Rust and Turquoise Paint

This last month or two has been a whirlwind for me! {I know... you're surprised... {SHE SAYS, DRIPPING WITH SARCASM}}

The car thing turned out to be a MAJOR misunderstanding. I'll spare you the petty details and cut to the chase - the car was taken by my ex's, ex-fiance... her name was on the loan and she had the right to take the car. I know the way that she executed her right was very... NOT right. {I want to STRESS to you, I have been very frustrated by the way things happened, but I have dealt with it and let it go} Now the only thing that hasn't been sorted out is getting my belongings from the car. Needless to say, we have to pick our battles. It may not be worth my breath.

There are so many things in my life to be thankful for - and more than ever - when times are tough it helps to focus on the good in every situation.

I was recently spending time with a great friend, and we were talking {over great wine and AMAZING baked figs wrapped in bacon and stuffed with goat cheese} about life, and how ideals and reality rarely cross the same path. We determined that, although life throw's curve balls, we make the choice to {in the most realistic way possible} romanticize the world. {TRULY FINDING THE 'BEAUTY IN THE LETDOWN'} Wow, how cliche' was that?

But honestly, there is so much beauty to be seen. We overlook all the details. The friend I was with the other night, recently went to Africa. She shares in my love for the world, and the beauty to be found in brokenness. {She too, is a shutter bug, and takes beautiful photos} She told me a story that struck me. At one of the places she stayed, there was an old rusty pipe coming from a vibrant turquoise painted wall. She knelt down to take a photo {credit to Keira Ferguson for photo link} of it, and was questioned by a local "overcomer". {someone that once lived in the slums, and has found Jesus and a new life} He wondered why she was taking a picture of an old pipe. She replied with, something like this {but not EXACTLY...remember people, there was wine involved}: The contrast of the rust and turquoise is breathtaking.

She didn't expect him to understand. And I'm not sure that he did. I'm not even sure that the link I added was the picture she was referencing. {However, it is indeed one of her photo's from that trip}

This story, though simple, holds a valuable life lesson. It reminds me how much I want to see beyond what is matter-of-fact. I desire, so deeply to be able to see the striking contrast between rust and turquoise paint. Isn't that what this life is all about? Finding the love and beauty in the cracks?! I love it. I hope that you want this, too. In my personal opinion, it is easily found through a camera lens. How do you see the beauty in the letdown? Tell me a story!

until next time,

angela

PS: THIS is the link to my Flickr photostream. ENJOY!