Issue #5 Featured Artist: Mel Picardal
by Mel Picardal
The Quietest Season in Japan - A Photo Journal
Winter is my least favorite of the seasons. Growing up in Hawaii, there is no spring, fall, or winter- pretty much summer year-round. When I moved to Japan a couple of years ago, I had to get used to the craziness that is snow (and wearing more than one layer of clothing at a time).
It took me a while before I could force myself to step into the freezing temperatures and explore even my whole body “doth protest” the cold. When I did launch out to explore, I realized that there is a sense of stillness and peace that arises with the cold here in Japan.
I'm learning that there is beauty- even in the unfamiliar and uncomfortable places that I find myself in.
Mt. Koya, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Kurama, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Kurama, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Nara, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Mt. Koya, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Kyoto, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Kyoto, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Nagano, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Kyoto, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Nara, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Nara, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Nara, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Kyoto, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Kyoto, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Kyoto, Japan; Photo courtesy of Mel Picardal.
Resources
We’ve created a free downloadable PDF to explore the article deeper. It contains discussion questions about the topic in general terms that will give you a jumping-off point for beginning a conversation.
The second page contains a way to see the topic from a biblical perspective.
And finally, to go deeper into the subject, we have chosen a few curated resources to explore from other authors’ and thinkers’ research or perspectives.
Read. Engage. Enjoy!
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Depending on how a gem is held, light refracts differently. At B+PC we engage in Pop Culture topics to see ideas from a new angle, to bring us to a deeper understanding. And like Pastor Shane Willard notes, we want “…Jesus to get bigger, the cross to get clearer, the Resurrection to be central…” Instead of approaching a topic from “I don’t want to be wrong,“ we strive for the alternative “I want to expand my perspective.”
So, we invite you to engage with us here. What piqued your curiosity to dig deeper? What line inspired you to action? What idea made you ask, “Hmmm?” Let’s join with our community to wrestle with our thoughts in love in the Comment Section! See you there!