BF and I honeymooned in Scotland. It was before digital cameras and when I had all of our photos developed, I noticed that I had repeatedly snapped photos of two things throughout our backpacking adventure– doors and window boxes. So many of the doors we passed in Scotland were brightly colored and so delightful and almost every house had a window box or three of happiness for passersby to delight in. Every single one took my breath and delighted me and, yet, no two were alike.
So often we delight in the natural variety of life. We think every single blooming hydrangea bush is gorgeous. Every cardinal catches our eye.
And, yet, the beauty in our own natural uniqueness goes without notice or with incredible critique. If we all fell for the media ideal we are being fed, then we would all be striving for the exact same look and, yet, uniqueness is really what’s beautiful.
Today: I want you to revel in uniqueness by paying attention to all that is unique around you. Grab your camera (camera phone is fine) and take photos of a particular theme- squirrels, rocks, mushrooms, leaves, flowers, doors, window boxes, eyes, whatever. Get at least 12 pictures. And then go through your pictures and admire something about every single photo. Practicing appreciation for all these things in your world (something you probably naturally do; I am forcing the exercise here) will help you to practice this appreciation with own uniquely wonderful self.
1. What did you take photos of and what did you notice in your photos?
2. How can you translate this exercise into appreciation for yourself?
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I am reading this at 9:00 at night, so I may have to do the exercise tomorrow. I did look back through some pictures from vacation, and I noticed that I tend to take pictures of those moments that delight me–a stream peeking through, flowers in bloom, my kids smiling. I recognize that being able to extend that delight to myself would be a paradigm shift!
1. What did you take photos of and what did you notice in your photos?
I had a lot of work to do today, so I couldn’t go out and take pictures. Instead, I spent some time looking at the photo’s I’ve take for my Project 365 blog. I take a lot of pictures of food, especially food that I have cooked.
2. How can you translate this exercise into appreciation for yourself?
I already knew this, but it’s nice to see pictorial evidence: I am a kick-ass cook. And I also think I’m pretty good at taking pictures!
I actually take photos of an odd theme, I guess. I take pictures of funny things I see (funny to me anyway) and share them with my kids. Never at the expense of others, but usually signs, or odd moments in nature, etc. So my theme, I guess is more “amusing photos”. I love looking at pictures and trying to find things I haven’t previously seen before in these pictures. Little things.
The takeaway for me is that I need to keep looking at myself…and seeing me over and over until I see the little things I like about myself, the little things that make me who I am, that make me unique. I need to learn to appreciate those little things, and then start appreciating bigger things, too.
My pictures were mostly about the way light reflects or plays with objects. I especially like the changing and colourful shine of white sugar crystals – yes, I said colourful! The first time I noticed, I was astonished that “white” sugar crystals are, in fact, so colourful, depending of the light, the colour of their direct environment or container… It is pure enjoyment to admire it! Like thousands of little diamonds.
Concerning 2. How can you translate this exercise into appreciation for yourself?
… good question… maybe I am / my soul is also more colourful that I think? Or maybe the wide range of my characteristics are as many colourful aspects of the same diamond – wow, I love this thought! OK, I’ve found my self-esteem booster!
Oh, I loved what you all take pictures of– funny moments out in the world, food, the sugar crystals (love the colorful observation, Cecile) and objects or moments of delight. I hope this practice helps you realize your own powerful uniqueness and delightfulness!