View From Magheracross
August 8, 2016, at 5:37 AM… and 13 seconds. The Sun would not rise for another 11 minutes here in Northern Ireland, yet it made that inevitability nothing short of glorious. Should I have expected it? I enjoy dark roast Arabica coffee, hot and black. Evelyn McCullough brought me sweet, creamy coffee to this very spot in 2014. Not my style, but it was perfect in the early morning coolness and helped to set solid memories of this place, Evelyn—and my expectations—in a beautiful way. I believe that on this day at Magheracross View Point, God threw me a bone of remembrance… I’ve never seen a dawn quite like it. If you look on a larger view, you can see Dunluce Castle on the far cliff.
Over the years, some have dismissed such expectations as mere pipedreams. However, those who handle cameras atop tripods might beg to differ. When I hold my camera, a childlike sense of wonder affects me, allowing me to see the scene for all its worth. Does this happen to you too? It strikes me that many people have been conditioned to view life from an adverse viewpoint. Their focus fixates on what’s absent, causing them to overlook what’s already present.
This phenomenon traces back to the dawn of time—the very first temptation. The serpent in the Garden of Eden enticed Adam and Eve to concentrate on scarcity. Why? Because Satan understood two fundamental truths: first, where attention lands, intention follows. Second, if you obsess over what’s lacking, you inadvertently disregard abundance.
God, in contrast, spoke to Adam and Eve about the garden’s trees. Every tree was theirs to enjoy—freely, abundantly. Imagine having everything at your fingertips, except for one forbidden thing. That singular lack became their downfall. Satan cunningly shifted their gaze from plenty to scarcity. As they fixated on what they lacked, they forfeited what was readily available. My favorite maxim is from Ansel Adams, “f/8 and being there.” It is a statement full of expectations and abundance… you just have to be there.
Remember this: When you dwell on scarcity, you inadvertently overlook the vast richness already within your grasp.
View From Magheracross
August 8, 2016, at 5:37 AM… and 13 seconds. The Sun would not rise for another 11 minutes here in Northern Ireland, yet it made that inevitability nothing short of glorious. Should I have expected it? I enjoy dark roast Arabica coffee, hot and black. Evelyn McCullough brought me sweet, creamy coffee to this very spot in 2014. Not my style, but it was perfect in the early morning coolness and helped to set solid memories of this place, Evelyn—and my expectations—in a beautiful way. I believe that on this day at Magheracross View Point, God threw me a bone of remembrance… I’ve never seen a dawn quite like it. If you look on a larger view, you can see Dunluce Castle on the far cliff.
Over the years, some have dismissed such expectations as mere pipedreams. However, those who handle cameras atop tripods might beg to differ. When I hold my camera, a childlike sense of wonder affects me, allowing me to see the scene for all its worth. Does this happen to you too? It strikes me that many people have been conditioned to view life from an adverse viewpoint. Their focus fixates on what’s absent, causing them to overlook what’s already present.
This phenomenon traces back to the dawn of time—the very first temptation. The serpent in the Garden of Eden enticed Adam and Eve to concentrate on scarcity. Why? Because Satan understood two fundamental truths: first, where attention lands, intention follows. Second, if you obsess over what’s lacking, you inadvertently disregard abundance.
God, in contrast, spoke to Adam and Eve about the garden’s trees. Every tree was theirs to enjoy—freely, abundantly. Imagine having everything at your fingertips, except for one forbidden thing. That singular lack became their downfall. Satan cunningly shifted their gaze from plenty to scarcity. As they fixated on what they lacked, they forfeited what was readily available. My favorite maxim is from Ansel Adams, “f/8 and being there.” It is a statement full of expectations and abundance… you just have to be there.
Remember this: When you dwell on scarcity, you inadvertently overlook the vast richness already within your grasp.