life's focus

"Life has a way of coloring your way of living - but it's you who chooses the colors." - unknown

Don't you just love the simple wisdom of this quote?  As we go about our lives, it is so easy to get wrapped up in everyday dramas that play out around us.  When it gets overwhelming, I like to pick up my camera.  My lens becomes my filter. I am in complete control of what I see.  Real life is pushed aside and bliss rushes in.

In those moments, I seek out things that sooth my soul or tickle my funny bone. Saturated colors, my son's freckly nose, the silly antics of our five dogs, and focusing on the details... all help reenergize me for the next challenge that life throws my way. And you know that with three boys, it is guaranteed that more teen angst is peeking around the corner.

While I am not suggesting that you put blinders on, I do encourage you to spend some time looking at the world with selective focus.  Everything in life will become more enhanced. What was once taken for granted, such as a sunrise, a simple wildflower, or a quiet moment suddenly comes to life.

Today, focus on the little things in life that make you happy and share them here with us.

Images and words courtesy of the Tammy Lee Bradley, founder of Mortal Muses and newest contributor to Shutter Sisters. YAY! You can find her on Facebook and her blog Bliss and Folly, as well. Help us give her a warm sisterly welcome!

smiling at strangers

I don't think people smile enough anymore, myself included.  In New York City, most people are too caught up in the hustle bustle of every day. We move through life without looking up, often not connecting with any of the other 8 million people who live here. Believe it or not, sometimes it can be a lonely place.

 This is especially true underground on the subway where everyone has their own little routines and distractions--reading the newspaper, listening to music, swiping away on smart phones, kindles and iPads, or even sleeping. We have our commutes down to a science.  We know exactly where to stand on the platform to be in the perfect spot when the doors slide open at our destination so as to not waste a single moment.  And although we sit, stand and hover a mere inches from each other every day there is rarely any eye contact, and definitely not enough smiles.

So I decided to play my small part in trying to do something about it. I recently started leaving notes on the subway that simply say "smile at a stranger today."  I've typed them, handwritten them and even had some little cards made. I've taped them to walls in subway stations and train cars and I often leave them on the seats where they will catch the most attention.  Yesterday, a woman picked up one of the notes I left as she sat down across from me.  She read it, looked up, and smiled.  And today, these two people struck up a conversation after I left my notes on the seat next to them.  I don't expect to change the world but I'll take what I can get, one smile at a time.

How about you?  Have you sent any messages to the universe lately? Whether it's literally with notes or words, or creatively through your photographs, share with us today what you are saying to the world around you.

Images and words courtesy of iphoneographer Christy of Urban Muser. You can also find her at Mortal Muses every nine days or so. 

Living in Color

'A picture's worth a thousand words but you can't see what those shades of gray keep covered. You should've seen it in color' -from the song In Color by Jamey Johnson

My best friend Alejandra and I have known each other since we met in 2nd grade.  That friendship continued all through our school years and our high school graduation.  Once we were out of school I went on to my civil service career while she went on to marry and have three babies.  Like many do, we lost touch over the years while both of us went on to live our lives.  Last year at our high school reunion we reconnected and it was like we've never been apart.  We've both had our ups and downs over the years, both of us losing our siblings to cancer and now, my sweet friend is fighting cancer of her own and fight it, she does.  She fights it by choosing to live.  She lives by travelling to the most exotic places and seeing the most amazing things.  She lives by choosing to only drink wine from the cutest wine glasses she can find (as seen in the photo above).  She lives by laughing her infectious laughter, a lot. She lives by spending quality time with her girlfriends, making us her famous Mickey Mouse waffles for a late night snack after a full night full of laughter and good times together.  Recently we went away for a much needed weekend at a beach house with four other high school girlfriends.  Some of us were discussing the pitfalls of getting older from bad knees to poor eye sight to menopause. Suddenly, Alejandra began laughing hysterically.  At the quizzical look on our faces, she said, "You're all falling apart and I'm the one with cancer!!!", which then threw all of us into fits of hysterical laughter right along with her.  Not only is she living her life to the fullest, she's living it in color.  How awesome that I get to photograph her colorful life.  How awesome that she's my friend.

Today, show us with your photos how you're living your life in color.

Shutter Sisters is honored to help promote the America Cancer Society’s More Birthdays Campaign. They want to see your artistic expression that is inspired by the lifesaving work of the American Cancer Society.  Submit your photos, art and/or music, spread the word, and vote for your favorites - you choose the winners and who gets the big prizes! There's even a "cool categories" contest hosted by Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom fame that our own Tracey Clark is helping to judge. How serendipitious that this month's word for our OWP is Life.  Life = More Birthdays!

life is beautiful

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."

                                                                                                                -Angela Schwindt

We could hear it before it came.  Thunder boomed in the distance, clouds gathered in dramatic form. I told my kids to go out and enjoy the rain, clothes and all.  My son needed no prodding. While he ran out the back door, I ran to the living room, grabbed my camera and headed for the front door.  The rain fell gently at first, then it happened, drips gave way to the most fantastic summer storm.  As I clicked his whole body rejoiced. Arms out stretched to the sky, face to the rain, he was purely in the moment. Being 7 is oh so very good you see, and rain is pure bliss on a hot summer's day.  Children know this.  They celebrate life with ALL their being. I came inside soaked not only with rain, but with the pure joy of being in the moment with him.

What better word then for July's One Word Project than life?  Such a great word to interpret don't you agree?  From new life, to love life, to everyday life.  SO many wonderful takes on one word. This month, it's your job to explore this word with your lens. Join us all month long as we see and celebrate life.

A master at celebrating life's everyday moments is the inspiring Ali Edwards.  This month Ali is hosting a Week In The Life ,an annual opportunity to capture the simple everyday details of your life with photos and words. PERFECT! 

Today share life as you've captured it.