"New Year's Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery. Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change."

Quote - Sarah Ban Breathnach

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." Quote - Oprah Winfrey

"The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

Quote - Allen K Chalmers

"Freedom and safety for all, so that everyone can do the great things mentioned above."

Quote - Noël Leone

While the other ducks appear almost lost in the shadows this one seems to shine by its own light. St. John's, NL, Canada

Finding yourself is not that easy. To reflect on one's mistakes and learn from them. To know what to change and where to stay true to yourself and expect to be taken for who you are. Once you know that ... you will never sell yourself below worth anymore.

Nero Summer Fashion Time with the Tucked Summer Tank and the Beach Shorts. In many colors to get at the Mainstore.

Credits: Click me for all Credits at Amon's Blogspot

*Carol G male Tattoo @ the MOM

If you walk 100 miles into the life you don't want. Often, you must walk those same 100 miles to get out of that life. This is the answer to why the journey to fulfillment is often so difficult. However, if you can find a shortcut, a new path, you can get to the life you want much quicker. This is the premise of personal development, self-improvement and self-discovery..!

🔊

Details

I was asked to do a series of images taking visitors through the journey of my own story told with the theme Wanderlust. This is my interpretation. My journey of mind, self-discovery, the daily fight to overcome the fear of my current state of fragility.

This series has me with a broken bulb as a head and a brain full of moths. Two images have me alone wandering at dusk using the light play with moths casting shadows blocking my faint glow.

I don't know if any of you can understand that when I hold my camera in RL I am fearless. I am confident, focused, and excited. I feel alive! I would wake excited to relive those moments as I fumbled to retrieve my SD card from my Nikon. Photography was a daily high. I miss it so much. I miss people and gatherings. I miss seeing my friends, my family. I miss seeing smiles. It's a deep ache that won't go away and it scares me.

Seems I was so busy trying not to die from Covid that I stopped doing the things that made me feel alive.

LISTEN

So If you see the girl I used to be

Could you tell her that I'd like to find her

And if you see the shell that's left of me

Could you spare her a little kindness

'Cause I've been high and I've been low

I've spent a thousand nights alone, tryna hold on tight

And feelings come but they won't go

Please won't someone take me home before I lose my mind

Am I broken?

Am I flawed?

Do I deserve a shred of worth or am I

Just another fake, fucked up lost cause?

And am I human?

Or am I something else?

'Cause I'm so scared and there's no one there

To save me from the nightmare that I call myself

I've tried everything and anything

But nothing seems to work quite like it should

Between the madness and the apathy

Seems there's nothing left inside of me that's good

'Cause I've been high and I've been low

I've spent a thousand nights alone, tryna hold on tight

And feelings come but they won't go

Please won't someone take me home before I lose my mind

Thanks so much to Ella Pavlona for including me ♥

I am honored to have again been invited to join this project displayed at Mindful Cove.

Art as Mindfulness: Wanderlust

20.02.2022 - 27.03.2022

@ Mindful Cove

Opening Event : 20.02.2022 @ 6 a.m. SLT

TAXI

“Step into the fire of self-discovery. This fire will not burn you, it will only burn what you are not.”

—Mooji

I have always wanted to create a mindful space in Second Life for myself and also to share with those who are looking for a quiet space to recharge and bring a little Zen into their lives. I am so excited that I have finally gotten the chance to bring my vision to life and even more excited to be a part of the new Dulla Centre Community.

Welcome to Lone Tree Yoga Studio & Meditation Garden! Delight in the present as you find your breath and journey toward self-discovery through the practices of yoga and guided meditation and more. Come wander the meditation garden and practice Tai Chi or sit and meditate and be one with the sights and sounds around you. All are loved and welcome. We hope to see you soon!

Visit Lone Tree Yoga Studio & Meditation Garden in Second Life.

Any other T. Rex fans out there? Ride a White Swan by T. Rex is one of my fave songs of theirs.

I have a very wide and varied taste in music, but I do have a bit of a penchant for 60's/70's British bands. Think Yardbirds, Who, Cream, The Animals, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Kinks, T. Rex, Queen, Pink Floyd, Bowie, Slade, The Sweet etc.

Fun fact #1

Swan was T. Rex's first significant hit single all the way back in 1970 & helped shape the glam rock era. From 1970 to 1973, T. Rex were extremely popular in the UK, with a run of eleven top ten singles, four of which reached number one.

Fun fact #2

Google says "Ride a White Swan” is a song that encourages individuality, self-expression, and the pursuit of personal freedom. With its enchanting lyrics and dreamlike imagery, it invites the listener to embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. It is a timeless reminder to embrace our uniqueness, let go of societal expectations, and ride the waves of life with grace and courage. And here I was thinking it was just a catchy, breezy little number!

Have a great week everyone!

I dare you to try not bopping along to Ride a White Swan here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=skjvDLpeh4c

Okay... Story Time!

So im not quite sure what is it at this certain period of time,

maybe is the fresh new year, the whole new mindset of new beginnings..

maybe is just the food overload after the christmas holidays and festivities which have messed with my head,

but right around this time i get this weird feeling of excitement, rebirth and positivity that changes are coming, and welcoming ones.

You might think im some pretendious bitch who is gonna throw you some "From monday i will start my diet or start going to the gym and become the new year, new me version" statement,

but... listen to me xD its a thing im telling ya! I always considered winter a time of recollection and self discovery. Maybe is the fact that im not fond of cold and such and i get to stay home more,

but at this time i always get to find the opportunity to look back on what i have achieved so far and what are my goals for the upcoming chapter of me. In the past year i got to travel again and experience new things, see new locations and get to meet new people from around the world. Its refreshing to get to do things that bring you joy and peace at last after so much time stuck at home. So thinking back to it i consider 2022 an okay year and i am grateful for this.

On another note this year is very special for me because.. the big 3 is coming and before you think something unnapropriate, i mean like a 3 will be the first digit of my age xD Althought age is just a construct that someone made up to remind us that we are getting old and somehow less fun and i dont know what else, i tend to use it to compare myself back in time and remember all the things that i have been through and all the experiences i got to learn from which made me mentally (and physically) grow until this stage of my life. Im positive that this year will be full of new learnings and new opportunities and i am ready to embrace it.

We live in a world of constantly getting distracted by unlimited information, news from around the world, documentaries of basic plastic ass tv bitches (no shaming ya girls im talking about them plastic barbies) that make us forget for a moment our things and it can be soothing and relaxing to do so but... i feel is very important to recollect ourselves in a moment of tranquility and touch some ground, search inside for what makes us, US and all the things we got to live and learn. We tend to seek other people's approval and validation to boost our confidence and i guess it works until a certain extend but... is more crucial to trust in one's self to really feel it. Everything starts from within and what's inside tends to show on the outside eventually.

So let's make this next chapter full of motivation... strength and positivity and embrace it as a new beginning.

Turn the page and read whats next :)

Tune ♪

Wearing:

❃ FujicoApparel-Jacket 80's

❃ [FujicoApparel] Snatch it Pants

Available on Mainstore

Visit Store's Page ☞ Flickr

My Korner #208 - On the steps of life!

shakilynsblogs.blogspot.com/2020/02/my-korner-208-on-step...

BLOG NAME: On the steps of life!

DESIGNERS: FashionNatic, Glamistry & Supernatural

We all go through steps during our life. We are born, we go thru childhood, adolescence, self discovery, adventourousness. We become an adult and learn dedication, comtemplation and benevolence and finally we reach retirement, wisdom and renunciation. I am looking forward to the last steps of life!

Today I'm wearing:

JUMPSUIT: FashionNatic - NICOLE PLAYSUIT FATPACK

SHOES: Glamistry : Heels PF1041

NECKLACE: .::Supernatural::. Valentina Necklace Fatpack @Cosmopolitan

BRACELETS: .::Supernatural::. Isabella Bracelets Fatpack

Nicole is compatible with Maitreya Lara and Belleza Freya. Available in 10 colors or get the fatpack for all the great texture choices.

Glamistry heels are rigged for Belleza, Maitreya and Slink and come with multicolor HUD to change 5 different parts of the shoes with 18 color choices.

Valentina 2 Piece necklace comes in Silver and Gold and comes with gem huds to change the stones.

Isabella bracelets come in silver or gold and come with a color change HUD for the heart.

LINKS:

FashionNatic Marketplace

marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/124075

FashionNatic Mainstore

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fashion%20Boulevard%20II/6...

Glamistry

glamistry.xyz

Supernatural Mainstore

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Supernatural/126/130/21

Supernatural Marketplace

marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/104402

To all the fathers, to all the fatherly figures, who take a child to the brink of their own self discovery, and stand by them.....firm, constant, committed.

Who guide them to adulthood and their own journey.

To my dad.

You left us within a year of mom.

I can still see you sitting there quietly, so ill, with tears in your eyes. And saying "It's not for me. I know I'm going to be with your mother. I just hate to do this to you and your brother again"

What you "did" was love us.

Heroically.

Now you and mom live together in me. You are my compass.

So to all the heroes out there who love with that unwavering endurance, that unspoken depth......this day is for you.

Thank you.

Happy Father's Day. :-)

“The journey of self-discovery begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch

“Don't be a copy of someone else; discover who you truly are and embrace your uniqueness.” – Unknown

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." - Aristotle

🎼: Weightless ~ Natasha Bedingfield~

✈️ : Please visit this amazing photographic Sim, it is well worth the time Natthimmel

The sky is the limit

And I just wanna flow

Free as a spirit on a journey of hope

Cut the strings and let me go

I'm weightless, I'm weightless

Millions of balloons tethered to the ground

Weight of the world tries to hold us down

Cut the strings and let me go

I'm weightless, I'm weightless

I'm weightless, I'm weightless, I'm weightless...

Raw Capture

Taken @ Borkum

“We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don't have something better.”

― C. JoyBell C. ―

“Sometimes you have to kind of die inside in order to rise from your own ashes and believe in yourself and love yourself to become a new person.”

― gerard way ―

“At the center of your being

you have the answer;

you know who you are

and you know what you want.”

― Lao Tzu ―

🎧 🎧♫ 🎼 Listen 🎼 ♫ 🎧

💖In advance I want to thank each one of you for your always kindness, support, beautiful awards, favs, and messages. Please know that I see and read them all, even if I do not reply back to them, I appreciate them all so much as well as each on of you for taking the time.

Lori 💖

- Alfred Brendel

Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth...

A tree says: My strength is trust. I know nothing about my fathers, I know nothing about the thousand children that every year spring out of me. I live out the secret of my seed to the very end, and I care for nothing else. I trust that God is in me. I trust that my labor is holy. Out of this trust I live...

Trees have long thoughts, long-breathing and restful, just as they have longer lives than ours. They are wiser than we are, as long as we do not listen to them. But when we have learned how to listen to trees, then the brevity and the quickness and the childlike hastiness of our thoughts achieve an incomparable joy. Whoever has learned how to listen to trees no longer wants to be a tree. He wants to be nothing except what he is. That is home. That is happiness.”

- Hermann Hesse, Bäume. Betrachtungen und Gedichte

Farmlands in Hawley, MA

Textured added: Anna Lenabem - www.flickr.com/photos/lenabem-anna/7996407343/

© All rights reserved.

This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

The Kenaz rune (ᚲ) is the flame of knowledge, creativity, and transformation, illuminating the path toward wisdom and self-discovery. Like a torch in the darkness, it represents clarity, enlightenment, and the power of understanding, allowing one to see beyond illusion and uncover hidden truths. Kenaz is also the forge-fire of craftsmanship and mastery, symbolizing both the literal skill of artisans and the metaphorical process of refining the self. It speaks of intellect, learning, and personal growth, urging one to embrace curiosity and sharpen their abilities. This rune is a guiding force, bringing vision, inspiration, and the drive to shape one’s own destiny. In a reading, Kenaz suggests a moment of breakthrough—an idea, a realization, or a newfound purpose that sparks transformation. It reminds us that knowledge is the greatest tool, and those who seek wisdom will always find their way forward.

"Kenaz is the spark that ignites wisdom—embrace the flame, and let it guide you to truth and transformation."

Elder Futhark II

Propylaea, Acropolis of Athens, Greece

Dead Can Dance - Ullyses

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON 500px / INSTAGRAM

This is my second time on flickr, I started back in 2012,

I needed a change so I started anew, clean slate new beginning, today, I am pausing and reflecting on my jounery

Being a submissive, I would say authenticity reigns supreme. It is not merely about surrendering control, but about embracing the true essence of who I am. I do what makes me up, delving deep into the recesses of my soul to uncover the raw, unfiltered truth that lies within. It is a journey marked by vulnerability, courage, and an unwavering commitment to self-discovery.

There have been moments when doubt has clouded my path, casting shadows upon my journey, times I felt very isolated and alone, its not easy to pack a punch, as an introvert with a small circle. Society's whispers of judgment and misunderstanding have remained with me, threatening to derail me from the correct course. Yet, in the face of adversity, I have found strength in the power of my authentic voice.

I tell my story not as a mere recollection of events, being in a long term submssive relationship, and engading ofthen in S&M play, I find is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit- my spirt. It is a story woven with threads of passion, desire, and unwavering determination. Through the art of photo stories, I reclaim my narrative, casting aside the shackles of societal expectations to embrace the true essence of my submissive nature.

thank you for 3000 followers, my story continues...

... and to "explore strange new worlds; to boldly go where no man has gone before". At least, to go where I have not gone before; to explore strange new worlds that I did not know I had inside me. Photography as discovery, even if it is (only) self-discovery. There are surprises to be had. And there are new split infinitives such as to knowingly unlearn. Leica M8, Elmar (collapsible) 50/2.8 wide-open.

It's been almost 2 years now since i've become a member of the flickr community, and I've really enjoyed sharing my thoughts through a visual medium. Along my journey of self discovery and growth through photography, I've become inspired and infatuated with many of my flickr friends :) I call them my "flickr crushes", because their work has such a strong personality to them, and I find myself constantly checking to see if they have new posts, even if i dont comment (which i have to work on)

So, heres a shout out to all my flickr crushes throughout the years :), you guys are amazing, and your all awesome!

JOIN MY PRINT GIVE AWAY! IT WILL END SOON Click here for the print give away!!

Explored # 24

Freedom and liberation, Exodus depicts the individualism of embarking on a journey of self discovery within a community,

To Prologue of the Story "The Doors"

♫♫Ed Sheeran - Perfect♫♫

Free from the suffocating conformity of her past world, she marveled at the liberated realm she had discovered. The societal norms that had once bound her like chains now dissolved into mere wisps of vapor, revealing a vibrant and eccentric world where individuality flourished without judgment. Questions that had haunted her previously now seemed trivial, like echoes from a distant dream.

In this new reality, she reveled in the absence of societal expectations and the freedom to explore her own desires and beliefs. The constant bombardment of opinions and judgments from the masses, which had once plagued her thoughts, vanished into oblivion. Instead, she found solace in the profound connection she forged with her own inner voice.

The constructs that had once defined her every move — the endless rules, the bizarre limitations, and the arbitrary boundaries —seemed like relics of an oppressive regime now a distant memory. She marveled at how people had blindly accepted these artificial constraints, allowing them to dictate their thoughts and actions.

The weight of others' opinions, which had once weighed heavily upon her shoulders, now lifted as though they had been carried away by the ethereal winds. The suffocating pressure to conform to an ill-defined and ever-changing social norm was gone, replaced by a sense of liberation and self-discovery.

Amidst the mesmerizing symphony of strings and cascading melodies, her senses soared to unimaginable heights. As she immersed herself in the graceful movements of the stranger’s body, a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues and ethereal impressions exploded before her eyes. The boundaries between the known and unknown blurred, giving way to an unrestricted exploration of a world where questions and limitations ceased to exist.

Within this newfound realm, the music consumed her, dissolving the trivial distractions that once cluttered her mind. The beauty and perfection of This Enigma, in its celestial dance, became the focal point of her being, eclipsing all preconceived notions and social norms. The age-old debate of human decency, plastic surgery, and societal expectations melted away, leaving only an unbridled appreciation for the perfection of form.

With each passing chord, the enchantment grew stronger. Time seemed to stand still as she reveled in the harmony of movement and sound, oblivious to the outside world. Questions of identity, purpose, and morality faded into insignificance, replaced by an overwhelming sense of tranquility and fulfillment.

In this realm of boundless beauty and peace, she discovered a freedom that transcended all earthly constraints. The body became a canvas upon which the universe painted its masterpiece, a testament to the infinite creativity and wonder of existence. And in the embrace of this celestial symphony, she found solace and liberation, a sanctuary where the superficiality and trivialities of the mundane world held no sway.

Devoted to my Ronnie, a talented and amazing musician who touched my heart deeply with Love ღ

We have named our home here at Keefer Lake, "Ithaka." Symbolically, Ithaka is associated with the notion of returning home, signifying the journey of self-discovery and the yearning for a place to truly belong. Ithaka's connection to Homer's Odyssey is one of its most famous features as the home of the legendary hero Odysseus.

Our little A-frame home and property is just to the right of the sun in this photo behind the small island in the very center of the image.

- Keefer Lake, Ontario, Canada -

Freedom and liberation, Exodus depicts the individualism of embarking on a journey of self discovery within a community,

The metaphor of an uphill climb conveys the inherent difficulties and the need for continuous effort to overcome various hurdles. From personal goals and relationships to career aspirations and societal expectations, individuals find themselves ascending a steep path filled with uncertainties.

Progress may be slow and arduous, requiring persistence, resilience, and determination.

Some people feel the uphill struggle represents the journey of self-discovery, growth, and the pursuit of meaningful accomplishments.

Personally I look at the inequalities in the world and think some people started at the top of the hill.

Meine Malerei ausgestellt:

1991-04, Sie Wicht, Sie wichtiger, 300 x 230 cm, Kopiedruck auf Leinwand

1991-04, you little man, you are important, 300 x 230 cm, copy print on canvas

Dies ist nicht nur ein Wortspiel. Der Satz weist darauf hin, dass jeder Mensch und jedes Wesen, jeder Gegenstand auf der Erde wichtig ist, geachtet und anerkannt werden sollte - ohne Rücksicht auf Aussehen, Religion, Volkszugehörigkeit, Reichtum. Die Erde selbst ist klein und so wichtig für uns kleine Menschen.

This is not just a play on words. The phrase indicates that every person and every creature, every object on Earth is important, should be respected and recognized - regardless of appearance, religion, ethnicity, wealth, riches. The earth itself is small and so important for us little people.

MARKETPLACE

marketplace.secondlife.com/pt-BR/stores/57608

TREVOR - Mainstore

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ALEGRIA/128/106/590

REKT - Mainstore

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Alyssum%20Island/232/188/2501

SWORDMASTER- [REKT x TREVOR] - SWORDMASTER KABUTO

HAIR- *barberyumyum*T26(05) style2

LEG WRAP- Skellybones -- Desire Wraps - Reborn High Combined

GARTERS- [Cubic Cherry] {Chonkeh} belts BLACK (Maze.mods reborn)

TATTOO- .:CORAZON:. Tattoo SANGY Light :.

EARS- NANAO // Nxko Cxber Ears - Black Base

OUTFIT- #Mewsery Melten Set{Noir}Waifu

As the final moments of 2023 unfold, I find myself reflecting on the chapters that have closed and the lessons learned. Of all the people I've lost along the way, I can't help but acknowledge that the person I miss the most is the one I used to be. Life has sculpted me, sometimes painfully, but with each challenge, I've discovered strength I never knew I possessed.

So here's to bidding farewell to 2023, a year of growth, loss, and self-discovery. As the clock ticks towards a new beginning, I carry the echoes of my past self into the unknown of 2024, grateful for the journey and hopeful for the person I am becoming. Cheers to resilience, to embracing change, and to welcoming the future with open arms. Goodbye, 2023, and thank you for the bittersweet symphony of memories that have shaped me.

Discover a serene oasis at this tiny mainland roadside yoga and meditation garden, designed for individuals seeking tranquility and mindfulness. This inviting space allows visitors to engage in self-guided yoga and meditation practices at their convenience, fostering a personal journey towards relaxation and self-discovery.

Drop in any time for self-guided yoga and/or meditation practice. There is also a 15-minute silent community practice every day at 9:00 PM SLT.

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Goangeo/129/131/46

TNC Social Media Info:

Discord • Facebook • Primfeed • SL Group • Website

Title: The Final Voyage of the Trawler Hawser and the Rusty Old Shackle

Once upon a briny dusk in the forgotten harbor of Crumpet’s Cove, an aging trawler named Hawser stirred from a decades-long nap. Her hull groaned like a grandmother with gout, barnacles clinging to her underbelly like stubborn regrets.

Beside her, hanging limply from a creaking bollard, was Shackle—a rusty, irritable hunk of iron with a temper like a wet matchstick and a voice like someone gargling gravel and moonshine.

"I’ve been thinking," muttered Hawser, her anchor winch twitching with vague purpose, "what if we just... left?"

Shackle squinted. “Left? We’re antiques, Hawser. Artifacts. Fish laugh at us. Seagulls use my eyelet as a public restroom.”

“Exactly,” said Hawser with a glint in her fog-light. “Let’s go out not as scrap, but as legends. One last voyage—for self-discovery!”

Shackle spat out a fleck of rust. “You’ve been listening to the tide-poets again, haven’t you?”

But deep down—beneath the barnacles and the tetanus—they both yearned for something more. Something wet and dramatic.

With a wheeze, a belch of diesel, and an illegal amount of enthusiasm, Hawser heaved herself off the dock. The ropes gave way with a theatrical snap, and Shackle clanged into place like a rusty exclamation mark.

They sailed into the open sea, where waves greeted them with surprise and mild concern.

“Where to?” asked Shackle, now vibrating slightly with existential dread.

“North-by-northeast-by-chaos,” said Hawser. “We follow the jellyfish. They know things.”

Three days in, they found a floating disco run by philosophical squid. Shackle got in a dance-off with a bioluminescent cuttlefish named Kevin and realized he’d been clenching his metaphorical jaw for 43 years. Hawser learned how to feel the ocean, instead of just floating above it. She cried bilge water for the first time since '79.

They sailed further.

They survived a romantic entanglement with a lovesick lighthouse, narrowly avoided being recruited into a pirate-themed reality show, and at one point, accidentally entered a whale’s book club. (Moby-Dick was panned.)

At the edge of the world—a place cartographers refuse to acknowledge due to tax reasons—they met The Great Crustacean, a sentient lobster the size of a small village, who challenged them to a riddle contest.

Shackle won by accident when he sneezed out a bolt that landed perfectly in the lobster’s weak spot. Hawser screamed, “THIS IS WHAT GROWTH FEELS LIKE!” and accidentally triggered her emergency foghorn, summoning every sea creature within 50 nautical miles.

Together, the duo was declared “Honorary Ocean Elders” and gifted a sash made entirely of kelp and unsolicited advice.

They never returned to Crumpet’s Cove.

Some say Hawser became a floating spa for therapy seals.

Others claim Shackle was last seen hosting a podcast about corrosion and emotional vulnerability.

All we know is, somewhere out there on the misty blue, a trawler and a shackle are still discovering themselves—and possibly reinventing maritime jazz.

Fin. And some people about Ai taking their jobs

Photo By: Cate Infinity

📍Location: Drone Haven

David Lynch

1946-2025

"Fix your Hearts or Die"

The phrase “Fix your hearts or die,” attributed to David Lynch, resonates with profound themes of emotional healing and the imperative to confront our inner turmoil. In the surreal landscape of Lynch's storytelling, this mantra emerges as a haunting echo—a call to awaken from the slumber of unresolved pain. In Lynch's universe, the act of facing one’s feelings is not just a choice; it’s a necessity. His films vibrate with the intensity of human struggles, revealing that failure to address our emotional wounds can trap us in a cycle of stagnation, leaving our spirits in decline. To "fix" one's heart suggests a journey—a pilgrimage of self-discovery where self-reflection, creative expression, and connection with others weave a tapestry of resilience. This path leads not merely to survival but to a vibrant existence that pulses with life. Lynch’s philosophy transcends boundaries, intricately entwining with the narratives he crafts. His work implores us to dive deep into the shadows of our emotions, to confront the truths we often fear. It is within this brave engagement that we find true vitality, where darkness and light coexist, shaping our humanity. In the end, “Fix your hearts or die” transforms from a stark warning into a transformative invitation—an exploration of what it means to be fully alive in a world that challenges us constantly.

Movin' On

Crafted with care by Jay Pockets, this stunning statue pays tribute to the visionary filmmaker, David Lynch, at Drone Haven. Explore more about Jay Pocket's intricate craftsmanship at his shop, BroRO: www.flickr.com/photos/199444636@N04/

The poignant phrase “Fix Your Hearts or Die,” selected by Dia G., encapsulates Lynch’s profound philosophy on emotional healing and the human experience.

Lone Tree Yoga & Meditation

Delight in the present as you find your breath and journey toward self-discovery through the practices of yoga and meditation at Lone Tree Yoga & Meditation - now located in the village of Sonder.

Come discover a serene haven to calm your thoughts and escape the rush of daily life. We invite you to join us for group meditation, yoga sessions, chakra work, and voice-guided self-meditations. All are welcome!

I was asked to do a series of images taking visitors through the journey of my own story told with the theme Wanderlust. This is my interpretation. My journey of mind, self-discovery, the daily fight to overcome the fear of my current state of fragility.

This series has me with a broken bulb as a head and a brain full of moths. Two images have me alone wandering at dusk using the light play with moths casting shadows blocking my faint glow. In the last image, I am fearlessly standing behind my shield (Camera) facing a bear (Covid)

I don't know if any of you can understand that when I hold my camera in RL I am fearless. I am confident, focused, and excited. I feel alive! I would wake excited to relive those moments as I fumbled to retrieve my SD card from my Nikon. Photography was a daily high. I miss it so much. I miss people and gatherings. I miss seeing my friends, my family. I miss seeing smiles. It's a deep ache that won't go away and it scares me.

Seems I was so busy trying not to die from Covid that I stopped doing the things that made me feel alive.

LISTEN

Is everybody lonely?

Is everybody scared?

Is everybody worried

That no one really cares?

See I'm afraid to love, but afraid to be alone

Still I wonder why my heart is always broke

What a way to live, let the fear take all control

Oh, this ain't life, no

I'm not alive

Are we all the same?

Looking for love, looking for love

Are we all in chains?

Trying to be enough, be enough

I'm trying to write my perfect story

I'm working nights, I'm working days

To prove the world that I am worthy

Of being seen, of being praised

'Cause I'm afraid to show the people who I am

I'm not special, I'm just a simple broken human

SO I WILL HIDE MY FACE WITH MY PICTURE-PERFECT MASK

Oh, this ain't life, no

It's just a lie

Are we all the same?

Looking for love, looking for love

Are we all in chains?

Trying to be enough, be enough

Woah ah

If I looked you in the eye

And showed the broken things inside

Would you run away?

Would you run away?

Woah ah

If you saw my darkest parts

The wicked things inside my heart

Would you run away?

Or are you the same?

Thanks so much to Ella Pavlona for including me ♥

I am honored to have again been invited to join this project displayed at Mindful Cove.

Art as Mindfulness: Wanderlust

20.02.2022 - 27.03.2022

@ Mindful Cove

Opening Event : 20.02.2022 @ 6 a.m. SLT

TAXI

The artist has one thing to say—himself :-)

Minor White

HGGT! Character Matters!

echinacea, coneflower, j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina

Here is yet another splendid Butterfly Tattoo from Clifton Howlett. This HDesign Butterfly XXII back tattoo captures the spiritual meaning of the butterfly.

Butterflies represent the journey of self-discovery and the ability to change and evolve - reminding us to let go of our burdens by embracing a sense of freedom and liberation. Butterflies are truly a gift of nature and possess that very special biophilic allure.

HDesigns Mainstore:

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jupiter/234/81/28

i promise not to lose you again...♥

Freedom and liberation, Exodus depicts the individualism of embarking on a journey of self discovery within a community,

This photo was taken on October 23rd, 2005, on the last day of my first trip to New York city. A huge leap of faith, one of the largest I had ever taken. It was indeed a trip that was to forever change my life. And with each subsequent trip there, more opportunities to travel - 2006 to Seattle, 2007 to Detroit, and many more trips to the city that never sleeps. And on each journey I met fellow photographers who would touch my soul and heart in such a profound way, life and self discovery expanded at exponential speed. I was no longer afraid of who I was, what my art had to say, what i wanted to be, where i wanted to go. That period was not without tears, pain, loving and letting go, but within that vulnerability I drew strength and courage. I felt alive. It all felt right.

It's odd, how our perceptions of the world around us, as well as the perceptions we have of ourselves change over time.

This image once symbolized unapologetic vulnerability and delicate fearlessness, but looking at it again, 4 years later, I see melancholy, reservation and fearful naiveté. It is me, has always been me, but what is different? When I look in the mirror, I don't see this same woman. Something in the eyes has shifted, been displaced, lost in the shuffle of daily struggles. Life in New York, Seattle, Detroit has moved on, but i feel as if I am frozen in time, my life, hyphenated, struggling to find balance again, to be inspired, to find my way back to my passion, purpose, simple things that once made me very happy.

My camera has now become a utilitarian machine, serving no other purpose than to document the world around me. I ask myself every day - will i ever find that inspiration again? That passion to create, the courage to be fearless?

Mom goes in for her next scan at the end of the month, and then a subsequent meeting with her oncologist on the 4th of December. There are two ways this could turn out - the cancer can come back, or she can be free of cancer. Two ways our Christmas could turn out - a white happy Christmas, or a grey sad one. We pray for the best, hope for recovery but prepare for the worst.

Perhaps that is what is happening now with my photography - I'm praying for inspiration, hoping for discovery but preparing for creative closure.

Perhaps these wounds I have collected over these past 4 years need time to heal, but it also makes me realize the necessity of finding a way back to a medium that once helped me process the world around me, and that this might be the only way to make sense of the world again. But there is fear. Fear of what i will see in the next self portrait; but is a leap of faith I must take one more time.

A lighthouse, akin to a "Salvation Station" in the voyage of life, serves as a guiding beacon to illuminate our personal pathways through the vast, tumultuous sea of existence. Just as ships rely on its steadfast presence to navigate treacherous waters, we, too, search for that inner light to lead us through life's challenges and tempests. It symbolizes the unwavering principles and virtues that help us chart our course, offering clarity in times of obscurity, and safety when we might be adrift in the fickle tides of experience. In our pursuit of self-discovery and personal salvation, this beacon, like a lighthouse, stands as a constant reminder of hope, offering a refuge from the tempests and providing the guidance necessary to reach the shores of our own inner sanctuaries.

Where Our Journey Begins

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ilha%20Ipanema/91/40/23

For me Flickr so far has been a strange voyage of self-discovery. There is still no port in sight...

Gosh, doesn't that sound grandly pretentious? (It really doesn't do to take yourself that seriously, Peter, lol!).

But one thing is clear to me now, that, of all the types of photography I've tried, the one I think that gives me most pleasure and satisfaction is flower photography.

I'm sure I'd do better liking something more popular or interesting, but there we have it. I just revel in the creative beauty and detail that hides in each one...

I like these ones because they look quite shy and coy :)

Taken in March last year. For the Crazy Tuesday Flowers theme this week, which tempted me out of creative isolation :)

Thank you for taking the time to look. I hope you enjoy this floral image. Happy Crazy Tuesday :)

[Handheld in daylight using this delicious 50mm prime.

Developed in Capture One for colour and softening the detail (low Clarity).

Into Affinity for crop and touch up and then Nik Color Efex for a bit of work on the light and an added Glow, with detail enhancement in the main flower.]

Recently I had the chance to take a few road trips all by myself. I never really thought of that as something I'd want to do, but the freedom just to drive, with no timeline, and no certain destination is very freeing. I took turns sporadically, following the light, waiting for something to catch my eye.

As is the case when you travel solo, the selfie is often the only way to get a human subject into your images. The series of self portraits I'll be posting over the coming weeks are the beginnings of a collection of images that fit the theme of "self discovery." Maybe I will print a book for myself some day. For now, I get to learn a little bit about myself from each image I place myself in!

Facing the challenge of rebuilding your life can be a daunting. Whether it's overcoming a major setback, navigating through a difficult transition, or starting anew after a significant loss, rebuilding requires resilience, courage, and determination.

It may be accompanied by uncertainty and obstacles, it also presents opportunities for growth, reinvention, and finding a renewed sense of purpose.

Summoning the strength and a determination not to give in can be arduous; people will tell you its an opportunity for profound self-discovery and the cultivation of a more resilient and empowered version of oneself. But its hard not to think its all a waste of time.

Sometimes its hard to stay cheerful.

It is said that the Strawberry full moon in Sagittarius will shine its light to illuminate the path to self-discovery and transformation.

📷 IG:travelwgraceh

January 10, 2018, the second anniversary of David Bowie's passing. When he first died I didn't have the software that would enable me to have done the kind of tribute that I would've liked to have done. Now that I have that capability, I've done two tributes to a truly great Artist.

Mercurial and chamleonic, Bowie was one to stay far ahead of any attempts to pigeon-hole or identify him. He freed himself from that, adopting dozens of personae and looks not just for flippancy but as part of both a journey of discovery, like an actor taking on many different kinds or roles but also for the sheer artistic fulfilment of constant revision and self discovery.

Singer, Songwriter, sax player, guitar player, performer, actor, painter, curator, performance artist, gender bender and quiet philanthropist, David Bowie was truly a Renaissance man.

____________________________________

Credits: Pic 1 ( Left, Portrait ) Scott Feldman GURU, Pic 2 ( Right, w Mic ) Google Images, Pic 3 ( In pullaway costume, black stripes ) teamrock.com.

____________________________________

The lyrics used are all from the opening song to David Bowie's "Aladdin Sane" album of 1973 - "Watch That Man". from the height of his "Ziggy Stardust" period.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYpo5uKGDSg

David Bowie, Copyright 1973, Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment, under license to EMI Records Ltd.

____________________________________

This image is a tribute and was created for artistic enjoyment and discussion among peers and not for commercial purposes. No monies were or will be made using this image.

Image created Jan 3, 2018

A monochrome month of amazing light, self discovery and connection. Thanks for taking this journey with me.

[27/52] DISCOVERY.

&

[66/100x].

My X = My 100 Favorite Places to Take Photographs in South New Jersey, USA!

Location: Hammonton, New Jersey. Horizon Grocery.

________________

This photo is special for a number of reasons. Not only has this photo been used for 3 challenges.. (also on 52frames for week 36: WOMAN) .. but it's one of my first self portraits in a VERY long time!.

...When it comes to self confidence, I used to have a ton. I used to model, and even when I was done modeling.. I still could do some mean self portraits (and look good in them). But during this time I also developed a drug addiction (as most of you know).. & I lost it all. Everything I ever had, or built... I lost. Stuff that I can never ever get back.. (Honestly I could go on for hours telling you all that I lost...) BUT, why do that? I'm slowly working my butt off, to do right. To stay sober and build it all back up. And i'm so happy. I may not have the confidence (in front of the camera) that maybe I should.. But I do love myself finally, and I do have confidence. But getting back in front of the camera is almost scary for me. I was so nervous today to do this photo. Thank you Juan for all of your help and patience.. *because I did get an attitude- from frustrations and sweating in the humidity with makeup on (that drives me bananas)* But thank you Juan for all of your help.

Anyway, after a few snaps in front of the local grocery store.. I felt confident in getting a photo I could use. I'm glad I did. I feel happy about this photo.. and that I did a self portrait. It's been OHHH TOO LONG!

____________

Hoping that you all have a blessed week! Take care!

-JessiCaM

texture borrowed from : www.flickr.com/photos/49123319@N08/51386689898/in/datepos...

Cascade Falls, Mission, BC.

I realized yesterday it's been exactly one year since I upgraded my camera. It's been an amazing year of self discovery, with both ups and downs, but I'm enjoying this hobby more now than ever before. I can only hope to have more time to pursue this flame that has been reignited in me, and see if it can't grow into something more.