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Everything I needed to Know I Learned from Mud!

By
Real Estate Agent with DFW FINE PROPERTIES 0506509

The color purple seems to add drama and flair to the environment. Notice how this violet water lily grabs your attention. Almost immediately, you can’t help but be swept away by its beauty. The colors are vibrant and noticeable.

© Photo and story by Patricia Feager, copyrighted 3/8/2012.

 

Several days after previewing all the photos I took from Florida, I noticed that the lily was floating on top of muddy waters and some of the lily pads weren’t perfect. At first, I was disappointed. I thought to myself, my photos could have been better if the water was aquamarine, but I was wrong.  As I looked deeper into the pictures, I began to notice things I didn’t see, for example, some of the lily pads appeared to be flawed. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized, the mud was even more amazing because the color blackish gray created a powerful aura around the water lily. Then it hit me, mud was the source from where the plant grew and that was the reason why the flower could bloom.   

This got me thinking, the shade of gray is somewhere between black and white. Does the color of mud against the color purple create peace and tranquility, or not?

Often times, we see the outcome; we don’t see or think about what goes on below the surface. We are struck by awe by the brilliant attraction of what gets our attention. We don’t even pay attention to other surroundings, nor do we even think about how something else contributes to the consequence. The upshot is, the water lily draws strength and energy from inside the roots that came out of the mud and life began from the depths of something below the surface! Therefore, there must be some magic inside thick, dark shadows to create so much mystical power to produce a vibrant, purple water lily! Creation, no matter where it comes from, is beautiful!

 

True learning often comes after the moment has past us by. I understand now that all life begins as a result of a struggle. As the water lily fought to make its way through the murky waters it grew in strength and courage to poke its stem above the water to gasp for air and face the sun without a trace of mud. Meanwhile the stem stays grounded, unnoticed, strong, determined – it perseveres as long as it can. So who deserves all the attention, is it the stem or the water lily’s color purple?

 

© Photos and Story by Patricia Feager, March 9, 2012 copyrighted and protected.

 

 

 

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dfw fine properties

PATRICIA FEAGER, REALTOR®
DFW FINE PROPERTIES
3575 LONE STAR CIRCLE SUITE 315
FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76177

Email Me
                                  

                                     

MBA (University of Dallas)
BA
(Bachelors of Arts & Science)
Paralegal (Southeastern Career Institute)
Associates (3) (College of Lake County)
KU (University of Kansas)

CERTIFICATIONS

CRS (Certified Residential Specialist)
SRES (Certified Senior Residential Specialist)
PSA (Certified Pricing Strategies; Mastering the CMA)
CRS (Certified Military Relocation Specialist)
RENE (Real Estte Negotitions Expert)

"With self-discipline most anything is possible." --- Theodore Roosevelt 

 

 

 

  

Comments(42)

Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

You always make me smile.................thanks!

Mar 08, 2012 10:16 PM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

Very well written story/observation.

Thanks for sharing the photos and your thoughts.

Mar 08, 2012 10:21 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Patricia - you took a lot of time to think this one through and I love the result.

Mar 08, 2012 10:35 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

The iceberg effect Patricia. Much is below the surface and we need to look closer for complete understanding. I love your photos.

Mar 08, 2012 11:10 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I have always had a fascination for water lilies.  I've tried to grow them in my backyard pond, but they don't do especially well for one reason or another.  And I must admit I have a passion for the purple ones.

Mar 08, 2012 11:37 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Patricia,

Roy Kelly would be proud of you. This is a great way to bring a little solace to the morning.

I took the day off so I could spend a little more time in the Rain. I'm glad I did. I really like the "contentment in the pictures".

Have a wonderful weekend in Flower Mound, Texas.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 08, 2012 11:39 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

You have such a gift, Patricia!  Such a way with words!  I love the photos and the analogy and I'm so glad you continue to share your gift with us!

Mar 09, 2012 12:39 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Also suggested Patricia. Extremely lovely post with the depth of beauty and knowing - it takes all of these components to create something worth enjoying. I so appreciate this very Zen philosophy - The Dalai Lama would be impressed.

Mar 09, 2012 12:40 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Patricia,

What a wonderful journey you took us on.  I agree with Debb on the Dalai Lama, we often quote him, Be kind whenever possible, it is always possible. A

Mar 09, 2012 02:03 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Patricia, we all know that you are such a gifted writer and this post is fantastic the way you explained mud and the lily.   You are so right "Creation, not matter where it comes from, is beautiful. You open our eyes to what we can not or don't take the time to see the beauty.  

Mar 09, 2012 03:52 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Patricia, Waterlilies are the wonders of the world, Monet recognized their beauty beyond extremes. You words have that same power, to give life and dimension to what otherwise might go un-noticed. Congrats on a well-written peice.

Mar 09, 2012 04:33 AM
Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

My friend Patricia, your post is a great inspiration to all who read it and the photographs to enjoy. Have a wonderful weekend.

Mar 09, 2012 09:27 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Patricia- you have this amazing ability to take some very simple scenes and create such vivid and thought provoking  pictures with your words.   Pure Art. 

Mar 10, 2012 08:35 AM
Rachel Tipton
KingOne Properties International - Pawleys Island, SC

Amazing, insightful and inspiring. I must subscribe!!

Mar 10, 2012 08:52 PM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

Patriacia~~ Kathy sent me here this morning. Beautiful photos and a great way to look at life! Inspiration for a future post here... thanks.

Mar 10, 2012 11:39 PM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Patricia, deep thoughts and a deep inspirational way to begin the week. The photos are stunning!              

Mar 11, 2012 12:54 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Patricia,

I love the purple water lily and such deep thoughts into this post. I think lilies, water, and even mud in the right setting can and is tranquil. I was expecting a photo of you at a spa with mud all over your face when I clicked on it because of the title. Great post and I am clicking suggest as well. Have a tranquil Sunday!

Mar 11, 2012 05:41 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Patricia, your photography is incredible. The last photo captures the delicate petals of the lily.  The petals are crystal clear and brilliant in color.  I hope you print and frame this image.

Mar 11, 2012 09:27 AM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Patricia--I'm also coming over from Kathy's post.  I would say neither and both.  The purple is more dramatic because of the muddy background.  The mud is the source of its life.  Removing the background would make the flower less dramatic.  Of course, removing the flower would remove the focal point.  Therefore they work together perfectly--as nature always does on her own.  Very nice post. 

Mar 11, 2012 05:36 PM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

Great food for thought.  Thank you for another inspiring post!

Mar 14, 2012 12:46 PM