shadows in the light.

I took this class in college and what I learned really stuck with me. I long to do it in the photos that I take, the things I write, and the life that I lead as well, what I learned was this. Do something and be someone that has a meaning...Everything has a meaning, not necessarily a hidden meaning, but it means something different to everyone. The way we read something, the way we view something, how it speaks to each one of us is different. We can use the same "way," we view something, what I mean by saying that is for an example, do I want to look at a situation positive or do I want to automatically view it as negative. For me personally, I look at life through eyes of hope- and I think I have said it many times before that I am hopelessly hopeful. I am always hoping for the BEST outcome, even in a negative situation I try to flip it and view it as a learning experience, something that will challenge me to be better, to do better, a circumstance good or bad that I can grow and learn from.

I took this portrait of my son and when I got the chance to look at it and REALLY "see" it, it made me "think." I thought and pondered about several different things that leaped out at me so to speak. (*On a side note, I would just like to say that I LOVE when something speaks to me, when it makes me think. )
My first thought of course being how big my guy is getting...What a blessing it is to be able to watch him grow and turn into an amazing man. I saw him looking out into the world with his heart full of dreams, dreams that haven't even been dreamt yet. Where will he go, what will he do?!?! Whatever lies ahead, wherever his path leads, he will always be larger than life. I then saw his little shadow, which turned into a thinking process and research on wise words about shadows, which I will share later.
First...my thoughts- We all have a shadow. Shadows follow us into the light. Our actions cast shadows on people-good or bad. We can live in the shadows of someone else or we can be who we truly are. Shadows are shade that allows for a breath of fresh air. Sometimes our shadow is bigger than we are. Shadows are silhouettes. Shadows are forever, they never go away. Shadows can be haunting. Without shadows how would we know how we measure up? Do we sometimes live in the shadows of the past? or the shadow of things yet to be? If you always feel as if you are living in someone else's shadow, remembe there is someone who is living in yours. Shadows have a bad reputation, but is that deserved, isnt it only a truth of something or someone? Sometimes we see shadows, but there is nothing on the other side. Shadows show us detail. Shadows show our burdens. Shadows paint a picture of black all that we hope to be. Shadows showcase beauty, and they can be an ugly sight. Do we embrace our shadow or are we scared of it because it shows truth...

I don't know if at times I understand my own way of thinking and if I truly know how much of a jumbled up mess my brain is...whether these thoughts mean anything to anyone, they do to me. I don't know if they make sense to anyone else-however, they are enlightening to me.
The reason for the entry being, I simply wanted to share my thoughts on something as simple yet as complex as a "shadow." Now, as promised...wiser words than mine (not that mine are in the least bit wise.)

-"Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see."
-"I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, and what can be the use of him is more than I can see."
-"It's very easy to say that something is a shadow of itself, and it may be true in some senses."
-"We are shaped by our thoughts, we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves."
-"I decided long ago to never live in anyone's shadow, if I fail or if I succeed, at least I did as I believe."
-"Because everything we say and do is the length and shadow of our own souls, our influence is determined by the quality of our being."
-"For me, it's even more interesting, because my character comes out of the shadow..."