REFLECTIONS. Sometimes we miss opportunities by always looking forward and not looking behind us. A personal journey of self-care taught me this valuable lesson from this photo (Ft. Myers, FL).
In researching the types of light rays this photo describes, I came across the term "Crepuscular rays". They are also called “Jesus rays”, and are columns of sunlight that appear to radiate from the sky. This is formed when sun rays, which stream through edges or gaps in clouds, light up the haze or dust particles in the atmosphere. These rays, possessing the quality of transparency and pureness, convey a sense of holiness and tranquility to the viewers, and are thus called “Jesus rays”. From the viewpoint of photography, this is a one-of-a-kind and treasurable sight that makes a good photographic subject for the lucky ones (Canon.com).
The light in this photo, taken on a sunset dolphin cruise during a rainstorm, seems inverted reflecting from the land up to the sky. This is what happens at sunset. While crepuscular rays are shot earlier in the day reflecting from the top down these reflection rays are shot from the bottom up.
I almost missed this awesome reflection of God's creation. I was sitting at the bow or forward part of the boat watching the storm. It wasn't until I turned around toward the back of the boat that I noticed this beautiful display. Isn't that what reflection is about? Looking backward in order to see forward?
The Harvard Business Review (HBR), in an article about soft skills, writes,
Even so, one competency that is often less talked about is reflection. Research shows the habit of reflection can separate extraordinary professionals from mediocre ones. We would go so far as to argue that it’s the foundation that all other soft skills grow from. The practice itself is all about learning, looking back on the day (without bias or regret) to contemplate your behavior and its consequences. It requires sitting with yourself, taking an honest moment to think about what transpired, what worked, what didn’t, what can be done, and what can’t. Reflection requires courage. It’s thoughtful and deliberate. Being at the “top of your game” only comes when you extract from your past how to engage the future.
The article recommends building a weekly practice to combat the elements encountered in the workforce such as surprise, frustration, and failure. HBR calls it cognitive, emotional, and behavioral [or head, heart, and hands] intelligence. These parts of you are constantly in motion and if you don’t give them time to rest, they will surely fatigue. Like a muscle, your mind needs reflection to reenergize and grow stronger.
Keep a Journal.
Set aside each week to review your notes.
Don't just re-read your journal entry.
To better understand these concepts, I highly recommend reading the full article at: https://hbr.org/2022/03/dont-underestimate-the-power-of-self-reflection
So, the next time you are looking forward don't forget to turn around. What you might see is as reflective of the past as the future will be.
What She Said ~ Beverly
Another great article the journal is such a powerful tool, especially, for someone who struggles with focus and intentionality.