between the hills.

I find this a beautiful and intriguing image. It draws me in, takes me deep, lifts me up, pulls me onwards to explore what lies in the distance.

There’s an old philosophical, or spiritual, practice taught by the Ancient Greek philosophers….taking the view from on high.

Literally, it refers to how you can see more of the land when you survey it from a height, but it’s actually a mental exercise, a thought experiment where you stand back from whatever it is that you are contemplating, take a pause, and consider the contexts, the environments and the circumstances.

In other words, it’s a call to broaden your focus and take a more holistic perspective.