I’d like to share a photography exercise for the New Year.  The last couple years, I’ve been gung-ho on making new resolutions.  The motivation behind making new resolutions feels like a loud energy.  In the past, the new SOAR! year would start to build with applications in November, growing with anticipation in December, and then exploding into a new beginning in January.  This year the holidays were rich in rest and quiet.  But I think I still expected myself to be building in energy, especially that  “take charge” energy when January 1st arrived.  Instead, I’ve rolled into this year feeling super quiet.  The quiet is almost unsettling.

It’s uncomfortable to feel something different than what you expected.  Instead of just accepting that I jump to conclusions.  Something must be wrong with me.  I check my pulse.  (Am I alive?  Why am I so quiet?)  I ask Brian if I’m depressed.  As the question rolls off my tongue I start laughing because I know I’m not depressed at all.  Ahhh, I’m already starting the New Year with temptation to feel like a failure!….And off my mind goes, jumping from one silly conclusion to the next.  (Does anyone relate?  It’s like I’ve turned into crazy woman because I feel quiet inside and quiet is not what I expected to feel like.  How does Brian survive me?)

Well, good news.  I decided to go with the quiet. There is a saying that hangs on the wall at the yoga studio; “Start from where you are.”  It’s so simple, but so powerful.  Where am I?  I’m in a quiet place.  This is where I should start.

With camera in hand, I went on a long walk, looking for quiet details.  I wanted to find beauty in the stillness–beauty I often miss because life is moving so fast.

I didn’t expect to find the desires of my heart.  The golden leaves holding on to the burning bush in full splendor.

The bare branches reaching up into the white, blank sky with a fearlessness.

As I finished my walk, I realized I had gone searching for vision.  I didn’t want to miss the beauty in the quietness. I didn’t want to keep jumping to conclusions because I never took a moment to pause with my camera…with myself.  Before I took a single photo of someone else this year, I wanted to make sure I took one for myself–of myself.  The embrace of starting from where I am, capturing what I see today (and not what I think I should see) will be the roots that hold me in the coming year.

So, the photography exercise for the New Year is simple, quiet and possibly necessary for the artist soul.  It is all about starting from where we are.

1.  Carve out 10 minutes of quiet space with a blank sheet of paper and pen.

2. Write down three things you expected to feel in the New Year.  Now write down what you do feel.  Are they the same?  If they are not the same, take note.

3. Take your camera and a small pocket size notebook and go for a 30-45 minute walk.  Walk slow and notice the details surrounding you.  What captures you?  What in nature or surrounding objects reflects the space you find yourself in this New Year?  What can you photograph that symbolizes how this New Year feels.

4.  Pause.  Listen.  Shoot.

5.  For just a minute, write what message is being spoken to you?  What acceptance is available to you that you may not have noticed before?

As the new year starts, I want to start from where I am–not where I think I should be.  I want to start the year aware of all the riches I hold within me, instead of feeling inadequate.  I want to practice finding truth in what feels unfamiliar.  I want to venture into the unknown, even when it looks completely different than what I expected.  I want to take the next step forward, no matter how small, rather than retreat to what is familiar.  I want to be true to myself, so I can lift up my family and loved ones inspiring them to be true to who they are.  I want to be humble enough to start from where I am, regardless of what outcome I fear or hunger.

I want to reach out from the burning bush and feel my spirit set ablaze.

If you feel inspired to try this photography exercise for the New Year, I would LOVE to see your photos and hear what you discover.  You can email me or even better, post them on my FB page so we can all find comfort and inspiration in knowing we walk this journey together.

To the most wonderful community, I walk into the mysteries of the new year with you.

xo,

m

p.s.  My DSLR Settings for the Photos in Today’s Post…Camera: SONY a900 DSLR and the 85mm fixed lens / 100 ISO, f/1.4 Aperture and Shutter Speed at 250th of a second.

p.s.s.  Start your New Year with CONFIDENCE at one of my workshops!

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