Honor the Old | Embrace the New

It has been a dormant 2016 for me thus far. No flush of new year's activity. I've been taking time to grieve for so much that was lost last year; to rest and reflect on how my inner and outer landscape has changed over the past year and how I integrate all of that as I move forward.

Yesterday I felt drawn to looking through old images from a couple of years ago. Time to archive these, move them into storage to make room for the new ones. There were a handful of images that I felt were worthy of breathing new life into; ones to add to my portfolio, instead of being permanently stored away with the rest.

I can't help thinking of the parallels in life. My tendency is to get stuck in the past; sometimes it's hard to let go of what lives there, because it's had such a powerful impact on who I am today. It's so easy to get lost in regrets, in "what if's", in "why's". But, I realize that by not moving much of that into proper storage, I'm not allowing room for the new experiences that are waiting to be. My insight, as I'm typing this, is that I need to set the intention for 2016 to let go of the past that is no longer serving me. I need to consciously make room for the new; to allow it the space in my life that it deserves.

That doesn't mean, however, that I can't mine the past for those nuggets that I wish to save and carry forward with me. Just like going through my images, I get to CHOOSE what is worthy of holding onto and becoming part of my continued journey. So, here's to honoring the old, while making room for the new!

Here is an image that I "resuscitated" and saved from a past trip to North Carolina.

Slice of Autumn

"I Love nature, I Love the landscape, because it is so sincere. It never cheats me. It never jests. It is cheerfully, musically earnest. I lie and relie on the Earth." ~ Henry David Thoreau

These next couple of winter shots were both taken at the UW-Wisconsin Madison Arboretum. The first image was taken while I was grieving the loss of our angel dog, Coco. I can still remember the peace and solace of being in the silent, snow-laden woods.

Peace in the Quiet

"Speaking of happiness, those distinctive moments are found outdoors - in the fall, in the winter and always in the mountains where people are few, wildlife is abundant and there is peace in the quiet."

― Donna Lynn Hope

With the next image, I experimented by adding a watercolor effect to the original photo. I like the way the watercolor brought out some purple hues and created a dreamy effect.

Winter Watercolor

"Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope.

You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees,

but then reassemble those floating bits and pieces

into an enticing new possibility."

~ Rosabeth Moss Kanter

This final image was taken at our home for many years that will always hold a very special place in my heart. It was where I first learned to live life on my own terms and to offer myself the same love and respect as I do others.

Gazing Ball

"May your body be blessed. May you realize that your body is a faithful and beautiful friend of your soul. And may you be peaceful and joyful and recognize that your senses are sacred thresholds. May you realize that holiness is mindful gazing, feeling, hearing and touching. May your senses gather you and bring you home. May your senses always enable you to celebrate the universe and the mystery and possibilities in you presence here. May the Eros of the Earth bless you." ~ John O'Donohue