Romancing the Ordinary

 "Linger in the twilight of a summer's day .... "   That's a line from the book "Romancing the Ordinary" by Sarah Ban Breathnach and one of my fav reads.  I like to dive in and pick a chapter, it helps me focus on the quieter side of life, to remember that we need to take time away from the stuff that keeps us so busy and realize that the things we often overlook are the simple things that bring us the greatest joys.  

I find with my photography that this very thing comes to mind.  Every now and then, my focus turns to still lifes.  Just a simple photo can change your entire perspective.

This is a photo of a pitcher, Vernon Kilns pattern "Linda".   Simple curves of the handle and the pot against a plain background.  Still life photos serve to remind us that life sometimes moves too fast, that we can take the time to sit still.  Quiet moments of contemplation are a salve for the soul.  It reminds us that there is beauty to behold in the simple things, the ordinary items that surround us on a daily basis.  

The next time you're feeling frazzled, take ten minutes and take a look around, focus on something you haven't paid attention to in a while.  The gift of the everyday ordinary is magical.

Not So Ordinary

If you're anything like me, you end up reviewing the day when it's time to wind down and get some sleep.  But the thing I've really come to notice is how we consider our life "ordinary", and yet our days are filled with doing things for others, whether it's the children, husband, boss or household chores.  Dashing from one thing to the next, we can often become unfocused. 

But how can we change what we consider to be our normal day's routine and be more present in the moments of the day??

I've found that it helps to stop trying to control everything.  If you're washing dishes at the sink, or cooking supper at the stove, and your child comes in ... stop what you're doing and give them your attention.  It's the little moments that create a not-so-ordinary life!  

There is great wonder when looking at life through the eyes of a child.  Spending that extra minute to listen to your spouse can help deepen the intimacy between the two of you.  Just taking a few moments for yourself can reduce your stress levels, and create a life filled with precious moments.

I find that I can focus on something beautiful, something that catches my eye, when I'm doing my photography hobby on a daily basis.  Sometimes it's just noticing a branch of a tree, or the sunrise bouncing light off the morning sky.   If you want a not so ordinary life, it's learning to find those little moments that bring us joy.  

Walking Path at Riparian Preserve, Gilbert, AZ