What Total Synchronicity- Fearless and Free Flies in Costa Rica!!

Yesterday I posted pictures from the Grounds for Sculpture that I called Fearless and Free- the visual representation of a conversation I have been having with my dear friend, Lois about life's journey.  The sculpture was so perfect as a reminder of the rapture of JOY.  This morning, in my mailbox, arrived this picture. There are several beautiful insights here that need paying attention to:

1. I just brought home the 12th Insight by James Redfield. I found the CDs and the book at the library yesterday.  Last night, I began reading it and of course, you guessed it - it was totally about synchronicity!!   First clue - discovering the materials

2.  This morning, Lois sent me a photograph that so reminded her of the Fearless and Free photo- no accident that she has just returned from a 'life changing' retreat to Costa Rica and now has this picture to share that someone took!!

I am totally thrilled and awed by the synchronicities that life offers us.  Redfield writes that we need to sloooooooow down and these life changing events will come to us. More and more, I am aware of these messages and hope that I can encourage you to get aboard the Synchronicity train!!!

Fearless and Free with a Dollop of Joyous Rapture!!

Lois is my synchronistic friend. (Well, if I reflect clearly on that statement, isn't every one of my friends a synchronistic one??) We first met years ago at Christina Pirello's cooking intensive and have continued our dance of relationships in a variety of ways- now we are acknowledging that photography is another of the paths we are to share!!  The other day, we were talking about life's goals - the wish to be completely fearless and free. Next day, we sweltered as we walked the Grounds for Sculpture seeking yet more wonderful 'perfect' sculptures to photograph. One of my classmates had done photos of a ballerina and my quest was to discover her. I took pictures from many angles, but as I was looking at them, Fearless and Free jumped right out to offer me a clear message. I share her here as I have done already with my Facebook friends. She is me...I am she...who I am and what I am growing into!!

This is the companion piece to Fearless and Free. I call her Joyous Rapture-maybe Bliss- a pleasure!! You can choose the best feeliing that comes to your mind as you are still and view this picture. My greatest wish is that you take the time and receive her message. It's what we so need to do - take the time to stop, notice and reflect on the message that comes to us. It's so hot right now - stopping for moments of quietude is just what we need on a mid Summer's day.  Please heed my advice and offer yourself the gift of the Precious Present!!

This is the Fearless and Free photo. If I were totally savy with the computer, she would be back at the beginning where she belongs...but, the joy is that she is here!!

Pay Attention...the Little Pieces Create a Whole!!

How often do you go out and about in the world and rush to get where you are going, forgetting to pay attention to the little details?  For a few weeks now, we have been going to Grounds for Sculpture for photography class. I noticed that the majority of our classmates are taking photos of sculptures and landscapes. I soon realized that seeing things from a different perspective is what I was all about. For this class, I decided to go slowly and take the time to see...really see the details of the little pieces that make up the whole. It was a really eye opening experience and one that I would recommend to YOU!

Follow Your Instincts...Follow Your Heart!!

 

Where does the road less traveled lead? Follow your heart , trust your instincts and intuition and know that you are living in the grand plan of life.  These trees are a path at Grounds for Sculpture and a totally peaceful place to be on a hot summer's day.  Today my friend Lois and I spent time laughing,talking, dreaming and doing.  She has just returned from Costa Rica...a blue zone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Zone

To travel your path with peace, health and longevity, read about the people who live in these areas and discover what it is that has people living to well over 100 years old.

Grounds for Sculpture: Peaceful Contemplation!! or???

 

There's a new sculpture by Seward Johnson at Grounds for Sculpture - at first glance it is a small unimposing building with some faces on the sides.  When you walk in, there is a black couch - Dr. Freud is home?, a comfortable brown leather chair and some contrasting views to give you pause.  The two collages that I have created give you an idea of what can go on in the mind - anything from frenzied anxiety to total peace and contemplation.  If I had my choice, it would be the still one - the peaceful thinker.  To be honest, there are days when that is not always present and the other part of the persona emerges.  Look at them both and decide where you are...and where you would choose to be if you could?!? 

How I would choose to be, all things being peaceful and the day being restful.

 How I sometimes feel when I don't take deep breaths and instead allow the day and/or the situation to get away from me!!

YOUR CHOICE!

HAVE A GRAND DAY!!

Totally Awesome Little Grasshopper!!

We took our first class at Grounds for Sculpture near Trenton, NJ. The amount of sculptures placed throughout the grounds are totally amazing and well worth a trip to explore.  Once again, I am enrolled in a photography class where folks want to know how to use their camera!!  When will I find one where people come because they want to learn so much more about HOW TO SEE what is all around them, how to create composition, and how to be creative??  I am beginning to think that I might have to create my own to find like minded souls.  Not today though.  We listened to the instructor for about half an hour talking about the camera being like a computer and we needed to learn how to use the settings.  Then she sent us out into the bright light close to high noon to take pictures.  Don't you hear the words of the magic times for photography - aren't they early in the morning and at sunset?  They call these the golden hours?  Mark my word.  These hours are NOT high noon!!  No way.  We did explore and once again, I was drawn to the beautiful lillies by the small ponds.  I was still and watched but even then, I did not see the gift that I received when I got home and put the pictures in the computer.  Make sure you look closely and see the bright green grasshopper watching me from the center of the flower!  How lucky do I feel?  Remember I talk about synchronicities?  Yes, my friends, they are all around us.  Just stop and see what pleases you!!

Anticipation!! Small Town USA!!

Each and every year, local folks anticipate and prepare for the Fourth of July celebration in Pitman, NJ.  Much the same happens in many of the surrounding towns, and as my friend Karen says, "I have to stay home and participate because I live in my town.  I am a part of it!"  Much the same for us - the 5K race goes by our house as we stand on the corner to keep the traffic from interfering with the runners; the parade starts at 10 and the chairs have been set up along the parade route for days already!!  Then the culmination event - the fireworks in the park.  These girls obviously spent a lot of thought and time getting themselves and their babies ready.  Our tradition has been 'setting a spell' with the neighbors - our chairs go across to Debbie and Dave's as we can view the fireworks among friends.

This year PhotoSchmoozer is going to do something different.  Friend AnnMarie is a nursing instructor and her student site is the local Pitman Manor, senior residence.  She is going to volunteer to help the residents get out to the parade.  I am going to join her.  We will see the events, but the time will be spent in service, bringing joy to those who have lived many more Fourth of Julys than we have - and who will continue to enjoy as long as their are volunteers to help them get out to create those memories.  Life is about giving - and then you receive.  Happy Anticipation of July 4th!!

The only person missing this year - our neighbor Jim has moved away and won't be with us to carouse, oogle the girls - like last year's Miss Pitman - or cause a rucus and make goofy comments as people walk by to the park.  Will we miss his antics?  Time will tell.  Maybe someone else will take his place - or we will create new memories in a quieter way.