| longing… | 06.21.10 |
life is full of longing…we are often faced with ups & downs that seem insurmountable….loss & heartbreak can feel unbearable…finding balance and peace in the midst of uncertainty & the bla bla bla…i often find myself in the midst of my own personal dichotomies…i know deeply how unhealthy & damaging smoking can be, but its also achingly beautiful in a photograph….so i love the look of smoke while i am repelled by smoking….i love locally grown organic food, but love the look on my son’s face when he eats a french fry….and these are the easy ones to spot…the harder moments are the ones that tug at your heart & leave you off balance…the yin & yang…that what you “should” do verses what you “want” to do….there are of course the blessed moments when the “shoulds” match up with the “wants”, but not always….finding balance & embracing peace in your heart sometimes means going in the opposite direction of what you are longing for….admiring the cloud of beautiful smoke & yet not reaching for a cigarette….loving yourself against all odds….choosing happiness….letting the inevitable twists & turns of life inspire you rather than define you….embrace the journey…expect the unexpected…someone you love will let you down….someone you are not close to, will surprise you in the most wonderful way….the glass can always be full….what do you want to fill it with??
a little more sweetness....
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June 21st, 2010 at 10:43 am
thank you thank you thank you. Much gratitude. This is just what I needed to hear today! You are so beautiful and your work is gorgeous!
June 21st, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Great observations. They really ring true. The balance I’m trying to maintain is between weight and food. I WANT to go out to eat with friends and try all the delicious options. But I SHOULD eat very healthy. Ironically, my SHOULD is actually a WANT, because eating healthy supports my want to be thin… sigh. Such a balancing act this life…
June 21st, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Ahhh, so true! I absolutely adore this photograph!
June 21st, 2010 at 2:43 pm
yes. very very true. And I really believe, happiness IS a CHOICE! oh, and a beautiful photo, a smoke and a cigarette make a beautiful, vintage-ish prop.
June 21st, 2010 at 2:57 pm
gorgeous – amazing as always, its pictures like this that are speak a thousand words.
June 21st, 2010 at 3:13 pm
oh wow… incredible photo!
June 21st, 2010 at 6:51 pm
[...] so beautiful… Posted: June 22, 2010 by mignonnorthimagery in Uncategorized 0 I’d like to share this blog post by one of my favourite photographers, Elisabeth Messina. Â What she wrote here is so beautiful and, summarizes what I’ve been feeling a lot lately. Â As some of your know, my husband’s Dad has quickly become very sick lately. Â Makes you think of life so completely and irrevocably different. Â You try to be strong, but some days, it just feels just like how Ms. Messina puts it. Â Check it out here. [...]
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:01 am
Thank you for this Elizabeth. This is particularly meaningful to me today. . . you are a gift. love, Liane
June 22nd, 2010 at 7:17 am
This photo i love. A beautiful contrast between something so beautiful and something dreadfully ugly.
June 22nd, 2010 at 10:45 am
the french fry line did it for me
)
“just eat the cookie and move on with life” (my mom says)
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:19 pm
…i want to fill my glass with love. Thank you Elizabeth for reminding us of this. We often forget…often..
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I read this to myself several times yesterday and today… it couldn’t have come at a better time… thank you so much for sharing…
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
yes, smoke is beautiful in pictures … there’s just something so soothing and sensual in seeing someone smoke … and this comes from a non-smoker but someone who was raised by and around smoking … but like you said, that’s an easy one
thank you for a lovely post and a gorgeous picture … you’re right, happiness is a choice and it’s a no-brainer for me!
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:52 am
I have this discussion everyday with my patients…how to be healthy and yet enjoy the little indulgences that make life worthwhile…I’m quickly realizing the term “moderation” is interpreted differently by everybody…but the words “happy” and “healthy” aren’t….therein lies the middle place…thank you for the thoughtful juxtaposition in your language of photos…
June 24th, 2010 at 10:09 am
perfectly stated and just what was needed in my day, thanks. gorgeous work as always;)
June 28th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
You couldn’t have said it any better! Thanks for sharing an amazing image and post with us!
July 20th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I could sit in front of my computer and look at this shot all day…
August 4th, 2011 at 11:34 am
[...] I’d like to share this blog post by one of my favourite photographers, Elisabeth Messina. Â What she wrote here is so beautiful and, summarizes what I’ve been feeling a lot lately. Â As some of your know, my husband’s Dad has quickly become very sick lately. Â They are very close, in looks, in ambition, and in, well, everything. Â Makes you think of life so completely and irrevocably different. Â You try to be strong, but some days, it just feels just like how Ms. Messina puts it. Â Check it out here. [...]