I live in a small world.
I grew up in a small town, attended a small college, work a
small job, have a small family, and I keep small boundaries. But when a small
world collides with big dreams…somebody has to change perspective.
2011 was the year my small world came alive with wonder. God started something new. First, He invited me to start looking at the world through the lens of play...and then He invited me to do the same with exercise!
It
all started with a birthday present. My husband surprised me with an iPhone for
my 42nd birthday. And then a friend--knowing I am a
runner--suggested I try the RunKeeper app. I started taking my phone with me on
every run—keeping track of my mileage and pace.
Then one evening in July I saw this:
And I had to stop and take a picture. When I returned home,
I shared the photo with my Facebook friends. Soon, every time I was out
running, a little piece of beauty caught my eye. I would quickly snap a shot of
it and share it on Facebook later. It didn’t take long until I began to actively look for beauty on my running
route. Things I had run past every day before suddenly looked different to me.
I began to see beauty
everywhere.
It changed everything.
I used the RunKeeper GPS to explore new routes, scouring my
little valley home for new and interesting sights. I couldn’t wait to get out
and hit the road.
I was excited to get
out there and run. It became a great beauty hunt. With new treasure each
day.
As I stood on the doorstep of 2012, my heart began to wonder--how can I share this wonderful treasure? I wish I had the words to describe how this simple exercising of my beauty finding muscles has revitalized the exercising of my body. I asked my friend Melanie, how can we encourage others to live healthier this year? How can we encourage each other?
I admire Melanie's commitment to healthy living. She inspires me every day. Together, we decided that we would like to invite you to join us in to this great beauty hunt. Do you have a cell phone? Would you capture a bit of the beauty in your world and share it with us on our Facebook page? It's not about traffic, or the number of "likes" we get. It's about you. About living your best life. About seeing God's beauty in the place He has planted you. You don’t have to be a runner, but our hope is that this beauty hunt will get you out there—walking, cycling, skating…just moving!
I admire Melanie's commitment to healthy living. She inspires me every day. Together, we decided that we would like to invite you to join us in to this great beauty hunt. Do you have a cell phone? Would you capture a bit of the beauty in your world and share it with us on our Facebook page? It's not about traffic, or the number of "likes" we get. It's about you. About living your best life. About seeing God's beauty in the place He has planted you. You don’t have to be a runner, but our hope is that this beauty hunt will get you out there—walking, cycling, skating…just moving!
And then visit us at [un] framed on Facebook and share what you find with us.
Let’s encourage each other to be healthier this year. Let’s step out of the
frame of the small world into the life of wonder. Let’s live a life [un]framed.
With my sweet friend Jennifer today:
and with the amazing Emily:
19 comments:
Perhaps a new blog or Tumblr or Flickr titled: Running on Beauty!
This is awesome! The pictures are beautiful. My 2012 word is healthy. Looking forward to step out of my frame.
I don't run (my parts would end up in pieces on the ground ;-) But this practice of stopping, looking -- I use it when I'm on the road for work. Particularly after a appraising a difficult loss where there is significant devastation, I look for something, anything, on the way home. And you'll find me walking the ditch or pulling off the highway on some dirt road, snapping a few photos. I call it Roadside Therapy. You folks are doing some beautiful work on your runs/walks. Enjoying the new page.
What an encouraging idea. I don't run, but I need to do a better job at noticing the beauty around me.
Ah, stepping out and seeking beauty.
You're speaking my language here. Love this.
Love you.
Small things---big impact. Thanks Laura for sharing beauty with the world.
I always love seeing your photos! Someday I might get a phone with a camera and join in the fun, but for now I adore getting to see the beauty you find. Thanks:)
Beautiful photos and idea...thanks, Laura : )
I like Maureen's idea! These are wonderful images, Laura. And I'm downloading that app on my iphone now! Have a beautiful weekend.
a wonderful way to join and share the eye catchers.
I love this! What lovely pictures! What a great idea!
When I am out running, I see things I wish I could capture. But I love your quest to find beauty everywhere-- no matter what. I need to figure out how to bring my camera when I'm able to go out running again. (I'm currently rehabbing...but I'll get theree again and my camera will need to go with me.)
I run in the dark. But I could take a photo on my bike rides. Hmmm...
FEAR - that's me to set up my new camera phone and transfer my account to it. Then I see your boldness to launch out and seek beauty where ever you find it.
I am reminded to do what I should do. . . Maybe tomorrow :-)
i LOVE this,. i am a runner too. unfortunately i don't have a cell phone (well, i do, but it's ancient, and can't take photos). however, i will join you in the hunt for beauty, lovely laura. xo
You know how much I love your running pictures. And this ... this is just outstanding. It's like so many of your passions converging -- your passion for running,
for the Word,
for beauty,
for playdates with God, ...
for God Himself!
I'm loving this.
"to start looking at the world through the lens of play..."
I love your explorations of beauty. Especially that gorgeous orange first one.
I don't run. I also don't have a facebook page. So I'll just post a link -- here's my photo!
http://kingfishercrossing.blogspot.com/2012/01/anatomy.html
Oh, man, I love all of those shots but there's just something magnificent to me about the train tracks. Absolutely gorgeous! Looks like your runs are good for both body and soul!
Love 'em, Laura! Thank you for sharing.
Love this post...and your gorgeous pics... unfortunately I'm not on FB and don't have a phone to take some of my own. But this is similar to a topic the Lord led me to for my blog recently... looking for wonder in our every day. And how I want to paint "word pictures" about those "wonder moments." It amazes me how God seems to be speaking similar words to so many of us right now :)
Love this so much Laura!
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