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Find a Patch of Sunlight - Photo © Cynthia Staples
Cynthia Staples : Find a Patch of Sunlight

Photo © Cynthia Staples

Words & Images

Find a Patch of Sunlight

By Cynthia Staples

« Embark on a Cloud Chasing Expedition

“Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy.” — C.S. Lewis

The sun makes me happy. How it warms. How it illuminates. How it changes over time and throughout the seasons. Its light can be harsh or buttery soft, and can rain down like glass shards or gently blanket a field. The sun and its light are never static.

Photo © Cynthia Staples

As a writer, the sun has always been my muse. Sometimes without conscious thought, it has found its way into my poetry and stories. It has seduced a woman on a train, and danced a jig on open water. With its fingers of light, it has traced the fine lines of silver in a woman's red hair, and the deep grooves worn into an elderly man's skin. Plants have grown fiery as rays of light pierced thin leaves and petals. A winter day turned magic as snow suddenly sparkled in its embrace.

Photo © Cynthia Staples

With a camera in my hand, sunlight has become even more of a creative ally. When I am in sunlight, I slow down. Anxieties fade away and are replaced by curiosity and calm. With sunlight as my guide, I am more open to creative epiphanies that may be right in front of my face. There is always a revelation.

Try it. Stand still and look for a patch of sunlight. Outdoors or indoors. Any season will do. Just stop and look around. What do you see?

Photo © Cynthia Staples

If you see nothing at first, don't be surprised. Try again. It is well worth the effort. You might be surprised at what wonders of the universe are revealed. Such is the sun's power to illuminate and transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. •

Next: Find Inspiration in the Shadows »

© 2008 Cynthia Staples. All rights reserved.

Photo by Cynthia StaplesCynthia Staples is a highly creative writer and photographer living in the Boston area. Her words and images capture moments and memories and weave together inspiring stories for her readers. More »

Updated 4/17/14