As I mentioned previously, I'm taking a class at Big Picture Scrapbooking called Picture Spring. In this class, we receive a prompt every day to look at things in your life with a new eye, and find the beauty in it to photograph. Everything was going along great, I was having a lot of fun looking at my life each day. One day you take a picture of what your life looks like first thing in the a.m.
Another day, you had to look up and find the beauty above you.
Still another day, you had to drop to ground level to find what rocks your world.
And then...the dreaded "SELF-PORTRAIT" day came. How many of us dread this challenge?? Tracey's email said "Spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation. Beyond the blooms, our spirits feel alive! Today, as you soak it all in, capture yourself in a self-portrait. Celebrate yourself! You're worth the hoop-lah!"..... Right!!!!
But I refused to be intimidated. My reasoning to take this class was to grow in my photography skills. I needed to do this!!
So I stood in front of a mirror and turned my camera around and snapped away. I took countless pictures. And I give to you, a cropped version of the picture I submitted for the class.
I really don't like looking at pictures of myself but I have spent part of this morning thinking about why that is. And I've come to the conclusion that it has a lot to do with your life as you are growing up. I think many of us are told that it is vain if we like to look at ourselves. Vanity was sinful, as I recall. Isn't that interesting?? Because I am of the belief that in order to love another, you must love yourself. Maybe you can love yourself and not like looking at yourself. Is that it??
So after all my pondering this morning, and actually looking more closely at this picture, I've decided that those little crows' feet around my eyes are caused by the laughter in my life. So I will wear those crows' feet as a badge of honor, that I have a wonderful, laughter-filled, joyous life. A life that brings me peace and serenity. A life I am delighted to express gratitude for.
Are you like me? Do you dislike looking at pictures of yourself, but truly enjoy your life and all the laughter in it? Maybe all it takes is a change of attitude! Thanks for stopping by today.
8 comments:
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest :)
I only dislike looking at bad pictures of myself. Or pictures of me when I've drank too much. I was never taught that vanity was bad, but I was taught to be humble. However, I think most people don't like looking at pictures of themselves/run away from cameras, because they don't like how they look. I prefer to look at pictures as memories. A moment in time. So even if I don't look my best, at least their is a good story behind it.
I'm really trying to get to that point, Cassandra. I'm also a scrapbooker, and have taken some classes that deal with telling MY story. So I need to learn to love the stories that the pictures represent.
Peg - This blog entry was long worth the wait! I love all the photos you took, and I think your self-portrait is FABU!!!! Like your scrapbooking and cardmaking, your photograph is evolving. You certainly have a great eye for great shots.
I love your self portrait...even though we're only getting the cropped version, you cheater! ;)
Usually, when I see a photo of myself that was taken recently, I absolutely HATE it (1 eye is slightly more closed than the other! Oh nooo!) However, when I see these awful photos a year or so later, most of the time they seem okay. Then again, sometimes I'll look at a photo that I thought was fabulous at 1st (so fabulous that I sent it to EVERYONE and posted it EVERYWHERE) and can't believe how icky I look. Lol, I probably put too much thought into these things!
Wondering who I am? Read my post: Who Are These People?!
The last picture taken of me is with my mom and brother. It was the last picture of mom before she died last November. I look at the picture daily but, never see myself.
Pictures can be a way to tell the stories of our lives. PK, I suspect your photography goes a long way in defining this chapter of your life. Glad to see you are embracing the pictures and more importantly, your life.
Fantastic Post, Peg. I never used to mind looking at myself in photos . . . when I was 21. But I'm 38 now, and I cringe when I know a photo of ME is out there (be it, on the camera or on the computer.) There is probably a whole therapy session in there, somewhere. BUT ... I LOVE the photos you have taken, and I LOVE the self-portrait you took. And, for the record, when I see YOU, I feel peace. My wish is that someday you will feel that when you see yourself.
Leanne: I'm getting there. I guess that's part of what our word for the year is suppose to do, right? Thanks for your kind words. I really am having a lot of fun with the camera.
what a great post! i love that you are opening yourself up to seeing the world around you with new eyes. i LOVE that shot of you...so glad you're appreciating it too! : )
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