letting go

Each fall, I watch as the weather cools off and the ground becomes littered with yellows, browns, oranges and reds. The trees shed their leaves and turn their attention inward, gathering the energy released by the decomposing leaves and transforming it into the new beginnings of spring.

Just as the trees must release their old leaves to make room for new ones, we must let go of things in our lives that no longer serve us, especially our fears, in order to make room for new possibilities. It can be a difficult process, though. Even when I know my fears are not serving me, I wrap myself in them like a cozy, old sweater because I have grown comfortable with them.

When I don't know where to start, I pick one fear and name it. By starting with just one fear and giving it a name, I make it into something more manageable – something I can release, taking the bits of knowledge about myself that I find within it and transforming them into something new. Just as trees lose one leaf at a time, we can choose one fear at a time and let go of it. 

What are you letting go of this fall? How are you making space for the new leaves that will appear in your life next spring?

Gennifer Carragher was raised on the beach, grew up in the woods and now spends her days capturing the magic of these places with her camera and sharing her photo adventures on her blog. If you love fall as much as she does, consider joining her in Embracing Fall, her newest e-course.

weekending by Susan Licht

they come by bus, by car,
by foot, by bike

by stroller, and by wheelchair

the young and the old

to shop, to eat

to smell the flowers,

the rich aroma of roasted coffees

and freshly baked breads

 

to take advantage of all that freshly harvested goodness

or just to stop and chat with neighbors and friends

a little slice of life

a celebration of community

-Susan Licht

(Soonie2)

Susan Licht shoots images like this with her Nikon D3000 and spends her weekends outdoors as much as possible, be it exploring the streets of Boston, walking the beaches of Cape Cod or hiking the many conservation trails in and around her hometown.

You can find her on her website Licht Years. 

Are there any farmers markets or pumpkin patches in your weekend plans?

Today's prompt: mug

Sunday's prompt: apples

saturday at the market

Two weekends ago, I rode the train to New York City with a of film, a few cameras (two Holgas, a flash, a Pentax K1000, some 120 and 35 mm film, and an iPod Touch—4^thgen.), and a notebook. The plan was to photograph the bustling Union Square Greenmarket (with 140 regional farmers, fishermen, and bakers and 60,000 or so shoppers) on Saturday.

The minute I crossed Broadway into the sea of white tents and people rushing by, I wondered if I was in over my head even as I reminded myself how many times I’d photographed such scenes before. I took a breath. Loaded both Holgas, one with color film, the other with black and white.

I circled the market, noticed the light, and watched for moments. Slowly I started shooting. Frame by frame. I tuned the chaos out. I discovered small moments. I shot until I ran out of film. Nine rolls, plus thirty-some iTouch images and ten minutes worth of video. These photos reflect some of what I saw.

Photo essay courtesy of Nikki Gardner. You can find her work at Art & Lemons and find out more about Nikki’s latest workshop, Saturday at the Market: a photography workshop for Food and Film Lovers. Her next workshop is Saturday, October 20, 2012. Union Square Greenmarket, NYC. The workshop is limited to 12 people, so sign up early!

weekending by annette gendler

Annette Gendler shares her images from a recent weekend visit to Shakertown at Pleasanthill, Kentucky. She writes: "It was a truly glorious fall day spent in the picturesque heart of Bluegrass country."

You can find more on her website AnnetteGendler.com.

What kind of fall fun do you have planned this weekend?

Todays prompt: path

Sundays prompt : autumn

the strays

 

Would you believe that all  of these beauties are stray dogs? Yes, you probably would. Because they all seem to be in their own world. Lying somewhere alone, trying to make themselves invisible.  They might surprise you though. A whistle or a kind word would make them jump up for a cuddle.

I captured these dogs as part of shooting a photo documentary of a spay and neuter campaign in Bosnia.

Being prepared for the worst scenarios it left me speechless to find so much trust and kindness in the dogs I met in the streets. That melted my heart. Dogs like this have to work so hard to find their daily meal. Getting a kind gesture or even finding some love are rare things for most of them. In spite of the hard side of life they welcomed me with warmth and love.

Photographing animals makes me forget all that is around me. It is a healing process for me. Moments to cherish.

Photo essay and story courtesy of Jolanda Boekhout (aka Jofabi). She can be found on her website. More of her Strays series (and more about her trip) can be found on Flickr.

Todays prompt: Collection