by Dotti
Several weeks ago I read an article in
our local paper that I thought was excellent. I’m sorry I don’t have a link for
you but I do want to share some of the ideas from this article with you.
What am I talking about? You may well
ask. It’s something we’ve talked about several times here at FOL and it’s one
that’s so important, I think we need to revisit it every now and again. It’s
this matter of staying in the moment.
The central thesis of the newspaper
article by Krista Moe is that staying in the moment is good for our health. Oh,
yeah! I can get into this thesis! I’m for anything that is good for my health.
Staying rooted in the past can bring depression; worrying about the future can
bring anxiety. What’s the antidote to this? Staying firmly rooted in the
present.
A week or so ago, as I swooned over the
gorgeous late summer/early fall light, I decided there was no better time to
practice staying in the moment than
right now, when the gift of light is all about us in this marvelous transition season of summer into fall. Grabbing my camera I ventured into my
backyard and look what I found! Can you believe that golden light on the stand
of ornamental grasses in the uptop photo?
And at this time of year, in the right
light, even a weed is beautiful.
Last Sunday, my husband who had no idea
that I was consciously practicing staying
in the moment, suggested an
impromptu visit to the arboretum in Lexington. Oh, yes! Perfect for my quest to
stay in the moment and major husband points for him! Here is some of what I
found.
This is first photo from the
gardens and it is SOOC. I messed around with it in Lightroom a bit but decided
there was nothing I could do to improve upon it. It always amazes me in the
fall that ‘what remains’ can be so beautiful. This flower is long past blooming
but the seed heads left behind have their own beauty. That golden color just
takes my breath away and trumpets the arrival of fall.
And, of course, last Sunday it was still
technically summer so I had to capture a pop of red in this zinnia. You have to
love zinnias, they bloom for so long and give us so much to enjoy with their
vibrant colors and beauty, a gorgeous bridge between summer and fall.
Before I leave you today, I want to share a few more quick tips about staying in the moment.
Listen, truly listen, to other people
with intention and compassion. This is a gift to them and it plants you both firmly
in the moment. In the same way, truly
listen to yourself. This is a gift we give ourselves. It’s even okay to sit
perfectly still, doing nothing, listening to yourself and your heart.
And finally, being creative will allow
us the gift of staying in the moment.
Bingo! This is just what we as photographers and creatives wanted to hear,
isn’t it? So the next time you want to go on a photo walk, GO! Just tell
yourself and anybody else who might care, that it is good for your health.
Life is what happens when you’re busy
making other plans.
~ John Lennon
