365 Project - Days 356, 357

"All is how it should be. Just be. Just breathe." April Peerless

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday I celebrated the 1 year anniversary of breaking my ankle by going out for a short run. I used the opportunity to reclaim my body. Later in the day and this morning, I was filled with agonizing aches and pains in seemingly every muscle, groaning with each step as I climbed and descended stairs. The feeling has been fantastic. Every ache, every pain is like a long, lost friend. I have enjoyed feeling like I'm on my way to taking better care of myself. Those pains are familiar. It has just been far too long.

I was surprised at the strength of my legs and concerned at the weakness in my breath during the run. I felt all my anxieties knotted up in my chest, tightening my breath, making it nearly impossible for me to catch the next one. In that moment, I faced the dichotomy of my existence: one part ready to fly, the other anxious and restrictive. As I was about to try to stretch out a second go, my husband texted to remind me that we had a conference call and our appointment was on the line. I paused; took a deep breath; turned around and with confidence wrought with urgency, ran home. In that moment, my breathing relaxed. There was no time for anxiousness. That deep breath immediately provided fullness and strength that carried me home.

Sometimes when life's messiness makes us crazy, we need to pause and breathe before we get back in the race.

Today's Photos: Just Breathe

\

“Your breathing is your greatest friend. Return to it in all your troubles and you will find comfort and guidance.” ~Unknown

365 Project - Day 326

"Rest and be thankful." William Wadsworth

I wanted to create an image that resembled the need to shut out the noise and quiet down at the end of a day lived well. Too often, I believe, we just keep moving and do not allow ourselves to rest, enjoy and reflect on our accomplishments. Yet, our ability to both improve in our work and have the physical and mental resources to carry on may be limited by lack of rest and nourishment. Eleanor Brownn put it this way, "Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel."

Maybe a cup of chamomile tea would have been a better idea than a glass of red wine. Hopefully the point remains clear. Remember, even God rested after his creation work, "so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2). Our activities are important enough for us to need time to reflect and refill. Take time, therefore, to be still. We need it for ourselves and for those we intend to serve.

I chose to add a second photo processed in high contrast B&W - just for fun. These are not the same pictures.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Evening's Reflection

“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” Augustine of Hippo

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

365 Project - Day 220

"Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I am permitted to hold for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." George Bernard Shaw

My father-in-law passed away the day I took today's photo. I was driving to a photography workshop when my husband called with the news. At 87 years old, his father was very active, continuing to burn his torch brightly. His life was full and loving and giving. He was a kind and strong man, a wonderful patriarch of his large and growing family.

My husband spent the last week with his father. That was a blessing. There was a debate about whether he should make the trip now or wait since his father was doing well. During the past week, he busily took care of his father and step mother. Though he did not know it in the moment, his presence served as his most enduring gift and as a tribute to his father.

It is clear that we should not put off what we can do now. One of our greatest gifts is our time. Making the time now for someone else is a most precious gift, for both the giver and receiver.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Tribute

"God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list? 'Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.' " Psalm 15:1-2






EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 200
50mm
f16
1/125s