“I’m going to make everything around me beautiful - that will be my life.” — Elsie de Wolfe

Saturday 19 February 2011

Freeze Frames and Moments of Clarity

"From the kitchen, the rumbling of the washing machine sounds like a distant train. The kettle gathers steam, hissing as it comes to the boil. Closer and much quieter is the soft breathing of a cat, sleeping, and if I listen hard, the almost imperceptable tick of a clock. Then behind those sounds and quieter still, my heartbeat." - My Name is ZING

These moments of awareness. When for a few seconds time seems to suspend itself and you find yourself paused in the 'now' and conscious of it. These noticed things are always there, but we are usually so caught up in the 'running programme' of our minds, that it needs a conscious effort to freeze frame and really experience the background things in our surroundings.

To be able to hear and see these small events with clarity, rather than as a passing scene in the movie that scuttles in front of our open eyes is a precious thing. Being open to experiencing the richness and the incredible depth of each passing moment. Most times these things fade into the nether regions of my consciousness, this week they didn't . . .

"Each thought, each action in the sunlight of awareness becomes sacred." - Thich Nhat Hanh

I took these photos this week at my lovely Mum's house.


Thought of the week

"Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - Miles Davis


I hope your week has been a good one. x

PS. This blog is updated every Sunday with posts like this. From now on I am also planning to do a light hearted mid week entry under the label "I have a confession to make" the first entry is below this post. Please pop in and say hello, confessions are nothing without an audience! ;-)

I am linking this post to week 23 of I Saw Sunday

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I experience those freeze frame moments from time to time and they are quite enlightening. When they happen I always wonder why I don't pay more attention to things because they can be very powerful in their clarity. I need to stop rushing around so much, I think :D

Kodjo Deynoo said...

Your poem is moving, and it really hits home, I feel down and funny this week, not myself really, this helps great write

Deborah said...

Wonderful words, wonderful pictures and wonderful quotes ... wonderful!

Elizabeth said...

Really like your words and the quotes, but absolutely love the green of your Mom's plant.

Elizabeth

Harry Nicholson said...

Hello Susannah
Thanks for visiting 'Not Much'. I just been looking at your snow laden bird table and chuckling at the visitors.

I like the Nhat Hahn quote too.

signed...bkm said...

Beautiful and both quotes have something to take away and meditate upon during this coming week...thank you..bkm

Susannah said...

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read and comment, it is good to see you all. x

Sorrow said...

Ohhh I like this space.
Thank you for stopping by my space.
I have been poking around, I like the ZING..
you have a wonderful way of holding an image with words..
~lovely~

Susannah said...

Thanks Sorrow. :-)

none said...

What helps me to slow down and enjoy what I see is to sink into the object of awareness. I spend time noting what I notice about it. Even just making short observational comments makes a difference to bring me into the present. Wonderful quotes and evokative photos.
It's a life-long practice, isn't it? :-)

Susannah said...

Hi Jade, yes that's the thing, to be conscious of these things and bring your attention to them and slowly it becomes second nature. Good to see you. x

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