i don’t ‘do’ reasons !

By admin | January 29, 2012

After having a conversation with a girlfriend yesterday and sharing with her that over the past year or so I have come to the decision that “I DON’T ‘DO’ REASONS any more – she suggested that I share it with the world!!! – hence this post. :-) My awareness of this came from Robert Rabbin, and I have spent some time finding my own way with its meaning.

I decided that I don’t need permission from anyone to do or make the choices that I make. If I want to do something, or don’t want to do something…. I will do precisely that – follow what I want to do…. make my choice, make my decision… and share my desision without any explanation at all.

If I start to say “because…blah blah,” I catch myself now and am aware that I have started to justify myself and it is as if I am getting permission from another to make my choice.

I do not need permission from anyone for my choices. I am ultimately responsible for the consequences of my choices, and I will listen deeply from within to come to a decision – and I need no-one elses acceptance or permission for them.

I have found it interesting to observe that when I make a decision about something another person may not like or agree with; they will ask me WHY. It is as if they want an acceptable reason so it is OK for me to make that choice. I’m certain they would not ask me WHY if I came to a decision which they agreed with.

At a later time I would sometimes explain my thoughts or how I came to make a decision if someone asked me why…. not out of justifying – but rather to create deeper understanding between us.

….. so …. I dont ‘do’ reasons ! :-)

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serendipity

By admin | January 7, 2012

Serendipity is simply, awareness.

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humility

By admin | December 28, 2011

The sheer scale of these sand dunes made me feel so humble and in awe of the magnificence and omnipotence of Nature.

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harsh yet soft

By admin | December 28, 2011

In this extreme environment which was so harsh – there was still a sense of softness.

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storm approaching

By admin | December 27, 2011

We were in the Great Sand Dune Park in Colorado and this snow storm was approaching. This day was one of the most exhilarating days of my life. Over the next few weeks I will endeavour to post some images from this incredible day.

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not being attached

By admin | December 22, 2011

I have been aware of the words ” being attached” to something, and recognized that this response has a continuum; and my response along this continuum often indicates to me how important something is to me – and in my endeavour to “not being attached”, (because of a deluded perception that I have cultivated that it is ‘good’ to not be attached to something) – I may have actually let things slip by which I needed.

I have realised that ‘being attached’ to something means that there is an energetic thread of connection – where there is focussed attention. The stronger it is – the more important it is to me. If I kid myself to ‘let something go’, before fully acknowleding that something may actually be important to me – I have let an opportunity slip which I may have needed or benefited from.

Only when my thread of energetic connection becomes destructive will I now ‘not be attached’ to something. I have recognised that ‘being attached’ is a wonderful indicator of where my energy and emotion lies, and to keep pursueing it and the accompanying experiences which come with it, until it no longer serves me or becomes destructive.

Underpinning this is a committment to awareness….which is my playground for learning.

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experience

By admin | December 21, 2011

‘It is only through experience that the limitations of even the wildest imagination can be surpassed.’ (Me :-) – Julie Stephenson )

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still haven’t unpacked my suitcase

By admin | December 13, 2011

…. and haven’t looked at most of my photographs, but I grabbed half an hour and started to download some of my photographs. Whilst they were copying I came across this one which I loved for the shape, texture and colour. It was at the Grand Canyon on an icy windy morning and my eye found somewhere to look which seemed to comfort my frozen fingers!

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journey to south-west USA

By admin | November 27, 2011

We have just returned from a wonderful trip to the US. I participated in a workshop in Santa Fe led by John Paul Caponigro. This workshop was fabulous and filled with experiences, learning, laughter and an opportunity for us all to explore our photography further in accordance with our own individual goals. Over the coming weeks I will post some of my images I took during the workshop.

Max and I had the best time travelling around and looking and walking in the amazing landscape of Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. I was just overwhelmed by the ‘grandness’ of the geology of the landscape.

One of the most incredible experiences I have had – after having our children and swimming with the dolphins – was a day during the workshop which was spent at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The experience I had climbing the 700foot sand dune in gale force winds feeding into a snow storm front, was profound. I had 3 layers of woolen clothing, a ski jacket, neck warmer, bini, glasses, 2 pairs gloves and although I was snug, it still was very, very cold. My chest expanded deeply trying to suck in as much oxygen as I could at 7,500feet – as the sand blasted and stung the only exposed skin I had, my cheeks below my sunglasses. The cross wind was blowing me over and I decided the only way to reach the top was to crawl.

Although determined, I had to listen to my inner voice which said to let go of trying to reach the top and listen to my intuition which was telling me to return to the base of the dune. The sky to the north was getting black and I couldn’t see anyone else on the slopes. I had told everyone that I didn’t think I would even attempt to go to the top, and I was also concerned that if the snow storm hit I may not be experienced enough in these conditions to remain safe. I descended slowly and enjoyed the dune a little bit longer because I could see the storm front more clearly at a lower altitude.

It was a profound experience exposing myself to these extreme conditions and connecting with the power of the elements. Here is a short clip of when the wind started to blow hard.

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this year

By admin | September 1, 2011

There have been few posts this year, and this is one of those updates I will also send to everyone who has subscribed to my blog – just to fill you in on what has been happening for me. :-) This year for me has been …hmmmm can’t even quite find the right word; up and down… rich…. fun… frustrating….. painful…. reflective… exciting….. empowering …..changing…. sad…..joy-filled…. quiet…. enlightening.

As a mum I’ve struggled a bit with my feelings of grief regarding James and how his amputation has affected his dreams for his vocation and things he wanted to do and experience in his life. James is travelling really well and is an inspiration. I think now after the initial recovery period is over and his improvement has reached a plateau, the reality has hit and I have just needed this time to grieve and come to terms with it. I catered for James’ 21st here – which was such a wonderful, fun day with all our family and his closest friends. It was a real privilege to have so many loving family and friends who care for us all here sharing and celebrating James’ 21st birthday.

I have overcome my aversion to flying and have hopped on a plane and made several trips to Melbourne. That has been great! I have even decided to travel to the US in November to attend a workshop in the Sante Fe deserts with John Paul Caponigro!!! Yippee! and Max and I will be having fun exploring parts of the US together when I am not attending the workshop.

Although I have not really been as artistically productive as I would have liked, I had planned to exhibit my beautiful current body of work, “In Our Hands”, this August but decided that it was not going to be supported in the gallery space which had been organised at the Ballarat Foto Biennale, so I withdrew my exhibition. I hope to be able to exhibit it next year – amongst my many travel plans :-) – and I will post when that has been organised.

I recently spontaneously flew to Melbourne and drove home in “Penny”, a 1923 Vauxhall with Max. Penny was driven from Peking to Paris in 2010 and Max and James will be driving ‘her’ from London to Capetown in January 2012. We had a lot of fun together – but it just isn’t my cup-of-tea! Way too noisy. I think i’ll just stick to the day trips to Maleny for cake and gluten-free ice-cream!


I’ve learned a lot this year. I have learned about respect. I have learned that respect does not arise from arrogance, but rather a humility and deep honouring and reverence in the wonder and miracle of my existence. I have come to realise clearly what is important to me in my life and how important it is to truly respect myself. I have learned to not continue to blindlessly keep accepting things in my life which do not demonstrate respect for who I am and do not support the respect I have for myself. I am learning that everything I have in my life is a result of a choice. I am learning to be more discerning with my choices. I must not choose to have things in my life which do not value my contribution or aren’t respectful of me. I am learning to let go of circumstances, people, opportunities, and anything else which does not support respect for me, regardless of the temporary sadness or disappointment it may bring with the decision because it may have been something I was looking forward to or wanted. I know in the long run these choices are the only way that I can truly honour and demonstrate a reverence for my life. I am learning that my thoughts are virtual, and the “what-ifs” in my mind are just stories which are a destraction from what is truly real in my experience of what is happening right now, which is where my focussed attention must be. I am learning to pay attention to everything within my mind, within my body and around me. I am learning to connect more deeply with my intuition and that voice from within which cannot be questioned. I have learned to speak up. I am learning to speak honestly and truthfully. I am learning to be aware of my thoughts; my words; my actions – and accept responsibility for them. I am learning to be more ‘conscious’ of how I exist in the world. …. yep – lots of learning and I have only just begun! :-)

Althought the daylight hours have been getting longer for some time, Spring has started in the calender month today and the orchards and gardens are abundant and flourishing. I am so grateful to live in such an amazing place which allows me the space to breathe and connect. I am keen to allow the seasons to open me to more energy and inspiration and look forward to sharing more as I experience more. :-)

With Love
Julie

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