Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Reaching for a smile

by 41 Comments

I took this photo last month on my way to meet my college roommate for a couple hours of peaceful kayaking at Kensington Metro Park.

The light caught my eye.

For whatever reason I never looked at it once I downloaded all the images from that day. I guess I was focused more on our time together and the water.

But I turned around to get this image, early that Sunday morning, and I think it deserves some time in the spotlight, because it definitely made me smile that day (I think I may have squealed. Out loud.) and again today after I found it in my archives.

This week I’m feeling some anxiety, so I was having trouble finding a smile. I don’t think it’s wrong to reach back a little when grasping for smiles, do you? We’re all lucky if we have those memories to grab when we need them.

I hope you have found your smile (or maybe even multiple smiles!) this week. Thank you, Trent, for reminding us to keep looking for them!

Author: dawnkinster

I'm a long time banker having worked in banks since the age of 17. I took a break when I turned 50 and went back to school. I graduated right when the economy took a turn for the worst and after a year of library work found myself unemployed. I was lucky that my previous bank employer wanted me back. So here I am again, a long time banker. Change is hard.

41 thoughts on “Reaching for a smile”

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  1. Laurie Graves
    August 8, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    Beautiful photo! As far as I am concerned, reaching back is absolutely fine. Very sorry about the anxiety.

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  2. Carol
    August 8, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    Your photo made me smile, thank you. Too much anxiety in this world these days, so we need all the smiles we find, wherever we find them.

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  3. Mike
    August 8, 2021 at 12:23 pm

    Amazing! Dawn, this is the picture I am constantly searching for… the light streaking in from the side… Beautiful! I did find my smile this week and this one added to it. Thanks!

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  4. Helen
    August 8, 2021 at 12:31 pm

    This is another beautiful photo. Sorry you’re feeling a little anxious these days. Hope there’s a little sunlight in all your days.

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  5. claywatkins
    August 8, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    Thank you for the smile. I was a little perturbed earlier, actually a lot perturbed, but that is another story entirely. I really enjoyed your honesty and your photo. It did make me smile and grin and forget where I was for a moment. Perhaps the Bible verse I should focus on is fro Ephesians 4:26 “and don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Words to live by… live and let live, smile on. Thank you providing a turn around point for my day. Have a fabulous day, Peace.

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  6. Shelley@QuaintRevival.com
    August 8, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    That is a gorgeous photo! And it did make me smile. Those precious moments of catching rays of sunshine are special indeed. Glad to read you had time with your friend too. Connecting with nature and our friends is the best therapy!

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  7. Angie Shipley
    August 8, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    This photograph is magical!!

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  8. Linda
    August 8, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    Of course it’s right to reach in your history for smiles! The memories stick so we have the smiles handy.

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  9. Nancy
    August 8, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    Made me smile! What a lovely capture.
    I just came in from kayaking. It’s always fun and especially with a friend!

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  10. Perpetua
    August 8, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    Photography can certainly bring some smiles and you are good at it. Come and join tag line Lens-Artist to share your smiles.

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  11. sara
    August 8, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    In this photo you caught my most favorite moment of the day! Being an early riser, I get to see that light a lot, and sometimes it feels like, since most of the world is still asleep, it’s all for me which makes it that much more magical.

    I’ve been having a bit of an anxiety filled week myself, so I’m glad I stopped by to see this. Perked me up a bit.

    ❤

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    • dawnkinster
      August 8, 2021 at 9:15 pm

      I bet you DO get to see light like this often. I used to get up early, but lately Katie is getting me up while it’s still dark out and then we go back to bed and I miss all that early morning sun. I know the beginning of the school year can be filled with a lot of anxiety, I hope your kids are great, once you get them all in your classroom things will be better, I hope anyway! My sister starts with the kids tomorrow, in Georgia.

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  12. trentpmcd
    August 8, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Great photo! Whatever makes you smile, even reaching back and looking at old photos (not as if this was like “old”). Hope you have a good week.

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  13. Diana
    August 9, 2021 at 1:37 am

    Definitely a beautiful smile photo!! Thank you for sharing. I’m SMILING! 😀❤️

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  14. Pingback: The Weekly Smile Recap for 8/2 – 8/8/2021 #weeklysmile | Trent's World (the Blog)

  15. Maggie Wilson
    August 9, 2021 at 8:07 am

    Excellent remedy for anxiety and thanks for sharing!

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  16. connieelisabeth
    August 9, 2021 at 8:49 am

    Another beautiful, moody shot! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Ally Bean
    August 9, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    It’s perfectly fine to find your smiles wherever you can. And certainly this photo deserves to be seen. I’m smiling looking at it.

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  18. Robin
    August 9, 2021 at 2:14 pm

    Your beautiful photo made me smile, and helped me along in my goal to look for beauty. Thank you. 🙂 I’m sorry you’re feeling anxious. I’ve been back and forth between anxious and frustrated and just plain angry. All the more reason to look for the beauty and the smiles. 🙂

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  19. Debbie
    August 9, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    Hope everything’s okay there. I agree — sometimes we have to work to find something to smile about, but this beautiful scene made me smile, too! Love the light rays.

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  20. kathydoremus
    August 10, 2021 at 7:35 am

    Beautiful shot and a smile worthy scene for sure!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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