Jumping and perseverance

I spent most of 2010 outside my comfort zone. For various reasons I was traveling a lot, meeting new people, and figuring out how to navigate through many different (sometimes daunting) situations. It left me feeling mostly adventurous, stimulated, and fulfilled. But when the new year came, I was ready to hibernate. Tired of pushing, I scheduled three solid weeks of not having to be anywhere. I worked in sweat-pants, showered every other day (maybe), and let the pendulum swing back into a the more normal place (for me) which is somewhere between extrovert and introvert, party-animal and hermit. 

And it's this notion of extremes that got me to thinking, maybe I don't have to be dancing on tables one day and hiding under them the next? Maybe there's a vastly less dramatic space in the middle which doesn't require so much pushing. I've taken my share of risks, "leaping by faith". Sometimes it works out, other times I've fallen flat on my ass. Because let's face it, sometimes the net doesn't appear. And I don't mean that in a negative way, because I also believe things have a way of working out after a fall. But sometimes we get so distracted (or addicted) to the drama of leaping, that we forget how important it is to ordinarily plod along. Of course there are moments when leaping is necessary: sometimes the lease is on the table, sometimes money needs to be transferred before you know what the end result will be. There are inevitable moments that require us to let go, hold our breath, and jump. But that's what they are: moments. The rest of our time (lives) is spent doing the less glamorous work of putting one foot in front of the other. Whether you want to be a pilot or a pop star, a writer or photographer, it's this quiet, ordinary perseverance that gets us there. 

Don't you think? What has been your experience? Has the net always appeared for you? We'd love to hear.

mannequin self

A window in Paris.

We prop our mannequin selves up in the window for everyone to see. Do you like her hat? How about her painted-on cheeks and lips, and exquisitely plastic skin? Surrounded by colorful distractions, everything is "perfect". If it weren't for her lonely eyes, you'd assume she was immeasurably content.

But her eyes tell the truth of the real person hiding behind them. Her mannequin self ignores her because she's flawed and has failed. She can be messy or mean or lazy. So she thinks that must mean she's unacceptable. She denis her existence, sometimes even to herself. But the energy it takes to maintain that picture is exhausting. Even worse, it's inevitably isolating. 

Today let's celebrate imperfection. Show us your photos that are beautifully flawed. And you probably know this by now, but if you want to read more (from a true expert) on the subject, Brene is hosting a protest against perfection. I, along with many, have been very inspired by that. And her. 

Start where you are.

Found painted on a wall in Paris. 

"Whether we are poets or parents or teachers or artists or gardeners, we must start where we are and use what we have. In the process of creation and relationship, what seems mundane and trivial may show itself to be a holy, precious, part of a pattern."  

-Luci Shaw

 Where are you starting today? 

Canon Mark II give-away at Epiphanie

Today is Epiphanie's birthday. At least, that's what I'm calling it. It's the day I found the nerve to share a project that I'd been working on for two years, with the world. And by world, I mean you guys. And by you guys, I mean this amazingly warm, generous, unique community of photographer-women-friends who gather via the internet.

Whether you purchased a bag, took time out of your busy day to say nice things about us on your blog, or sent a sweet email that made our day (note: that applies to all of them), we have been overwhelmed by your kindness and support. As a thank you, we're giving away treats today! Come visit our blog for details on how you could receive 15% off your purchase and / or win a brand new Canon 5D Mark II!!

Thanks again everyone, and good luck!

And you are welcome to share a celebratory capture with us here. We love birthdays. Heck we love celebrations of any kind. Party on! 

soul intention

Flowers on her table, taken with the iPhone using the ShakeIt app.

I visited a friend the other day. We didn't meet in a restaurant for a time constrained lunch. I didn't swing by for ten minutes because I was in the neighborhood running an errand. I actually got into my car and drove with the sole intention of just bringing her lunch and catching up. 

And it was kind of awkward. Not between us, but within myself. Why am I here? Why am I not answering emails or editing or planning or school shopping or blogging or cleaning or organizing or you fill in the blank. I walked into her house. And even though I've known her for years, it struck me that I'd never seen her home in the light of day. With most of the neighborhood at work, things seemed quiet and peaceful, even a little surreal. We talked at her table, lounged on sofas, laughed. By the end of our visit, my feelings of mild anxiety were replaced by a total sense of calm. I drove away thinking that I couldn't remember feeling so unburdened even after checking multiple items off my to-do list. "Productivity" is sometimes lonely. I run from the bank, to the gas station, the grocery store, the office, the computer. Sometimes I'm so focused on tasks that even when I'm surrounded by people, I forget to look around and actually see them. Even though what I'm "working" so hard toward "acheiving" is a more fulfilled life. Maybe my fulfilled life is already here. Maybe it's just a lunch date with a friend away. In essence, maybe it's about taking a minute to look around and experience what's right in front of us. 

What makes you feel most connected? We'd love to see.