It's not what your look at that matters, it's what you see. -Thoreau

www.nannetterichford.com

A few weeks go I watched the movie The Abundance Factor. I had been putting off watching it because I thought it would be all about MONEY and I really wasn't ready to focus my attention on money at the exclusion of other important aspects of life. I was wrong. This movie is about Abundance in all areas of your life. Like many of the movies and books that focus on how our perspective and attitude affects our reality, it reminded me of how important it is too look at life through fresh eyes and with an open heart. If you haven't watched it yet, I strongly recommend it. It made a big impact on me.

I have recently taken up nature photography and have been immersed in finding the unique perspective that brings a photo to life. Learning to see through new eyes and to focus on the details has taught me much about life in the past year. Photography serves as a metaphor of life for me and helps me work through its complicated (or do we just make it so) nuances.

It has taught me how important it is to see beyond the ordinary and seek the extraordinary in both my work and my life. As Thoreau so aptly puts it: "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

For today, try to see life and people through a different lens and practice seeking the extraordinary in the ordinary or mundane. Look for the little things that make your life unique and special and take the time to appreciate them.

Today, I am grateful for my furnace to keep me warm in sub-zero weather, for the sun that creates sparkles in the snow, and for the white carpet that blankets the world.

I am grateful for evergreens that brighten the holiday decor, for candles that flicker in the night, and for fluffy socks that warm my toes. 

I am grateful for books to read that challenge my mind, for talented photographers who are willing to share their knowledge so I may learn, and for children who brave the cold to play in the snow. 

I am grateful for my family who gave me the gift of photography, for the wondrous world of nature that serves as my subject, and for discerning eyes that can see beyond the ordinary. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day, May you find the extraordinary in the ordinary today as you learn that its not what you look at that matters, it is what you see.

Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it. Confucius

I have recently taken up photography. The idea of using my photography as the basis of inspirational quotes has been kicking around in my head for while. I decided that it was time to put that into action and share my first one with you. It is my hope that it will bring joy to your life and inspire you to reach for your dreams.

I've always loved nature and found great peace and inspiration from immersing myself in the natural world. It is my solace and the place where I feel most at home. About seven months ago, my husband gave me a point 'n shoot camera and I began my journey into photography. As one might imagine, it led me to trying to capture the incredible beauty I saw in nature. 

As my family watched my interest turn to passion, they bought me a DSLR camera for Christmas. It opened a whole new world for me. Although I am still very much an amateur photographer, I am thrilled with the images I have managed to capture. It seems only fitting that I should share them here, as it speaks directly to following your dreams.

I had no idea that photography would become a passion and a source of joy and inspiration for me. Sure, I had said I wanted a camera to take pictures of my flowers for my Garden site, Maine Garden Ideas, but I had no idea that it would open up so many possibilities for me.

Sometimes, we become so conditioned to see ourselves in a certain way and assume we already know what we are capable of that we overlook the opportunities around us. We obediently accept our preconceived notions of who we are and where we need to go. 

Sometimes, the dreams we think we have or the goals we have painstakingly set aren't what we think they are. Sometimes, they are a reflection of what others have taught us we should want or strive for. If we are lucky, we may stumble upon something new that can take us further than we ever dreamed we could go.

Consider your life today and step out with new ideas. Get outside your comfort zone and try new things. You may discover that inside you lies the passion and talent for something you have never considered before. I will be eternally grateful for that first camera that showed me a world of possibilities.

Today, I am grateful for digital cameras that allow photographers to try and try again until they get it right. I am grateful for the vast resources online that teach me what I need to learn, for the patience of experienced photographers who answer the same newbie questions again and again, and the patience of my family as I ramble on about photography. 

I am grateful for the marvelous world of nature from which I can draw my inspiration, for eyes that see beyond the surface and look for the beauty locked inside every scene and for the ability to share that with you. 

I am grateful for a family that supports my growth, builds my confidence and always makes me feel loved. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you always the see the beauty in life as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.