Perspective

"If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of then every time they come up." ~ Deepak Chopra

This morning I came to work and was immediately presented with an euthanasia. Great way to start the day I mumbled under my breath. Then I caught myself.

Before me was a geriatric cat. A cat who was underweight, dehydrated and painful. A being who was suffering. I had the enormous privilege of easing his pain and transitioning him from this world to the next. It was a great way to start the morning.

And I am reminded that this world, truly, is all fiction. Each day, each moment, is nothing more than the stories we tell ourselves.

Tell me. What's your story?

It's All About Perspective

The thing I love about photography is that it’s all about perspective. You slow down, put on blinders and focus through the viewfinder. Life is filtered. Your perspective depends on the lens. Sometimes you see the whole picture, sometimes only a small part. More often than not you see something you didn’t notice before. Old becomes new. New becomes old. And, in my neck of the woods, dirt and dust garner beauty.

One of my favorite types of photography is Through the Viewfinder. There is an entire Flickr group dedicated to the art. Essentially you use a new camera to take a picture through an old camera. I have a wonderful collection of these geriatric cameras; all found at garage sales for under ten dollars. The photo above was shot through the viewfinder of 'ol argie.

And though I love my antiquated viewfinders I'm always on the lookout for something new. I adore fish eye photography and have coveted many a wide-angle lens. These lenses, however, come with a steep price tag. Not something I'm quite able to squeeze into the budget. But yesterday while poking around Flickr I found a fish eye lens I could afford - door peepholes! I can't wait to give it a try.

So if your having a bad day, if your tired or crabby or feeling just plain blah, I have a suggestion: Pull out your camera. Try on a different lens. It may just change your perspective.

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No, I didn’t forget ... today is giveaway day! The lucky winner via random number generator is ... Jamie!

Jamie also happens to be a fantastic photographer - check out her photos here.

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Happy Love Thursday Everyone! Don't forget Love Thursday has moved ... but that just means double the fun and double the bliss...

The Birth of a Day

The sun peaks over the Ochocos; rays of light stretch across the town caressing people in their wake, just enough warmth to counter the chill, a hint of the day to come. Perched on the gable a mourning dove gently coos to lost lovers and days gone by.

Steam fills the bathroom, soap bubbles float through the air, the room is infused with lavender and camomile. Coffee percolates in the kitchen. Camomile and java grab hands, whirl through the kitchen in an aromatic tango and drift upstairs; an invisible announcement to the lofty occupants, wake up, a new day has dawned.

The dog barks to be let out. Hello! Good morning! I wish to greet the sun! She bounds out the door, rolls in the dirt and shakes it off; every cell is invigorated, alive, alert.

The neighbor starts his car. The engine’s gentle hum melds with the sparrows’ twitter; music of man and nature in perfect harmony.

Sleepy-eyed children saunter down the stairs; innocent and pure, still too drowsy to contemplate homework or test scores instead recalling the magical fantasies of the night.

Good morning all! Here is the birth of a day!

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The sun blasts annoyingly through the window disrupting sleep. It pretends warmth but fools no one; we all know it’s below freezing. Why aren't the damn mountains taller? A bird has accosted the roof and won’t stop moaning; go eat a worm already.

Someone is banging around in the shower and everything is steamy - fodder for mold and mildew; future chores in the making. And someone's using way too much soap - you can smell it in the hallway. Coffee pops and rattles in the kitchen; the coffee and soap mix together stinking up the house.

The damn dog won’t shut up. Once outside she rolls in the mud - just wonderful.

The neighbor's car is spewing pollution and why in the hell are those birds so flippin happy?

The kids meander down the stairs still half asleep, you’d think they didn’t have a care in the world. Don’t they know it’s a school day?

Come on everyone, get a move on, it’s morning!

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What side of the bed did you get up on today?