Day 4 - Sunlight and Shadows

Gentle morning breeze

The golden rays of sunshine

through the open door.

Early mornings,

my favourite time of the day.

I open all the French windows to let in the early birdsong

and wait for those first rays of sunhine

which fill my home with glorious sunlight.

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

Tiny angel decorating a heart-shaped jewellery container

a gift from my grandson.

Inspiration is not something that can be forced.

Sometimes it comes through something we may see.

It grows and unfolds within us in moments we do not choose at all.

We look and look and cannot see..

and yet the treasures lie within

waiting to manifest themselves.

Inspiration can be as elusive  as a shadow on the wall.

Fascinating and yet fleeting.

Being in nature is certainly inspiring

as we observe the beauty all around us in the tiniest detail

like this lovely lichen on a tree trunk.

Flowers inspire me to take photographs and stimulate my creativity

Their fresh bright colours are especially welcome during the winter months.

Pansy rescued from my window-box just as it was starting to snow.

It could be said that inspiration is rather like the growth of a flower,

starting from a tiny seed in the earth

which grows and is nurtured and blossoms

and cannot be contained

It simply has to come into being.

***

The ancient Greeks thought that inspiration came from the Muses.

The Muses are the inspirational goddesses of Literature, Science and the arts 

in Greek Mythology.

They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the poetry,

lyric songs and myths that were related orally for centuries in these ancient times.

Through the Eyes of a Child

The little boy was on the same steam-boat outing as me.

I couldn't help but notice how long he sat quietly

watching the paddles on the boat churn up the water.

He put up his hand as if to touch the splashing water and left his hand

on the glass a very long time. He could certainly feel the vibrations.

When we look at the world around us as though we were seeing things

for the the very first time,

just like a small child discovers everything around him,

we are able to enter into a state of childlike wonder.

As a child, I remember how shadows were created by sunlight

and how the moving changing patterns fascinated me

allowing me to be totally immersed in the moment.

Just the other day, I poured myself a glass of water when I got up

and stopped to admire the shapes and reflections on the kitchen top work surface.

I thought how beautiful they looked.

Slowing down on my walks allows me to notice tiny insects, butterflies and bees

on the plants and flowers I pass.

It's lovely just to linger awhile and wonder about the sort of life they live.

I notice how a beautiful flower is at the end of its cycle

and how the centre is a source of interest and beauty

once the petals have taken on a more discreet role.

Sometimes the filtered sunlight in the background 

fills me full of awe

before I even notice the pollen-filled centre and the luminous petals of this 

Rudbeckia flower.

***

"To reclaim our childhood wonder, we need a way

 to let go of our judgements and return to a beginner's mind.

How can we do that?

The best way is to let a child teach us.

If you have the opportunity, spend time with a child.

Go for a walk with them and notice how they approach the world.

Photograph the wonder in their eyes."

This quotation comes from the book entitled:

Adventures in Seeing. How the camera teaches you to pause, focus and connect with Life

by Kim Manley Ort.

I am reading this book and following the weekly exercises

through my photography.

It is allowing me to pause, focus and connect to all that is around me.

Small Wonders from my Walks

Queen Anne's Lace flower seeds

Enclosed in a perfect cage of stalks.

A thistle head after the flower has finished blooming

so beautiful against the soft background.

Little tendrils of a climbing plant looking for somewhere to latch on

and climb as high as they can go.

A late blooming aquilegia that I lifted gently

to photograph the underside.

Walking in the woods to keep cool on a hot day,

I noticed the dappled shadows of the overhead trees

and how a fallen leaf came to my attention in a sunny spot.

I also noticed two sunny heart-shapes formed by the shadows of the leaves.

A bright poppy growing on the grass verge by the roadside

illuminating my early evening walk.

As I walked up the hill in the early morning, 

I put my camera through some railings to capture some Shasta Daisies

in the long grasses at the far end of a garden.

I do love the wild spots that are dotted everywhere.

Above the rooftops and behind the clouds, the sunrays draw lines in the sky.

This lovely tree-hanging made of stones and a heart-shaped

HAPPY

is a good reminder!

Though when we notice all the little wonders around us,

a reminder isn't really necessary, is it?

Mind Full or Mindful?

The rhythmic patterns of undulating water are calming.

"It has been shown that being near, in on or under water 

can make you happier, healthier, more connected and better at what you do."

Taken from the book "Blue Mind", by Wallace J. Nichols

Watching soft waves lapping over sand in shallow waters

with the gentle ripples just catching the sun and drawing my attention 

to a beautiful white pebble beneath the surface.

Being mindful seems to be talked about a lot, but do we really know what it is?

Our busy lives are very full, so are our minds as we rush from one occupation

to another, sometimes doing several things at once.

Even our leisure time can become stressful when we try and cram in

too many things.

"It is only through the senses that we experience what it means to be fully human"

extract from "Sight and Sensibility" by Laura Sewall.

The ocean brings in a new energy.

When we are near the sea, all our senses are awakened;

sight, sound, smell touch and hearing.

The ocean awakens us so that we may understand life and live it more deeply.

Tender embrace

Noticing things as if for the very first time in a contemplative manner,

without labelling or judging.

This little catkin full of yellow pollen entwined in last year's leaf.

I loved how the soft natural background brought my attention to this lovely scene.

A play of shadows on a white wall and door 

brings me into a whole different dimension that feels surreal.

Shadows can transport us into a whole new world.

I recently came across these sweet snowdrops nodding their little heads

in the breeze.

They brought me totally into the moment, despite the town environment.

As I contemplated their welcome presence

all other sounds and distractions disappeared.

My breathing slowed and I felt my body relax.

I brought some pussy-willow into my home and notice how the little fluffy balls

change a little each day.

Nature is a perfect way to absorb life mindfully.

Walking along the lake, besides the lovely view on the water and mountains,

I am taken by the shadows of the decorative iron railing.

Walking mindfully, conscious of each steps I take, and how that feels,

is another way of calming the mind and letting go of any overflowing thoughts.

Have you noticed that when in shock, saddened or grieving, our breathing

becomes more rapid and shallow?

This immediately increases our feelings of anxiety.

The best way for me to calm down is to slow my pace, 

become aware of my breathing and consciously slowing its rhythm.

Here is a link to slow, calm breathing:

HERE

The cardiac coherence is a rhythmic or a coherent heart rate variability (HRV)

that balances the nervous system associated with stress and emotional state.

This can be attained through this 5-minute breathing technique.

Perhaps you use your own methods of practicing mindfulness,

it is possible that you're even doing it without even giving it a name!

It is useful to know that bringing ourselves into this state can

lower our blood pressure, reduce our stress levels, enhances sleep and improve our concentration.

Being aware of the beauty before us, and immersing ourselves

quite totally, allows us to take a step back from our over-active lives

and minds and bring us into a field of inner peace and contentment.

Breathe in the sky!

Many people manage to make space in each day to do mindful meditation,

but even without this, sitting quietly and breathing calmly for five minutes

will certainly be very beneficial.

I'd love to hear if you give that a try and how you feel about your experience.

Walking meditation is something which anyone can do.

Try it!

Slow breathing is something that can be practiced anywhere.

I sometimes do it when waiting in a queue. 

It calms any feeling of impatience I might have.

It can even be done when stuck in traffic jams or when travelling on public transport.

As a last thought,

Jon Kabat-Zinn, in his book "Wherever You Go, There You Are"

says:

"Mindfulness provides a simple but powerful route for getting ourselves unstuck,

back in touch with our own wisdom and vitality.

It is a way to take charge of the direction and quality of our own lives,

including our relationships with the family, our relationship to work

and to the larger world and planet, and most fundamentally, our relationship

with ourself as a person."

I have enclosed a photo of some of the books that I have found useful. 

Slow Living

Admiring the elegant green needles on this pine branch and the

fluffy fresh snow,

my thoughts turn to how it is so easy to fall into a pattern of a frenetic

lifestyle in the fast lane.

Taking the time to notice how nature creates beautiful still life

arrangements, like these seedpods, leaves and moss fallen after the last snowfall.

Slow living is all about taking the time to savour and fully engage with life.

Just as snowfall slows down nature.

Mindful walking brings our attention to small details.

It makes us more aware and connects us to the present moment.

I noticed these beautiful reflections as I meandered where my steps took me

on my walk.

This scene made me think of the seaside. The wet sands, 

the receding waves leaving shiny reflections of the blue sky.

In fact, this scene was created by melting snow on a country road.

We notice more when we slow down. 

We take the time to see the splendour in the simplest things.

If I had been rushing along, preoccupied in my thoughts, I wouldn't have noticed

the shadow of a tree on a house as I walked up the hill away from the town centre

to be closer to nature.

Further up the hill, I saw how the trees were reflected in the windows of this wooden house.

Looking down, I paused to enjoy the sight of this tiny feather joined by a fallen leaf

on the paving stones. The naturally artistic arrangement was certainly worthy of my pause!

Finally I get up higher where I can see tall trees in all their majestic winter beauty.

This beautiful old oak with gnarled and twisting branches

stretching out to embrace the blue of the early February sky.

The days are getting longer

and all my senses are awakened as I hear the first birdsong of the year.

Sometimes we cannot get out into nature, but we can bring some into our home.

I picked these Chinese Lanterns from a pot on my balcony.

I marvelled at the lacy patterns and structure on their surface.

Noticing how abstract art can be created by gazing at ice-cubes in a bowl.

Some shiny marbles near the window drew attention to themselves in the light.

A tiny narcissus flower in a pot in my home is just coming into bloom.

I like to take the time to enjoy the beauty in shape, texture and colour.

I know that for many people, life is hectic.

The fact of going out to work each day and constantly looking at our watches

is all part of life in the fast lane

and often after work there are meals to prepare and children's needs

to be seen to.

But it would be so beneficial to take just a few moments, if we cannot manage more.

To include perhaps 15 minutes in our day to just to be

instead of constantly conjugating the verb 'to do'.

Early mornings can be used to bring calmness into our lives

Deep breathing exercises do wonders to relieve stress.

Getting up earlier to enjoy peaceful moments

before the rush of the day begins.

I have been meaning to have one day a week when I switch off everything.

That means my computer, my telephone, the television and the radio.

One day and one evening of the week where I can enjoy

the simplicity and quiet without all these distractions and noise.

It will be my goal during this month of February.

Do any of you offer yourselves this special day of peace during your week?

In the meantime, I welcome the quiet moments, going about my everyday occupations

slowly and mindfully (most of the time)!

This includes the preparation and the eating of a meal

and sitting down at the table to eat.

Immersing ourselves in nature , especially for us town-folk, is so beneficial.

Going to the park or taking a bus out of the city

into the peaceful environment to enjoy the trees, the plants and listen to birdsong.

At the end of each day, it's good to observe how I have lived this day.

Have I been rushing from one thing to another

or have I taken the time to slow down and really live

the precious moments as they constantly arise and pass?

It's never too late to finish the day with 

a little personal time to unwind. 

This doesn't mean constantly checking our mobile phones

or switching on the television!

The Slow Movement is being mentioned more and more.

Are we really listening?

It's time!

***

How Can We Define Impermanence?

Everything changes constantly.

Just going for a walk, I notice how the things around me change from day to day.

This lovely crinkly leaf was not against the railings when I passed this way

the day before.

The life cycle of a leaf is an example of impermanence.

Melting ice

illustrates how fast things can change in a matter of moments.

Not resisting change

Life is comparable to a river, or flowing water.

It is a progressive movement, a successive series of different moments,

joining together to give the impression of one continuous flow.

Going with the way things are rather than fighting the natural flow

and wanting things to be something else.

Non-resistance helps us to adapt to constant change and to accept it.

The impermanence of the seasons.

As one season celebrates its plenitude, another lies dormant,

waiting for the moment of rebirth.

Like crumpled tan gloves dropped on the earth, these fallen leaves

seem completely connected to the first snow fall

and in acceptance of their condition.

The fleetingness of shadows

and how their impermanent nature can charm and enthrall us

Their brief and changing presence makes me stop awhile

and enjoy them so much more!

Trusting change

Change can occur in different ways.

Sometimes we seek it out and other times it comes upon us unawares.

There are many crossroads throughout our lives

and important choices to make.

We ask ourselves: "Which ways shall I go? Should I turn left or right or

continue on the beaten track for fear of the unknown?

Whatever changes comes upon us without warning, as much as those

we specifically choose,

putting our trust in the long-term outcome

gives us newfound strength and the confidence to carry on,

come what may.

Slowing down and shifting priorities

Because of recent unexpected events. I have been forced to slow down considerably.

I have always enjoyed reading, but because of other much-loved creative activities,

and of dealing with the practicalities of life, 

I often put off reading-time till very late in the day

when I'm almost ready for bed.

These days, with a plaster cast on my right hand and arm,

I have had to review my priorities.

This has given me the opportunity to incorporate my reading times 

into new and different moments of the day.

I have created new spaces in my daily routine

which reminds me to continue to do this even when my right hand

is free again in five weeks' time.

***

Although I am not a Buddhist, I feel very much aligned to a great deal

of their philosophy.

"In Buddhism, the term 'annica' refers to the doctrine of impermanence

which asserts that all of conditioned existence, without exception,

is transient, evanescent, inconstant."

(Taken from Wikipedia)

Early Buddhism dealt with the question of impermanence

in a very rational manner.

According to 'annica', impermanence is an undeniable and inescapable fact

of human existence from which nothing that belongs to this earth is ever free.

So, however we feel about the impermanent nature of all things,

seizing the moment as it comes to us

to live it fully

just the way it is

seems like the very best thing we can do for ourselves and for others.

***

I know this blog entry is much wordier than a simple entry

on photography, but I'm currently following a workshop called:

"Celebrate Impermanence"

which has opened the door to new ways of observing life as it is

which is in a state of perpetual change

made up of

a multitude of moments.

If you are interested to read more about the workshop above.

You can find a link

HERE