It’s been one of those weeks. Not necessarily a bad one…just a very full one. Between work life and home life and regular life, it seems like each day has blurred into the next.
It’s weeks like this that I am especially grateful for my daily photography practice. Pausing to press the shutter button on my camera becomes a moment of mindfulness that pulls me back into the present moment. These are some of my mindful moments from this past week.
A pause to say a prayer for a dear friend whose beloved mother passed away.
A pause to savor the blooms and light and a beautiful June evening spent outside.
A pause to enjoy the anticipation of some new zinnias getting ready to bloom.
A pause to celebrate a second round of blooms on my rose bush.
A pause to express my gratitude for the delight of an evening walk around the block. For three years I did these walks solo while Tripp was commuting to Kansas City. It was hard and lonely time that I am so happy to have in the rearview.
A pause to smile and take in the divine amethyst color of a morning smoothie made with fresh blackberries that I picked with my friend Ann.
A pause to celebrate these daylilies in my front yard. I’m grateful for their vibrant color and bodacious blooms while I wait for my summer annuals to really take off.
A pause of gratitude for creative work that inspires and challenges and that also allows me to work from home.
A pause to notice the evening light on my front porch this time of year. Witnessing the way the setting sun has moved into the northern part of the sky this time of year. Finding peace and comfort in the rhythms of nature.
A pause to delight in these charming coreopsis blooms in the garden. I love how the color fades from a deep magenta to a creamy peach color over time.
A pause at the start of busy day, acknowledging the shadows and honoring the light.
All of these photos represent a deliberate choice on my part to focus on (pun totally intended), at least for a moment, the good things in my life. This allows me a break from mentally rehearsing my to-do list or ruminating on things that I can’t change or problems I can’t fix. And it brings some much needed peace to my days.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a photographer to enjoy a mindful moment. All you really need is an open and grateful heart.
Love, Kelly
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