To create is to be alive. For the largest part of my life I did not know what that meant. That does not mean I wasn’t actively creating. I was. I created many things in those years. I created a home where in I created a way of living, of loving, by simple everyday actions.
But…a small part of me was neglected. The part that created for me. What I did not know then is that one day the environment in which I choose to live would slowly coax that neglected part out from hiding.
Did I continue living here, in the town that bubbles with creativity, because I knew that here was where I needed to be? I like to think so. For in this environment the create for me part has reappeared. It grows every morning when I waken to Tui song. It took faltering steps when I joined a writers’ group. As I wander the streets and walkways camera in hand, its steps have taken on a strident air as with each click/word it finds its rhythm.
And though I have lived…I am now remembering what alive feels like.
So here are some of my creations.
The photo above was done after reading a tutorial on B & W with Grain at Photoblog Challenges. You can view it here, as well as other who have entered in the challenge. They also have other challenges that you can take part in. Check them out…some great photography by great photographers. Take some time…wander the sites and vote if you like.
To see what others create pop over to the Weekly Photo Challenge
Beautiful, Jo. I am so very glad the You in you came out of hiding, that your wings got to show you some of their magnificence:)
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Awwwww…thank you Brynne !!! That is so lovely of you to say.
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That’s wonderful, Jo – that you’ve found your key to being alive again!
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Oh yes it is…not that I wasn’t alive then. Just in a different way.
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I know what you mean, Jo. I was thinking of the sense of alive when you feel a certain lightness of being, of flying free of yourself, when you recognise a different plane, or level of existence and feel born, again, or awake. Very fleeting, for me, but it is a state I’m looking to inhabit more consistently.
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So right you are…here’s to us both achieving that state !!!!!!
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Right on!
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how wonderful to have found that part of you that is uniquely you.
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It does feel good.
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What a beautiful post, Jo. It takes courage and determination to allow the ‘you’ to emerge despite of (or maybe even because of) years of neglect. Here’s to celebrating our creations! 🙂 Lovely images!
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Thanks Myra…it actually does take courage to say ‘this is me’ sometimes. More than I ever thought it would, but once you do it is oh so freeing !!!
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love the joyful running through the surf shot. My little chair is in a shop in town, hopefully it will sell! It is a delight to live in a town where creativity is celebrated.
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I like that one too !!! Good luck with the chair sale…I think it is a beautiful work of art.
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Wonderful, wonderful post! So many questions. Is it where we live that lights the spark? Is it our growing older? Interesting thoughts you have raised for me. I love this post!
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Awwwwwwwwwww thank you Angeline. That comment really makes my Sunday that much brighter.
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Great post, Jo!
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Thank you Marina…I love that you think so.
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Whatever made it happen, I’m so glad it happened to you. 🙂
Fabulous photos.
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Thank you so much. What a lovely thing to say !!!!
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such a heartening tale jo, so happy your create for me part is growing 🙂
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Thank you Christine. I am so glad you think so !!!
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Beauty is taste… creation is art..
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And there in is the wisdom I come to expect from the Bear !!!!
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Great work Jo 🙂
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Thanks Jake…always nice to hear that from you.
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love black and white 😀
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thank you…I do too at times.
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A lovely post and great photos. I think this theme of create is going to be a really interesting one. I am yet to do mine.
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Thank you ! Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
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Wonderful play with the camera and photos.. The couple on the beach is such a romantic one. 🙂
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Glad you like them. I had to laugh at your comment about the romantic couple…oh there is a tale behind that image. One I may keep to myself for a while yet…hehehe
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I’m glad your creativity is so important to you. It fulfills an important part in us, I think. Creativity is one of the things which makes us human, as opposed to ‘just’ animals.
I like the first one the best.
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It does. Without it I feel empty. I like that first one as well…have been waiting to find a way to use it for a while.
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“To create is to be alive” – yes!
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Glad to hear you agree BB…very glad !!!!
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Art is life. All of us, if you think about it, are works in progress. I especially like the first image.
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It seems to be a favourite !!! I sure had fun doing it. And yes…we are all works of art…just in differing stages.
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It’s so satisfying, isn’t it Jo; creating something with your hands, out of your imagination, to keep with you or send off to touch someone else. Nice ephemeral feelings in your photographs. 🙂
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It surely is Veronica. I love to write…but it is a different feeling creating something from a photo. something to just look at and marvel over. Thank you for stopping by and the lovely comment.
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Wonderful entry and beautiful creations!
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Thanks…so glad you think so.
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I wish I was so talented! 🙂
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Oh pish tosh…of course you’re talented !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks! Nice to hear as I’m trying my best over here! 🙂
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Very artistic, Jo!
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Thank you kind Sir !!!! I try…and that’s all you can do.
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I’m happy you are creating. 🙂
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What a lovely thing to say !!!
Thank you.
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Have a great day!!
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You too…wishing you Sunshine all around.
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cool 🙂
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Thanks
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Hi Jo, thanks for sharing your story and your creations. Lovely.
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Hi Cathy,
Glad you’re happy I did.
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Very ‘creative’, Jo. Nice job.
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Thank you. I love that you think so !!!!
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I like the second pic very much.
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It is a favourite it seems. I love that fact.
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Hi Jo, sorry for the late response but I have been over to the challenge site and the votes can definitely be added without being signed in, well I have been voting for your photographs so no problemo 🙂 I hope that your Friday is a sweetly enchanting one with lots of delicious extras 😉 🙂
Androgoth XXx
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That is lovely that you went and voted. Thank you…I do appreciate it.
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Hey no problem, besides yours were amongst the best there so it was easy 🙂 🙂 Have a fun day Jo 🙂
Androgoth XXx
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Awwwwwww…thanks Androgoth…you just made my night.
Sweet dreams.
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🙂 🙂
Andro XXx
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What an inspiring post Jo, I’m sure it will make lots of people think. You are such a creative person and always bring joy and beauty to the world.
I know just where you’re coming from too, four years ago I finally dared to start seeing and accepting that I might be genuinely creative and I recently changed my tag line to WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER. It still makes me wince at times but mostly it’s good.
Keep shining your light honey, its bright and gets in all the corners 🙂
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Awwwwwww Gilly thank you !!!
That is so lovely of you to say…I am touched by your thoughts. It is hard though at times. To accept after years of denying – that you are worth more, in many ways. I am so glad you have changed your tagline…to reflect the wonderful spirit that you are.
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