the big picture

Swimming grizzly
Originally uploaded by c'estbonne

I wonder how many times we miss something beautiful – a sight, a message, a direction – only because we're focused on the wrong thing.
When I took this picture, I was enthralled with the grizzly's journey to shore, only 100 yards or so from another bear. I was caught up in the crowd's vision, the action, the thrill of seeing this magnificent creature in its habitat.
But when I showed a friend this photo, she wasn't interested in the grizzly. Instead, she was immediately enchanted with the glorious panoramic view. The stunning mountain range, a constant presence there. The sunlit clouds, the glacial lakewater, the vastness of the landscape. And it dawned on me that even without the grizzly speck, this photo captured a much bigger piece of magic than I had ever realized.
What are you focused on today? And is that still where you want your attention? Sometimes, looking the other way might be the best thing you've ever done.