The importance of stillness

December will be the most intense month of 2011 for me, due to some pretty amazing projects in the works.

Though I’m always excited and grateful to be able to have creative opportunities, I typically end up finishing a project whilst burning the candle at both ends, sacrificing things I shouldn’t (sleep, exercise, family time, personal time, life balance, etc.)

and am quite good at dramatically collapsing at the finish line.

I’m trying so hard right now to change that, but it takes incredible amounts of self discipline that I don’t always have in full stock!

Moreso than ever before I’m paying more attention to the very small things that have a large influence on my creativity:  The actual physical space I’m in, the time of day I work, eliminating stress, saying no to people, calling upon prayer, studying the scriptures, journaling, limiting media influences, scheduling in recreation, scheduling in personal time, making time for my music and changing artistic fields to add some freshness to my busy photo head, and taking time to be still.

In reality, those things are a daily battle for me.  But I’m willing to fight because the reward is so high:  Peace and Productivity.

I came across these images a few days ago from earlier this summer.  They remind me to be still.  To pause. And be grateful for the things that matter most.

My Grandfather planted every single one of these trees.  Talk about leaving a legacy!

The “hollow” is one of the most peaceful places in the world to me.  

 

My favorite image of my two favorite boys.  I think I want to print this as a massive enlargement to remind me to be still 🙂

 

 

 

Brooke Snow is a Lifestyle photographer in Cache Valley, Utah.  She is learning that the art of creativity is really the art of a balanced and flourishing life.  Its sort of like a garden you need to daily tend to. Pull the weeds. Water. Get enough sun and warmth.  Being a gardner is hard! But the harvest is worth the toil.

Brooke teaches inspiring online photography classes that bring you confidence in your skills and creativity.

Did you like this post? Please share it!

10 Responses

  1. This is something everyone should practice. December always finds me a frazzled mess trying to put on the perfect Martha Stewart Christmas . . .baking,baking,baking like my mother did. . . finding THE perfect present. And to top everything off, December is also our daughter’s birthday month. This year she’s turning 18, and because of this the Perfect Christmas is a lot less important to me. She’ll be heading off to college next year, and I want to spend every single second that I can with her, stress free and laughing my head off with her, her little brother and my husband. : )

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    1. Oh Katie! I love that it is December 1st and you already have the mindset of slowing down and being intentional to make this time different, especially giving consideration to the thought that this Christmas will be one of the last before your daughter leaves. Living in the present takes mental concerted effort but can also be so rewarding! Thank you for your comment!

  2. Those are seriously the most beautiful words and pictures. I have yet to even come close to the place I want to be–and have yet to figure out how to “be still”. What a treasure it will be if I ever figure it out! Thanks for your inspiration—always.

Leave a Reply to Beryl Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *