Kat Eye Studio

by

Good for the Soul

I have a photography web group I participate in. It’s a small group of women who love photography and have come to it various different ways. It’s a nice place to share and learn in a safe environment. We have weekly photo challenges as a way to challenge ourselves to look at things in a different way. Last week’s challenge was “Good for the Soul.” And that was a challenge that stuck with me this week – what’s good for my soul?

I settled on this image, these books as good for my soul. I have 4 books and 2 journals in progress. This in itself is an amazing feat. I used to have “rules” that governed my reading. Unstated rules and limits like:
– You must read every book start to finish before you start the next one.
– You cannot have more than one book in progress.
– Non-fiction is boring.
– You do not re-read books.

For journals I had rules too:
– If you start one, you must start with a fresh book.
– You must write in your journal every day if you have one.
– You must have some topic to write about.
– Only one at a time.

I’ve broken all those “rules” that were limiting me, and that is good for my soul. I read what I feel like, when I feel like it. Sometimes I’m in the mood for my own development, sometimes I want to read about other’s experiences, sometimes I’m in the mood for pure escape. I pick up what feels right at the moment. I re-read something if it strikes me. For my journals, sometimes they have a purpose and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes I journal about what is going on in my life. Sometimes I journal about a word or a feeling. Sometimes I don’t journal at all. It’s all good.

Good for my soul.

A couple of little plugs for a couple of books –

– I started Simple Abundance: A Day Book of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach on January 1. A friend had gotten it for me so that she knew someone else would be doing it at the same time. I’m finding it fantastic. If you want to join along with this little journey – there are no “rules” or expectations of progress – buy the book and let’s chat about what strikes you!

– I’ve started Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck at the recommendation of my friend Jenny, of Rising Sun Coaching. She also has a North Star Companion workbook and audio guide that she has created, which I’m really enjoying as I start to go through the book. I highly recommend it and would welcome any one else on this journey as well. Sometimes just knowing someone else is doing or reading the same thing helps keep you moving!

No matter where you are or what you are doing, I hope you are finding something good for your soul in your life.

by

Sometimes it’s just Pretty

That’s what I think of this photo of Bellagio on Lake Como. Just pretty. Pretty day, pretty flowers, pretty mountains, pretty town. It’s nice to just appreciate something pretty, so today here is my gift to you – this image!

There is a note on a 3×5 card on my magnet board I’ve had there for a while – “There is one action I can take for my creativity daily. What is it for today?” It’s a reminder that even when life is overwhelming, work is totally busy, I’m not having a lot of personal time for stuff I would like to do… there is one thing I can do each day for my creativity. And if I do that one thing, however small, I remain more centered, happy and true to myself because expressing my creativity is something that is a need for me in my life.

What I’ve realized in the last few days is that this photo a day effort has become this “one thing” for me in a lot of ways. Every day, I’m picking out a photo and reflecting on it a bit. I enjoy that, because it’s amazing what surprising things sometimes come out by just writing about an image. I get to share it with whoever reads this blog, which I enjoy as well. And it inspires me in other ways – to do a painting of an image that strikes me, to look for more pictures to share, to keep taking photos as we go on our adventures, to refine my eye as I progress in my photography.

So, thanks for being part of my little creative adventure here! I hope that you can also find one little thing today that inspires you.

by

Rising Sun

It felt too weird to be posting pics of Italy while I’m here in Corvallis, so I decided to post this picture of my most recent painting, Jenny’s Rising Sun. I hung out with Jenny here in Corvallis today and was finally able to give it to her, so I could also post it here without spoiling the gift!

My friend Jenny left the company we both worked for earlier this year to start her own business, Rising Sun Coaching, where she coaches people to help them find happy and fulfilling lives. I’m so inspired by her, she is one of the most amazing people I know!

I have had this painting rattling around in my head for a couple of months and finally committed it to canvas when I knew that I would be coming to Corvallis and could actually give it to her. It’s interesting, it’s the first painting I’ve ever done for someone else, and the first painting I’ve given away. I thought I would feel a little bit of loss when I gave it to her but I think I actually feel the opposite. It’s like there is a piece of me there with her wherever she decides to put it, hopefully providing positive energy and inspiration.

I’m enjoying my time here in Oregon so far, about ready to head out for dinner with some other friends. I’m fading fast but trying to make it through so that I’m functional for the next week. World travel is fabulous, except for the jet lag. Our bodies are just not made for this!