You see…
The gypsy girl had set off on a little getaway to spend time with family, regain balance and take a few moments to give thanks to all that is precious and wonderful in her life ~ just as is.
For her surprise, the more grateful she felt, the more she received.
She never had to wish for a thing… Wonders just came flying toward her!
She saw snow geese, swans and ducklings, playing on the lake… An eagle resting on the top of a tree… Blue herons standing skinny and tall, in the middle of the swampy grass.
Would you please remind her to bring binoculars the next time? We all can use a little help to take a closer look at the beauty surrounding us in this world!
She saw marvelous sunsets…
Mt Erie, Mt Baker and the majestic Olympic Mountain range, enveloped her on a big group hug. She felt strength. She felt safe. She felt that her heart was so wide and so vast. She felt that, like the sky, she could always fit a bit more beauty within.
The gypsy girl also paced herself and tried to not check mail or talk on the phone. All she really wanted was to be outside, playing with her camera.
But your comments kept coming…. And she kept collecting them, like seashells, washing on the shore… Each one a different surprise that brought a smile of its own. In the end, she could not resist you. She collected each word you said. She read your sweet words over and over and stored them inside an antique blue jar! She then pondered and wandered, and realized that what she really wants in life, is to share her images and stories as much as possible, for the simple joy of it. She also truly valued that you could see her soul in her Art. She finally wished that she could give each and every one of you, a photograph and a memory of this moment of connection. Sigh.
She then, remembered a quote from Isabel Allende that says:
“Give, give, give — what is the point of having experience, knowledge or talent if I don’t give it away? Of having stories if I don’t tell them to others? Of having wealth if I don’t share it? I don’t intend to be cremated with any of it! It is in giving that I connect with others, with the world and with the divine.”
But having said (and felt) that, she could only pick one winner this time! :)
And the lucky winner is *** Angel, who said *** “they are all simply soulfully beautiful…~ of course the divine padma lotus is the one that symbolizes much to my heart… bouquets of blessings, angel”
***
So thank you all for stopping by and participating ~ You made this gypsy girl, very very happy!
To keep celebrating the “season of giving”, I’m going to host yet another giveaway in my next post, to promote the work of a very talented friend.
I will also be adding greeting cards and postcard series in my Etsy shop to make my work more accessible for all budgets. So stay tuned.
In the meantime, please check out this generous post from Kelly Rae. She is hosting a fundraiser and giveaway along with Jen Lemen, to put a roof over a family in Rwanda. Even the tiniest amounts can be of great support. Check it out and if you feel moved, make a donation for a good cause.
***
By the way, how was your Thanksgiving Holiday? Tell me your Gratitude Stories… Or your Turkey Tales. Any images you’d like to share? You can add a link to it, if you wish. Please share.
Archive for November, 2008
Feeling like a winner…
Gypsy Photos on SALE & GIVEAWAY!
“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”
Ansel Adams
Hello dear readers ~
I’m having a HUGE SALE at my Etsy store
Most images are 30% off between now and Dec31st.
Also, feel free to inquire about different sizes, matting and framing for your purchases.
As usual, everything is very carefully packed ~ and I’ll be happy to gift wrap too :)
It’s such a joy to share my Photographs & Musings with you!
I’ll be back with some news in a couple of days…
Till then,
Big Hug & Big Love ~
***
UPDATE: Since you guys are all such amazing supporters and beautiful peeps above all, I’d love to offer a special GIVEAWAY to celebrate the end of the year!
Just leave a comment on this post indicating your favorite photograph on my Etsy store or blog.
You must comment by Friday Nov 28th in order to win!
On Saturday Nov 29th, I will have my assistant (and husband) draw a name for the winner of an 8×10 matted print (of the winner’s choice)!
Good luck! I can’t wait to see what you say…
C’mon, lovely lurkers ~ Come out to play and win! :D
****
Find your own way
Hwy 01, San Francisco, 2008.
If you were wondering how I’ve been lately (really), I’d have to say that on one hand, I’m ecstatic about the election results. I’m thriving in the energy that was generated by millions of people coming together (and forward) with their beliefs. I’m full of joy. I’m excited by a future full of positive change and lots of promise.
On the other hand, personally, I’ve been feeling much like the picture above: gloomy, damp, melancholic and a bit alone and isolated in my inner world. Trying to figure out how to move from the periphery onto the middle of the Highway. Pretty straightforward. I thought some chocolate scones and tea would do the trick. But no… Not today… So what will then?
Today, I just don’t know.
It seems to me like we are trained to always have an answer and advice for how to better ourselves and how to get out of our troubles, blues and funks. We read books, watch the news, see films, follow blogs and go places… We are all in search of that one thing that will make our day. Perhaps that one picture that will make us smile, or that one word, that will give us some direction and some hope. But, today I ain’t got it.
Today, I just don’t know.
It seems to me that we can all learn a skill or a trade that can help us succeed. It seems to me that we can all work hard, we can all be creative and we can all be brave. Yet, some of us make it, and some of us, don’t. What is up with that?
Today, I just don’t know.
It’s seems to me that we all know to eat our veggies, drink more water and exercise 3x a week. It seems to me that we all know we need to remember how to breathe. We all know we need cardio, stretching and meditation, to still our minds. Yet, we sit on our butts and we complain. We continue to feel hungry for happiness and we still lack rigging in our body, mind & spirit. We are defeated by cancer, depression and war. Why?
Today, I just don’t know.
It seems to me that those of us who have enough to pay our bills, should know how to reach out to those in need. Those who are starving, unclothed, illiterate, homeless, violated, alone, old. It seems to me that we should know how to make an impact as an individual. We should know by now how to reuse, recycle, give and share. We should know how to save. Yet, we get caught up in our own dramas, we blame, we cheat, we get in debt and we forget our own role. Can’t we get a grip?
Today, I just don’t know.
It seems to me that we all seek inspiration of some sort. We all seek a community to belong to. We all want to live fully, open arms, diving deep with our heart first. And yet, we feel inadequate, we feel jealous, we compare, we judge and we hide. When are we going to trust ourselves?
Today, I just don’t know.
It seems to me that we can learn all these things. And more… We can become all these things we yearn for. We become adults, professionals, friends, lovers, partners and parents. We are able to absorb knowledge and propagate it. We are able to realize our mistakes, pick up the pieces and start over and over again. We are able to counsel and heal. Yet, we still loose track of our own wisdom. We doubt our power. We forget that each and every one of us has a different story, a different experience. We forget we all have a superpower and an underbelly of our own. How come?
Today, I just don’t know.
So today, that is exactly what I want to offer you…
I want to offer this “not knowing”, this blank canvas, as a gift to you.
Even though I’m finding myself somewhat stuck today…
It’s still a wild beautiful world out there and you need to get out and go get it.
You have all the tools.
You have it all.
You know it all.
If you can’t move. Smile.
Then… Hug someone.
Throw your questions out to the wind.
Love every sweet whisper of fresh air that comes back at you.
Embrace every answer that brushes off your hair.
Write it down, like I will…
To read it over, on another foggy day like this.
As our new president says:
Yes we can. And Yes we will.
I believe in that.
But today, if you ask me,
I’m afraid I’ll keep saying:
Today, I just don’t know.
Which is good, though.
Because it’s important to share
our thoughts, ideas and dreams…
But at the end of the day,
We all need to step back and
Take our place in the family of things.
We all need to figure out our own rhythm.
We each need to find our own way.
