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"And so my prayer is that your story will have involved some leaving and some coming home, some summer and some winter, some roses blooming out like children in play. My hope is your story will be about changing, about getting something beautiful born inside of you, about learning to love, about moving yourself around water, around mountains, around friends, about learning to love others more than we love ourselves, about learning oneness as a way of understanding God. We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?
It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out.
I want to repeat one word for you: Leave.
Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit. It is a beautiful word isn't it? So strong and forceful, the way you have always wanted it to be. And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed." - Donald Miller
Our plane touched down in Seattle late Sunday night and we were home. We were sad to leave Thailand, but both of us feel much richer for having been there. We walk away from this experience renewed, regenerated and inspired. A huge takeaway for me has been the reminder that this world is so BIG. Bigger than our bubble of America, bigger than this photo industry that is so easy to get sucked into, bigger than my family, bigger than my happiness or unhappiness, bigger than our "stuff" and our "schedules".... the bottom line is this: sadly I need to be reminded on a regular basis that this world is not about ME. It may seem like an infantile takeaway, but I personally need to be reminded of this regularly.
Travel always seems to humble me in ways that being here in my comfort zone never can. It is so good for me to be painfully aware that there is this whole other beautiful world buzzing about outside of mine. Somehow it is comforting and exciting for me to think of it that way. This world we live in is so much more complex and exciting; full of spontaneity and possibility than we may ever be able to comprehend. While I was in Thailand I read Donald Miller's new book, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." In the book Miller reminded me that I am but a tree in this big forest of things... and I very much enjoy being a tree, because a story about a forest is much more exciting than a story about a boring old tree.
p.s. if you ever go to Thailand, never underestimate the wrath of her jet lag. It hurts. bad.
Thoughts
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Awesome photos. Well done.
I love this! Gorgeous images! :D
WOW ! WOW ! I am going in February for almost a month and this post just made me even more excited!
donald miller's book is incredible, as well as your images. these blew my mind!
Have thoroughly enjoyed your travel diary from Thailand. I can almost taste and smell the country itself. x
Sarah - wow. Your images always floor me but your perspective on traveling and the world are equally impressive. Thank you for sharing. The Donald Miller book is now on my Christmas list :)
Sarah - I love following your blog and these images of Thailand bring back great memories of travels. The mannequin image is priceless... and so thai and asian. Great capture. Enjoy your trip!
Wondering what that naked manequin has to laugh about?????
Interesting how they package the fish....they look like they are smooching!
never cease to amaze. thank you.
Thanks for sharing. I had a similar experience after coming back from Kenya.. it's a feeling that truly can't be explained which if frustrating and you just want to shake people for not understanding! I've totally lost that "wake-up" to reality and need it! Thanks for reminding me.
I love the images from this trip! My favorite is the one with the women on the motorcycle. So excited that you guys got to go. I'm hopefully going to Thailand in April. : )
I used travel between Singapore and Seattle a lot. Best way to deal with that jet lag...drink lots of water, stay up late and wake up early for the first few days, and get outside in the fresh air. Best of luck!
what a fantastic, beautiful and rewarding trip that must have been. Thanks for sharing - looking forward to going there next year!
Again, wow! The second image, black and white, awesome! The house on the hill, gorgeous!!! So inspiring Sarah!!!!!!!
These are amazing... you make me want to go back to Thailand!!!! :) Thanks for sharing your adventure... a beautiful post and a timely reminder to be grateful. Grateful for everything. :)
Amazing, love every one.
Wow. These are so beautiful. Works of art.
i really want to jump on a plane right now and go to Thailand. stunning images and it sounds like it was such an amazing trip for the two of you.
I've been reading Through Painted Deserts!
His new one is next on my list. I love Donald's writing. I hope you read Blue Like Jazz! That one totally opened my eyes to a relationship with Christ.
Well gosh, I'm so glad you had such an amazing time in Thailand. I can't wait to go back this summer! Your work has inspired me to take more though provoking and riskier images this time around.
Dear National Geographic...
Have you met Sarah Rhoads yet?
Seriously, such amazing photos. I love your view on Thailand...'same same, but different' than mine. Beautiful photography that truly captured the essence of their culture. Love it!
Welcome home and thanks for sharing your journey! Happy Holidays too!
Jen
beautiful post. so much color and life in these images. thanks for sharing :)
Sarah... I love these. I love your stories. I love your thoughts. I love that they resonate in my own heart. Thank you for telling them and showing this beautiful country through your measure of beauty and art. It all reminds me how I want to go back... :) Good luck getting over the jet lag.... you can do it!!!
love these sarah. fine art gallery in the works??? would love a print of the last elephant eye. gorgeous.
what beautiful, beautiful portraits! and what a creepy laughing mannequin!