Breathing Space: December
Take a minute to escape! Browse stunning photographs from all over the world.
by Lynn Okura
![Redding, California Redding, California](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_101_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Karen Legeyt
Redding, California
I saw the light shining through, and it made me happy!
![Plymouth, Michigan Plymouth, Michigan](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_102_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Lilli Day
Plymouth, Michigan
When I see the trees kissed by that golden autumn sun, their leaves are more vivid and alive to me than ever.
![Issaquah, Washington Issaquah, Washington](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_103_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Annelle Hollingsworth
Issaquah, Washington
Photography for me is as much about the moment as it is about the art.
![Lake Massawippi, Quebec, Canada Lake Massawippi, Quebec, Canada](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_104_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Micaela Bellopede
Lake Massawippi, Quebec, Canada
Light dancing on water. Fond memories of hello and goodbye.
![Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_105_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Debra Harden
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A very serene spot to view the ocean crashing against the Rocks of Aproador.
![Deltona, Florida Deltona, Florida](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_106_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Sharon Hill
Deltona, Florida
I took this photo in my front yard … to hang in my mother's hospice room so she would have something from home to make her feel better.
![Seneca Rocks, West Virginia Seneca Rocks, West Virginia](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_107_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Allison Sullivan
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
I forget from time to time that this is the way we were intended to live: in the purity this earth gives us so unconditionally.
![Lake Conroe, Texas Lake Conroe, Texas](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_108_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Shirl West
Lake Conroe, Texas
I LOVE this photo! It was taken on a cool spring morning on Lake Conroe, Texas.
![Australia Outback Australia Outback](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_109_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Andrew Dwyer
Australia Outback
These images are some taken by me during my 20 years leading expeditions into remote areas of the Australian Outback.
![Solon, Iowa Solon, Iowa](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_110_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Denisse Sangiovanni
Solon, Iowa
Lake McBride located in Solon, Iowa, captures the beauty of winter like no other place I have ever seen.
![U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_111_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Antanya Chung Gardiner
U.S. Virgin Islands
This is a picture my husband took when we were on vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
![East Aurora, New York East Aurora, New York](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_112_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Sharon Rhoades
East Aurora, New York
One of our winter storms it just takes your breath away. Just so beautiful to see.
![Place of Sage, eastern Washington Place of Sage, eastern Washington](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_113_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Lyn D. Nielson
Place of Sage, eastern Washington
And even though you don't have to climb a mesa to talk with God…it sure is nice to be able to.
![Tobago, Caribbean Tobago, Caribbean](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_114_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Harmon White-Price
Tobago, Caribbean
A Caribbean sunrise—the perfect start to a beautiful day.
![Bigfork, Montana Bigfork, Montana](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_115_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Leslie Kuntz
Bigfork, Montana
An Angel's Essence
![Rural Leonard, North Dakota Rural Leonard, North Dakota](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_116_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Brenda Levos
Rural Leonard, North Dakota
I snapped these images on cold winter morning, and the fog so beautifully isolated these trees … a great sense of peace and serenity.
![Arlington, Texas Arlington, Texas](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_117_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Diane Wooldridge
Arlington, Texas
God…the perfect artist.
![Ontario, Canada Ontario, Canada](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_118_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Patty Keigan
Ontario, Canada
The amber light of the slowly setting sun casts a vibrant glow over the fields.
![Point Lobos, California Point Lobos, California](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_119_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Jennifer Berntsen
Point Lobos, California
I realize even more profoundly how important it is to live life as fully as possible, no matter what your situation is.
![West Pennant, Nova Scotia West Pennant, Nova Scotia](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/spiritself/insp/bs/20081201_120_442x332.jpg)
Photograph by Shirley Caldwell
West Pennant, Nova Scotia
I took this photo at sunset on Nova Scotia's south shore.
Published 12/17/2008