Leave the Frame Empty a Little While Longer
On July 1, I pulled the little frame out of my One Word jar.
I rested it against the outside of the jar. It’s a simple gesture—this monthly change of symbols—but an intentional one.
The July focus for my One Word, Shift, is Reframe—specifically, shifting identities that no longer fit.
Because what we frame is what we preserve.
What We Choose to Frame
The following week, I (finally!) got my turn with the popular novel Theo of Golden from my library. When I came across this passage, I had to pause.
“How is it,” Theo wondered, “that a piece of paper—a letter, a photo, a ticket stub, a sketch, a painting—is suddenly transformed by placing it in four bits of wood beneath a pane of glass? What does it mean that we place permanent boundaries around transient moments? What does it say of humankind that we take such trouble to freeze specific memories, that we devote such energy to capturing and preserving the ‘minute particulars’ of our lives?”
Yes, Theo. I also am wondering.
When we love something so much that we put it behind glass and surround it with a frame, we’re immortalizing it. We’re saying, This matters to me.
For a long while—maybe for decades—this may hold true.
But sometimes? That immortalizing might keep us from noticing what we’ve been outgrowing. And what new things want to come to light.
I’ve been asking myself these questions this month.
- What have I framed about myself that no longer fits?
- Which interests have faded away?
- What stories do I tell myself that are no longer true?
Loosening the Back of the Frame
I started a list: Things I No Longer Need to Be.
At the very top is a role I’ve desperately wanted to keep. But it’s one I can no longer fully inhabit, for reasons beyond my control.
I’ve resisted that reality for a long time. Part of me still does. I don’t want to let it go. Maybe one day the opportunity will return, and I can wear the identity of that role once more. So for now, I don’t throw away the frame.
But I do make a shift.
I loosen up the little tabs on the back of the metaphorical frame. I toy with reframing this piece of my identity a bit differently. Place it on a higher shelf. At least for a little while longer.
I leave space for the story that is still unfolding.
Leaving the Frame Empty
Then I made a second list: New Things to Try—Without Defining Myself by Them.
I jotted down a handful of possibilities. Some small. Some large. But with no pressure. No permanent tying of my identity with them. Just curiosity.
I’ve seen how the world shifts. And how it shifts me.
So I won’t rush to place these new possibilities behind glass either.
Maybe someday.
Maybe never.
For now, I simply hold the literal empty frame in my hands and imagine all the photographs it has displayed over the years.
Today it holds none.
Not because there are no pictures to place inside it, but because there are still so many possibilities.
Perhaps that’s what reframing really is—honoring the past, while leaving enough space for the next picture to emerge.
Is there an identity or label you wear that could use a reframe, too? Share in the comments.
Beautiful thoughtful reflections and challenges for us all to consider, Lisa.
I love this skill much! What I hear is….”hold on loosely to the past, the present, and the future so that God can transform them on show you the path He has chosen.
You’ve presented so many possibilities for our past to open up to and welcome the future, Lisa. An empty frame is the essence of our willingness to let go and let God. Blessings!
Lovely, thoughtful, reflective, and shiftin g in such a way to allow for possibilities and hope. Maybe it could remain unfilled to inspire that. Sky’s the limit, isn’t it, and that can’t be framed.
xo
L
I love to try to locate Biblical word references. Here is one from Psalm 113:14 . . .
“For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”
One thing about frames (and I showed you the “picture table” in my study!) is that picutre frames always have to be dusted. I pray that God will dust my earthly frame as well as replace it one day. I think that the furniture of my mind needs constant dusting and reframing in light of who He, and hopefully as He is transforming to be in light of His sanctification process. But it’s a slow process! 🙂
xo
L
A friend from church uses the terms seasons in your life. There are things that may have been wonderful and fit so amazingly in that season. However, when seasons end we do change because our winter coat is unbearable in summer and so forth. So too are our patterns in life. Some are there for a life time but others will find that a change in season requires us to let them go at least for a time.
Such a thought provoking post Lisa! Especially the quote, that really has me thinking…
Thank you, Jennifer
Love the questions you shared and glad you got to read Theo. Great quote you emphasized. Makes me want to read it again. I have been asking myself: what have I learned this year/this season? It keeps me curious and open to learn new things and not be lazy or fearful. Also what do I need right now? Often that is simple, short response and something that surprises me. A nap for example. five minutes on the backyard deck. Putting the phone down and just looking around.
This is SO much where I am in my life right now! it’s so nice to be okay with just leave some space to see what comes instead of trying to make something be! Thank you for sharing!
I just love that quote from “Theo of Golden”–it’s next up on my reading list. (I’m almost done with “Big Time”!!) Some things really are worth framing, but recognizing and allowing for growth–changing out what’s in the frame–is also so important. This is a beautiful reflection that gives us all something to think about. Visiting from The Crazy Little Lovebirds linkup.
Lisa, this is a beautiful reminder to stay authentic and flexible as we grow and as we make room for those around us to grow.
I enjoyed reading this for a second time via the One Word link-up.
Oh my this is deep and thought provoking. Pausing to reflect on your words today.
Thank you so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Happy (almost) September Lisa! Just popping back over to let you know I’ll be featuring your post at our Sweet Tea & Friend’s September Link Up. (It will be live later on today)
{{Hugs}}
Ps: I loved Theo Of Golden.