The World As Eye See It...

When Serenity Strikes…

What’s your definition of “Serenity”?

What is that invokes a sense of calm and tranquility, or that takes you to a place where stress and responsibility are not permitted to enter?

This week I’m writing to you from the Island of Maui…more specifically Kihei. I took this photograph last night at the end of the first day of a 10 day holiday. I’m embracing the Island spirit with everything I have and I gotta say, THIS right here…is my definition of Serenity.

There is just something about being amongst the palm trees, that feeling of soft, silky sand between my toes, embracing spectacular sunsets, feeling the tropical breeze, falling asleep (and waking up) to the sound of the waves crashing upon the shore…yes friends, there’s something about all of that, that just does it for me.

As great as I know this holiday is going to be, and as much as I shall relish every waking moment while I’m here…it made me realize the importance of instilling or finding Serentity more regularly on an everyday basis, in our everyday lives.

“Normal life” for many of us is usually made up of a myriad of juggling acts of all our responsibilities combined with a game called “Beat the Clock”. Our days are busy and filled with jobs, children, pets, volunteer work, appointments, grocery shopping, laundry (just to name a few).

It’s not always easy to steal those moments where we can just be quiet and calm. And yet I truly believe we all need regular doses of this to stay balanced and sane.

As a photographer, when Serenity strikes (like it did last night)…I capture it. When I’m home and back into my regular routine, I can look at it and bring myself back to that peaceful moment. Often we can find tranquility in simple things like a photograph or by visiting a memory.

I hope you find some Serenity today and that you enjoy and embrace it fully.

I must sign off now, as I’m pretty sure I just heard the ocean calling my name…between my active imagination and my beautiful surroundings, it’s destined to be a great day.

For today friends…this is The World As Eye See It

March 3, 2017 by The World As Eye See It... Categories: Uncategorized 2 Comments

Looking For Purpose…

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I had a very inspiring conversation this past weekend with a family friend. He has definitely been through his share of challenges, his struggle with addiction has at times been rather tough. But a recent connection in rehab is helping to shed some light on a few of those dimly lit paths he once walked upon.

The part I found so encouraging, is while he is still in recovery working hard and learning much about himself…he has become very passionate about wanting to reach out to help others going through the same things he is. He truly feels he has found his life’s Purpose.

Purpose has been defined as “the reason something exists”… so after that inspiring talk with my friend, I started to think a little about my own.

While I truly believe I exist for many good reasons (and of course we all do), I have to admit there’s been days when I wonder if what I’m doing is making a difference out there. Do I have a positive and meaningful impact upon my family, friends and the people in my life? Am I helping to make the world a better and kinder place? Do I step outside of myself enough to be there for others?

These are good questions to regularly ask ourselves.

We all know people out there who seemingly live with a strong sense of Purpose. They are self directed, determined and have a very clear understanding of who they are and what they are meant to do.

Then there are those of us who aren’t quite as self assured, so we go through life bobbing and weaving, experiencing our highs and lows…and somewhere along the way, we just kind of grow into ourselves. At times though we feel our Purpose isn’t always so clearly defined.

But here’s what I’ve discovered…

Purpose isn’t always this “BIG” thing, and it’s certainly not just one thing. Fulfillment, meaning, value…these can be found in the dozens of little everyday things.

It lives inside our smile, our sense of compassion, our capacity to listen, or to help someone feel they are understood. It’s in going the extra mile to help out when someone least expects it. Often it’s in our laughter and our ability to lighten or lift someone’s mood and spirit.

Anytime we extend ourselves in any small way, or do something that’s helpful and good for another, means we are absolutely existing for an incredibly good reason.

So if you find yourself out there looking for a little Purpose, just take a quiet moment to look around and also within…you may just see its a lot closer than you think.

For today friends…this is The World As Eye See It

February 25, 2017 by The World As Eye See It... Categories: Uncategorized 3 Comments

Being The Bridge…

I’ve always had a fascination with Bridges…

Not only do I find them quite stunning to look at, but I’m in awe of their structure, the heights/lengths they reach and the strength they have to withstand the enormous volumes of traffic that continuously flow across them.

Everyone I know has their favorite…the Golden Gate, the Brooklyn, the Charles (in Prague), the Sydney Harbour Bridge etc. The one at the top of my own personal bucket list (for a live viewing), is the Ponte Sant’Angelo in Rome.

Every Bridge is exquisite in it’s own way.

It’s mind boggling to think of the millions upon millions of different people who have seen their way across the various Bridges of the world…all crossing over on their way to somewhere.

And while that part is indeed interesting, what I love most is what a Bridge represents.

It’s a connector, a platform that takes us from one side to another. It’s open ended and offers a way of joining us to a place we may not have been able to reach had the Bridge not been in place.

I took this photograph while driving across the lovely Lions Gate Bridge, in my own home town of Vancouver, BC.

When I looked at it afterwards, my mind started to see much more than just a spectacular structure. I suddenly realized there have likely been countless moments in all our lives where we have held the position of “Being the Bridge”

Think about it…how many times have you been there for someone in need? Perhaps you were a sounding board, the voice of reason for a friend or family member, who may have required that little bit of help to cross over to another level of understanding, clarity, or simply just see a different point of view.

You’ve likely been a Bridge more often than you may even realize. We all have…be it personally, professionally and sometimes even spiritually.

As parents, we are the Bridge that help our children to grow, to pass over or through the various stages in their life. As a partner, a friend, sibling, co-worker etc., we do the same. We are there for each other in joyful (and also painful) moments of connection.

Connection is such powerful and meaningful force for us all, it’s a strength that we are able to use in the very best of ways.

Years ago, my husband talked down 2 men outside a nightclub who were in the midst of a pretty intense fight. Lets just say it could have been fatal had he not intervened. Many years later he ran into one of those men, who shared that that night actually changed his life. Something my husband had said to him just clicked, and it changed the entire course of the path he was on. Imagine how good that felt to know he had been the Bridge that helped a man in this remarkable way.

Some days we may be a Bridge…yet on others, we might only be a viaduct or even a simple overpass.

I can’t help but feel that any type of small connection we can offer, that may assist to help someone out…will also serve to help ourselves and perhaps strengthen our own level of understanding.

That kind of open ended structure… is one that’s good for us all.

For today friends…this is #theworldaseyeseeit

February 16, 2017February 19, 2017 by The World As Eye See It... Categories: Weekly Blog 1 Comment

We All Start Somewhere…

Welcome to my 1st blog under “The World As Eye See It”. It’s here you will find a love of many things, including quotes, photography and regular blog posts covering all kinds of varied topics that relate to our very real and everyday life.

I share this perspective and viewpoint as seen simply through my own “Eye”.

For the last 2 1/2 years I’ve been contributing weekly on a lovely site entitled Me Quito El Sombrero. I began as their only English blogger on an all Spanish website. The experience has been so rewarding and I will always be extremely grateful to my friends Luz Elena Rubio and Edna Rojas for the wonderful opportunity they bestowed upon me. Their site is now taking a hiatus and I truly hope they will return again one day soon.

My desire is to continue on with this fabulous photographic, literary and soulful journey they got me started upon.

And so the time has come for me to get more creative and resourceful all on my own. It’s a fresh start and I’m excited to dip my paddle in the water and forge ahead in a new direction.

As I embark upon setting up my site, I’m sure there will be a little trial and error as I settle in and get comfortable with this new learning curve.

So I do hope you will check in from time to time, and that what you find here will always be lighthearted, relatable, encouraging, positive, empowering, honest, insightful and above all…enjoyable.

I look forward to sharing more with you in the weeks ahead.

For today friends…this is #theworldaseyeseeit

February 9, 2017February 10, 2017 by The World As Eye See It... Categories: Weekly Blog Leave a comment