International Women's Day

Some music for today. I love Annie Lennox, she never fails to inspire me.

I've been busy today at work, mostly helping men actually! However, I wanted to come home and mark International Women's Day 2013 on the blog. I've been thinking about the above Annie Lennox song since last Saturday and was going to post it then. She has done so much good work to raise awareness and understands what it feels like as a privileged Western woman, who suffers from depression and wants to make a difference in the world by her presence.

As women our lives are linked inexorably to those of men. We are human. A day to celebrate women and to fight for equality and safety for women, does not exclude men, how could it? We have fathers and brothers, and sons. Our sons and brothers have daughters. We are Mothers or we contribute to building the future in some other equally important way. There are so many ways to help. All I can do today is to visit the UN women website and read about Shehnaz Bano. Here is a quote about the song released today to raise funds and awareness to improve women's lives.

"Launching on International Women's Day, 8 March 2013, the song is a rallying cry that inspires listeners to join the drive for women's rights and gender equality. "One Woman" was written for UN Women, the global champion for women and girls worldwide, to celebrate its mission and work to improve women's lives around the world.

This year, International Women’s Day focuses on ending violence against women — a gross human rights violation that affects up to 7 in 10 women and a top priority for UN Women. As commemorations are underway in all corners of the globe, "One Woman" reminds us that together, we can overcome violence and discrimination: "We Shall Shine!" Join us to help spread the word and enjoy this musical celebration of women worldwide."

On My Radio.

As I was driving to work yesterday in the very grey, foggy morning, a song by the wonderful Alison Moyet came on the car radio and I was transported back in time. I'd only recently seen her perform on the TV on New Year's Eve and really enjoyed listening again.

I hardly ever listen to music these days and I always used to. As I was driving I started to think about all the wonderful female vocalists and musicians that I love so much and promised myself a "fab female-voice fest" tonight. Just a few here. A bit of a lazy blog post but inspiring to listen to on a weary Friday night.



Wonder - Reverb10

                                                                 

Prompt: Day 4: Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

(Author: Jeffrey Davis)

This version of the classic seasonal song was featured on the A&M album "A Very Special Christmas" in 1987

In response to this prompt, I wrote an entry in my journal all about how this course and my camera lens, has helped me to cultivate a sense of wonder in my life this year.

I am still continuing with the photography following on from the course, which began in March. A group of women also participating in the same course, set up a 365 days project. The photographs I took last week continue the winter-wonderland theme. It is sometimes easier at this time of year to have a sense of wonder isn't it?



December



So this year I discovered how looking at life through the lens of a camera helps me to zoom right in onto the tiny details of life. I notice a great deal more than maybe I used to and a sense of wonder has accompanied this more careful looking.

I love how I can go from noticing a leaf or a tiny blade of grass, or to how the sky or the light changes from moment to moment; to the vastness of that sky or to the sea or hills and mountains rolling away into the distance. From the small details and patterns, to the bigger picture. All that are too much of a miracle to be fully accounted for.

Here are some of the photographs taken since March allowing just a tiny glimpse of all the abundance around me. I can see it all everyday, if I take the time to look!



November



June

July

August

September

October

Coupled with the taking of an incredible amount of photographs, I also spent a lot of time walking this year. Getting ready for the China trek both mentally and physically,  helped me to feel a sense of wonder at what my out of shape body could still do. It has been great being out in nature more often too!

While in China I spent time with some fantastic people, who remind me of the capacity that human beings have to care, to give, to overcome hardships and to make a difference. This year I've been focusing on the wonder of such people, instead of simply feeling despair at the scale of some of the problems in the world.

Here is another Christmas song. I feel a sense of wonder at the hope that people have that things will change.