Project 52. Week 5.

It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts. - K.T. Jong

Reminder to self: need to meditate more.

Snowshoeing this past weekend was the perfect meditation of sorts for me. It rejuvenated me and cleared my mind. It was invigorating and peaceful. Truly wish I could do it daily, but I think adding my 30+ pound toddler to my back would make it near impossible to trek through newly fallen snow {which we seem to be getting on a regular basis}. So, I need to be content with snowshoeing on the weekends and reminding myself during the week to meditate more.

Winter's Architecture

We've had a lot of snow this season. More than a lot - over 71" this past month! That is quite unusual for our area. And while it is exciting for the kids and beautiful to look at, I find myself getting into a rut.

This seems to happen every year around this time - the landscape is barren, the days are short, the patience is thin, and there is a longing to explore and see more. Stir crazy I guess, as the snow keeps me home bound more often than not {especially this year...oh my have we been home bound}.

So I find myself needing to find ways to make the ordinary a little bit extraordinary. Looking at nature with a new perspective and playing around a bit. This allows me to discover the wondrous beauty of winter's architecture.

Project 52. Week 4.

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.
- Friedrich Nietzsche

I need to remember this. Remind myself of it each day. I think in doing so, I will free myself a bit. And relax a bit. Especially on the stuff that doesn't matter (which in the end is pretty much everything, isn't it).

Allowing myself some flexibility and freedom to see other perspectives will do much for my self induced stress.

I was practicing my "other perspectives" today. :-)

Project 52. Week 3.

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons.

I hope he can always feel this joy, this contentment, this pure pleasure throughout his life. I hope he can one day look back on his childhood and be filled with happiness and wonderful memories. For he has given me more joy, pleasure, and more amazing memories than I can ever adequately express.

Watching him live his childhood is the most beautiful gift I have been given and has helped me more fully appreciate all of the seasons of life.

Project 52. Week 2.

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.

This little child is something else. He is the youngest of four and is naturally so easy going. I'm constantly amazed at how sweet and generous and simply happy he is. He is so innocent and warm and loving and he just melts my heart. He has shown me once again how incredible life is and how magnificent children and family are. He is my love, my life.

Project 52. Week 1.

To create one's world in any of the arts takes courage.
- Georgia O'Keeffe

I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught.
- Georgia O'Keeffe

These are two of my favorite quotes from Georgia O'Keefe. I've always admired her work and love viewing her paintings whenever I can. She is simply inspiring and her art draws me in and touches my soul.

I've decide to use her as my inspiration for my Project 52 - 52 weeks of me exploring my art form, photography. I'm going to commit to capturing my world around me, as I see it, and have the courage to share it with the universe (cyberspace in this case, now that we are in the 21st century).

I'm also going to start anew in my approach, not paying attention to the current photographic trends and rules. I'm going to do what I love and create images that have meaning to me. I'm going to create from the soul and have the courage to share it, whether it is good enough for others doesn't matter. This is about me creating, exploring, and growing. Learning to be free and opening myself up to change and experimentation of my art form.

Week 1 - Channelling Ms. O'Keefe.