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.

Comments

[Marcie]

I'd say I'm most in my flow..and my comfortable element - when out and about in the very early morning with my camera:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2012/5/24/in-her-light.html

[Dotti]

I'm at ease in my garden ... with my camera in hand, of course!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48337138@N04/7264965742/in/photostream

And when shooting, writing, and reading my collaborative blog:

http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/

[Holly {Soupatraveler}]

hands down, my heart soars when i'm on the road...i do that best, and when i'm in Africa, I'm a much better person :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/7096603867/

of course, I've got a green thumb like Dotti too, so hit me up in my garden, and chances are I'll be lost in flow too!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/7249395148/

[Valerie]

It amazes me how my camera relaxes me wherever I am. The world is narrowed down and I get a mini-vacation for a brief time. Last weekend I was on the go with my toddler, but had a chance to grab a little solo time at the local butterfly house...
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/05/butterfly.html

[Sherralee]

Hi Kim,

When do we feel most at ease? It's a great question and the answer holds great richness. For me, it's when I'm fully present, alert and alive. That can be when I'm meditating, when I'm sailing, when I'm catching fleeting and beautiful moments with my camera...

http://flic.kr/p/c2jCcm

[Sonya]

I think I'm with Myriam. I love the kitchen. I love to have people around my table while I potter around in the kitchen. It's one of my absolute favorite places to be.

Second to that is traveling. Nothing brings me more alive than aimlessly wandering around the globe. It could be my Australian roots, but whatever the case, wanderlust is high in my list. My husband has pulled me back from many attempted jaunts down side alleys, as he sarcastically says, "Yeah, because *that* looks safe..." :p

Give me a camera--one lens, nothing more--slung over my shoulder (I wear it like a cross body bag turned to the back to keep it out of the way, but have easy access) and a good pair of shoes and I am one happy camper. :) Even better are the times when I've talked my way in to a chef's kitchen somewhere around the world and tried not to irritate them too much while I watch & learn! :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonyav/sets/72157629617562308/

[PetinaHope]

Mine is DANCING! I have Caribbean parents and host a Caribbean radio show with my sister and something in the music just touches my SOUL. I haven't gone out much lately, but this summer, Chicago offers a ton of concerts... can't wait!!