Project Athena - Day 291 (Bridges)

Bridge Over Changing Waters

It's winter-like again here in Colorado. Cold, windy, rain and snow mix. So, from the archives of this fall, I pulled this picture that I shot on the CU campus.

As I reflect back on the last six months since shooting this image, I feel both gratitude for all the experiences this project has brought my way and a longing in my heart for something unknown. As my wise mother shared with me last week, "life is not meant to be lived like it is a dress rehearsal. This is it. Every moment of every day is the real deal."

This truth has been having its way with me every since she spoke these words. I am seeing how I currently live my life like I am rehearsing for something to come.  I am absolutely addicted to my comfort zone and while I hear my heart begging me to break free of this, I appease myself with platitudes  like "when the time is right....you will finally get to.....blah, blah, blah."

Underneath all that, I then feel anger, resentment, even rage for marginalizing myself. I can see now how that anger sits under the surface of almost everything I touch. Even this project, at times, has felt like I am practicing for my dream role in life and I keep it small to maintain my comfort level.

I am ready for a shift in my reality. I don't know what it's going to take to start showing up more FULLY in life but I will start with putting out a prayer for this shift to begin now along with a willingness for change. I am asking for courage to be here as I sense there may be some bridges burned in this exciting transformation.

Reflection of Bridge, CU Campus

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 46mm • F/7.1 • 1/30s • ISO 400

Project Athena - Day 152 (Reflection)

Cliffs Along the Poudre

Today, I took a walk around Watson Lake in Fort Collins. I watched two golden eagles soar and play along these orange colored cliffs. So beautiful. So graceful. It just felt good to be out in the warmth of the sunshine soaking in some very precious light.

Winter is coming.

Cliffs Reflected in the Poudre River

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 55mm • F/22 • 1/8s • ISO 200

Project Athena - Day 148 (Reflection)

Life is a Mirror

“You do not see the world as it is. You see it as you are.”
— Anais Nin

I hold the belief that my life is a high precision mirror reflecting me to me, literally and metaphorically. I can know who I truly am through my adventures, experiences, relationships, thoughts and emotions, material and physical manifestations, and even this body. In truth, there is nothing in my life that is NOT a reflection of who I am but I often forget or don’t recognize my own self, even though I flaunt myself in front of me.

While it seems like a contradiction, I also believe that the very instant I define myself as "________", I recognize the inadequacy of any word to describe this spirit, this being, this essence who is part of the Infinite Oneness. For an instant in existence, a reflection then becomes a mere glimpse into consciousness revealing that which I am open to "seeing".

Smiling to be shooting reflections this week.

Trees Reflected in Window of Gunter Hall, UNC, Greeley

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 18mm • F/22 • 1/10s • ISO 400