Stepping into the Picture

A while back some of you may have seen this photograph on Sara Healy's blog, a sharing connection. This was from one of her Story Photo posts. She suggested that this picture had a story to tell. This is its story.

Photo courtesy of Sara Healy

Beyond the Obvious.  This picture talks to us.  Let’s see what it has to say.  We see things around us.  We see our houses, the passing cars, the flowers and the dog in the neighbor's yard.  All these are real.  We don't think about it, they just are.  They're things we can see, touch, smell and hear.  What about all the things we can't see?  Are they less real?  Do they not exist simply because we can't see them?  Ah, I've got you now.  We're taking a journey beyond the obvious into another world, the world of magical, mystical wonder.  The portal is guarded by two creatures, immortal, half man, half animal, not really belonging to either world.

What lies beyond?  As we pass through the portal, the sky appears to brighten and the lines of definition become fuzzy, taking on an ethereal quality, and nature sings with a voice beyond human ears.  It's not a frightening place, but at the same time we are aware that we're not alone.  This is a world where things are more sensed than seen or heard, a world inhabited by spirits. They are not the ghosts of humans passed, but rather they exist beyond time and space, eternal with no beginning or end.  They are keepers of the realm and the protectors of magic. They can take on physical shape much like the guardians or simply flow in harmony with nature and pass silently between worlds.

As we pass through this strange new place, we pause, reflective, and thoughtful.  This is a magical place.  There is wonder everywhere.  The sky is brighter, the grass greener, the air is alive.  We sense a movement ahead, and there among the trees is the most magnificent creature.  It is a horse-like animal with a single horn centered upon its head, bearing a striking resemblance to the mythological unicorn.  It is the purest white, wearing a blanket of red and gold tapestry.  Impossible!  We all know unicorns don't exist, but then again we're not in our world now.  This is the land beyond the obvious, and anything is possible.