Observations from Balconies

This past week I have been on two balconies observing the world below and seen an exhibit displaying photography taken from a balcony.

The first balcony was at a fundraiser for building a hope center in Afghanistan where Heather Mercer spoke.

• The old organ playing in the theater brought me back in time as I sat in the almost empty balcony observing the potential patrons below.
• Heather's expereinces, faith and vision for the future were inspiring. What she has been through, what she has done, and what she has a vision to do is amazing. I love to hear of young single women going out into the world and making a huge difference. It was truly inspiring.
• Observing people's interactions with each other and with Heather was calming. I sat for quite a while watching people as they filed out of the theater or waited in line to speak with Heather. She was so kind and enthusiastic in her interactions with these people. As I waited to speak with her, I observed more specifically that she was very intentional about learning and using people's names and inquiring about their story. Something I need to improve in my interactions with others.

The second balcony experience was observing life through the lens of Richard Misrach as he caprtured a beach from his balcony in Hawaii.

• His pictures had no horizon, so the perspective was new and intriguing.
• Some pictures captured several people lounging on a beach. It was facinating to see the actions of each person in the pictures as so natural, yet from a totally unnatural bird's eye perspective.
• Many pictures captured just one or two people lying on the sand - seemingly isolated and stranded.
• Other pictures captured the blue ocean with a lone floating person or two people clinging to each other. The photographs evoked the feeling of frailty in humanity, especially when isolated and surrounded by creation.

The final balcony of the week was on the second floor of a museum looking down on a live jazz band.

• A middle-aged couple danced beautifully to one of the songs, oblivious of everything but the music and each other.
• A man with an easel captured the two women in front of him as they talked together unaware that they were the subject of his drawing
• A man stood alone by the bar tapping his hand on the table in time with the music. Was he alone or just waiting for someone to return?
• A couple weaved in and out of the people who were polite about making room for them on the crowded floor.
• A father danced with his baby as his wife tried to make her child smile and giggle while she danced alongside.
• A young lady looked sad. Why had she come and what made her face so glum?
• A reflection of the hands of the piano player mesmerized me during one of his solos - their movement and the tones captured me in that moment.

What an interesting perspective - peacefully observing the lives of those below from a balcony.