Cisco bliss

Originally uploaded by colorsonmymind

This is a photo of our friends dog, that I took this weekend on a day camping trip.

It epitomizes bliss to me.

warm sunshine, relaxing, soft blanket of grass, comfort and beauty

the dog nose adds to the bliss-as does the scrunch of his eyes and those teeny little eyebrow antenae. hee hee

what has been making you blissful lately?

update*** my friends had to put Cisco (this handsome dog in the photo) to sleep last night. I took a lot of photos of him on our camping trip, knowing his body was wearing out and that he soon would no longer be with us. So with the few moments of bliss you experience while looking at his photos, please add the intent of sending bits of that bliss and love energy to my beautiful friends who are left missing him. XO

Cicada

The origin of this symbolism in ancient china is attributed to the cicada making noises in paddy fields in summer. Each time farmers make a call, the cicada will call back louder. That is why it was regarded as "every request will definitely be fulfilled". It is the symbol of immortality, youthfulness and makes one's appearance always young forever. In ancient times, a piece of jade carved in the shape of cicada will be placed in the mouth of a corpse before burial as this is believed to immortalized the ancestor, giving the deceased a good life after death. Another great trade of it is having 5 eyes and its ability to detect any approaching enemies.The cicada is also a powerful symbol of protection from danger, enemies and unfaithful friends. If you are often being betrayed, the cicada will help you through by countering the enemies. Politicians and office workers in asia often keep on in their offices to protect themselves from falling victim to politics. For those in the business or corporate world, it is important to have the cicada image to protect against jealous competitors and colleagues. It is also being regarded as a symbol of good fortune because of its ability to sing throughout day and nite. Its never ending singing ability is the greatest emblem of unlimited energy. You may place the cicada in the east for longevity and health, or in the north and northwest for protection against politics in office.

I posted these videos a long time ago, and today while talking to a friend I remembered them and thought I would share them here again.

My son was just over a year old here. Now he is 3.

Isn't childrens laughter contagious?

This past week I had some tensions arise in a very important friendship. My friend and I are both portrait photographers. We have very different approaches to our business and to our photography. Tensions and insecurities built between us. Tensions on my side coming from trying to learn how to do right by myself and not make myself small while still being considerate. Each day my emotions would ride a hypothetical roller coaster. On Sunday afternoon, fear gripped my heart and I felt so overwhelmed with it.
Since I had talked the situation out many many times already with other friends and family, I decided the only relief I could offer myself that would really help, would be to pick up my camera for a meditative adventure.
First I went to a patch of wildflowers near the golf course near by. Patches I had driven by many times the past few weeks.
The golf course had mowed around the patches-leaving these 3 plots of wildflowers near the entrance to the parking lot.
Sitting in the grass and focusing my mind and heart on finding beautiful details, eased my mind and coaxed my heart to a better place.This next photo is titled 'troy" from this portion of the song by Sinead
(Oh, I love you
God, I love you
I'd kill a dragon for you
And die

But I will rise and I will return
The Phoenix from the flame
I have learned
I will rise
And you'll see me return
Being what I am
There is no other Troy
For me to burn)
I felt a bit restricted and distracted being between a parking lot and a road with a lot of traveling cars, so I decided to get back in my car and drive to the nearby soccer field. To feel the expanse and allow my heart to open as widely as possible.
I sat in my car and started writing on the only scrap piece of paper I had in my car:
Sitting at the open field to feel the expanse. Do all the goals peppering the scene take all that away? Can I focus on the sky and all that is open instead?

i spot a monarch butterfly on milkweed and ask myself if this is a sign?

maybe I should get out of the car with my camera and capture th elesson it has to offer.

Instead I reamain seated and taunt the faitfulness of it.

i wait until my glance back finds no orange wings to land on.

my eyes dart in search

not accepting that I may have lost the chance
that opportunity is not so fragile, so fleeting

my pen glides across the paper
i pause and glance again

I catch the expanse of orange wings

should I get out now?

What if once I make the effort and approach it is gone?

I get out of the car and approach the thicket that was left unmowed along the side of the field. The milkweed is about 8 feet into the thicket.

I capture these photos:what is sweeter, the nectar that feeds growth or the growth itself?

The monarch opens it's wings when bees approach. i watch to see if it will move. Instead of moving it seems to stay embraced with the flower, which provides its nectar. Neither the wind nor another insect results in the monarch leaving what it settled upon. The bee settles itself on the same flower and begins to gather as well.

So much fear and loss affects my inner perspective. I come to the flowers, the monarch, with camera in hand, to find my message, my truth. To allow my heart to burst open.

Two dear friends across the country also helped me see the focus was on scarcity and to shift to focus on abundance may change the whole dynamic.

many emails back and forth
time and reflection
messages from the flowers and monarch
insight from wise friends and family
love of a friendship coming from both sides
all lead to a conversation, an openess, truth, and understanding leaving us both feeling 100% supported, free and excited for all the abundance to come for both of us........


Have you taken a mediative photography retreat to get clear on an issue? I would love to hear about it and see the photos.

If you haven't, I ask you to try it and share it.

Every one who shares will receive a 4x6 photo of their choice from this post. You can share in the comments or email. make sure to leave your address and choice of photo.