Finding Appreciation

 

I recently had a garage sale to get rid of some of the stuff I've accumulated over the years so that I don't have to carry it all with me when I move next month. I'm moving because I can no longer afford my rent. 

When I first realized I would have to move, I was despondent. Why didn't I get as many opportunities as my friends, I wondered? Why did I continue to struggle while others had it so easy?

But as I looked around the garage sale, I realized that almost everything I had was given to me (either by friends, family or the side-of-the-road gods). I had been given furniture, TVs, books, dishes, clothing, everything I really needed.

I was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude. I realized that there have been so many times that I've been the recipient of good fortune and generosity.

My focus shifted from depression and indignation to thankfulness and appreciation. Now, I am grateful that I have another home to go to and that it has turned out to be even better than the last.

Are there things in your life that need a second look? Can you find appreciation where and when you might need it most?

Image and words courtesy of Gennifer Carragher. You can find her on her blog or on Facebook, where she created a community for other Gratituders in The Year of Gratitude.

Update on Friday, December 14, 2012 by Kim Klassen

The winner of a spot in Kim's Lightroom class, Round Trip is, Becs! Congrats!

Upping Our Game

 

On a recent trip to the beach, I purposely left my DSLR behind. I do it more and more these days as I fall back on knowing that I’ve always got my iPhone. In this instance I was doing a photo shoot, but instead of doing the shooting, I was being shot. I figured taking the camera wasn’t necessary since it wasn’t really the plan for me to shoot.

Did I mention it was right after a storm and it was golden hour?

We get to the beach and it’s gorgeous. Not just any gorgeous. The gorgeous that doesn’t come along every day. And there I was, without my camera. But, I chose not to dwell on that little detail. Instead I was heightened to the experience. To the way the sky was perfectly covered with clouds, like paint on a canvas; each stroke, highlight and shadow placed by the artist’s brush. To the reflection of light and color on the water’s surface. To the cool, moist air blowing in my hair and across my skin. I didn’t want to forget everything I was seeing and feeling. I was photographing it in my mind.

And then I reached for my iPhone. How could I ever do this landscape justice with a mobile phone? Although I love what my iPhone does, I do know that there are limitations. For some reason I doubted that anything I captured in those few minutes could ever rival that of my DSLR or better yet, of my own eyes. But, I was determined to try my best. To capture the light and texture and water and sand. To paint the scene with my camera, as simple and small as it seemed, I took the time, and made the effort to up my game.

I am in love with the dozen or so images I captured that evening. Each one represents a shot I had etched in my mind. Because I could only rely on what I had with me, I used it to the best of its ability. It was intentional and I pushed myself not only to see things more clearly but to document them like that as well.

Are there times when you feel you’ve had to up your game? What was that like for you?

And speaking of upping your game; today we are giving away a spot in my soon-coming class The Art of Composition. All you need to do is leave a comment here on this post before Thursday at midnight EST for your chance to win a complementary registration to the Standard Version of the class, which begins on Jan 3rd. YAY! Winner will be announced on Friday. Good luck!

CONGRATS TO ALISON! SHE WON! Thanks everyone for your comments.

Todays prompt: sky

looking down

There was an air of nervous excitement in the air as the kids headed out to the field to begin their first day of band camp.  Being the high school band photographer, I accompanied them and stood back a bit, watching, waiting to snap photos here and there as I begin to document the first days of the their new season. I watched as the kids haphazardly dropped their belongings on the ground, gathering in small groups here and there.  In one group, the 'seasoned' band members talked excitedly about their upcoming junior and senior years while in another corner stood the quiet freshman, looking so serious with their 'first day' jitters.  As I moved around, I almost tripped over this gathering of items on the ground and had to smile.  In looking down, I realized the story of the day was right there in front of me: bottled water, sunblock, an instrument.  So simple, yet so telling.  

Today, share your 'looking down' photos.  Be sure to tag your images #sselevate and play along with us.

discovery wrap up

"Seeds of great discoveries are constantly floating around us, but they only take root in minds well prepared to receive them." -J. Henry

All month long you have been inspiring us with all the wonderful ways to interpret May's One Word, discovery.

you discovered:

little things in nature,

magic in the sky,

self discovery,

the natural curiosity of little ones,

unexpected beauty,

and so much more.

Thank you for playing along all this month.

Today I challenge you to discover one thing in your environment that makes you smile. One of my very favorite things to do is take a photo walk. I found this sweet little pirate ship in a heart at my feet on a walk in San Francisco last October. Little things like that, the unexpected, they make me so happy I carry my camera with me. So today, get on out and take a walk with your camera, iphone, polaroid, no particular destination in mind, just wander. Look up, look down, explore the world around you with new eyes.  You may be surprised at what you find. Share your discovery here with me in the comment thread and don't forget to add it to the owp pool on flickr.

Xanthe will be here tomorrow to announce the new One Word for June. I am GIDDY over it! I can't wait for her to share our new word and exciting fun we have planned here all month long!  So don't forget to come back tomorrow and see what it is!

XO