It always amazes me the range of emotions you can capture with still photographs of objects. Perhaps that’s why I love the medium of photography so much. To me photography is as much about capturing what I feel as it is capturing what I see. Or, put another way, it’s about capturing what I see with the emotion I feel.
At any rate, while in Ashland a few weeks ago, I spent a good long time capturing these vines against the wall. Yes, the same day I captured crispy fall leaves and a wintery black and white tree, I captured these springy vines. I love the fresh leaves, against the colored wall. Today, as I look at them, the color and new growth fill me with a hopeful outlook. That even in the winter, there are moments of green. Fresh growth and color still exist.
I choose this image because that’s how I feel in general too. Hopeful. After struggling against the down cycle I’ve been in, I finally accepted it at the end of last week. I said to myself, “Here I am. I am sad this holiday season. I miss Italy. I have no creative ideas. I accept it. I’m going to tell my friends, and then I’m going to curl up and read a book.” I’ve been doing that anyway, the book reading part, but I finally gave in and took it all to heart. This is where I need to be. You know what? That’s when I started to feel better.
You see, by accepting where I am, I allowed myself to begin to move through it, and there found a glimmer of hope. I allowed myself to share it with others, and there found encouragement. I’m not alone, neither is the down part of this cycle permanent. It’s hard to remember that sometimes, when you are fighting it so hard.
So this Monday morning, I find myself content with where I sit. The sadness is still here too, and it’s not like I’m bursting with creative ideas yet. But there is a glimmer of hope, and that’s all I can ask for today.
Today’s Many Muses Musing prompt is HOPE. Tomorrow’s prompt is COZY. Come on over and join in!
Hey Kat-
As always, a lovely image you’ve shared. And someone recently taught me about those contrasting colors of red and green. : )
I am not sorry that you’re sad this holiday season-I think that’s totally OK. Isn’t it funny when we stop fighting what we’re feeling and say “this is it” we do feel better? I am happy you’ve done that….and surely as you said, that will be the start of feeling better.
Maybe you’ve been so busy, you haven’t given yourself the opportunity to miss Italy. Of course you do. Great time to pull out some pics and revisit cherished memories.
Wishing you happier days ahead. Virtual hugs from the East Coast to you.
Susan
Thanks so much for your note Susan! I think you are right – I needed some down time just to work through missing Italy.
I completely agree with what you write about acceptance Kat. I think it is only then that we can move forward, and it sounds like you are doing just that.
I love these photographs. The leaves against the texture of the wall are wonderful!
Thank you so much for sharing this week at The Creative Exchange.
I wish you a beautiful Holiday.
lisa.
Beautiful capture and poignant sentiments.
Kathy
We just have to know that those “down cycles” will pass – there is much we miss in life as many of our love ones pass, we move to new and different places and leave friends behinid – but there is hope in the future and colors we find…. like meeting new people and finding new adventures.. 🙂
Thanks for your note Jeannette. I’m so happy that you are one of the new people I’ve met as part of my new adventures, back here in Oregon. 🙂
love your words today kat. it sound like you are on the right track. accept where you are and then move on. i am sure that the creative juices will start flowing again soon!
Hi Kat,
Your words touched me. I think this ‘down’ cycle is the natural progression of nature. And as we are part of it, that’s where we are to be (think of the animals, they got it right). The quiet and of winter is where the stirrings of dreams and ideas begin. There. In the dark, alone space that we go to during this winter. Of course, our holiday celebrations are in direct opposition of our natural instincts and maybe that is where many of us feel the conflict and melancholy of this time. It is a season to be quiet, self-nurturing, sensitive, and contemplative. Yet, our culture practices and induces over-stimulation- whether it be through sensory overload, noise, company, food, drink, shopping frenzies, etc. …
No, curling up with books, a comforter, cups of hot tea, old movies from the 40s,a journal, a camera, a picture dreambook. That is where I plan to be for the next few months. Just like Nature intended…. Wishing you a quiet, soft season. Blessings.
Thank you Linda, for this lovely encouraging comment. I like how you point out the conflict between our bodies and our cultural celebrations. I’m curling up, the same as you. 🙂
I’ve finally caught up with all the wonderful posts here, though I still have two I opened in tabs to read more carefully. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t gone through the process of ebb and flow in their work or their emotions. Reading has always been a way out of low periods for me.
On a side note, I realized that we were both in Ashland at the same time last month. Wish I had known.
I’m so sorry we missed each other Karen! That week was the first time we had visited Southern Oregon, and we went twice. I really enjoyed it, and hope to go again. Let me know when you will next be there and we’ll plan to meet up!
I think Christmas is a hard time for a lot of people. Some people are away from relatives and miss them most at this time and some people find all the hub bub of shopping, entertaining, cooking etc to be something they do not have the energy or enthusiasm for and it overwhelms them that they cannot keep up to the hype. Every year I think I do less as it is not important in the long run. So, I buy the rolls for dinner and not bake them myself. So what. I like the tenacious ivy that clings to the wall no matter what and thrives there. Merry Christmas. V
I like your attitude – so what! Let’s buy the rolls instead of making them, and spend our time doing other things we enjoy.
I love your photo of the ivy climbing up that rough wall!
I’m glad you shared this. I’m glad you are feeling better. I’m glad to know I’m not alone.
The sun hasn’t shown it’s bright face here much this month, no snow to brighten things up. My body hurts. I didn’t finish my assignments yet. You know what? I am going to accept the fact -. I didn’t finish my assignments, I’m not going to try anymore. Andthat’s okay. I will move on with what I’ve learned and everything will be okay.
It seems that since your move back from Italy you’ve been going at a good clip. You need to take some time for yourself. Relax and enjoy the holidays. Everything will wait.
Happy Holidays to you and your family. I look forward to ‘seeing’ you after the New Year.
Warm Blessings,
Laurie
Hi Laurie, it’s so good to hear you are giving yourself a break and not worrying about the class anymore! I’m sure you got much good out of it. Sometimes just reading the lessons is enough to plant a seed that grows in the future. Many happy holiday wishes to you!