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gathering goodness :: photo by Liz
Over here in my corner of the world, we are in the middle of two weeks of construction as we turn the garage into my new studio. The atmosphere is full of lots of emotion: anticipation, gratitude, intensity, hope, annoyance at times, exhaustion, delight, silliness, and how the list goes on. This is what happens when you have seven members of a family under one roof at any given moment during the day.
It is awesome and crazy.
Through it all, I keep coming back to my practice of documenting through photos, especially using self-portraits. Taking a photo of my feet or my face at the end of the day reminds me to be present to it all. It grounds me. It is a way I nourish my spirit because it helps me to know I can hold all the feelings and still be myself.
An invitation: Today, take a photo of yourself. Maybe your feet where you stand right now. Maybe your reflection in a mirror or your hands holding your morning tea. Maybe you will hold your phone at arm's length and capture your face right here, right now.
Do you do this already - take a self-portrait to ground yourself? Please share your answers and thoughts in the comments today. Kelly and I would love to know and hear from you.
And, if you do take a photo, please share them over on our Chickadee Road Flickr page.
Sending light and peace to you today,
Liz
liz, self-portraits | in self-care
Reader Comments (6)
I never really thought of my self-portraits as a way that I ‘ground myself’, but I think that’s exactly what they are ... usually to ground myself in gratitude — to capture tiny beautiful moments that bring me joy, so I can come back to them on the shitty days. They are my well of clarity when my head starts to get foggy.
I too am intrigued by the thought of using daily photos of myself in order to remain "grounded"... thank you for the inspiration once a gain. :)
Do you have an email subscription option for the blog? I'd love to see these wonderful messages in my in-box.
I quite often take a selfie or at least a snap of my feet with the tag - fromwhereistand. They have a calming effect in the act of taking and seem to resonate with those who see them, often people who also do the same thing. I look forward to seeing any images you post of your new workspace when it is completed.
Lynn
The weather finally broke here. The clooud cover is gone and it's getting warmer but not as bad as it has been. I walked to the grocery store to do the weekly shop. Then, pulling part of my hair back, I caulked and spackled. Then I reorganized my formal front room to include a prayer space (not quite finished). Then I took a break to catch up on my blog reading.
So I took a photo to ground myself in this moment. I look kind of stunned. Also, I think I kinda like my hair pulled back. Hope you don't mind if I don't share it in public though *grin*
I love that taking pictures of our feet and other things like hands etc counts as SP. I do take several types of SP now I used to be to uncomfy to do it. But getting more and more comfy with it. Adding some pics to the group now!
i do not but maybe i will try! :)