I've had some good advice lately. I've had some great encouragement as well. Still I'm dragging my heels a bit on some things I know I should do. I know I'm somewhat in a slump. It might be grief. It might be doubt, or it might be procrastination which I'm really good at! Or maybe a combination of all three. Sometimes a song is a great motivator for me. I'm making this my "theme song" to help spur me on.
Seize The Day
I know a girl who was schooled in Manhattan
She reads dusty books and learns phrases in Latin
She is an author, or maybe a poet
A genius but it's just this world doesn't know it
She works on her novel most every day
If you laugh she will say
chorus:
Seize the day, seize whatever you can
'Cause life slips away just like hourglass sand
Seize the day, pray for grace from God's hand
Then nothing will stand in your way
Seize the day
Well I know a doctor, a fine young physician
Left his six-figure job for a mission position
He's healing the sick in an African clinic
He works in the dirt and writes home to the cynics
He says "We work through the night so most every day
As we watch the sun rise we can say
chorus
Well I know a man who's been doing some thinking
He's as bitter and cold as the whiskey he's drinking
He's talking 'bout fear, about chances not taken
If you listen to him you can hear his heart breaking
He says "One day you're a boy and the next day you're dead
I wish way back when someone had said
chorus
Well one thing I've noticed, wherever I wander
Everyone's got a dream he can follow or squander
You can do what you will with the days you are given
I'm trying to spend mine on the business of living
So I'm singing my songs off of any old stage
You can laugh if you want, I'll still say
I like your shot, good idea. I have felt like you are feeling, then I went to Peru and saw somethings that made me realize the blessings I have. I hope you feel better soon, I really enjoy your shots.
Sorry to hear you are feeling a bit low at the moment Ann. I hope things improve for you soon. You are surrounded by people who love you and you have wonderful friends. Spend some time with those that mean the most to you and take a little time to do something special for yourself also. x
i think it's something in the air. i've been feeling low, too, and i can't quite put my finger on it. i told partner tonight over dinner that i'm not very lucky at helping out people. i get blamed everytime or it turned out i've been duped or people just don't show any appreciation. i don't expect anything back when i help out, truly, but maybe i expect too much from people that i feel my help had just been for naught. but, whatever. i hope you feel better as i hope i would, too.
Great idea for vertical lines. I don't think I would have thought of taking this shot for vertical lines. You are very creative. I am sorry about your slump. I hope you feel better soon.
Beautiful Song Ann...Sounds like one i need to be listening to ...thank you for sharing the words so i know that i have taken something away from that song...I love the vertical lines you have done so far i can't wait untill the end results and to see how you link them up..I appreciate your comments on mine and am finding this part of the challenge to be the toughest one so far!! But i love a Challenge and as i can see You do to! :0)
@sarasdadandmom Thanks Terry! I often count my blessings and although this "phase" is not really related to that, you are absolutely right. Looking at the good things God has given you is a great way to lift your spirit. @nicolecampbell Thanks Nicole! I will be getting some really fun "me" time in about 3 weeks. A very good friend needs someone to drive her to Boston to help take care of her son's dog while he is vacationing- and she asked me to help. So I will be getting a "free vacation" as she put it! That's another motivator to get this "to-do"list done before I go! @maggiemae thanks Maggie! @pjonas thanks Patty! @kerristephens Thanks Kerri! @wenbow thanks Wendy! @rhubbard thanks Rich! I remember that you were going through that. There's a part of me that knows this is just "a phase" of sorts- but the only one who can move through that phase is me- and I have to get moving! Thanks for cheering me on! @summerfield Thanks Vikki! No, the floor is not done yet- probably won't be for a while- but we are better off with the wood here than where it used to be! I think the overall climate (mood) around the world is not the greatest right now- so it seems most people are struggling in one way, shape or form. I have found also that it's better to be discerning when you 'help" someone. That way you know what to expect when you're done helping someone out. The worst is to be judged after trying to help someone. Hang in there!
@daisy Thanks Kathryn! With all the well-wishes from the 365 community who can stay down for long?! @lyoungs1023 Thanks Elizabeth! @ellimae Thanks Ellen! You are so sweet! I'm working through it- it's mostly emotional stuff- nothing tragic. But it must be worked through, not ignored. I'm sure I'll be pulling up out of it eventually.
Great lines going on there as I look at your thumbnails, Ann. I wouldn't take this challenge on. I'd mess it up good. Is that slump catching? I am definitely in there with you. Issues that I have no control over and cannot resolve. So I have to accept them. Now I want to say that you have helped get me through some difficult times on this site and I know what a great and supportive person you are. I pray everyday that anyone on this site who needs help will get it. I trust and have faith that God will be there. Hugs, Ann.
Lovely textures! The words are truly motivating and inspirational. Hope they help you through! I have found that just by doing these monthly challenges has helped me to stay motivated! :-)
Beautiful song...and I understand the mixture of emotions. I am experiencing them as well. I'm finding it hard to be excited about anything....including taking pictures. Nice idea for a picture.
I really like how your verticals are lining up! Cool! That song sure hits home. I get involved in so many hobbies and things to do, like "Jane of all trades, master of none." But then I say....."Better to have dabbled a lot, than not dabbled at all." ;-)
Cool shot, change is uncomfortable and sometimes scary......I try to imagine it's a rollercoaster ride and I may not get the same chance to scare myself tomorrow!
Thanks Karenann! I don't think it's catching but I can say we are not alone! So many people have commented about feeling the same way. I think my slump is mostly brought on by grief. It is what it is and it will pass. This community is A-one for support!
Thanks Sally- it's more of a "life in general" slump than a photographic one. But yes, I do enjoy these challenges- they help point me in a direction each day.
Thanks Paula!
Thanks Rick!
Thank you Carla! I think a lot of this has to do with grief- it will pass eventually. Or it will at least get somewhat easier.
Thanks Alia! Some days are good. Some aren't. It's all a part of life- and grief.
Thanks Leslie! I'm glad it meant something to you as well.
Thank you Carole!
Thank you Adobe!
Thank you Ruth! It's a funny thing about life- some things never change and then some things never stay the same. Most of what I'm going through right now has to do with loss I think, but it's a part of life and one of those aspects of it that does change. I know it will get better in time- but it's ok to mourn too.
Thanks Livia! It takes time to walk through the grieving process. I appreciate your well wishes.
Thanks Bev! This is the flooring which will eventually end up in our living and dining room. The thicker widths are the top side, the thinner ones is the bottom. They are grooved like that for a reason but I can't remember what it is right now! And yes- I'll be heading to Vt. soon and will let you know the exact dates as soon as I know them! I am so looking forward to meeting!
Thanks Andy! Yes, that's the floor- still waiting to be put where it belongs!
Thanks Henri!
Thanks Damon!
Thanks to each and everyone of you! My goodness! So many caring comments- they really mean a great deal and help to lift the spirit. You are the best!!
Well Ann I trust that song worked to lift your spirits. Nice theme shot. This reminds me of some wall paneling we had in our living room when I was growing up
I think your doing excellent photography. I know I have days where I do better than others, but it's a journey and I'm learning new things all the time. Most of all I'm enjoying it :-)
@bkbinthecity Thanks Brian! It's similar- but this will eventually be the flooring in our living and dining room. @vposey Thank you Vickie! I so appreciate all your comments today and always!
@nicolecampbell Thanks Nicole! I will be getting some really fun "me" time in about 3 weeks. A very good friend needs someone to drive her to Boston to help take care of her son's dog while he is vacationing- and she asked me to help. So I will be getting a "free vacation" as she put it! That's another motivator to get this "to-do"list done before I go!
@maggiemae thanks Maggie!
@pjonas thanks Patty!
@kerristephens Thanks Kerri!
@wenbow thanks Wendy!
@rhubbard thanks Rich! I remember that you were going through that. There's a part of me that knows this is just "a phase" of sorts- but the only one who can move through that phase is me- and I have to get moving! Thanks for cheering me on!
@summerfield Thanks Vikki! No, the floor is not done yet- probably won't be for a while- but we are better off with the wood here than where it used to be! I think the overall climate (mood) around the world is not the greatest right now- so it seems most people are struggling in one way, shape or form. I have found also that it's better to be discerning when you 'help" someone. That way you know what to expect when you're done helping someone out. The worst is to be judged after trying to help someone. Hang in there!
@lyoungs1023 Thanks Elizabeth!
@ellimae Thanks Ellen! You are so sweet! I'm working through it- it's mostly emotional stuff- nothing tragic. But it must be worked through, not ignored. I'm sure I'll be pulling up out of it eventually.
Thank you Kimmi!
Thanks Karenann! I don't think it's catching but I can say we are not alone! So many people have commented about feeling the same way. I think my slump is mostly brought on by grief. It is what it is and it will pass. This community is A-one for support!
Thanks Sally- it's more of a "life in general" slump than a photographic one. But yes, I do enjoy these challenges- they help point me in a direction each day.
Thanks Paula!
Thanks Rick!
Thank you Carla! I think a lot of this has to do with grief- it will pass eventually. Or it will at least get somewhat easier.
Thanks Alia! Some days are good. Some aren't. It's all a part of life- and grief.
Thanks Leslie! I'm glad it meant something to you as well.
Thank you Carole!
Thank you Adobe!
Thank you Ruth! It's a funny thing about life- some things never change and then some things never stay the same. Most of what I'm going through right now has to do with loss I think, but it's a part of life and one of those aspects of it that does change. I know it will get better in time- but it's ok to mourn too.
Thanks Livia! It takes time to walk through the grieving process. I appreciate your well wishes.
Thanks Bev! This is the flooring which will eventually end up in our living and dining room. The thicker widths are the top side, the thinner ones is the bottom. They are grooved like that for a reason but I can't remember what it is right now! And yes- I'll be heading to Vt. soon and will let you know the exact dates as soon as I know them! I am so looking forward to meeting!
Thanks Andy! Yes, that's the floor- still waiting to be put where it belongs!
Thanks Henri!
Thanks Damon!
Thanks to each and everyone of you! My goodness! So many caring comments- they really mean a great deal and help to lift the spirit. You are the best!!
@vposey Thank you Vickie! I so appreciate all your comments today and always!