Tag Archives: Less is More

Waiting For The Tide To Come In

Jun
15
2018
by IBK | 2 Comments


©IBKimage2018

Sometimes in our transitions, the boat just doesn’t float. It’s tied up and waiting to go out again but until the water provides the lift the vessel waits. I took this image on a recent trip to Ireland as I was waiting for a small excursion boat to take us back from a lovely island estate … now a beautiful botanic garden open to the public.

The reason I use this image instead of one from the garden, is that in seeing that old boat, I realized I was waiting for my own tide to come in. Specifically I was exhausted and praying for direction and the only way to solve that was to wait it out. Sometimes in our transitions whether major or just the muddling through parts, we often try so hard to do more, when waiting and doing basic things like sleeping more, eating less, singing, dancing,listening and accepting offers of help from family and friends is liberating. Retreating wherever that may be and how that works for you is vital for flourishing I think … even a few moments in the midst of a busy day.

So after a few months of being in dry dock and choosing to recommit to fewer things, I’m noticing that without working at it, and lots of small acts of intention, reflection and prayer, the tide has returned and I want to continue to offer insight and encouragement in life’s transitions through word and image. Stay tuned. Remember too that you can always unsubscribe by replying to this mailing if you’d like to move on.
Best,IBK

Posted in Reframe, Uncategorized, Waiting Also tagged , , , |

Changes

Oct
10
2014
by IBK | 1 Comment

 

©IBKimage@2013

 

 

Hello.  It’s been a couple of months since I’ve shared a word and image to offer insight and encouragement for life’s transitions.  I’ve actually had to learn to speak some of those words to myself as I’ve worked through some challenges regarding my health.  As I was making a routine left turn on a Sunday afternoon, my world started spinning…literally and now after a couple of months of vertigo incidents I am learning to live with the after affects of an acute vestibular event (probably a virus) that has damaged my left inner ear – the part dealing with balance.

 

It’s been a humbling experience to not be in control of your body movements; or to walk down the sidewalk looking as though one was inebriated; to realize that once again there is another loss to adjust to… and then you begin to understand – too slowly sadly – that there are all kinds provisions given that enter into this time of transition.  Family and friends providing comfort, encouragement, rides and arms for stability; a deeper prayer life not only for wellness but a deeper compassion for those who’ve lived with or are currently living with the reality of acute or chronic health challenges;  digging deep for a sense of humor in all of this; but mainly accepting that this is a new normal, and I will receive what I need when I need it and don’t have to force the timing.

 

Today’s image is usually seen as a  clear night shot of the colored lights in the fountains located at City Park with the downtown Denver skyline as a background.

After weeks of pushing myself to restart my blog, I realize that an abstract of reality  can be a gift to remind one of the essentials.

IBK

Posted in Blessings, Courage, New Beginning, Seasons Also tagged , , |

Just because you can …

Mar
28
2014
by IBK | 1 Comment

©IBKimage2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the last few months I have been engaged in a long distance remodeling project. Now that the project is almost complete I have reflected on how important it is to assemble a first rate team for such an undertaking.   Like an orchestra with a variety of players and  instruments contributing their own distinct tone to the whole, just so the role of the skilled craftsmen/woman provided their unique skills for an amazing transformation of a home with amazing “bones” but in need of some much needed renewal for a different time.

During this time I intermittently did some of the physical work of  deconstruction, which has it’s own rewards, but also it’s downside … in my case resulting in a shoulder that has needed some care from a wonderful team of physical therapists, and acupuncturists. It’s been a while, but finally I seem to be making progress.  Last week my physical therapist gave me a phrase that related to not overdoing it with the home exercises … “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”  What she meant in this particular case was that even though I might not have as much pain, I could still be overworking my muscles, and actually be impeding progress by overdoing it … you know, if a little is good, more is better …

Well, I can’t let go of that thought.  I changed it slightly as I started sharing it this week.  “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you have to…”  and by repeating it in various contexts, it (the phrase) has changed me.  I challenge you to apply this phrase to your own life and see what happens.

Today’s image is a humorous example of our phrase for the day.  The setting is Belfast, Maine, and just because they could decorate this old theater this way, doesn’t mean they should, or have to.  🙂

Best, IBK

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Aging, Insight, Pruning, Seeing In New Ways, Uncategorized, Waiting Also tagged , , |

Plan B

May
04
2012
by IBK | 1 Comment

©IBKimage2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently, I was in Washington, D.C. for a long weekend visit with my youngest son.  The trip had been planned to coincide with the peak season of the annual “Cherry Blossom Festival.”  It had been two years since I had experienced the delight of seeing the blossoms for the first time and at that time I was a relatively new photographer using a small Cannon “point and click” digital camera.  I couldn’t wait to use my now more sophisticated digital camera and to compare the presumably better pictures with the first attempt.

Well, nature intervened.  The blossoms were at peak season about 3 weeks before I arrived (peak season changes every year and I’d purchased my ticket) due to the very early spring in D.C.  I changed my focus and decided to only take my  I-Phone® and join the category of “iphoneographers” during my visit.  It takes a light touch and there were a a lot of new “how -to’s” , but what a delight to bring home about 75  images that were stored in a phone in a pocket of my jacket.  Amazing.

 

Today’s image comes from the front of an office building on “L” street in downtown Washington, D.C.  With the lens in the I -Phone®, a different angle, and the sunny morning light reflections, the  windows all look a bit different, and yet they were all identical.  The upper left window is the closest to what “the eye” saw.  Plan B (and C) often delight, if we can only move on from Plan A.

IBK

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Plan B Also tagged , , |