Shri

untitled (from the series 'aila,' 2004), © Rinko Kawauchi

I've just discovered the photography of Rinko Kawauchi (love it!) and have ordered her latest book, Illuminance. Interestingly, the Sanskrit word "Shri" has the root meaning of radiance, or diffusing light, much like the English word "illuminate." Lately I have been making a conscious point of seeing beauty ("shri") every day--in the light on the trees, in the birds in my back yard, in the ordinary things of this world. Here's what Kawauchi says about beauty: “The world is connected by what we cannot see. In times of despair if we hold on to the things we believe are beautiful in life, that energy will change and affect the world in a positive way.” How true!

I like this photograph for its suggestion of the beginning of a new year and also of my granddaughter who is due to arrive any day!!!