focus on right now

"In the company of my child, I realize how much time I spend in some other place entirely. Indeed, how much of my life I spend in the reverie of my own thoughts and schemes. Her laughs and cries, her outbursts and calls snap me back to where we are right now. Can I manage to stay here for a little while longer before I trail off again? It's very hard to do. In my bleakest times, one more plea from her hooks me, and I thrash back, as if fighting for my life. Namely, the lost luxury of solitude combined with unlimited escapes into e-mail and the internet." Karen Maezen Miller

As I pondered on focus this week, I stumbled on this quote by Momma Zen's, Karen Maezen Miller, and suddenly everything clicked.  

One may think it is pretty obvious where my focus is lately as a new mom... But is it really? I've been noticing that as I go through my days, I'm constantly somewhere else but in the moment. Although I love my daughter very much, sadly, I'm indeed losing sight of her tiny toes while I wander off in my thoughts, reminiscing, scheming and daydreaming. I'm distracted by what is next. I'm making lists, planning posts, I'm wondering when I might be able to send off an email, read a blog post, shower, eat, etc. Not that any of that ever happens... The shower and eating especially! ;)

But in any case, what I also realized is that when it comes to my photography though, it is a different story. Behind the camera it is a lot easier for me to choose where to look and where to adjust my eye and lens in order to capture a clear moment. It is when I shoot that I am the most present. It is through the viewfinder that I find my zen. It is by focusing that I learn how to pay attention.

So today I invite you to focus on right now and on what is in front of you. Let your lens be your teacher and show you how to snap back to where you are and where you need to be.

Comments

[Marcie]

What an extraordinary life-lesson to learn. To stay focused and be in that present moment.
This moment - is about this season's first frost that coats the remaining leaves:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1365

[cigi]

Lovely post...And I agree wholeheartedly. In my experience, photography and mindfulness are one and the same. http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/296365/

[Kat]

Being in the moment is a theme that I return to again and again. I think that's one of the wonderful things that photography can bring us. We are entirely in the moment, when we capture an image.
http://www.kateyeview.com/2010/10/habit-of-being.html

I would also recommend a book I just finished on this concept in photography - Zen and the Magic of Photography by Wayne Rowe.

[Rebecca]

I love this post. It is so very true, but I find it very difficult (without the camera in my face--which is usually at home) to stop-look for the beauty, those treasures to hold on to, etc...with my own family. It is so easy when the camera is on my face! When I am home,-doing the day-to-day, I am very distracted and missing so much-this was just a great reminder-thanks.

One thing I can say-when I am on vacation-I usually have my camera around my neck searching for those moments with my own family--so, by default I am treasuring them in my heart also, I am forced to follow them around, slow myself down, to watch and to listen. Then thankfully catch some treasures like these...

---Some daddy love-they were behind me, I heard my daughter giggling and was able to turn and capture without them seeing me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5191986388/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5191380419/in/photostream/

[The Little List]

Your beautiful words echo my own cry, of late. Being fully present is a daily struggle, isn't it? That's what inspired the { i n h a b i t } series: http://thelittlelist.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/i-n-h-a-b-i-t-a-celebration-home/

I hope it will be a steady beacon, calling me back home.

[Jill]

So well said. I really think that feeling, that presence is one of the secrets of photography -- it's a gift for the photographer.

Yesterday, I spent some time focusing on Jack, in a corner, with silly glasses. I surprised myself when I captured this not silly moment, which became my favorite.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23113159@N03/5191974994/

[joey]

This post pretty much sums up what photography means to me. I got my first dSLR a few months after my second son was born. My camera has been my therapy through the tough times. It helps me to remember how fast time flies and lets me focus on the good things about where we are now and savor every second.

This isn't the best quality picture, but it is one that soothed my mama heart.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19379573@N06/5192196820/

[bridge]

Oh Alex! It totally looks liek your finding tons of inspitation at home! Those toes are bautiful! I have nothing but love for baby toes.

[Deirdre]

That photo is so sweet! And I know the feeling of having a hard time being in the moment.

I actually took this one for Tracey Clark's Picture Fall class, and I think it fits the sentiment perfectly:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superdewa/5055683799/

[Håkan Dahlström]

Lovely picture.

[Beth]

Yesterday I was driving, my mind filled with thoughts of boys (well, one in particular) and the shoot of my grandmother I was on my way to, when suddenly the setting sun burst free from beneath a cloud, hitting my hand and forcing me to hit the brakes. I didn't put on my hazards. I didn't even pull over. I just grabbed my camera off the seat next to me and shot.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14632491@N07/5192946249/

It was as though the day were reminding me to stop worrying, stop planning, and just be.

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[cynthia]

This is a lovely post and your words rings true for me as well. It's so hard to not feel guilty when your focus strays from your baby or little ones. For me, photography and the great online community has allowed me to let go of this guilt and has taught me to appreciate more of the things that surround me ... my mundane, often chaotic, beautiful everyday.

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