Learn Something New Every Day

by Judy

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. 

-Chinese Proverb-

My Mother always says, "You should learn something new every day."  I remember her saying this when I was a kid, and she still says it today.  Maybe that's why I've always had the desire to try new things, and maybe that's why I am a self-described research nerd.  When I want to try something new, I research it from all angles. 

My newest project is planting a vegetable garden.  It seems funny that I've never done this before.  I grew up a country girl in Upstate New York.  My Dad had a huge vegetable garden and we enjoyed the fruits of his labor just about every day of the summer and early fall.  I've often talked about planting a vegetable garden, but this is finally the year that it is going to happen.  

For the past two months I have been researching the best plants for a beginner gardener, when to plant, the best soil for the garden, raised beds, and on and on and on.  To some this may sound like a lot of work.  To me it has brought me such happiness. (and I haven't even planted one single thing yet!)  

Of course, being the aforementioned research nerd, I even researched information about how learning something new can make us happy!  And you know what?  It's true!  It's not just in my mind - learning does make us happy!

According to my research I found that as human beings we have a natural desire to learn and progress.  This makes sense if we think of our ever changing world.  There's much learning and progressing happening all around us every day.  

I also learned that learning fuels our creativity.  Learning something new in one area of our lives can trigger ideas in another. Don't you find this to be so true?!  Friends who have learned to draw have naturally moved on to painting.  As I mastered one area of photography it made me want to learn another and another.  Now, my love of flower gardening has moved me to learn about vegetable gardens.  

Doing something new gives us a chance to grow and to challenge our bodies and minds. As we learn, we gain confidence in ourselves, which allows us to learn yet another new thing!  One of the most exciting bits of information I found is that continuous learning has been widely documented by researchers as the single variable tied most directly to improved health and longevity!

Do you find that learning something new brings you happiness?  Have you seen your creativity flourish as you've gained knowledge?  Come on everyone!  What have you always wanted to learn to do?  Now's the time to learn it!  Not only will you learn something new, you will be improving your health and adding days to your life too!  

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. "

-Carl Sagan- 

Dear 2016

by Judy

Dear 2016:

It seems you've been quite the year for me.  There's been major illness and auto accidents and loved ones gone too soon.  There's been repairs and replacements, and bills, bills, bills.  There's been feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, and much, much worry.

But 2016 I'm still standing.  And even though it's so easy to sum up a year remembering all of these stressful, sad times, I choose to remember all of the good things about you.  Because 2016, there were many, many good times this year.  

There were birthdays and laughter....

There was time spent with family, and reunions with family I hadn't seen in years.... 

There were day trips and long vacations by the ocean....  

There were friends staying over and long talks and wine....

There was Christmas in July and sunset boat rides....

There were walks through gardens bursting with flowers....

There were raises and engagements and sipping coffee on the patio listening to the birds.... 

So many good times, so many good things. I could go on and on.  And although I can't pretend that all of the other didn't happen, I choose to focus on the positive things.  The every day, mundane, wonderful things that happened this year.  

We've said it here before, but it definitely warrants another mention - "every day may not be good, but there's good in every day."  

My wish for all of you is a happy, stress free new year, and the ability to see the positive in your every day, no matter what happens.  

Happy New Year my friends!

Summer Favorites

By Cathy

The summer is coming to an end. Officially autumn doesn't begin till later this month, but for many of us vacations are over, children are back in school, and we’re beginning to feel a little change in the air; a little less heat and humidity. Most of you know I don’t particularly care for summer, but I promise this isn’t be a negative post about summer. Even though I’m not a fan of summer, there are things that I can ONLY enjoy during summertime. I try to look for the best in everything, so I went outside (IN THE HEAT), sat in my swing, and quickly wrote down ten things I will miss about summer. Then just as quickly I went back inside! 

So, here they are, ten things I love about summer.

1. dragonflies dancing in the air, their wings shimmering in the afternoon light

2. birds and insects singing their choruses all day and croaking frogs at night

3. the beauty and smell of fresh fruits and veggies

4. homemade ice cream and watermelon on the Fourth Of July

5. walking barefoot in the morning dew

6.    watching the antics of hummingbirds as they swarm the feeder

 7. relaxing under a shade tree

8. seeing the vibrant colors of flowers

  9. spending extra time with family, hearing their laughter, feeling their love

10. extra hours of daylight, which is great for photographers

I stopped at ten, but I probably could have gone on. Summer is a time full of good times and memories. I wrote this list in my Journal Of Lists. Yes, I have a journal that is full of lists. I love lists. Anyway, when I’m hot and miserable next summer, I can get out my journal, read this list, and focus on the things that brings me happiness in summer.

If you were to sit down and write a list of the things you’d miss most about summer, what would be on it?

By all these lovely tokens September days are here,

With summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer.”

~ Helen Hunt Jackson

By Cathy

Being by myself

Being alone

Those words don’t bring fear.

They don’t cause my heart to race.

In fact, solitary activities bring me pleasure.

When I was about two, my sister and I spent a few days with my grandmother. The story goes that she was extremely worried and told my mother that “Something is wrong with Cathy. She just sits in the corner and plays all by herself? That is not normal!” I was told this story and for a long time I believed it. Well, Nanny, there is nothing wrong with me. It is just who I am. I am a quiet person. I am a loner. I am part of the group of individuals who prefer solitude. We are content to have very limited social interaction and do not feel lonely when we are alone.

Life does not allow me to be by myself and I really wouldn’t want it that way. I have responsibilities. I have family and friends. Neglecting them would be a terrible mistake. There are times though, when life rushes madly around me and the company of others brings stress and even panic, that I know it is time for solitude.  I have a favorite place to escape life’s chatter; a quiet park with a beautiful lake and trails meandering through flower gardens and woods.

As soon as I get out of the car I feel the peacefulness beginning to restores me. I walk slowly along the water’s edge headed to my favorite spot, the gazebo. There is a bench facing the lake, but I would rather sit on the steps of the gazebo as close to the water as I can get.

I close my eyes and listen to the gentle flow of water, a woodpecker looking for his noon meal, various song birds, and a frog jumping in the water with a splash. Then, with my eyes still closed I begin to feel. I feel the breeze as it caresses my face and the sunlight on my shoulders. Peace just seems to flood right through me.

When I open my eyes I see small waves sparkling with sunlight, two graceful swans, trees beginning to bud, and the most glorious blue sky. I see moss covered rocks and yellow daffodils dancing in the wind. I see a large back moth and a buzzing bee.

I smile. I am happy. I am content. I am grateful. I am blessed.

Do you take the time to nourish yourself, to rest, to relax? When life has been overwhelming do you read, have a cup of tea, take a walk, listen to music, take a long hot bath or just sit quietly?  One of the most important things we can do is to take time for ourselves. It is not selfish, it is necessary!  I hope you’ll carve a little time into your schedule each week for yourself and do something that makes you happy. Because happiness brings smiles and smiles are contagious!

The Ordinary Everyday....

by Deanna

It’s close to impossible for me to think that spring is on its way.  I read posts by Leigh and Kelly showing us images of the green growth emerging from the depths of winter and I have to admit I am downright envious that spring comes so early for them and so late for me.  The photos in this post are what it will look like here a whole 2 months from now.  Growing up in Dallas I was accustomed to spring arriving early.  Green grass, leaves appearing on the trees, warm temperatures, and a new spring outfit to wear on my birthday, March 10^th was the norm.

However, what I sometimes fail to remember is that shortly after the lovely spring weather, the temperatures begin to soar and by June it is uncomfortably hot with August competing with oven temps.  Oh not to say that it doesn’t get hot here in Chicagoland, but we have peaks of heat, then valleys of comfortable warmth. 

On my personal blog, Snippets from Springdale, I have been listing 73 things that make me happy as I countdown to my 73^rd birthday.  And writing the words “peaks and valleys” conjures up times in my life that have been overflowing with gladness and conversely times of great sorrow.  However most of my life has been like a steady, rippling stream, pleasant and peaceful and happy.  I came across this great quote by Andy Rooney, oh I do miss those words of wisdom he always imparted to his 60 Minutes’ audience at the end of each segment….

“For most of life, nothing wonderful happens.  If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.

I think Mr. Rooney pretty well summed up what true happiness means, not the peaks or valleys, but the ordinary everyday;  meals with friends, flowers in bloom, naps, and a nice glass of wine.  And by doing this you realize just how blessed you truly are.   

They're More Than Just Pretty

by Judy

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers." 

-Claude Monet-

I think it's safe to say that most of us love flowers.  We love receiving them, giving them, growing them, picking them, and of course, photographing them.  But did you know that they're not just pretty to have around, they're actually good for our mental health? 

Research shows that flowers not only bring happy emotions to those who receive them, but being around flowers actually heighten feelings of life satisfaction! Wow, not bad, huh?

Patients staying in hospital rooms with flowers actually need less post-op pain medication, have lower blood pressure, and are less anxious and tired.  

We're happier diners when our table has a centerpiece of flowers.

And, did you know that cognitive performance is better in offices where there are plants and flowers? Neither did I, but I plan on adding a few more plants and flowers to my own office ASAP.  I can use all the help I can get! And on that same note - there's research that shows that seeing green leafy plants can actually help us to be more creative!

Flowers with bold, saturated colors energize us, while less saturated colors of flowers relax us, and the curvier the flower shape, the more relaxing it is to look at!

Now I know that probably none of us actually needed an excuse to buy some flowers, or pick a bouquet from our gardens, but with all these positive flower facts, how can we not surround ourselves with flowers now? We can always blame it on the research! 

Our flickr stream is filling up with such beautiful flowers!  What a great way to spend April, as many of us are weary from the long, snowy winter.  Send us your favorite flower photos, and then sit back, relax, and enjoy scrolling through all of the beauty! 

10 Things I Love About February

by Deanna

I know the weather has been absolutely miserable for much of our nation, excluding the west.  It's either way too much snow, drizzle and grey, or freeze your ass off cold.  Oops probably wasn't supposed to use that term but that is exactly what it is here.  It warmed up to a whooping 6, yes I said 6 degrees here today.  I think we are going to hit another record here with being some of the coldest days on record for February.  I am so proud.

But unlike last year I am NOT going to let this deter my better mood, so much higher on the happy scale than last year.  So I am going to do my darndest (is that a word??) to come up with 10 things I love about February.  Some will be illustrated with a photo, others will not.  Just letting you know that so you won't look for 10 photos

1 - Reading, I have read more books this past winter than I have read in quite a few years.  I love to read, but sometime about 5 years ago I just kinda stopped, no reason. But I am back with gusto. Just finished reading One Plus One by Jo Jo Moyes (she is the same author that wrote, Me Before You which I absolutely loved)  This one did not make me blubber in buckets of tears like Me Before You, it was a sweet story with a happy ending. (oops spoiler).

2 - And something that goes hand in hand with reading is stopping to take an afternoon break with a cup of coffee and a sweet snack.  A hot cup of coffee (de-caf for me) is just perfect for these cold afternoons.  (And no, I don't get quite this fancy, but I needed to dress it up a bit for the photo)

3 -  Watching the winter birds from my front window.  Juncos are never seen around here in the summertime, only when the cold winds of winter blow do I see their sweet faces.



4 - Tulips from Trader Joe's start making their appearance in February, bringing color into my world.

5 - And along with tulips, little miniature daffodils also begin to bloom, adding even more color and sunlight onto my windowsill.

6 - I don't know about you but I absolutely love watching Downton Abbey on PBS TV in January and February each year.  The story, the styles, and those hats.....oh my.  I found this little car that so reminded me of the series.

7 - Great neighbors that shovel my drive when the snow falls.  I so appreciate the goodness from their hearts.

8 - Nothing cozier than the sun shining in thru the windows with Cinder and I battling to see who gets the warmest spot.  Guess who usually wins.

9 - And I certainly couldn't let February go by without mentioning Valentine's Day.  A day for love.

10 - A snowy drive in the country is right at the top of my list of favorites in the cold & snowy month of February.

Well, here you are....10 things that make me happy in February, and I did have 10 photos.  Surprised even myself.  And I could probably keep the list going, this week alone I have celebrated a birthday dinner with friends, a birthday lunch with more friends, a concert and dinner out, Bunco, Bible Study and tonight Book Club.  But I think the best is yet to come.  I am leaving this cold and snow for sunshine and warmth in Arizona beginning next Tuesday.

So instead of looking at this.....(which by the way, I do think is quite beautiful)

I will be looking at this.....

And seeing roses growing on the vine instead of wrapped in cellophane at the grocery store.

It's all in one's perspective.

From a single candle . . .

by Kim

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,

and the life of the candle will not be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared."

- Buddha

Happiness simply multiplies, 

like love.

And has the ability to become a beacon to the world.

Ready.

Set.

GO!

On a Foggy Day

by Judy

Sometimes a little fog can actually help clear your mind....

When you can't see far, you start looking inward.

When you start looking inward, you can see what's important.

When you see what's important, you feel gratitude for what you have.

When you feel gratitude for what you have, you find happiness.

When you find happiness, you want to spread that happiness. 

When you spread that happiness, you make other people happy.

When other people are happy they feel grateful for what they have.

When other people feel grateful for what they have, they realize what's important.

When other people realize what's important, they start looking inward....

Oh my, see what a lovely cycle one can start simply by looking deep inside oneself?

"You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dynamic Duo

by Dotti

When we started Focusing on Life, we wanted our space to be about more than ‘just photography’. We wanted it to be about life, as well. So let’s chat a little bit about the ‘life’ side of our focusing today, shall we?

Let’s talk about what I’ve started calling the ‘Dynamic Duo’.

You see, the theme of happiness is one that has been playing on my mind now for some weeks. I knew I wanted to do a post about it but I couldn’t quite get it into focus. Bit by bit, it began to take shape in my heart and mind. All this thinking brought me to the conclusion that happiness is a choice.

When  I found the quote on the uptop photo in the Word document where I collect my favorite quotes, I knew that it was the perfect lead for today’s post. So much truth in it, don’t you think?

But I’m getting ahead of my story.

My  6 year-old granddaughter comes to my house after school each day and she usually ends up at her Peepaw’s desk {which, if you ask, she’ll tell you is her desk}, where she loves to write. I find little scraps, big scraps, all kinds of paper scraps with her thoughts, ideas, emotions written down. Two weeks ago, I found this note, at the bottom of which, she had signed her name.

Of course it brought a huge smile to my face and I confiscated it, thinking it would be perfect to post here when I shared my thoughts about happiness. We’re blessed that this little girl does indeed have a sunny disposition and has done since she was born. Does this mean she’s always in a good mood? Heck, no! But deep down inside, she finds happiness because most of the time she chooses it mostly because it's more fun.

Then a week ago, at a medical appointment, as I sat waiting for the technician, I noticed this handwritten note that she had stuck up on the wall above her desk. This led us into a wonderful discussion about happiness as a choice. She told me she believes that nobody should have a bad day because of her. She owes it to everybody she meets during the course of her day to choose happiness and try to share it with others. Isn’t that beautiful?

Finally, the third piece to my puzzle.

I’m a big fan of Karen Walrond and read her blog Chookooloonks every time she posts. Just last  week she had this to say and it blended perfectly with what I had concluded as I pondered this idea of happiness. Karen says it much better than I can.

One of the things I talk a lot about … is gratitude.  Indeed, I am convinced that gratitude is the key to living a more joyful life:  the practice of being grateful makes it easy to see the moments of joy in your life; furthermore, I think it helps when things aren't going as well as they could to spend some time noticing the moments that do bring you light.  Gratitude just works.

There it was. My thoughts exactly! The choice of happiness and the practice of gratitude are a dynamic duo and if we choose to let them, they will guide us to a more joyful … dare we say, more creative? … life.

Now of course, this doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Life gives us some pretty nasty blows from time to time. But even in those times, I believe if we take just a few minutes a day in the midst of our heartache and struggle, we will find a better place and the strength to go on. It sounds kind of Pollyannaish, I know. And there are plenty of ordinary days when I have to consciously remind myself to 'choose happiness'. But I can’t think of a better guiding light to navigate the tricky and sometimes treacherous waters that we call ‘life’.

Can you?

Shooting Small

by Leigh

Details are the small parts of a photograph that are often overlooked.  I enjoy shooting small.  It's my comfort zone to hone in on little treasures and expose them.  Give me an overcast day, my macro lens and turn me loose in a botanical garden and I'm in heaven!  For me shooting small (i think I just made that term up) is about being wide eyed in the big world of ours.  It's slowing down my pace, changing my perspective and taking the time to scope out the details that can so easily be overlooked.

Because of that slower pace my eyes spied these overlapping edges of a tulip bud yet to burst open.  In a sea of thousands of tulips (and I mean thousands!) I found this. I felt like I had found the treasure! We are all accustomed to seeing tulips planted in beautiful groupings but with an intentional mind this one was noticed.

It's easy to slow down and notice the small things when in a garden full of beautiful flowers.  Now I need to figure out how to adapt this same pace to my day to day life.  That is my struggle.  So many days go by where I feel as though I'm on autopilot.  I will be driving in my car from meeting A to meeting B to picking up the kids to dropping off the kids and then when I arrive at my destination I realize that I don't remember the journey!  Do you find yourself multi tasking to the point that you do lots of things ok instead of doing one thing well?  That's me most days.  

Perhaps if I take the mentality I have when shooting small with me into my everyday life then I can find that awareness that I'm striving for.  Maybe then I can be more intentional in my daily life.  Maybe photography has a life lesson to teach me :)  

Find Your Zen

by Judy

One of my favorite ways to get some quiet/me time is to take a day for a photography shoot.  Being out in nature, whether by myself or with a photography friend, is just what I need to center and quiet my ever-racing mind.  However, this winter has not been a 'taking a day for a photography shoot friendly winter.'  As we all know, it's been a snowy winter, but also a brutally cold winter.  Here in New York, spending any amount of time outside was just not an option most days.

As I searched for the 'thing' to replace my all day outdoor photo shoot, I remembered my weekly acupuncturist visits several years ago for treatment of back pain.  I remembered how I began to look forward to my visits so much I called them my mini vacations. 

It was a community acupuncture office.  This means that I was not in a sterile white room, with overhead florescent lights. Instead, it was a large room, with floor to ceiling windows that let in beautiful light.  Area rugs and lush potted plants decorated the room.  Placed strategically around this room were many reclining chairs.  When I entered the room I could choose whichever chair called to me.  Sometimes I was the only patient there.  Other times there were several other patients being treated too (hence, the term "community acupuncture").  A track of ocean sounds played softly from one corner of the room, and Asian style music peacefully played from another corner of the room.  It was very meditative for me, and the only time I could quiet my mind enough to say I truly meditated. 

Sadly, I don't have the time or the money to just visit this office for the sake of quieting my mind, but I did find a way to recreate that experience in my own home - sans the acupuncture needles.  Several times this winter, when I had the house to myself, I would close the blinds on my family room windows, climb into my husband's recliner (that I have always hated, but am now learning to appreciate!), cover with a warm blanket, play one of the many soft, relaxing sounds from my iPhone app, "Relax Melodies," close my eyes and let myself be taken to a quiet place where my mind wasn't racing. 

I'm very happy that spring has arrived, even if it's only arrived on the calendar at this point.  My all day, outdoor photography shoots will be coming back soon, and I can feel myself relaxing just thinking about it! In the meantime, or actually, in addition to those days, I will be happy to find some quiet time in my husband's recliner, listening to soothing sounds. 

We dedicate so much of our time to our children, partners, work, and miscellaneous other activities that we tend to stretch ourselves too thin.  Remember, the busier we get, the more important it is to find quiet time. If, like me, your usual quiet time activity isn't working out, you need to find something to replace it - at least temporarily.

We need to find a way to center ourselves so that the important things in life - well hey - life itself, doesn't pass us by as we rush from one thing to the next. It sounds cliche, but it is so important.  "Me time" results in a happier, healthier mindset and prevents burnout. Dotti and Kelly talked this week about "contemplative photography" and "really seeing the beauty around us."  If our minds are clear, those things come far easier. And you know what?  Everything else we want to do, or have to do, will come easier too!

 How do you relax?  Truly, completely relax?  Is it as simple for you as reading a book while enjoying a cup of tea?  Or do you have to take extra steps like I do to really find that quiet place?  Maybe we could borrow a few ideas from each other!  Please share!

Our "reflections" theme is almost near its end, but you still have time to post your beautiful reflection photos in our flickr group and on Instagram.  It's been a joy to see all of the photos that you've shared with us, and we're happy that you're playing along!  Happy Spring!

Beauty En Masse

by Leigh

Every person is like a single tulip.  While they may blend when together, 

each one is special in it's own light.

~Danielle Kessler

The beauty of tulips when planted together or en masse is a sight to be seen.  The color blending of tulips has become an art form that can take many growing seasons to really learn.  But the thing about tulips...is that as amazing as they are together they are equally stunning individually.  Which reminds me of this FOL community we have here.  We come together in harmony to share our mutual love of photography and at the same time we gather little bits and pieces of information from each person to help us in our own photographic journey. When I look through the photos in our Flickr and Instagram group, I am astounded by the level of talent. As I look into each photo I see a story being told through the photographer's unique perspective, point of view and style.  Each individual shines through their lens as they share a piece of themselves with the viewer.  

As Ansel Adams once said, "To the complaint that there are no people in these photographs, I respond, There are always two people: the photographer and the viewer."

 If you are anything like me, you have this unquenchable hunger for more knowledge.  Every one has something to teach and every one has something to learn. I want to thank each of you for being a part of our group and helping us to shine en masse!

The Ten Dollar Cure for the Winter Blahs

by Kelly

The following is a list of the items I actually needed from the grocery store last Thursday:

• ibuprofen
• salad greens
• powdered sugar

A totally random list of things I know.  But the important thing you need to know here is that these tulips were not on the list.  

 

As I was walking toward the checkout lane, I spied these beauties {the last bunch} sitting among the eucalyptus branches and the potted plants.  And without even giving it a second thought, I picked them up and put them in my basket.  

Best. Decision. Ever.

So here we are four days later and since bringing them home, I have taken approximately 14,127 {give or take} pictures of these lovely flowers.  

I keep them right on my kitchen table where I have the best light in my house right now.  Which isn't saying all that much....we haven't had any decent sunshine in almost two weeks.  

This is pretty much where I live lately though.  I do just about everything here ~ work on my laptop, practice my calligraphy, read my magazines.  Soaking up every bit of their happy color.

I know it sounds silly, but these tulips have brought me so much happiness.  And it's not just the vibrant happy color either.  One of the things I love about tulips is watching their progression from a tight bud to wide open.  How they stretch and reach for the light.  They are so, so delightful.

I'll admit it...I've been pretty cranky about the weather...this winter has been dreadfully gray and cold in my neck of the woods.  But sometimes, something as simple as a cheery bunch of tulips can just turn things around.  They have been a total mood lifter for me.

If you happen to be in that same boat, I would encourage you to spend a few dollars and buy yourself some flowers.  While it's true that we can't do anything about the weather on the outside, we can do something about our environment on the inside.  

And so I'd love to know, what are you doing to chase away the winter blahs?  Share with us in the comments below or post a photo in our Flickr pool!  We could all use a little happiness this time of year.

Sending you all warm, happy, and colorful thoughts.  Love, Kelly