Martin Luther King Day 2017.

Is it too late to wish you a Happy New Year?

I'm still reflecting and making plans. Everything is catching my eye, there is so much to do and the question of "how to do it all" is the reason why I've still not completed this!

I really need to make some changes around here, and I have today continued to take more steps to leave the despair and sadness brought by 2016 behind. It was a pretty rough year for so many individuals and for the world. It left many of us feeling battered and bruised on many levels; and once again feeling pretty much helpless to make any change or impact. It's been hard to see the beauty sometimes, but there is so much and it needs to be shared and celebrated.

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." 

- Anne Frank.

Moon and Venus - Night Beach Walk 2nd January 2017

Picking ourselves up now and brushing ourselves off, we are inspired by those who have gone before us and who fought those demons close up. I'm at a distance away from many of those demons, and also privileged to be born where and when I was, in the world and in time.  I have a lot of freedoms that I take for granted.

It's Martin Luther King Day. 

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King - born 15th January 1929.

 "You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And I'm sure you would agree
It couldn't fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
that they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing
Thanks to Martin Luther King

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
all throughout the world

The time is overdue
For people like me and you
Who know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Ooh yeah
Happy birthday...

We know the key to unify all people
Is in the dream that you had so long ago
That lives in all of the hearts of people
That believe in unity
We'll make the dream become a reality
I know we will
Because our hearts tell us so."

- Lyrics by Stevie Wonder.

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.