I love that nuance paradoxically adds depth and richness. It exposes the idea that the edges of life is where vitality thrives. When hunting I concentrate on the edges because there is shelter and pause before an open field next to the woods that an animal often uses in the dawn before exposing themselves to the openness . I began sketching in ernest this fall and discovered that the edges in the pencil sketch is where it comes to life as well. The subtle shading from the light exposed face of a rock to the darker shadow side. I think of that as nuance. I often find delight in the nuance of nature, a leaf twisting magically, suspended above a trail tethered by a thin silken thread, bubbles in a small stream that wrap around a rock in subtly changing patterns. The empty silence of a pause in a song between notes. Just a hint of perfume as a woman walks by me causes me to stop and notice. The "unnecessary" architectural details of a simple door with elaborate carvings that have nothing to do with its function but the builder included them anyway. These things about nuance are what give life meaning above utility and function that only a human life can create and preserve.
Thank you David for this wonderful prompt this morning
Yu are most welcome. And thank you for taking us on a journey of nuance in the stories you shared. I could visualize the 'gap' and possibility created in each example you shared.
Yes as Jesus spent time in prayer with the Father we need to spend time in nature and with ourselves reflecting on our relationship with our spiritual being not simply our physical one. We live in two realm, one seen and the other not seen but it is still there. Once we admit we are both physical and spiritual (having a soul) we truly begin to live our lives with purpose, essence, harmony, meaning and direction!
As Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin mused, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." Body and soul.
The spaces in between. You hear me say that a lot, David. If we look at nature, from the grandest scale of the universe down to the smallest scale of the atom, we find far more space than substance. This is where the exploration comes in.
The distance between us and what we want to achieve. The distance between us and another human that we can come to understand. The distance between two notes in a piece of music, or the two players that play them. To me, this is the stuff of life, not the actual material.
I love that nuance paradoxically adds depth and richness. It exposes the idea that the edges of life is where vitality thrives. When hunting I concentrate on the edges because there is shelter and pause before an open field next to the woods that an animal often uses in the dawn before exposing themselves to the openness . I began sketching in ernest this fall and discovered that the edges in the pencil sketch is where it comes to life as well. The subtle shading from the light exposed face of a rock to the darker shadow side. I think of that as nuance. I often find delight in the nuance of nature, a leaf twisting magically, suspended above a trail tethered by a thin silken thread, bubbles in a small stream that wrap around a rock in subtly changing patterns. The empty silence of a pause in a song between notes. Just a hint of perfume as a woman walks by me causes me to stop and notice. The "unnecessary" architectural details of a simple door with elaborate carvings that have nothing to do with its function but the builder included them anyway. These things about nuance are what give life meaning above utility and function that only a human life can create and preserve.
Thank you David for this wonderful prompt this morning
Yu are most welcome. And thank you for taking us on a journey of nuance in the stories you shared. I could visualize the 'gap' and possibility created in each example you shared.
Yes as Jesus spent time in prayer with the Father we need to spend time in nature and with ourselves reflecting on our relationship with our spiritual being not simply our physical one. We live in two realm, one seen and the other not seen but it is still there. Once we admit we are both physical and spiritual (having a soul) we truly begin to live our lives with purpose, essence, harmony, meaning and direction!
As Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin mused, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." Body and soul.
Excellent reference and it’s the truth! At the core is the Triune God and our relationship is the culmination of our purpose, essence and harmony!
When your 3 year old grandson cuddles up next to you on the sofa without being asked to do so.
Those are the best moments.
The spaces in between. You hear me say that a lot, David. If we look at nature, from the grandest scale of the universe down to the smallest scale of the atom, we find far more space than substance. This is where the exploration comes in.
The distance between us and what we want to achieve. The distance between us and another human that we can come to understand. The distance between two notes in a piece of music, or the two players that play them. To me, this is the stuff of life, not the actual material.
The stuff of life...🙏🏻💙
Ah, moments of nuance, often overlooked in life
Finding joy in the small things, even in the strife
Aligning actions with values, while the world spins all around
Everyday accomplishments, there again my ikigai is found.
- Peter Stipan, May 22, 2025
Poetry might be the ultimate expression of nuance and possibility. Thank you!