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Observation is Like a Family Treasure

For all of April, I’m going wordless for the A to Z Challenge.

The title of each post is a phrase/ sentence that inspires me as a
writer, and below is a picture I think best embodies it. In the
comments, I invite you to discuss what the phrase means to you, as a person, a
reader, or whatever other role you might choose for yourself in life.

Observation is Like a Family Treasure: Image via Nacu

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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20 Comments

  • Admin says:

    Very nice….focus is required for observation..
    Nice post!

    Technology News

  • The pic aptly complements the quote… I was lost in observation of the beautiful folds of the flower…

    manjulikapramod.com

  • Shilpa Garg says:

    Observation opens such big doors of learning and discovery for us! A very beautiful pic!

  • What a stunning image and that quote is so apt.

  • Suzy says:

    Beautiful picture – it looks Divine. I love observing people – most fascinating subject to explore and one learns so much too.

  • mysay.in says:

    just so amazed watching and then observing the white spread of petals and the golden…sense of concentration and peace and tranquility..which leads to observation and reminds of few emotions kept on the study-table of subconscious mind of people and places closely observed to be cherished in their absence !!

  • Kristen Dyrr says:

    I had to stare at the photo for a few seconds. It's definitely worth observing. Observation is what gives us something to write about! 🙂

    #atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

  • Li says:

    Family get togethers really are one of the best places to observe human behavior – there are usually so many different personalities, age groups, and dynamics going on (occasionally unpleasant, often quite funny in my family).

  • Kristin says:

    I remember when I used to sit around the art building and write down everything people around me were saying, with a few observations about how they sounded and looked. I still like to watch people. The picture makes me think of a fancy cake and I would like to take a bite.

  • MaryAnn Pope says:

    Interesting quote. I think family treasures usually don't cost much but have far greater value than anything else. I think observation is similar. It's pretty easy to do, but what you learn from just watching is invaluable.

    That is my best guess. 🙂

    Interesting A to Z topic. I'm glad I stopped by.

  • Observation is a very important skill that I've developed….

  • Observation is one of the best gifts my mother passed down to me, so I guess for me, observation IS my family treasure.

  • Tina says:

    Wow, what a picture! I do love observation…people watching…and especially at family gatherings. Watching how different family units communicate in different ways and when they're all gathered the clashes are very…interesting. Most of them involve my mother-in-law who must have it perfect, and that means HER way. Sigh.

    Tina @ Life is Good
    Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

  • LONDONLULU says:

    And beautifully observed indeed! The image and your title evokes nice family memories for me too, thank you!:)

  • Looking through a thing or a person is not observation. Only focused minds can observe rightly or objectively.

  • That is a beautiful image you found to go with the quote.

  • Mina Burrows says:

    I agree. And as writers aren't we all obsessed a bit with observation? 🙂

  • Kathy says:

    In her later years, my Mother would come to visit us with our children. She'd sit back and observe all the chatter among myself and our 4 daughters. (Not that she could get a word in edgewise, anyway,lol)
    That's what I miss most about not having our daughter's here every day. The every day chatter is like a family treasure. Thanks for visiting my blog and your photograph is wonderful! 🙂

  • Jo says:

    Sumptuous is definitely the right word for this picture. Observation is one of the most important tricks of living.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

  • cic says:

    A sumptuous image, Damyanti. Along with your heading, it reminds me of times when a crowd of my family come round. I have five married kids, ten grandchildren, so if two families visit…it's a crowd. They all get on so well together and I love to sit back and just observe how they interact. It truly is a sumptuous treasure.
    Thank you for 'following' my blog, Damyanti. That's how I found yours. Glad I did x