Time To Reflect…..

Today is New Year’s Eve, the last day of 2015. This year, with all it’s happy, sad, crazy, wonderful, fulfilling, challenging, wonderful moments is spinning its way down to the final hours, a patchwork quilt of memories, stitched together with the golden thread of time. I posted this thought on my Facebook page on Christmas Eve and enjoyed reading how some of my friends imagined their quilt. The universal theme expressed was that their design contained both bright squares (happiness) and somber (sorrow), as life isn’t made up of solely of either. The past year is known, it’s shape and texture….while the new one lies ahead, bright and shining with promise and anticipation.

What will you do with the new year? What will you create? Think about it….because life should be lived with the awareness of each day’s gift. Live mindfully, with purpose and gratitude. Begin with you, because everything radiates outward. Just as we pack away our Christmas decorations, ‘pack away’ those things in your life that no longer serve you. Pruning, after all, encourages new growth.

I wish you abundance in the coming year–health, happiness, success. Bright blessings to each of you, and my sincere thanks for journeying with me this year. xo

In The Beginning…..

Before photography, I tried a number of creative endeavors….but none of them stuck. Then we purchased our first computer (a monstrous Dell, with a huge back end) and received a free FugiPix digital camera as a bonus. Before that, I had an Advantix; photo manipulation appealed to me and I realized that I needed a different kind of camera. That same year, I received a blue hydrangea plant for Mother’s Day (thank you, Bryan and Kerrie!); we planted it outside and this image was one of my first forays into macro photography.

Six years and thousands of shots (and another camera, a Canon Power Shot) later….I still love photography. It stuck; I finally discovered my niche, my perfect creative outlet, one that utilizes my flair for color and composition. Some of those early shots, like this one, remain among my favorites. As we grow, it’s good to remember where we began.

Judges Favorite….

Lately, I’ve been concentrating on building a gallery page at ViewBug, where it’s all about photography. I don’t have to do much writing, as the photos speak for themselves….I add a few words, a short background for each image. I’ve only been there for a month and already, I’ve met so many wonderful photographers from all over the world. Putting my work in a new venue has made me more critical of my shots; I try to put what’s best about my photography out there for everyone to see and vote on. Yes, vote. Other collaborators can view my work, like it (much like Facebook) and vote the shot an award, if it merits one in their opinion. Also like Facebook, you can follow photographers whose work you like. After one month, I have 75 followers and over 570 peer-voted awards. Last night I received notification that my dahlia shot, featured here, was voted Judges Favorite for the month of December! It’s an older image, from my archives, given a 2015 update. Back then, I was shooting with a tiny FugiPix camera, one that came free with the purchase of our Dell computer, both long since discarded in favor of newer models.

If you’re interested, stop by ViewBug and check out my gallery. You’ll find me under GoddessDigitalArt, and while you might see some familiar images, you’ll see some newer ones, too. Thanks to all of you who follow my blog–without you, I wouldn’t be doing what I do. xo

Consider

Sharing this today because it’s so well written (as always)….and I couldn’t find the words today.

Source: Consider