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Do you ever feel like life is running a million miles a minute? One second you turn around, and someone stole the summer months right out from under your feet. Soon enough, years pass by at an alarming rate. Actually, the older I get, the quicker time simply vanishes. I’ve heard people say something like that a thousand times in my 36 and a butt years, but I suppose I always thought that maybe, just maybe, they were saying it because they heard someone else say it years ago, and thought perhaps it is the thing you are supposed to say when you reach a certain age. I’m here to tell you that it’s not just a phrase. It’s a phenomenon. Time speeds up the older you get.
In an effort to appreciate all of the little moments that happen in any given week, I’m going to designate Sundays as my look back day. What’s the point in looking back, you ask? Clarity. My sweet friend, Kristin shares her “Sunday Currently” every week, posting a few photos and answering a set list of questions, such as what is she currently reading, thinking, feeling, planning, etc. Pausing is so very important, though I think it’s becoming increasingly overlooked in our fast paced society. I love the idea of taking a deep breath each week, reflecting on what you’re feeling, what you’ve done, and what you’re planning. For me, these are the thoughts that often wind up as photos, sharing them day in and day out on Instagram.
According to Socality Barbie, Instagram users are something to mock, often making lives seem more “perfect” than the one which we actually live, and I can’t disagree with her on a few points. (One of many articles published recently about “Hipster Barbie” can be found here, via Wired.) BUT… here’s my defense, Barbie:
Life is beautiful. And ugly. I choose to focus on the beautiful moments, because when I look back, those are the memories I want to stumble upon.
It’s become an exercise really, training one’s brain to look for beauty, even during the challenging times. When you struggle, where do your eyes fall and what do you focus on? What brings you joy? When you learn an important lesson, what symbolizes that for you? When you are moved to tears by another, what do you see through blurry, tear filled eyes? When you are making memories with your loved ones and friends, what are the details to recall upon years down the road when you reminisce? Life is beautiful. All life, in its authentic glory is beautiful, and Instagram is just a tool I’ve fallen in love with to help my mind’s eye hold onto to these passing moments for as long as possible.
So, what made me pause this week? Above is just a glimpse, starting from top left:
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I always admired her as an artist, but it took me until adulthood to understand just how truly amazing she (Georgia O’Keeffe) was.
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Bananotes. Is that a real thing? If not, I made it a real thing. Maybe I should update my resume to include banana tattoo artist?
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Olive you.
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Oh, no its not problem at all, kitty. I’ll just step OVER you. Again. Like always. But I don’t mind, because you’re cute with your bunny paws. Or is that Thriller? Are you attempting to do Thriller? It’s hard to tell.
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Georgia O’Keeffe gave me a daffodil this spring. Okay, not really, but there was an incredible chain of events that unfolded, and one particular daffodil that stopped me in my tracks, begging for me to take the time to look at it. Georgia saw the world the way I do, or maybe growing up with her paintings taught me to see the way she did? In either case, I thought I’d share with you my work in progress from today, and remind you to really look at the world around you. (More to come soon.)
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Some days are tougher than others. Today is definitely one of those days. Today calls for a little R2.
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Orange and green. They’re the coolest colors according to my kiddo. I kinda agree.
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My tools for the day. It’s been a while since I visited with these little beauties, and it felt good to crave creating. Art, in whatever form it takes, becomes stale and uninspired without a hunger to create. Today I was hungry. (Scroll up to see what I’m working on today.)
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Is it too early for salad? Never!
I hope to see you back here again next Sunday, ready to share with me the things that you saw or learned this week. How do you tuck small moments away in your memory? Do you journal? Do you sketch? Do you Instagram? Connecting with one another is a wonderful way to learn from one another, so please feel free to leave a link to your Instagram profile as well! You can find me here:
Your photos, as always, are absolutely beautiful – and so is your perspective on reflection, and choosing which things we want to look back on! That’s a major reason I write my Sunday Currently – they’re little milestones, collections of things that might be lost along the way but still deserve a moment of appreciation! Or at least that’s what I’d like them to be. Sometimes they’re just rambling! 😀