at ease

Recently I went to California to visit Myriam. Our plan.... to learn and play in lightroom and photoshop. The weekend turned out to be so much more than that. It was amazing.

Sunday we decided to open up our photos in lightroom and give it a go. Also on the agenda a Mother's Day picnic with Myriam's lovely in-laws. It was after 2:00 and we were still sitting at our computers playing in lightroom. A few minutes later Myriam popped down off her stool and announced she is off to the grocery store. It wasn't long before she was back with several bags full of goodies. She began to prepare an amazing meal. As she chopped and diced I watched and clicked away. It was magical.

I was moved by her ease in the kitchen. She was completely calm and peaceful as she prepared a beautiful meal. She was in-flow.

Personally, if I'm having company I'm all over the place. I will start in the morning, fussing over the house and then flit around in the kitchen preparing the meal. I'm anything but at-ease. It's just not my thing. It's not that I don't like cooking....but I really don't love it... However, pop me down in front of the computer and all is right. Everything is easier. Ya know? 

Note to self....next time I am having company I need to channel that inner-ease...some inner-Myriam perhaps. I know it's in there. 

Today let's talk about our own 'at-ease thing'..... or perhaps it's a few things.... What come easy for you... What feels right? When are you most in-flow? I'd love to see or hear about it.

Illusions

Meet Sophie....my brother's very silly labradoodle...and Ben's bestie. The other day when we were out on our walk. The pups were playing away in the lake. I crouched down low and proceeded to snap some pics...Sophie caught eye of the phone and headed straight toward it. Click, click....

I was surprised to see the result when I arrived home. It appears as though she is walking on water. It's amazing what happens when we experiment a little with position, perspective..... etc. This was a happy accident, but it's inspired me to get a little more creative while snapping pics of the puppy dogs.

Today, share a little illusion... or perhaps a happy accident of your own. I'd love to see.

Focus

The word focus keeps crossing my path. It's so interesting how that works. Little whispers from the universe. 

I strongly believe that whatever we focus on will grow. I love this quote by Marianne Williamson. 

We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what's wrong in your life, or you can focus on what's right.
                                                                                                                  ~Marianne Williamson

Over and over I've seen this work in my life, both positively and negatively. I've focused on my troubles and they've continued to grow. I've focused on my art and it's flourished. I've focused on a bad relationship and it kept getting worse. I've focused on beauty and found more beauty. I could go on and on.

It works. We can use this 'power' for good or for evil. I try my best to choose good.

Tell us/Show us....what are you focusing on these days? 

it calls to me

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.  ~ Doug Larson

Oh my, we've had the craziest weather for this time of year. May temps in March! It's amazing what a little fresh air and sunshine can do for a person. Seriously so good.

Every day this week the porch swing has called to me.... 'come sit'..... and I do.... Even if it's just for a few moments. As I sit....the sun warms right through me. It's such a beautiful thing. I feel renewed...alive... more hopeful...inspired..... It's as if I'm bubbbling over. It's just so good.

Spring fever has hit!

How 'bout you? Share a little 'spring' with us today.

just a whisper

In the Beyond Layers group we've been sharing whisper images this week. I'm amazed at the beautiful photos one simple word has evoked. 

When I think of whisper I think of light, airy, white.......a gentle breeze.... I think of the quiet voice I often hear in my head.... soft whispers of a new idea.......or a quiet warning...'kim, something is not quite right' Over the years I've learned to listen to the whispers.... It's been a good thing....

How 'bout you? What thoughts and emotions does the word whisper stir for you? I'd love to see a whisper image.... Please share with us today.