The only way to bring peace to the earth is to learn to make our own life peaceful.
– Gautama Buddha
Egidio sends us a very timely, and beautiful challenge – Serenity. He says:
The world is in constant chaos. If not close to our doorstep, we just need to look around.
We are left with two options: to let things bog us down or to look for serenity to lift our spirits and calm our minds. Serenity alleviates today’s problems for me.
And for me, Egidio. Thank you for a wonderful challenge! My choices speak for themselves, so there is only a quote attached to each picture.
And joy is everywhere; it is in the earth’s green covering of grass; in the blue serenity of the sky.
– Rabindranath Tagore
We have forgotten what rocks and plants still know – we have forgotten how to be – to be still – to be ourselves – to be where life is here and now.
– Eckhart Tolle
Everything passes, nothing remains. Understand this, loosen your grip and find serenity.
– Surya Das
Journey with me to a true commitment to our environment. Journey with me to the serenity of leaving to our children a planet in equilibrium.
– Paul Tsongas
A garden must combine the poetic and the mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy.
– Luis Barragan
The trees, the flowers, the plants grow in silence. The stars, the sun, the moon move in silence. Silence gives us a new perspective.
– Mother Teresa
For this challenge, there are many possibilities – please visit Egidio ‘s inspirational site for more!
Last week, Ritva asked us to break the rules. Your beautiful photos taught us that photography can be emotional, and without rules. This week, the challenge is for us to find serenity in our photos. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, it is Tina’s turn to share a new challenge. Stay tuned. But stay calm and kind as well.
Leya 
A wonderful post .. beauty in images and words
Thank you, Julie! ♥
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These are all wonderful images I cannot choose a favourite
♥
What a gorgeous set of photos, Leya. I love each and every one, and the quotes are perfectly matched. There is something magical about the second to last photo that really captures me!
I am glad you really enjoyed it, Lindy! It was a good challenge that suited me well.
so much to enjoy in this contemplative post – and love the ”Silence gives us a new perspective.”- it sure does – and so do geat photos like the ones featured here – they augment perspective
Thank you for a lovely comment!
Ann-Christine, your quotes add to the beauty of your photographs. I especially love the photo and the quote by Surya Das that goes with it!
Thank you, John – that photo is an old favourite of mine. I was so lucky to find this old man walking along the beach. And a beautiful day it was – if I remember it right it was in Latvia.
Such awesome shots, A-C and wonderful quotes to go with eacb one of them. My favourite mist be the frost covered buds. The first photo looks like a watercolour painting.
Thank you, it does look like a painting – but it’s real. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Marvellous post, A C! Stunning images and excellent quotes in keeping with those pictures and the mood. Serenity in spades with the greens and also the sea shore. 🥰
Thank you, Sue! I realised I missed out last Monday…
Ah, well…
Sunday!
Yes, Sunday it is!
These are so beautiful Ann-Christine there is peace everywhere. I do love that first quote too, very appropriate for this post.
♥ Thank you, Leanne! It was a theme that suited me well. And many others!
Beautiful images and thoughtful posts! They’re all great images. Maybe my favorite is the last one, the tree. Great work!
Thank you, Joanne – it seems that tree resonated with many commenters!
AC you have outdone even yourself and that is really saying something. I loved every image and each is perfectly paired with its quote. You truly are an artist.
Now I am blushing…such praise from you! You made my day, Tina – thank you!
All your photos are so beautiful and you’ve found great quotes to accompany them. My favourites are those lilac tinted leaves at the top and the last two with those gorgeous greens 💚
Thank you, Sarah! I very much enjoyed this theme – it resonates with me.
Beautiful photographs Ann-Christine, the way you captured that wonderful tree is especially gorgeous 🌿💚🍃 xxx
♥ Thank you, Xenia!
That tree is the perfect end to a wonderful post. I’m in love with the tree, you captured it so, so well.
Thank you, Sofia! I had other trees in my mind too, but I am glad you liked this one!
Wonderful post and photos.
Thank you, Donna!
Beautiful photos and quotes. If only everyone could feel this way.
♥
Photos od green of nature instantly reflect serenity A goes the blue. Beautiful post Ann-Christine. The last two images resonate with me the most out of this lovely set of images, maybe it is this time of the year that the green has that effect. the beginning, new, joy.
Thank you so much, Ritva. Yes, the green is now at its peak performance – and I enjoy every day! I guess you do as well!
Egídio says ‘This is pure art’. He is absolutely right. This is a wonderful post, A-C. I wish I could enbed it into the brain cells of world leaders.
Oh Tish – I am happy you liked it, and I am grateful to be surrounded by ”real people”! Some days I fear I might go crazy – because the world is…Thank you for being out there where we can reach each other.
That high key photo is so wonderfully restful! Your photo of the snow reminded me of T.S.Eliot’s lines ”Winter kept us warm, covering Earth in forgetful snow”, the same image of serenity. I enjoyed all your photos today, and the quotes. And I agree we need this calm in what our world has become
Thank you – I am happy you liked my post. And that we agree on the necessity of serenity in this world. Some days are unbearable – it takes all my strength to stay hopeful of the future.
Perfect serenity: perfect shots: perfect quotes.
♥♥♥
Absolutely loved this serene collection, AC—each quote paired with the image felt like a gentle whisper to the soul. 🌿✨
The calm, the wisdom, the stillness… beautifully done.
Thank you for this peaceful little pause in the scroll!
Wow, I am happy to hear you liked it that much! Thank you!
Welcome, AC.
You’ve shown us serenity in every season.
Thank you! I love both the word and what it stands for. I also love the posts coming in!
Gorgeous images, quotes, and sense of peace. Thank you Ann-Christine.
♥
I was hoping for a forest and you made me wait until the end Ann-Christine 😀 A wonderful lot of serenity in words and beautiful photos
♥ Thank you, Brian! Of course I had to have a forest – yes.
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Ann-Christine, how can I begin to say something about these photos? I love your presentation, the colors, the quotes, the profound impact your photos have on me. I like them all. This is pure art!
You are so very kind, Egidio – thank you! Happy you liked them!