Celebrating the ordinary
So, I’ve been thinking how best to ease myself back into the old blogging routine and I’ve decided to celebrate my re-emergence with a challenge. It’s a challenge I set myself a few weeks ago, but for one week, starting Sunday, I would love for you to join me.
I started to take a photograph each day of something that makes me feel grateful – it’s about celebrating the ordinary simple things we can sometimes take for granted each day. The picture above was taken on the day I left the hospital. On the drive home, we passed by Sandymount Strand (James Joyce based two episodes of his epic novel Ulysses here). It was a perfect summer’s day and this picture is a celebration of leaving hospital, a fresh start and… oh yes, also a reminder that I need to get a haircut!
Here’s another photo taken from the sand dunes – I love the cloud formation.
So, will you join me in finding one thing each day to take a picture of to remind us of the simple ordinary pleasures in life? If you have a blog, then please post the picture and leave a link here. And if you don’t have a blog, you can still join in on Facebook. Just upload your pic to the JBBC Facebook page where I will also be posting everyone’s pictures. Looking forward to seeing your contributions!
I absolutely love this idea Marie – we so often take the ordinary miracles for granted – we really should learn to celebrate them more.
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Great to hear you are out of hospital and looking so well. I know you have a long road of recovery ahead of you, but you have made a terrific start!
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Love these pics 🙂
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I’m in! I kept a gratitude journal after my mastectomy, which forced me to look beyond my misery and focus on the good things in my life. I love your idea, and am so glad you’re on the mend. xo
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So glad to hear you’re out of the hospital. This news makes my day! You look lovely, but I hear you about the haircut. I’m getting one today myself! Love the cloud pics too! Thanks for the invitation to join…
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Hoping you will join in Nancy 😉
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Well, I might join in a time or two! We’ll see where it leads… Thanks again for the invite!
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What a great idea. And fun! I will take and post a few! So glad you’re back, Marie.
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What a great idea Marie. I will take a few pics anyway and send a few along. So glad you’re back, Marie!
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Thanks Rachel 🙂
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I am with you, Marie!
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Fantastic Jamie!
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Love the idea, Marie!! I’ll try to do this!
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Oh please do join in Tami – I will be really looking forward to seeing what you photograph.
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Great idea Marie, you can count me in! Thank Youx
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That’s wonderful Sinead!
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Beautiful photos…I apologize for being out of touch and am so sorry that you had to stay in hospital for so long…please stay well and hugs from across the sea 🙂
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Thank you so much Kathleen for your kind wishes. I really appreciate them. Marie
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Here’s mine: http://pinkunderbelly.com.
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Already?? 🙂
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What a beautiful way to re-emerge and I love your images. I am fascinated by cloud formations, and love your pictures.
You know I can’t resist your challenges, but there is an incredible coincidence or synchronicity going on as I have been working on a short post about images. The slant is slightly different but I think I will combine what was in my post with your challenge, if that is ok…..
Welcome back, your inspiration and presence are shining across the blogosphere 🙂 xx
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oooh I love synchronicity – amazing how often you and I have been on the same wave length Philippa. I am really looking forward to your photos – I know they will be out extra-ordinary!
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This was really spooky! I have posted the backstory and the post which I had been working on when I saw your challenge (https://feistybluegeckofightsback.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/images-and-synchronicity/) – I will post the image tomorrow and put the link here. A beautiful challenge 🙂
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I am IN on the photo thing. A photo journey and it’s so easy to do, too. Grab the phone and snap! What a perfectly splendid idea.
On another note and more importantly, I’m glad your are out of the hospital……
You look beautiful.
xoxox
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Absolutely! So glad you’re in Anne Marie – can’t wait to see what you photograph 🙂
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Marie what a great idea after being in the hospitqal to post beautiful photographs. It’s wonderful to sense your joy at being home. You also look fantastic!-xoxoxozo-Susan
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Thanks so much Susan for your good wishes – much appreciated!
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Interesting idea because just last night, I thought about my camera that’s languished for so long in the bottom of my purse, unused. I used to take photos of nearly everything, but I haven’t done that in a while. This lapse may have something to do with James not being here anymore. A huge piece of me died when he did. Anyway, your photo idea appeals to me, so count me in, sweet friend.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
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Synchronicity indeed… I just took closeup pics of my reconstruction site (not a housing site, but pics of my own scars!) in preparation for my upcoming implant surgery. (I am a stickler about self-documentation.) Then I sit down at the computer and voila, I see your post about visually documenting the beauty in the everyday. Count me in!
And you look lovely, BTW!
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Marie-how wonderful to have you back and hopefully feeling well–and, of course, inspiring others with your creativity.
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What a great idea, Marie! I love that picture of you; it reassures us that you are recovering well. My current blog post has a photo reminding me of the ordinary pleasures in life: this one portraying my youngest son with his current flame. To have a son who is loved by a lovely girl is special. Take good care. And count me in! xx
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Here is Day 1 of the challenge from Yangon – I am so looking forward to seeing all the images which everyone posts.
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A wonderful image Philippa – thanks for taking part – looking forward to seeing your contributions this week.
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Will do, Marie. Posting one now.
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http://www.uneasypink.com/2012/08/celebrating-ordinary.html
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Here is my Day One: http://thebigcandme.blogspot.com/2012/08/celebrating-ordinary-day-1.html
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Glad to connect great blog! Your friends at http://www.breastcanceryoga.com
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I am also a fan of your work Dawn 🙂
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Beautiful pic of yourself and wonderful idea! Hoping time permits for me to join you on this wonderful celebration–love it!
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I read your latest post Kim and looking at the pic of you and your friend made me think that would be a perfect contribution to celebrating the “ordinary” joys of friendship 😉
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So glad to see you back in the blogosphere, Marie! The pictures are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing them. I’ve decided to take part in this week’s challenge, so here’s the link to my post. What a great idea, Marie; thank you for the inspiration. http://bethlgainer.blogspot.com/2012/08/celebrating-ordinary-day-one.html
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Just read it Beth – absolutely lovely 🙂
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Great to have you back …sorry to have just seen this. big hugs to you for a speedy recovery. you look beautiful, and love your hair (I too, desperately need a hc, but am in denial…). xoxo
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Marie,
I’m joining in the challenge today anyway. I must admit I had lots of fun writing this post. Thank you, Marie. Here’s my link!
http://nancyspoint.com/celebrating-the-ordinary/
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I am looking forward to checking it out Nancy – thanks for joining in 🙂
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Day 2! So fun! http://thebigcandme.blogspot.com/2012/08/celebrating-ordinary-day-2.html
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Here’s mine: http://habitualgratitude.blogspot.com
Practicing gratitude doesn’t gloss over the pain, fear, and loss that come with cancer. It helps keep it all in perspective. Thanks for the great idea Marie!
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Hi Marie,welcome back :). What a lovely challenge! Just saw it today and will start on something and keep you posted!! Thank you for your encouragment to all of us. Healing Lu your way, Jen
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I will look forward to seeing your pic Jen 😉
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Hey, I’m gonna post my first gratitude pic on my Facebook page as I don’t know how it would fit in with my site which is kinda more traditional journalism though a lil more chatty. So It’s of my daughter and me getting pampered on Friday.
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I just spotted your pic Rachel..absolutely wonderful! Well worth celebrating 😉
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Thanks Marie. This is kinda fun! Oh, I guess you picked up that I realized I was sp’osed to post on your FB wall – not MINE 🙂
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Day 3: I’m on a roll! http://thebigcandme.blogspot.com/2012/08/celebrating-ordinary-day-3.html
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Adore this Philippa!
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