Seeking Grace, Feeling Gratitude

Quote of the day: “…I want first of all – in fact, as an end to these other desires – to be at peace with myself. I want a singleness of eye, a purity of intention, a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can. I want, in fact – to borrow from the language of the saints -to live ‘in grace’ as much of the time as possible. I am not using this term in a strictly theological sense. By grace I mean an inner harmony, essentially spiritual, which can be translated into outward harmony…”
― Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Amazing Clouds and Electric Wires

I have weeks when I feel as if I am propelled by creativity, ideas, and passion for my photography business. I’m sure that I am doing what I am meant to be doing and there aren’t enough hours in the day to complete everything I want to get done. My work is done with a clarity and vigor and certainty that fills my entire being.

Then I have weeks like the past week, where I feel weighed down and heavy, dull and listless (at least with regards to my business) and completely without a clue about what the next right step is. My artist friends tell me that times like these are the doldrums from which creativity is born. If so, I have a lot to learn about finding grace and feeling inner harmony during doldrums. Arghhh!

But I’ve been in the doldrums before and then somehow, someday, I’m magically transported into flurries of creativity, ideas, and accomplishment. So I sit now and count my many blessings, and continue my practices of gratitude and meditation. I make photographs. I exercise. I spend time with friends and family. I read. I knit. I learn.

Here is my weekly gratitude and bliss list

1. Glorious Skies and Clouds – since I’ve become a photographer I’m so much more aware of the beauty of the skies and varied weather. I love days when happy or dramatic clouds appear. I love overcast days for the luminous qualities of the light. I love rain for the droplets of water on flowers and leaves.

Fluffy Clouds Over Lake Minnetonka

Fun shot taken through window last night – dramatic clouds outdoors, reflection of indoor light almost looks like the moon or sun in the sky

2. Days are getting shorter again (I know you may not think it a blessing but there is always a silver lining to every cloud they say) and sunrise is later so it’s easier to get out and make sunrise and early morning light shots. (I don’t have to get up so darn early!)

Geese in Early Morning Light

3. I’ve found a way to get great exercise and make photos. I take off on my bike with a small camera. Earlier this week I rode along Medicine Lake and found this poignant scene a reminder of summer fun that is about to end as the seasons transition.

My new favorite activity – bike/camera outings. Scene by Medicine Lake

4. I learned how to set up studio lights and use my external flash unit better in a lighting workshop I took last week and this week. Last night we worked outdoors and in the studio. Now I need lots of practice using what I learned.

Lighting Workshop last week and this week

5. I’ve been wanting to start a new knitting project and yesterday I found the perfect yarn and project. I started it after my photography workshop last night, just because I couldn’t wait to see how it would look.

Found the Perfect Knitting Project

Closeup of beginning of project

6. Nature’s surprises. I was out in the countryside driving on a deserted road when I saw a hawk swoop down in the ditch beside the road. I stopped the car but by the time I had my camera out the hawk was gone. Then I looked straight ahead to a dead tree beside the road and saw this beautiful eagle. I was able to get a photo from inside the car but as soon as I opened the car door to get out, it flew away. What a gift!

Surprise sighting on photo outing