Inspiration

When I can’t find inspiration, who is lost?  Me or her? 

Inspiration has many different hiding places.  Sometimes I have to look really hard, sometimes I give up before I find her.   But when I keep trying, I have found inspiration on nature walks and urban walks.  I have found inspiration hiding behind props; vases, keys, bottles or even a piece of burlap.  I have seen inspiration in flowers, sunshine shining through trees, or even shadows.  Sometimes inspiration hides in plain sight.  It may take me three or four times walking right past inspiration, until I finally recognize her. I have seen inspiration reflected in the works of others, letting their works inspire me.

Sometimes inspiration grabs me and stops me in my tracks.  Other times inspiration is so quiet I miss her if I am not listening closely.  (I often wonder if Inspiration gets frustrated with me for not listening.)  The more I practice listening for inspiration, the better I get... or so I hope.  

 

I create to fill a longing in my soul.  I am a searcher of beauty who captures it with a camera to experience it again, and again.  My creations don’t have to be perfect.  Perfect doesn’t exist.  The only thing I can do perfectly is to Be Myself.  Be the best Me today, growing into a better Me tomorrow. 

Go.  Create.  Take pictures.  Inspire others with your work.  Inspire me. Find beauty where the cynics say there is none.  When we do what we love, we inspire others to do what they love. Together we can put more love and beauty in the world.

You can find wonderful  inspiration and beauty today over at Kim Klassen’s Texture Tuesday.  My images were textured with Kim Klassen’s textures anne and 2Bsafe. 

Thank you so much for stopping by!!

Have a great week!

Michelle   

 

Weeds?

‘If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.’– A.A. Milne

‘You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you.  You have to go to them sometimes.’ – A. A. Milne

‘Rivers know this, there is no hurry… we shall get there someday.’ – A. A. Milne

 ‘A little consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference.’ – A.A. Milne

While searching for quotes I found these by A. A. Milne, the author of Winnie The Pooh.  There is so much wisdom in a cartoon about a bear and his friends.

A.A. Milne's weed quote reminds me not to be quick to judge, in any circumstance.  Is anything or anybody, really what they seem at first?

Today I am joining Kim Klassen’s Friday Finds.  My photos were textured with the Kim Klassen texture 2Besafe.  This week I found some beautiful wild flowers in my yard and some wonderful quotes from A. A. Milne.   I also started Kim Klassen’s Start to Finish class.  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  You can check it out here, registration is open through the weekend.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Have a wonderful week!

Michelle

 

Simple

‘Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.’ – Confucius

‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.’ – Leonardo da Vinci

‘The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.’

 – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

When did life get so complicated?  I plan and schedule, then reschedule, it seems there is always something to be done, somewhere to go.   Yes, bills need to be paid, housework finished, meals planned and cooked, but there needs to be time for enjoying life too.  I so enjoy days of doing simple things.

My favorite days are days I spend some time simply*… 

Looking at clouds and seeing dolphins or camels

Making sand castles

Designing dandelion bracelets 

Collecting sea shells   

Hiking

Listening to waves

Taking pictures

Enjoying the smell of cut grass, fresh rain or beautiful flowers

Searching the shore for sea glass and wondering what it was used for when it was whole

Floating on my belly in the ocean and watching fish swim in and out of coral

Barefoot, anytime I can be barefoot is a good day 

Wandering through a garden

Pinching herbs, then smelling my fingers, especially lavender and basil

Sitting on a dock over water, somewhere, anywhere

Enjoying a good book and a cup of tea/coffee/wine 

Eating outside 

*Of course, each of these things are even better when shared with family or friends.

I am going to go put some of those things on my schedule right now… 

Today I am joining Kim Klassen’s Texture Tuesday, the theme is ‘simple’.  My photos are both textured with the Kim Klassen texture ‘cora’. 

Thank you for stopping by!!

Have a great week!

Michelle