Self Portraits...

I've been playing with Catherine Just, again, and her In Plain Sight class.

This round a few self portraits. 

How appropriate that this year's new word is selfie! 

(which by the way blogger tells me is spelled wrong)

I recently visited Santa Barbara and fell in love.

Me, the first night, as I walked on the beach at sunset.

Toward the end of stay at the beach in Carpinteria playing.

Here's wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm taking MY life back...

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjures emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

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Sometimes the universe send you messages that are subtle...

Well, not today.

Sometimes the universe realizes that you need to be

slapped up aside the head with a frying pan.

Wow, where have I been?

I've been swallowed by the corporate monster.

I've allowed it to seep into every part of my life.

I've allowed it to push me down,

to make me tired/exhausted...

which has made me disappear.

To all my blog world friends I'm sorry I haven't been around much,

to all my friends that I see in real life (well haven't seen lately)

I am sorry that I have disappeared.

It has just felt like too much to balance my world.

I've shut down.

Stayed closed off.

I admit, I gave "them" the keys.

I have allowed someone else to drive my life

while I sat back in zombie mode, 

stressed out beyond recognition

and thus I disappeared.

I'm here to today to let everyone know 

that I'm taking back the keys.

Even if only for small moments at a time

I'm going to drive.

It is my life and not theirs. 

Two Girls on Train - Divided by Space

This was taken during rush hour...

it is rare to have an empty seat on the train.

I was fascinated by these 2 ladies.

One totally lost in her reading, unaware,

and the other totally bored but aware of all that surrounded her.

Snapping Out of Zombie Mode...

I have a day job...

a stressful,

busy,

not creative,

day job.

I've allowed the corporate stress 

to swallow me - 

thus I've been absent here lately,

and for that I apologize.

To find balance

I've been playing along with Catherine Just

during the past few months.

First in her In Plain Sight course

and I am now participating in The Deepening.

I've consciously chosen

to set my intention,

for the course, to be where I am.

To consciously notice where I am.

I live in NYC,

and I admit,

 I commute in "zombie mode".

Early Train...                     (c) 2013 Lori Moon

I get on the subway or bus and I put my nose in a book

or my phone. I ignore the person standing next to me.

By the way, they are probably standing too close,

I can probably feel their breath, 

I can tell if they brushed their teeth,

or not, after their morning coffee...

So, I choose to not make eye contact,

to not say hello, to pretend they aren't there.

This month, though, I have made a promise to myself

to notice where I am during my commute,

to snap out of zombie mode,

to deepen, to be present,

to take photos.

Discretely take photos, very discretely.

Plugged In...                     (c) 2013 Lori Moon

I'm choosing to use the Hipstamatic app

during the whole month

and to use the same film (D-Type Plate) 

and lens (Tinto 1884). 

Daydreaming Captured...        (c) 2013 Lori Moon

I am so very thankful to Catherine.

For her bravery to teach,

her ability to embrace fully what she shares but

also her willingness to be vulnerable, 

in my opinion, a good teacher shares an intimate 

part of themselves through the content of their class,

which she does with graciousness
and a tenderness that is infectious.

Something inside of me is awakening and I like it.

I promise, I'll back soon with a few additional photographs

of my travels on NYC public transportation.

Morning beginnings...

A little coffee...

a little paint..

How do you begin you mornings?