Thoughts On Balance
Good morning everyone, how are you? I've been traveling a lot but I still make time to bring my little boy out to the countryside during the weekends when I'm here, and we have a lot of fun. The landscape around us is so very lovely, and depending on the weather, it can evoke an array of different emotions.
Sometimes there is extreme melancholy, which can be rather comforting - like a warm hug on an Autumnal day. Other times, a feeling of light hearted joy coupled with clarity. Next week I'll be in London again, so I made it a point to go to the country over the past weekend. I thought you may enjoy some of my photos today from a recent trip we took to Lüneburger Heide - a heath that is just amazing when in bloom with fresh Heather.
The Heather had nearly passed, but I caught a few glimpses of it for you, along with my little boy who is suddenly not so little anymore despite being only 2.5 years old. He is very tall, determined and curious. When we take him outside, he doesn't stay nearby - he is off exploring and collecting. He is very imaginative, sometimes quite feisty, and says the cutest things. I find his friendliness and love of hand holding very endearing. I love how he wakes me up each day with such enthusiasm. There is much work involved in raising a child but to me, it comes so naturally to just go with the flow and let him be himself - his varied, complex and often fiery self. I like seeing a little boy grow up, it's fascinating to watch.
Children aside, I find a lot of peace and clarity through my viewfinder, not so much in what I'm seeing but more in how I'm feeling and reacting, and how each photo seems to provide some insight into my own emotional landscape. This is why I love nothing more than to be outdoors, to get in touch with all of my senses, and to cut off from the internet and my phone long enough to feel emotions again that run a bit deeper than "liking" photos and leaving one liner comments on Facebook pages. Letting go of the virtual and cherishing the reality has grown more and more important to me over the past year. I don't know why, but something shifted inside of me and I learned that life is so multi-faceted and that balance is required to really enjoy as much as you can. Balance your time online and off. Balance your time with your family and alone. Balance self care with caring for others. Balance brings you closer to your core and when you are in touch with yourself, you don't waste as much time or energy deciding or doing things that ultimately lack value. So in essence, you may think balance takes you away from your family or is selfish, but it's exactly the opposite. Everyone wins.
What are your thoughts on balance today? Have you though to create a little more in your life too?
(Photography: Holly Becker for decor8)