To accept a friend’s challenge, Mark Hirsch took photographs of the same tree, taken every day for a year. Not only did Hirsch capture the tree in different seasons, but from different angles, distances, and light. It made for stunning artistry.
I thought about that when I visited my favorite place on the shores of Lake Michigan — only this time in the winter, not in its usual summer glory. Instead of crowds and beach umbrellas, there was a snow fence and boarded-up facilities — all hunkered down for the punishing lake winds. It made me wish I lived closer to see the lake in every season and watch it adapt to the conditions.
Both with That Tree and Lake Michigan, the same view takes on different perspectives depending upon when you study it. It’s a good reminder for other things — that taking a fresh look at some practices and policies, a vexing problem, a long-held assumption, or even relationships can look differently depending on when you examine them. Embrace the opportunity to reflect over time.
See: That Tree by Mark Hirsch, 2013.
