A Portrait

It was quite recently, that a picture drew, comments and compliments. The portrait of one, not so pretty, bordering on the plain, some would say . Not one considered beautiful, not one to attract any attention, let alone praise, yet the capture, was picture perfect .

Wondering what could trigger this reaction, I look at the picture once again. The features, not so fine, irregular at best, are far from perfect. Is it the quizzical eyes, or the lips quirked in an enigmatic smile, or the expression that is whimsical? What could it be, that is appealing, to the eye of the beholder?

From time immemorial, man has tried, to capture pictures for posterity. Be it that of nature, be it of loved ones or of happy moments, to immortalise . First, only in the hearts and minds, then etched in stone, carved in wood, sketched on canvas, captured on camera and now on each one’s phone, as we try to preserve, that which is favourite to us or that which catches our fancy.

Photographers spend hours on end, sometimes even days, studying their subject, waiting for that perfect moment. Then it is, in that one instant, when the light is right, the subject is poised, and click, the perfect picture is captured, one worth the while, one worth the wait. Could it be, that there is a moment, when all things come together, in a single moment, to make perfect, that which is imperfect, to make it beautiful ?

And so it is in our lives, full of struggle, full of trials and hardships. Seldom perfect, never without worries, never without difficulties . But in all its travails, in all its agonies, there are those momentous moments, when the Heavens smile, and all things come together, to make it memorable, to make a beautiful instant in time.

Moments to carry with us, in our hearts and minds, moments that encourage us through the rough and tough,, moments made perfect, by the Divine, the One who perfects, all imperfections. We then know, life is worth the living, for no matter how bleak, the Almighty will weave beauty and light, through every hopeless situation .