Presence

 

 

“The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments”   -   Thich Nhat Hanh

 

Being present is a practice I’m mindful of every day. When I’m hanging out the washing, walking the dog, cleaning my teeth I’m focused on the moment, which to me makes everything I do count and makes me feel more connected to self.

 

 

 

 

I wasn’t always able to do this. Background noises were constantly running around in the back of my mind - what am I cooking for dinner, what do I need at the supermarket or what are we doing on the weekend. 

 

 

 

 

Being in a relationship for 28yrs meant I was living for two so there wasn’t the time for being present, there was too much “life” going on. When my marriage ended I had to learn to be in the moment in order to keep my mind quiet and not overthink everything. Analyzing the past, trying to predict the future, my mind just wouldn't stop.

 

 

 

 

I’d always loved taking photos but had never followed my passion. I also had a passion for collecting vintage clothes, accessories and wigs. I needed something to focus on so I decided to start selling online. I bought a second hand mannequin (that only one hand ), from a local shop and started doing photoshoots with my clothing. It was so much fun dressing that mannequin and then trying to position it around the garden to look as natural as I could make it. 

 

 

 

 

This process allowed me to rediscover the feeling of being totally focused and in the moment. A feeling that had seemed to disappear the older I got and the more background noise I had allowed in.

 

 

 

I take very different photos now than I did back then but looking back it was the start of this creative journey I am on so I feel I should honour “Mannie Quinn” for awakening my love of photography and starting me on the path of mindfulness.

 

 

 

 

If you enjoyed this and my previous blogs you can subscribe to my quarterly newsletter where I will be sharing practices I do and thoughts that I have. 

 

 

 

 

 

I would welcome you to contact me if you have any questions about my work. There is always a background story for each of my images which I would be happy to share.

 

 

 

 

Stay true to your soul …

 

Susi.