PHOTOSCHMOOZER: January 2013

BE STILL...and SEE Photography

Reflecting on who I am...what is important to me...and the gifts I offer the world, I have reorganized this PhotoSchmoozer blog into separate pages for your viewing. I am about so much...people - relationships - drums and rhythms and especially photography...and I realize that although separate, they are all so INTEGRATED into the Whole of who I am!! It's a very peaceful thought and I am thankful for the intuitive gift to see the connections and the relationships. Enjoy the journey through the blog...and WELCOME.
Contemplative photography is about being totally present and seeing exactly what is before you, without filters or judgment. It is about seeing with your heart.Doesn't everyone see what is before them? Not really. You may see a candle on a table. Do you also see the shadows it creates? Or the reflections that the light casts on it? Or it's underlying shape and form?

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Simplicity, Priorities and Beauty

Well hello there!! It's been awhile but now it is a New Year - not a time to make resolutions that will be no more in a few weeks, but a time to stop and be still - think about the beauty and simpllicity of life - and consider priorities that are meaningful to body, mind and spirit! Years ago, I took a Photography course - creative photography I do believe. One night, the discussion was about ISO, fstops and everything related. At that point, I understood what mattered to me and it was NOT the technicalities of life but the clear vision. I took off my glasses, laid them on the desk and looked at the world through different eyes. Here at the beginning of 2013, I am doing that once again. I have come to understand who I am...who I choose to be...and see the effect "ME" has on different people. Some want to be in my 'energy' and some say they can't trust me - WOW - I am the same person - the perceptions are so diverse. Sure there are still times that I wish everyone could/would like me, but my lesson for this year is NOT understanding, but acceptance of what is. Without my glasses, my world can be blurred - but sometimes that is a wonderful realilty and life is good!!

What fun to make Homemade Drums!

In September, 2010, I attended the Remo drum company's HealthRHYTHMS training. It was a fantastic 2 1/2 day event - learning about hand drumming and drum circles and the variety of ways that these activities are beneficial to people. Dr. Barry Bittman shared some of the exciting research that he has done that provides evidence of the benefits to participants - team building, stress reduction, FUN, spirit, communication and... Christine Stevens was our co-facilitator - an open free spirit who guided us in drum circle facilitation and then Alyssa Janney shared all of the ins and outs of the business/marketing piece for Certified HealthRHYHTMS facilitators. That I am after the training and fun...and meaningful it is. Call me to talk about scheduling a training event or a series for your friends, co-workers or community: 856-256-8380.
At the training, I talked with Roy and he shared how he had made drums (so had Julie...and a few others) They sent us info about sonotubes and how to make drums. The rest has been persistent exploration from my curious husband (with my helping hands) and then my sense of fun in decorating them!! People are beginning to ask to buy them. Why not?!?