Treasure this moment, be here now

Okay.... so clearly I have been remiss in my blogging. The winter of my mind (and world) began too early and then kidnapped what should have been a joyful spring. In the last week or so, the ice seemed to melt away. The hope of the Easter sunrise warmed my senses and awakened my goals. So, if you have been patient with me, I have returned- and commit to writing and growing along with you. I thank you and am grateful for your patience.

Today is a new day (rain and all!) I am here, I am present, I celebrate this moment.

I think so often in life we set our goals for something far off in the future. We want a larger house, a better job, an amazing trip, a fancy car, a------------- fill in the blank. What about what we DO have? We - (and right now I am speaking of me, but somehow suspect there might be another soul or two that share my journey)- have homes, cars, stuff.... but do we appreciate what we have?

As I look out the window, it is raining, again... for what feels like the four millionth day in a row. So I ask myself... what am I grateful for? I am grateful that I have a home, to protect me from the rain, that allows me as well as my family shelter from the weather. I am grateful that the grass has turned that deep rich spring green- you know that color of hope, of promise? I am grateful that I have a job that allows me to provide my family with health insurance- (I know many cannot say they share that privilege with me.) I am grateful that my family is relatively happy, healthy and genuinely cares for one another. I am grateful that God has given me talents, talents in which I believe are the seed to possibility- it seems to be in the simple act of being grateful for those talents that I realize there is and can be more. I am grateful for my little town, for sidewalks, for community, for friendships. I am grateful for the simple things, being able to read a book, take a hot shower, and cook a meal for my family that will be appreciated (most of the time). I am really grateful (in a giddy voice) for the lovely woman who shared a 20% off coupon last night when I was buying my son a tux. See? the little things really do matter. I am grateful for the spring flowers in my garden that have been kissed by the rain, they look adorned with jewels.... for me this is a symbol of hope, of new beginnings, of the earth waking.

So- with all of my ramblings, I realize that while I have goals, wants and even needs.... for me, today it is about this moment. It is about the fact that I have much to be grateful for. It is in this gratitude that I find a wealth of energy to make the next moment a step toward my personal and professional goals. As I sit here and type this, I find myself enchanted with this feeling, and confident of the outcome.

So that said... find your gratitude.... treasure this moment, be here now.

Susan

Water...

I am taking a step aside from design, art, and even introspection to discuss something well, basic- water. Today is Blog Action Day-( http://blogactionday.change.org/) and bloggers everywhere have been requested to put something in their blogs about- you guessed it! Water.

It is something that most of us take for granted because frankly it is readily available to us. What if you didn't live in the United States- where we indulge in and take for granted this precious resource. Here are some facts and figures that might be of interest-

3.575 million people die each year from water-related disease.

The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.

Poor people living in the slums often pay 5-10 times more per liter of water than wealthy people living in the same city.

An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than a typical person in a developing country slum uses in a whole day.

It seems to be true that the water in the Roman Empire was actually safer for us then all we have with our water filters and technology. It seems we unconsciously use this resource and squander it. In my house I yell up the stairs "safe some water for the fish!" when my children are in the shower a little too long. Today my perspective has changed- today I realize that this resource is literally dripping through our fingers- we are giving away our future by our indulgences and not taking care of our fellow human. Water is a basic need that should be available to all...

Lack of available pure water kills more people then guns and bombs- think about it. Save some water for your fellow human-

Change.org|Start Petition

slacker

well.... I am quite the slacker it seems. I haven't visited my own blog in a month... pretty sad. I think I have allowed too many things to get in my own way. So my message today is simple, yet not really unique. If you have stuff in your life that is clogging up your creativity, your success.... GET RID OF IT.

Perhaps it is self doubt, or clutter, or fear- whatever it is, you deserve more. I assure you- You were meant to mark this world in some wonderful and unique way. So do it. Stop holding back, don't be afraid. What is the worst possible thing that could happen? You won't have total success? you will learn and grow... and ultimately do it better next time? That doesn't seem so bad.

So... take out the garbage my friend, no more room in slackerville - touch the stars... they hang just for you.

blessings,

Susan

Just jump!

Well, I cannot say I have exactly been the world traveler this summer. I love to travel, but it wasn't in the cards for a variety of reasons. The last few weeks however, I have been to the wonder known as Niagara Falls twice. Go figure! Now, before you get excited, I live a mere 90 miles from the lovely Rainbow Boulevard in Niagara Falls, New York. The trip is quite doable, just to pop up to see the colors on the falls, and be deafened by the power of the water.

During those trips... I have learned some significant lessons. One of which is to upload your precious photos and NOT mess with the settings on your digital camera while taking more photos. I lost a mere 1100 photos to that process. That lesson was painful. Very painful! I don't think many of the replacement photos were all that wonderful, but I sure do appreciate a successful photo now. (I am learning to place them on my hard drive as soon as possible. )

The other lesson I learned... is that life is in the moment. Which is NOT to say... do not think about the future, but it is to say, appreciate the here and now. Taste every flavor available to you right this very moment.

So... that said. I am in exploratory mode. It's amazing. My camera has become my best friend... my vision has increased ten fold since exploring with my camera. I see things differently through the lens. All the lessons I have learned about life, about art, about photography are all coming together. I breathe... think and see imagery in a totally different way. It's wonderful, passionate. I am blessed.

The theme of this blog is about breathing... about doing. I have to tell you that listening to the power of that water flying at incredible speeds is exhilarating.... it reminds me of how much power is in something so simple. So... i believe it is time, to get moving... to breathe, to flow like Niagara falls... good luck.

I dare you...

This week has been an interesting one. I have been faced with failure, sadness as well as success. I have been inspired and exhilarated, as well as discouraged... There have been really positive moments, amazing gifts of creativity and a deep sense of helplessness at times. lucky for me, tonight? I feel blessed, I feel gifted... and I hope you do too.

I think that we are the sum of our experiences. I also think that each of those experiences regardless of it's negative or positive origin have something to teach us. So here I am. I am knee deep in learning, growing and pushing beyond who I am. It's not easy, but somehow I think that it is the right place for me to be. Artistically I have had some defining moments this week, personally I have found that even in the deepest sadness comes the opportunity for joy and gratitude. So here I am. Swimming in a sea of challenges and mountains to climb, somehow finding the strength to do both.

One of the things that seems to sustain me.. are my favorite places. Walks by the lake, sitting in an old cemetery taking photos of "angels unaware", the touch of a loved one, the spirit of a baby's laugh. Each takes me to places I did not expect. Each makes the sadness seem to melt away, each inspires. I think the thing about this simple observation is that there are many "favorite places." They needn't include the big mouse house in Florida, or Hawaii... they need to be that place where you look for and seek your peace, find your bliss and become more than you were a moment before.

My lesson for you? notice the little things, the way the sand glistens in the sun, the sound of the water rushing over the surf, he clarity of a photo taken twenty years earlier... the brightness of the sparkle in your loved one's eye... notice. I dare you. It will change your life.

No explanation needed....

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs;

ask yourself what makes you come alive.

And then go and do that.

Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive."

(Harold Whitman)

no hesitation

Nike has created a phrase that now rings in each of our heads, “just do it" - Most of us think that phrase is rather well, quaint. Is this merely an advertising slogan, or is it an invitation to life?

I have spent much time in life trying to decide "what I want to be when I grow up." I think that I am guilty just as many are of hesitation, of worrying that I won't choose the right thing. Perhaps I fear that somehow I cannot read my own heart and I will somehow fall short of what I imagine my goals to be. Possibly my hesitation is rooted in the reaction of others. I spend far too much time asking for permission or opinions on my next "move in life".

I think when it is all boiled down, it is time to just pick up the apple and take a big bite! If you get some seeds or a bad spot, work with that! If it is sweet and delicious- bite again! Cut it up and make a pie! Make applesauce! Do what YOU need to do. Make it YOUR own-

No hesitation- just DO it!