Blissed Out

 Follow your bliss. I had a huge epiphany in my life approximately one year ago. I had spent my life doing things I thought I should or simply could. I rarely took risks or stepped outside my perfectly contained box. I felt stifled and stuck, and I didn’t know why. Right around this time I saw the quote that begins this paragraph. It resonated with me in the largest of ways. I made a choice to change things up a bit- a lot, actually. I started making choices simply by focusing on what makes me happy, blissful. Everything magically changed.

I started bliss in March and through my blog I have been introduced to so many amazing women. I became overwhelmed by all the inspiration around me. I started taking photos in a different way—I took pictures of things that made me giddy. Following my bliss created a blissed out version of my former self. Slowly I started to share my photos with my readers—my new blissful photos. A funny thing happened. People seemed to love what I was throwing at them. This became true in my daily life too. My new existence had changed every aspect of my life in the best of ways. Happiness suited me.

This is why the photos I now take mean so much to me. They are totally and completely me. The me that comes easy, the me that is happy, the me that isn’t trying too hard; just sparkly me.

Shortly after, I joined the Shutter Sisters pool on flickr and met yet another group of crazy-talented women. During this time the sweet Kristin mentioned something about the blues in my photographs. I was a bit confused. I looked back at my photostream, and WHAMMO! There it was, that sweet shade of blue that defined bliss for me. It was everywhere.

 

 The thing that is perfect about happiness or bliss is that it is completely different for everyone. It also comes across completely different through the lens of a camera. Where do you find your bliss? Where is it in your photographs? I have my blues. Take the time to explore this and see where your photographs take you; if you’re lucky, your life will follow.

Photos and words courtesy of the lovely and talented Traci French (Mrs. French if you please) who can be found sharing her bliss on her blog of the same name, posting her ‘blues’ at Flickr and sharing and selling her gorgeous imagery at etsy.

And Traci’s not the only one with bliss on her mind, I will be posting my reflections on the topic at bliss midday today. It’d be heaven if you’d stop over and say hello.

Comments

[shelli]

This is so inspiring! I have been very aware right now that I'm going through a "blissful stage." I'm able to stay home with my son, and although at first I had very little time to pursue my interests, I'm finding more and more time to do the things I love. And what makes me hang onto this and use my time wisely is that I'm very aware that someday I may not have it....I may have another child or I may have to work full-time again. So I'm desperately using what I've got right now. I'm writing like crazy (I'm doing NaNoWriMo this month!) and I started a new photo blog which is making me take more photos. And I'm so incredibly happy. I hope that whether or not I have this time in the future, I will always stay focused on what makes me happy. Here's a tribute to the little one who is my inspiration and who is an awesome sleeper, which allows me to get most of this stuff done:


http://web.me.com/pabis/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy/Pages/Nikon_D60.html#44

[Lady_Rhinoa]

THis article hit me actually a lot. Whole my life I was doing things that I HAD TO do, because everything on this world (not emotional way - existingwise) is based on money and this was, is and probably will be my biggest concern.
I was working since I was 15 and doing all these jobs just to feed myself with something more thatn bread and butter, give myself education, I was spending all money I earned to pay for that, but you know what, now I cannot see any sense in it. oucld have done so much more I wouldn`t pass all these exams and just follow my heart: I could dance, I could be better in photography, that I only discovered at the age of 25, even that I dreamt about it for long years...

And now I stand in that place, where I have no job (my contract has ended recently) and think what to do next. I so do not want to get back to the routine of working in the subjects that I can (because that is what life ioffers) and I hate and not doing what I like...

But you know what.... Posts like your keep me running...

I do not if it was clear enough, but...

Best regards
AKsela

[ELK]

tracey thanks for introducing me to a new friend here and Traci your thoughts ring true on so many levels. this feeling is found at different times in your life in big and small ways if we just realize that is what it is.
bliss a wonderful word really.

even on the fridge!

http://www.redorgray.com/

[cindy k]

it's wonderful to read about how you took control of your life in order to find your bliss, traci. it shines through in your lovely photos. i'm not sure i can identify the bliss in my photos, yet. for now, i guess i'm a true libra and just like pretty things and try to find an interesting perspective. i'm just getting started and have a long way to go. ansel adams said that a person had to take 10,000 pictures before becoming a photographer. i hope it doesn't take quite that long ;).

[kristin]

i think we as women all get caught up in the duty of our life, giving bliss to those around us but rarely searching it out for ourselves, who has time for that? that is selfish. so we trudge on . but traci is so right if you make bliss a priority good things come to you, you are happier and happier things happen. law of attraction. great post traci (mrs french ) and yes you have a color palette uniquely you. i see that blue and now think of you. really. xo kristin

[Jody]

Bliss. What a wonderful word..or should I say state of mind. Bliss is hard to come by these days. I think we have to delve inside our own bodies and brains and will ourselves into finding daily bliss. I mean there are so many circumstances and people that love to take our bliss away. Daily.

So I have to say I find lots of my bliss here on Shutter Sisters. The fabulous women here give me bliss. I look forward daily to visiting here and finding the challenge for the day. Thank you SS!

Here is a bit of bliss from me on this Thursday. Have a blissful day!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3003251593/

[Jean M Fogle]

Finding your bliss , means being open to whatever comes along. Years ago I would have never dreamed that my bliss would be photographing the amazing creatures that share our lives! My bliss happens everyday, and even lead me to getting my photography book Salty Dogs published.
See Molly and Pilgrims idea of bliss today at
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com/

[Jen - Beebee Mod]

This is such a beautiful post. Congrats on your success and her is a little snippett of my bliss. If you look closely, you can see two of my three little spirits.

http://americana.my-expressions.com/

[jag]

As soon as I saw the first photo on today's post, I thought: "mrs. french" ! I added you as a favourite not too long ago because your photos bring me joy. It's wonderful to hear the story behind the bliss! And your message reminds me to focus (pun intended :-)) my photography on the images & words that lead me to my bliss, such as this one...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2863111877/in/set-72157607328527864/

and this one...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2886653396/in/set-72157607328527864/

xox

[Melissa de la Fuente]

Oh....Traci. This is so beautiful....so well stated and so incredibly happy inducing! I am SO glad your life changed to the blissful because we are the happy recipients! As if I could love you even more! MORE! :)
xo
Melis

[paula]

i love everything about this post. it made me smile. funny how you can feel as if you are slowly but surely getting to know someone through this blog world of our's. your photo's are stunning. thank you for being you mrs. french.

[Julie Alvarez]

Traci takes the most beautiful pictures...
Her words are so true, and so encouraging. I feel the same way.
And I recently discovered that around thirties, all women experience, sooner or later, a change, or the need of a change. No matter how their lives are going, what are they doing, if they are single, married, or have children, we all feel the need to review things, and to approach a little more to our personal being, the one that really lies inside of us. And to rediscover ourselves.
I will write about this later on my blog.
Thanks for sharing this.

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

I find bliss in the mundane..........and of course helping the planet :)

http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com/2008/11/recycle-those-pill-bottles.html

[Victoria]

Thank you Traci for this wonderful post, it couldn't have come at a better time. I have been feeling off track lately and completely burned out. Your words inspire me to get myself back on the bliss train! Hugs to you! xoxo

[Tracy]

I loved this post... I like to think I am amidst the same transformation...... thank you!

[Puna]

I love coming here and I come almost every day now. The women here are so inspirational, so fluent in life's language, so wise. Since picking up my camera, I've redicovered the world and therefore rediscovered myself in a way. Thank you Shutter Sisters, all of you.

[charlane]

I have just recently discovered Mrs. French's photography but have been enraptured by her words and photography. Thank you for featuring such a talented person today.

[Debora Silkotch]

Those photos are GORGEOUS, and I love the message! I've been in the process of finding my bliss this year as well, so Traci's words really resonate for me. Beautiful!

[leaca]

Great post Traci. I love the blue in your photos. It is your signature, I am still waiting for mine. Love your photos and your blog.

[carrie]

oh mrs french....thank you so very much for this post. i am trying to do what you've accomplished...find my bliss. not sure what that is and i know that what i've built isn't working and will take some time and hard work to change but posts like this keep me inspired to do just that. hugs sister!

[christina]

Wonderful post! I also love that shade of blue. Thanks for the inspiration...I definitely need to find my bliss.

[Bridge]

http://ridethewavesoflife.blogspot.com/2008/11/love-thursday-follow-your-bliss.html

[Robin]

Here is a little bit of my bliss, a moment I had all by myself.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hismuse/3013960475/

[Angie]

There's a restaurant owner where I live who distributes bumper stickers that say "Don't postpone joy!"

I love this idea, and how it seems to be holding hands with the finding, discovering and making of bliss.

Thank you for sharing, Traci, and everyone who commented, too!

[Shalet]

What gorgeous photographs! I too am absolutely in love with the blue. I took your advice and followed my photographic bliss this morning. It took me from tired and crabby to tired and happy. Thank you for that!

http://peculiarmomma.blogspot.com/2008/11/its-all-about-perspective.html

[sweetsalty kate]

absolutely stunning.. I'm so in love with these photos. How wonderful to meet you, mrs. french!

[barb blair/ knack]

too cool!!

I love all of her work ( so much I purchased the print pictured in the first photo here!) ..... it truly is blissful:)

[Courtney]

Great post. I think we all feel stuck at points in our lives and each person has their own way of finding the happy in life! Thank you for sharing and inspiring!

[melody is slurping life]

At a tim in my life when bliss has been elusive, thank you for sharing yours...Tracey and Traci. I welcome a renewal of spirit.

[Jeanine]

This post was bliss. Your photos are bliss. This space is bliss. Photography is bliss. I haven't found my own voice yet, currently stumbling along... but I am inspired and I do believe I will find it when I least expect it... as long as I keep putting my shoes on, grabbing my camera and heading out the door...

[Vana]

You are amazing my friend and your work shows that. I have never seen a women with such passion as you/ I am glad i know you even in this strange way.

[Kyla]

These are such BEAUTIFUL photos! Truly BLISS-ful! I DO love that color of blue.

In photography, I'm really just starting to find my own BLISS . . . and I believe it lies in my everyday snapshots. Nothing spectacular, mind you, but bliss all the same.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekreativelife/

Thanks so much for sharing your BLISS with us all!

[Suzanne]

Mrs. French: You know I love you, your photos, and everything you touch! What a wonderful post. Have you watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium yet? Natalie Portman's character is eerily similar to the former and current self you describe...right down to the magic sparkle that came about once you found your bliss. If you haven't yet...you must watch it.

I'm so thrilled that all of these exciting projects are finding their way to you. xoxo ~Suzanne

[mayalu]

This post (and the beautiful comments following) brought tears, the good kind! This is what we all want... to find our voice... to be heard and seen... to love our life... to be whole! It's an amazing experience witnessing someone give birth to herself... watching her unfold and awaken. Traci and I started blogging in the same month of this year and stumbled upon one another very early on. I remember looking at her early photos on Bliss and feeling elated... watching her photostream come alive on flickr has been thrilling. Traci's new found bliss is contagious! Her amazing journey over the last few months has given me the courage to take risks with my camera and dive deeper into my own process of self discovery. I couldn't ask for a more inspirational friend... so happy to share in your bliss... looks like I'm in good company. You are quite loved and admired!

[muralimanohar]

I am sorry...I had to save that collection of blues..it's amazing (fully credited, of course!!!) I can't even begin to tell you how inspiring you are in your journey, to me. Gives me such hope that someday I will shine with as much bliss as you.

[Shanon]

***The me that comes easy, the me that is happy, the me that isn’t trying too hard; just sparkly me.***

When we meet this person in ourselves, it's freedom. It's like finding your best friend. =)
I'm not sure what my "blues" are... hmmmm... I think it's a garden. My bliss is definitely a garden.

[Gail]

My Blissful Blue..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3030152378/

[Mandy]

Love the blues! Beautiful and inspiring....

[Gypsy Alex]

You blissed me out! I needed to be reminded of this! To keep makinf decisions that put me/ keep me on a blissful path. Love and smooches ~ Miss you tons!

[Gypsy Alex]

And I did not know about the bliss blog. I'll check it out now. xoxox

[claudia]

I think you may be influencing me...in a wonderful way :) Thank you.
http://gnubee.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/pray-vote/

[karey m.]

you make it sound so stunningly simple...but, then, that's exactly what your bliss should be, yes?

those blues make me weak at the knees. xoxo.

[littlepurplecow]

Gorgeous, blissful blues. Love your style.

[Michelle S]

I think of my time with my camera as blissful, too, so I named my business Chase Your Bliss. I spent so many years thinking, "I wish I could take photos like that" or "I can't do that," other people can, but this past Spring, that all changed for me. All of a sudden, I thought, "hey maybe I can do that." So, I'm giving it my best shot and I'm chasing that bilss.

There's a quality to that blue in your photos that I have seen in the paintings of Maxfield Parrish. Whenever I see it, I think of him. I see it a lot in the sky, something about the light. It is lovely and somehow more than just another blue.

Thanks for your post. :D

[creativevoyage]

bring on the bliss ! It amazes me how much capacity people have from turning away from the bliss... I love being beside the sea so why not choose a hostel beside the ocean when I'm away from home - its simple but blissful

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