what was your aha moment?

"An aha moment is a moment of clarity, a defining moment where you gain real wisdom, wisdom you can use to change your life."

I believe we've all had aha moments in our lives. We fell in love, we said goodbye. We hold our child in our arms for the first time, relocated, dared, said no, said yes. And as trite as it might sound, those unmistakable moments enabled us to placate fear, learn our lessons, and enact a different life for ourselves.

I've been insanely lucky. I've had two aha moments this summer. The first one was delivered to me by my amazing fellow Shutter Sister Karen Walrond. The second one happened a couple of weeks ago, after I had been spending a week shuttling between my domestic life and a tiny little table in a café where I sat and wrote on my journal while my kids were at sports camp. If you've ever worked from home and ever found yourself folding laundry and longing to retreat to your room to write that one last chapter instead or grab your camera to catch the evening light wrapping the skyline, you know what I'm talking about. And the guilt, oh the guilt that follows your saying "not now" or "later" to another game of Connect Four. And eventually shatters your hopes as you put the journal away, sit down and smile, your kids beaming with satisfaction.

I remember thinking then "is it even possible? To be a mother, a writer and a photographer? How do others do it? Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm not suited for this life." I emailed my wonderful writer/photographer friend and shared my discouragement and conflicted feelings with her. She wrote back: "Irene, I know this feels like a problem, but try on this interpretation: This is no problem. What you have is a routine and a set of expectations that you've created. And you can create new ones. No problem."

That was my second aha moment.

Today I invite you to share your aha moments in the comment section below, with words and images. I firmly believe that one story can make a difference in someone else's life, inspire, and kindle hope. And I want you to know, if you're still wondering, if you keep asking yourself. Yes, it is possible for you to raise happy children and lead a creative and fulfilling life. It takes a lot of work and it's not always easy, but it is possible.

(For more aha moments, visit www.ahamoment.com)

Comments

[Dani]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36197392@N06/3648780457/in/set-72157619885981569/

This photo pretty much defines my aha moment. When I graduated from my master's program 2 years ago, I still didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life. I had a counseling degree that I intended on using but itwasn't what I WANTED to do. I WANTED to be a photographer. Last year I decided I definitely was going to pursue photography as my job. I struggled a lot as I was a 23 year old novice. But this year things have changed and especially at the wedding from the photo above, I realized I am doing what I love. My hands and feet might hurt so badly at the end of the day but look at that beautiful memory I created for that couple! Such a satisfying feeling.

[tracey]

how timely a post. i just put this up on my blog a few minutes ago.
http://www.traceyclark.com/blog/2009/8/23/what-must-be-said-message-2.html
being able to state (and believe) this simple yet profound statement was an aha moment for sure.

[kosenrufu mama]

yes, I have my ahamoments when I let my life be creative, even if my creativity sometimes is in my laudry... but i know that everything depends on my soul, on what i feel in that moment. I said myself to find joy in what I do, everyday. Thank you for sharing your ahamoment!

http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/08/mare-e-monti.html

[ELK]

what a delightful post irene..

i have had many "aha moments" in my life
one being this summer while spending time with my daughterhome from university
just a quiet, everyday moment to relish the creative woman and friend
she has become to me
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/3775607152/

[lifeineden]

I'm trying to reach this aha moment. Finding the sisters and rekindling my love of photography has re-light my creative spark. But it has come at a crazy time in my life (cross-country relocation). I'm trying to remember that it is okay to focus on home and dive back into my creative life when time allows. I've put off that part of myself so long, I hate to wait more, yet those little eyes call me. I will find a way to do both, it need not be all or nothing. right?

[phillippa]

How timely, Irene. I rarely come to this site (but do plan to more regularly!) and it was your post, on a topic that resonates with me. I've been thinking a lot lately about travels and am still struggling with thoughts and words on past trips that was important to me. The realizations came, but the words are still a mess 5 years later.

I wish I had better skills at the time that I took this (and others in the set) photo. We were in a black zone of the Burmese jungles, with the Karen tribe that's been in conflict with the Burmese government for 50 years now. I discovered, at this time, what war is. Before this, it was just a very small, distant word. In short, it's not just an event, it's a way of life. There's laughter, there's boredom, there's fear, sorrow, and in this photo, celebration. This is a photo of a Karen bride who was married in a 'celebrity' ceremony where villagers risked their lives, traveling days through the jungle to attend. Immediately after the ceremony, back at camp, she hauled water and had already misplaced her wedding ring.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfgirlinparis/229056334/in/set-72157594259526034/

[camerashymomma]

i can look back to see aha moments after they have past. ya know, the whole hindsight is 20/20 thing. it's more rare for me (lately) to catch it while it's happening. to not lose sight of the possibility without getting lost in the fear. this past week what i first took as devastation turned (with a new breath) into the next step on my path.

what i'm focusing on right now is INTENT. putting it out there. creating what you want to see out of life. so reading these words of yours, and these words of jen lee's "What If you simply made the thing you want to see exist in the world?" are a mirror to what i'm feeling these days.

part of my aha moment was written about here, the day it all started.
http://meredithwinn.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/coin-toss/

now i'm making time in my life to further my photography career. learning balance. remembering the power of belief which i struggle with being the sole provider for my son. i can't let my fears dictate my life so i am learning (aha!) to let go of fear and step forward in hope.

[beth]

i just posted an aha moment for myself the other day....
and even titled appropriately so....

when I reached 40, I really stopped caring so much what others thought of me....and now having just turned 45 that attitude has grown even more.....doing things in public now feels liberating compared to all those years spent thinking how embarrassed I'd be if someone....total strangers....saw me doing something silly....

growing "up" is a good thing :)

http://moredoors.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-great-to-reach-age-where-you-dont.html

[CarrieJ]

I think your second AHA moment just gave me an AHA moment! I equate sacrifice with being a good mother. I sacrifice the things that make me happy because I feel that my Mom sacrificed to make us happy while we were growing up. She was a single Mom, and in many ways she HAD to make those sacrifices. I am not ... there are many times when I sacrifice because I think I HAVE to put myself last. Sometimes there is no need to assign places (first, last, and never) WOW! Now if I can just use this AHA moment to make some changes.

[hi kooky]

I agree. I'm sitting here listening to a sermon, and the pastor happens to be talking about the fact that if we want to improve something our spiritual lives, we can't just do the same things "better". We have to do things differently, and do different things. I totally agree that this applies to our daily routines too. We can change our habits and expectations, but it's hard. Both my kids are in school all day now - it's a BIG transition for me. I've got to examine how I want to spend my time and energy. Here's to evaluating priorities and making changes! I think I'll have an aha moment in the near future...

[Amie aka MammaLoves]

Ironically, my aha moment was about putting down what I was doing to go play one more game. My oldest starts 8th grade this September and I realized that I'm running out of time with him. He spends more time with his friends, engaged in activities and I see him so much less than I did just a year or so ago. So while I must take time for myself, I am also trying to put what i'm doing on hold when one of my son's asks to "play" with me.

(Let me say that this is no indictment of other choices. Every woman does need to take time to refresh her soul. This was my personal discovery of being present and not living with regret later. Trust me. I'm not advocating mind-numbing hours of blocks. I mean there are limits.)

[Caroline]

Don't you love AHA! Moments? Mine was 1 year ago when my husband bought me a DSLR. Never used one before...actually never took a photo through anything but a phone or snap and shot. I was so scared when he gave it to me. What were all those gadgets and settings? There was so much to learn. But magic happened when I took my first shot. My soul opened up. I was forced to listen. I delved into the world and photography and learned everything I could. I know my camera inside and out...she's like an old friend and spirit guide to me. Where she leads, I follow. Photography has changed my life profoundly. I don't capture photos, I capture life, beauty, and wisdom. When you posted my photo in your OWP series a few days ago that was my 2nd really big AHA! moment...a validation that my work is meaningful. So I thank you so much for that.

This was the photo you posted: http://shuttersisters.com/onewordproject/2009/8/19/home-by-nowordz.html

[Kath]

Mine is here

http://www.soeursdujour.com/2009/04/come-on-in.html

it's still waxing and waning and baby steps all the way, but I am doing it. And that is what truly matters.

[Jack]

"I firmly believe that one story can make a difference in someone else's life, inspire, and kindle hope."

I agree. And in that spirit, I invite you and your readers to check out ahamoment.com, a site created by Mutual of Omaha to highlight inspirational stories, good works, and "aha moments" of all kinds. Ordinary people from across the country sharing their own personal stories of moments and decisions and realizations and actions that changed their lives in a positive way. I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks -- jack@ahamoment.com

[georgia]

great post. and wonderful photo!

i've had several little aha moments since being laid off in april. but it was after my husband was also laid off a month and a half ago that i had this summer aha moment. {struggling financially is bound to make you encounter several aha moments, i'm learning.}

http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/07/bowl-of-cherries.html

[jenifer]

carriej - you took the words right out of my {brain}. i hope we both can put ourselves at the top of the list.

[djbeat]

i think my latest & perhaps most poignant aha moment was days after bringing my son home from the hospital. it just became so suddenly real to me that we were all this tiny baby once. that everyone was helpless & innocent; it made me look at people on the street & on the news & even to look back at family & those in history differently; as someones tiny baby son or daughter. it made me wonder how people get from here (from the start) to 'there' with grace & manners & style & sanity...


http://365daysofdifferent.blogspot.com/2009/08/1-day-counting.html

[Sue Ables]

My 'aha' moment came when my daughter graduated from college almost two years ago. Then she moved straight to Chicago. Now she is getting married. So, I now have all the time I need to pursue my dream.

I know we all get 'stuck' in routines, but I would take back every single day from when she was young, when she was in high school, even college when she was 20 minutes from my door! I miss her so much it hurts. Now my baby girl has grown up and is getting ready to start a family of her own.

Cherish the routine ladies! It happens once. It vanishes in the blink of an eye!

Sue

[Rae]

I think the biggest AHA moment I had lately was when I was trying to do something that was hard for me just a few years ago, and I noticed how easy it is for me now, simply because I've done it again and again and again. I often want everything I try to be perfect RIGHT NOW, which makes being a writer and mom even more frustrating. Nothing is right now. But through bits and bits of tries and practice over years, all these things will become easy, the possibilities are endless.

Time and practice and patience work together to make beautiful things, in house and hospitality, in writing and art, in trying new and challenging dreams on for size. :)

[Sarah - Ji]

Irene, my most recent aha moment was when you forwarded me the link to Sakura Love's SF Flickr set and I saw this photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sakuralove/416192448/

That's when I knew what really lights my fire and that I needed to stop doing the photography that was sucking the life out of me so that I could do the type of photography that made me feel alive.

[mandie]

Your 'Aha!' came at a good time for me! I want to recreate my routines and make good habits. :) Thanks!

[oceanlotus]

I wish I had an AHA moment....i'm waiting for it to hit me...sometimes i seem to be waiting forever...i found a journal entry 9 years ago and wrote that i felt, i hoped, and felt some more that things were going to change...and really things did change but not in a big life divulging AHA moment...maybe that is my problem...i'm waiting for the big bang when my AHA moments are coming at me in small quiet bursts...i'm not sure, i'm tired of waiting and hoping though...

[Rachel]

I haven't stopped by for a while, but I guess it should be no surprise to me that I just happened to stop by when for the past few weeks I had been thinking all those things and pondering if this is really what I want to do and should do and if so why are a things not happening for me?
I guess it is another affirmation that my aha moment last week was not just a a dilusional thought born of exhaustion and frustration.
My aha moment was that I have to make things happen for myself and that there is no magic formula for making it all work together-mother, wife, artist but you have to constantly stop and reassess, make adjustments where necessary and be true to who you are.
Thanks

[Jeanene]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2588184091_e7662d2e46_b.jpg

This photo is an early moment in my realization that I am an artist...a creative individual...and it is a wonderful thing to be...I was raised with the unspoken message that anything I did need to be practical and productive...artistry was a waste of time and in fact, it was egotistical to think you had anything artistic to offer the world...in the year that I took this photo, i began to realize that I AM in fact a musician...and a darn good one...and I AM a photographer(finally my techy side and my artistic side are happy with eachother!LOL!) In all of this I have realized that time is passing...every single moment has something to offer and I need to be HERE...right now, not somewhere in my head...off in the future or reliving the past...here...now...this moment..there is SUCH beauty in life all around us...and I was made to capture and reflect the Glory of it all....and that is where "moments by jeanene" came from...I have ventured into the deep waters of "professional photography" and it is terrifying and exhilarating...and I am finding out every single day, that...yes...I can do this...and I AM an artist!

ps. For some reason I can never enter my website link in the space provided above...always says "unrecognized" or "invalid format"...so,this time, i am adding it here!


www.momentsbyjeanene.com