Well, at least I hope I can!
I've been seeing a lot on social media about 100 days of happy (or happiness) and people are IG'ing images with the hashtag, talking about it on the US Today program or posting about it on Facebook. I thought it was a pretty neat idea but it didn't really resonate with me, not sure why. I just remember thinking this seems like a cool idea, then promptly moved on to whatever it was I had been doing at the time.
I want to be happy, and I will be the first person to tell you I don't feel happy all the time. Wish I did, don't know why I don't. I've got everything in the world to be happy about. Its just that I seem to be a negative Nelly, just thinking about what could go wrong or is wrong…most of the time.
So, what comes before happiness or can help make you feel better, happier? Gratitude. To me, gratitude is at the heart of happiness. In order to be happy you must feel grateful or blessed or something, right? Right. I think what I've been missing is gratitude, real honest to goodness gratitude. The kind where you feel grateful and thank God (or, whoever for you) for it, looking upward and think how lucky you are and how wonderful this moment is.
But sometimes its hard to feel gratitude. So. Very. Hard. And then little by little its hard to be a completely positive person, hard to see the good side in so much stuff that should be easy to see the good in. And thats me. I can find myself being negative from the start, occasionally passing it off as being cautious, which it is. Or sometimes as just being grumpy. Which it can be. Or tired, which it lately often is. Or just not negative but not completely happy. But its also just not feeling enough gratitude for all the good and wonderful things in my life, in me, in the world…in pretty much anything. There shouldn't be any need to feel this way, but I do sometimes, other times often and I want to change it.
I want to be a better person. A much better person.
SO, here I go.
Gratitude for 100 days and lets see if I can't completely turn myself around. I'm going to thinking about something to be grateful for daily, I'm going to ponder it and be thankful. I'm going to feel and live the gratitude. Its going to be hard, it already is :) And did I forget to mention, I'll be showing you my daily in photos. Now I'm already doing a personal photo a day and a July challenge but I'm hoping to tie the other two into this one….
Wish me luck and I'll let you know how I get on!
Detailing my journey to capture the perfect light, see the good and craft my way through my little 'baguettes' early years…and to reach and catch those dizzying limits! I'm still learning, so for now, I have to settle for something new each day.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Thursday, June 5, 2014
After a hiatus, I'm back..
It was a big decision, close up shop and start again, or just keep right on going and tweak as I work out what I want to do?
I chose to tweak and see how things turn out. If they don't, then close this baby down I will. Who needs this floating if no one reads right? Right? I can hear a distinct echo out there, I'll pretend I don't for now.
Over 2 years has passed since I was last here with you. In that time I was preparing for a new baby and welcoming said baby and then getting my head around having said baby in the house. Now? Now I'm working out how I fit into my new life as a stay at home mum and previous librarian. I have several hobbies, have taken up sewing now and am continuing to knit. I always seem to be dabbling in other various craft activities but that'll need to stop soon unless I can somehow make money. I only resigned a short time ago so I have time to work myself and my family out, however part of it is about working out who I now am, now that I'm not a librarian I mean.
After over 15 years in the industry, I called it quits to stay home with our baby. Right when there seems to be a lot (and I mean a LOT) of discussion about good mums vs. other mums, can mums have it all, does working mean having it all, if you stay home with your baby are you giving up on having it all manner of things work and staying home and mum and parent related. The decisions you make are hard enough without having all this blowing about in the background. Period.
I get quite angry and frustrated listening to all of this. There is discussion on some social site or morning news or other avenue talking about the pros and cons, always with people saying in the end 'why is it up for discussion?' and 'this doesn't happen to men'. I just want to put my piece in (except feel that wading in is just adding fuel to any fire and quite frankly, my point of view kind of goes against doing what I'd like in this instance!) and say, stop talking about it then. Just stop. And then no one will have anything to discuss about it, no one will feel as pressured to put their view forward and get stamped on later for doing so. It won't be a newsworthy item. Just let people make their decisions based on what is best for them….who cares what the reasons are? They're usually private and up to each family. I know I have family who don't understand why I'm doing what I'm doing, especially as financially it may be difficult for a time. Our reasons are our own and our child is only young for a short time and like everything we've decided to do up till now, it may be a bit different to what you're doing, but it works for us.
As someone who is easily pressured, swayed by others minor opinions and quite frankly an anxiety ridden sheep I'd really prefer not to discuss it too much as I second guess our choices. And I shouldn't have to. I should be able to feel confident and comfortable and enjoy our decision. Mainly my fault I know, but my genuine wish is that people start to be a little more open to other people and the way they live. Maybe a pipe dream? Perhaps that is how other people deal with the different-ness of others, by discussing them and they way they live? In which case I take it all back and continue discussing…in the meantime, I'm working on confidence and accepting my own decisions a little more :)
So, hopefully you'll hang around while I/we find our way forward and as I find out my place in my family and in the world sans-library job. More on that next time…
I chose to tweak and see how things turn out. If they don't, then close this baby down I will. Who needs this floating if no one reads right? Right? I can hear a distinct echo out there, I'll pretend I don't for now.
Over 2 years has passed since I was last here with you. In that time I was preparing for a new baby and welcoming said baby and then getting my head around having said baby in the house. Now? Now I'm working out how I fit into my new life as a stay at home mum and previous librarian. I have several hobbies, have taken up sewing now and am continuing to knit. I always seem to be dabbling in other various craft activities but that'll need to stop soon unless I can somehow make money. I only resigned a short time ago so I have time to work myself and my family out, however part of it is about working out who I now am, now that I'm not a librarian I mean.
After over 15 years in the industry, I called it quits to stay home with our baby. Right when there seems to be a lot (and I mean a LOT) of discussion about good mums vs. other mums, can mums have it all, does working mean having it all, if you stay home with your baby are you giving up on having it all manner of things work and staying home and mum and parent related. The decisions you make are hard enough without having all this blowing about in the background. Period.
I get quite angry and frustrated listening to all of this. There is discussion on some social site or morning news or other avenue talking about the pros and cons, always with people saying in the end 'why is it up for discussion?' and 'this doesn't happen to men'. I just want to put my piece in (except feel that wading in is just adding fuel to any fire and quite frankly, my point of view kind of goes against doing what I'd like in this instance!) and say, stop talking about it then. Just stop. And then no one will have anything to discuss about it, no one will feel as pressured to put their view forward and get stamped on later for doing so. It won't be a newsworthy item. Just let people make their decisions based on what is best for them….who cares what the reasons are? They're usually private and up to each family. I know I have family who don't understand why I'm doing what I'm doing, especially as financially it may be difficult for a time. Our reasons are our own and our child is only young for a short time and like everything we've decided to do up till now, it may be a bit different to what you're doing, but it works for us.
As someone who is easily pressured, swayed by others minor opinions and quite frankly an anxiety ridden sheep I'd really prefer not to discuss it too much as I second guess our choices. And I shouldn't have to. I should be able to feel confident and comfortable and enjoy our decision. Mainly my fault I know, but my genuine wish is that people start to be a little more open to other people and the way they live. Maybe a pipe dream? Perhaps that is how other people deal with the different-ness of others, by discussing them and they way they live? In which case I take it all back and continue discussing…in the meantime, I'm working on confidence and accepting my own decisions a little more :)
So, hopefully you'll hang around while I/we find our way forward and as I find out my place in my family and in the world sans-library job. More on that next time…
Its all gonna be ok!
Fiona
Monday, April 9, 2012
Daily Images...
I'm not sure if I've mentioned, but I entered with allll my other challenges one that involves me taking a photograph a day. I've found it 'challenging' though not so bad as some of the themed ones. They both push your mind in different ways.
Photo a Day is a continuous slog, a daily reminder to take a photograph of something that if possible, signifies what I've done during my day, sums it up.
Friday Photos and Paint the Moons 'Let's Do 52' are theme based and so each week I'll try and set up a photo if I can or take more time than I'd have with the Photo a Day to look at exposure, ISO, aperture etc. etc. I have to say though I do work on those things, but there are many days that a snapshot is all I'll get.
Anyway, I'll post a photo or two occasionally to this main page that I've submitted to the photo a day challenge.
Also, I should give a nod to the fact that its Easter (or Passover if you're Jewish) at the moment and a very religious time - or chocolate filled depending on your leaning and/or faith.
The break we've had from work during the Easter period has been great...its given me a chance to catch up on some of my editing, playing and photo taking. Amid visits from my family and a scrumptious dinner with my friends it has turned out to be a rather full weekend. I've found I caught up with some Facebook stuff, some Flickr work and now adding another post and photograph here.
As I've caught up with friends new and old, its a good time to acknowledge all the inspiration and support we or I in this instance, receive from our friends and family :) I especially, am very lucky that I have people around me who are interested in photography and I'm part of an online community on Facebook with Paint the Moon and the people on there are so helpful, so giving and so supportive.
So if you're one of the people I speak to about photography at all, I thank you :) If I've spoken to you, you've given me feedback or commented on images I've loaded somewhere then I do want to say thank you for taking the time, being available and for your gift :)
Photo a Day is a continuous slog, a daily reminder to take a photograph of something that if possible, signifies what I've done during my day, sums it up.
Friday Photos and Paint the Moons 'Let's Do 52' are theme based and so each week I'll try and set up a photo if I can or take more time than I'd have with the Photo a Day to look at exposure, ISO, aperture etc. etc. I have to say though I do work on those things, but there are many days that a snapshot is all I'll get.
Anyway, I'll post a photo or two occasionally to this main page that I've submitted to the photo a day challenge.
Also, I should give a nod to the fact that its Easter (or Passover if you're Jewish) at the moment and a very religious time - or chocolate filled depending on your leaning and/or faith.
The break we've had from work during the Easter period has been great...its given me a chance to catch up on some of my editing, playing and photo taking. Amid visits from my family and a scrumptious dinner with my friends it has turned out to be a rather full weekend. I've found I caught up with some Facebook stuff, some Flickr work and now adding another post and photograph here.
As I've caught up with friends new and old, its a good time to acknowledge all the inspiration and support we or I in this instance, receive from our friends and family :) I especially, am very lucky that I have people around me who are interested in photography and I'm part of an online community on Facebook with Paint the Moon and the people on there are so helpful, so giving and so supportive.
So if you're one of the people I speak to about photography at all, I thank you :) If I've spoken to you, you've given me feedback or commented on images I've loaded somewhere then I do want to say thank you for taking the time, being available and for your gift :)
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Picture It!
As yet I haven't caught myself up to date with posts and images here on my blog but I have been going through and sorting my photos, thats a start :)
In the interim, I saw this Epiphanie post on Facebook with a chance to win one of their gorgeous bags...who wouldn't want to win one I have to ask? Anyway, my entry is below...variation on some of the other umbrella/parasol pictures I took recently.
Enjoy.
In the interim, I saw this Epiphanie post on Facebook with a chance to win one of their gorgeous bags...who wouldn't want to win one I have to ask? Anyway, my entry is below...variation on some of the other umbrella/parasol pictures I took recently.
Enjoy.
 |
| I entered the Epiphanie Camera Bags Picture It photo contest. http://bit.ly/xN3Pqc |
Friday, March 9, 2012
Well, it's been a while...
Again, so long between posts its really quite scary. I think I've spent so much time dedicating myself to photography, origami and other things this year I seem to have forgotten my poor old blog, which was really the impetus for many of these things. It was the turning point in my online social presence.
I'm enjoying the social atmosphere on Flickr, though like some other people I've come across, I sometimes yearn for constructive criticism to help me out. People are so nice. I do understand though, I'm one of the nice ones. Unless you know someone personally or something 'REALLY' stands out, its hard to say, "wellll, I feel that you've oversharpened just a little and could have whitened that area up a touch"..because who am I to judge? I'm self taught, I don't follow all the rules and my images are very mediocre. Its all personal opinion really, thats all it ever is unless you're a professional...and even then I assume part of what they say when they're passing opinion is personal mixed in with technical knowledge.
Even after saying all that, I really have learnt a lot already and its only something like, day 069/366 (because thats how I think now that I'm participating in a photo a day challenge) :) And people still find ways sometimes of saying things that make you re-think an image or when you look at what others have done you think, WOW, I should try 'new' angles sometimes as opposed to the regular or not be so consumed with shallow depth of field...which I CANNOT get enough of :)
I'm enjoying the social atmosphere on Flickr, though like some other people I've come across, I sometimes yearn for constructive criticism to help me out. People are so nice. I do understand though, I'm one of the nice ones. Unless you know someone personally or something 'REALLY' stands out, its hard to say, "wellll, I feel that you've oversharpened just a little and could have whitened that area up a touch"..because who am I to judge? I'm self taught, I don't follow all the rules and my images are very mediocre. Its all personal opinion really, thats all it ever is unless you're a professional...and even then I assume part of what they say when they're passing opinion is personal mixed in with technical knowledge.
Even after saying all that, I really have learnt a lot already and its only something like, day 069/366 (because thats how I think now that I'm participating in a photo a day challenge) :) And people still find ways sometimes of saying things that make you re-think an image or when you look at what others have done you think, WOW, I should try 'new' angles sometimes as opposed to the regular or not be so consumed with shallow depth of field...which I CANNOT get enough of :)
This image was taken for one of the challenges I'm participating in but I've now started up an NQR or Not Quite Right set in Flickr. They're images that I processed, took for a challenge but one of the other images won out in the end by a whisker. I took this image after seeing other people highlighting elements of an image, using rule of thirds and as I mentioned previously, I LOVE BOKEH!
So, with hopes that I'm not away for so long next time and that perhaps with a long weekend looming in Australia, I'll be able to get this blog up to date with some of my images :))
Please take a look at my Flickr account if you're interested to see everything as not everything will be posted here.
Please take a look at my Flickr account if you're interested to see everything as not everything will be posted here.
Cheers
xx
Thursday, March 1, 2012
All Natural - Wk 1 005/366
http://catchingthelightandthemoment.blogspot.com.au/p/lets-do-52.html
All Natural - Wk 1 005/366, a photo by fionamahomed on Flickr.
Well, I'm a littttllle bit behind on my posting both for the blog and even for my images. I need to catch up.
Thought I'd do this one as a trial and see if I could load through Flickr to get my back up to speed.
N., my dad, my brother and I went to the Den of Nargun, a beautiful place of Indigenous significance in East Gippsland. So much to see and this gorgeous spider (which we later watched catching a moth and spinning him into the web) was one of them.
And because I can't move this post to where it should be, then I've created a link :(
Thought I'd do this one as a trial and see if I could load through Flickr to get my back up to speed.
N., my dad, my brother and I went to the Den of Nargun, a beautiful place of Indigenous significance in East Gippsland. So much to see and this gorgeous spider (which we later watched catching a moth and spinning him into the web) was one of them.
And because I can't move this post to where it should be, then I've created a link :(
Monday, January 2, 2012
Meeting the Challenge...
Today marks day 2 of the new year and day 2 of my challenges. We'll see how I'm going on day 16 or more!
So far the only daily challenge I have is my reading challenge/s (which haven't completely been confirmed yet) and my Origami challenge. This one seems to be turning into a photo a day as well, but its only day two. I can see potential is all.
This evening I submitted my photos for the two '52 week' challenges I'm participating in. Let's Do 52 with Paint the Moon and Friday Photo 2012 both on Flickr. I need to either submit these with space between or find a better way to post them, but for now, the photos are below.
I also seem to be having trouble still with putting my Flickr images in this blog so will have to manually insert. Once I have it ironed out I'll paste the link :)
So far the only daily challenge I have is my reading challenge/s (which haven't completely been confirmed yet) and my Origami challenge. This one seems to be turning into a photo a day as well, but its only day two. I can see potential is all.
This evening I submitted my photos for the two '52 week' challenges I'm participating in. Let's Do 52 with Paint the Moon and Friday Photo 2012 both on Flickr. I need to either submit these with space between or find a better way to post them, but for now, the photos are below.
I also seem to be having trouble still with putting my Flickr images in this blog so will have to manually insert. Once I have it ironed out I'll paste the link :)
 |
| Infinity - Beginnings - FP2012 |
 |
| Love - Beginnings - FP2012 |
 |
| 002 - Penguin - Origami-A-Day |
 |
| Challenges - FP2012 and Let's Do 52 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)