Wild Possibilities

By Cathy 

"A friend is a loved one who awakens your life in order to free the wild possibilities within you." 

~ John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdon 

she reaches out to touch the branch

crushing the needles carefully between her fingers

their pine sent floating up around her

she closes her eyes 

::

she walks with her dog around the pond

a wet carpet beneath their feet, layers of scattered dying leaves 

and a cushion of dark green moss

she breaths deeply taking a moment to attend to her heart 

and to be alone with her thoughts

::

she has always tired to listened to her heart

but understands now she often only eavesdropped 

and what was overheard was deeply monitored

screened to protect herself  

afraid of the heart break or challenge

::

she has learned over the past year 

that her heart is not something to be ignored

and that if she pays close attention,

especially when it is uncomfortable or raw

that there will be growth

::

she has also learned

that she has value and substance and courage 

and that she is worth the fight

and so she promises herself, 

as she contemplates on the new year ahead

that she will continue to listen and fight if need be

with grace and gratitude

::::

Today will be my last regular post here. I say regular because I am hoping the ladies will invite me back from time to time to share. I am sad about leaving, but also know that I have to listen to my heart. My time here has been amazing and full of growth and friendships that I know will last.

I thank the amazing woman photographers here in this space. I thank them for welcoming me, encouraging me and accepting me into their fold. And to you our readers, holy smokes, I can't even begin to tell you what it is like to have one of you comment on something I have written or a photo I have taken. It fills my heart so.

So I am not going to say goodbye, but just leave it at thank you. I will be around here and there and I will be looking for you.

Isn't life grand!

Love, Cathy 

Lighted Compositions

By Cathy 

i gaze in awe at the flow of the seasons
the miracle of new paintings at my feet and overhead
new compositions outside my window

i wonder how many go through their day
without a thought to light
and the magic she holds;
how often it seems to land
just where a bit of luminence is needed
to complete the story

mindful awareness,
the deep understanding that nature
in all her simple beauty
is so worthy of our attention,
demands our diligence
and practice

and if we are loyal to the light
she will surprise us when we least expect it
and take our breath away.

:::

Inside and out I hope your world is full of light! 

xooox 

365 Days

by Cathy

“Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It's all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. stay eager.”  

~ Susan Sontag

For the last couple of years I have done a 365 project; a daily photo paired with a few words about the day. I shared the photos on Flickr and on my personal blog. When I set forth to do my first 365 I took a photo every day but did not give much thought to it, focusing instead on learning to get my camera off manual mode. I viewed it a little bit like homework. This past year however I really tried be more present; capturing moments in the day which really spoke to me and not worrying so much about the settings of my camera. 

Why commit to 365 days of photos you might ask? For me it is mainly about journaling proof and learning to pay attention. Plus, it has helped me become very familiar with my camera. There is no doubt that picking it up every single day and shooting in all types of situations has helped me become a better photographer and helped me develop my style. I now view my camera as an extension of myself, something to be used, and not some expensive tool which lives in my padded camera bag. If you were to walk into my home you would see that it is out all the time; in the kitchen if I am cooking, lying on the dining room table or on my desk; in my purse if I am leaving. It gets used. 

Lately I have been using my new iPhone for my daily photos, which has helped me learn the iPhone, after switching from an android device. It has also helped me get to know the new apps I have.

The new year is just around the corner and I am giving thought to just what my 365 will look like in 2015. I have loved this month of gratitude and am trying to think of a meaningful way to continue with that in some manner; but I still have a few weeks to decide. I do know that I will be at it again in 2015, not for the sole reason to become a better photography (although practice is so important) but because it has helped me appreciate this life around me. It has helped me pay attention. It has helped me stay eager.

What do you have planned for 2015? Do tell. . . . 

Isn't life grand! xoxoxo