"We are all wanderers on this earth...our hearts are full of wonder, and our souls are deep with dreams." ~ Gypsy proverb

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Full circle...and a surprise from Maddie...

I love finding signs. Signs are there whether I want to see them or not. I know they are subjective and I know they are a matter of perspective, but I also believe that loving them is another way of inviting them in :).

Bella's 52 photo projects theme this week is "circle", and when I took this photo last week, I remember being drawn to this image of my every day jewelry on the nightstand. I remember thinking how simple they looked lying there. Little things that seem insignificant, but play ritualistic roles in my every day life. My wedding band, my favorite bracelet and my favorite earrings are things that lie close to my skin and have become part of me. It so happens that every single piece has a circle in it. How perfect I thought, that I didn't have to go find circles to shoot, that they had always been there, with me. Then, earlier today I looked at the date. I knew it was close but I wasn't sure, so I double checked in my archives. It is my blog's first anniversary.

Wander Wonder Discover has come full circle and I couldn't be happier that I made it this far. I re-read my very first post this afternoon and I had to grin. It's a little green I must say, but the theme of growth, change, and discovery has remained solid.

And how is this for serendipity?!! To my delight, I received a wonderful email from Maddie. You know, one of the amazing photographers I showcased in the last post? The one who I am taking the Persisting Stars e-course with? She has generously offered me to *GIVE AWAY* a spot in her Persisting Souls photography e-course!!! What a beautiful way to help me celebrate coming full circle :).  Maddie, thank you so much!!

The course she is offering is not the same one I am taking. Not only will there be photography, there will be journaling, and soulwork. There will also be guest creatives (for a list click course link) offering their own experiences throughout the course. In Maddie's words:

"this five week course will help you discover the interesting places and answers that your life gifts you on your journey, by exploring a series of thoughtful and transformative questions designed to nudge you along the path of a little soul digging. Sharing your ruminations through the art of photography, you can shed light on your inner life and ultimately your connection to the world in the most reverent, imaginative way possible."

TO ENTER:
Just leave a comment on this post!! If you would like one extra chance, you can blog about the giveaway or share it on facebook. Just remember to let me know if you have :). I will announce the winner next Wednesday, October 12th!!


**For those that haven't yet, I still have the souvenir giveaway you can enter until Friday!! **

much love to all of you and thanks for
an unforgettable first year
xoxo

52 Photos Project


P.S. I promise more words on our impending move in my next post!!

30 comments:

  1. This is a beautiful photo, MJ. I soooo want in on the Persisting Souls photography ecourse. It sounds amazing!! BTW, I am loving your blog re-design. The header of the kiddos is so sweet. I just want to go sit with them. I wwould also like to thank you for the poem under "Beginnings". Bukowski is my man. He has been ever since he fell off a shelf in a library in front of me many many years ago. He is always telling me things I need to know right when I need to know them. Tonight he told me through you. It was exactly what I needed at exactly the right moment. THANK YOU, FRIEND!

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  2. Happy 1st Blogaversary! Exciting, isn't it! The Persisting Souls photography ecourse sounds wonderful and how nice of Maddie to offer. I'd like a chance!

    oxox

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  3. I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by you over this past year. You're a gem, and I'm so glad I found you :)

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  4. Happy blog birthday! The picture and words are beautiful.xx
    PS- love the new header of your babies!

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  5. Happy Anniversary!!! You have touched so many with this blog and I have loved being a part of your life even living so far away. I would love a chance with this giveaway, it sounds like it is something I could use in my life... love and hugs
    N

    Sharing on FB too...

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  6. happy blogiversary! your blog is one of my faves and i always look forward to reading your thoughts. i would love a chance to take this course, photography, soul work...magic words indeed!

    on the daily ritual thing. got it. i've got them and my day is not complete if i were to skip it whether it's the quiet cup of coffee in the a.m., journaling, finding a quiet moment to watch the kids creating together. and the wedding ring...love putting mine on each morning, a reminder of how full my life has become and a link to my ancestors as well. can't wait to see what year two brings!

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  7. Iwish you the happiest of anniversaries for this little space that has become such a blessing to me! The picture is wonderful, a great reminder that it's all about the little things, isn't it?

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  8. Awesome photo ~ love finding the 'sacred in the everyday' ~thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) linked with 52 Photo Projects

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  9. happy anniversary! that’s awesome! and what a lovely give-away! it would be a perfect addition to my october challenge for sure!

    i will mention it in the next few days!

    thanx for the chance!

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  10. Love the new banner! And your beautiful circles ;-). I could definitely do with a bit of soulwork, not to mention a few clues about photography. Thanks for the fun giveaway!! Can't wait to hear your plans (Seattle rules. Portland drules. ;-).

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  11. Happy blogiversary!

    I see signs everywhere. I'm always telling myself to keep my eyes open so I don't miss the signs. The Universe speaks, we just have to listen.

    Love the photo, and your story.

    xoxo

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  12. How wonderful! Happy blogiversary!

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  13. I have been reading from the beginning, (in fact, I think we were the first on each others blogrolls.) Your blog as grown and shifted and blossomed so much in that time. And it seems you have more than a bit of a talent for the camera surfacing- well done on following that.
    XO

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  14. Happy anniversary MJ. Yes I too believe in signs I call it sinchronicity-interestingly enougb IAm coming up on my one year
    anniversary in a couple of weeks. Oh the places we have traveled! I have been practicing ashtanga yoga for quite awhile now with Neesha Zollinger of Yoga Today for about 5 years. I am cheerfully unravelling with Susannah Conway currently. Many things similar:) We should chat more. Lovely shot for Bella's blog challenge, oh such talent !

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  15. MJ, I can't believe you only started blogging a year ago. Happy Anniversary! Thanks for sharing so much of your lives here -- so many of your posts have touched me.

    And the suspense about the move is killing me! :) But all in good time. I hope your family is ever coming closer to what you need and dream about for now!

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  16. Happy Anniversary MJ! What a beautiful post that reflects the beauty in you!

    What a great giveaway -- thanks for the chance.

    AND, can't wait to hear about the move...

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  17. Happy 1 year! I started one year ago this month too, and I have been enjoying it ever since. I relish putting together my blog and reading others' like yours!

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  18. Wow! Happy blogoversary! It's really neat when you realize you've made it through a year of posting, isn't it?

    I would LOVE to take that course! I've become so interested in photography in the past few months-I'd love a chance to really dive right into it!

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  19. you're such a natural at blogging it's amazing it's only a year. happy blogiversary!

    i would love to try an ecourse but my super slow bandwidth means i can't download vids. i can when i get a chance at broadband but that's erratic and could be days or weeks between. so i'm assuming there are videos! lol

    love the photo too! feels really intimate.

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  20. Beautiful photograph. Thank you for this giveaway!

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  21. i love your photo and your words about signs. i look for them too :)

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  22. Happy Blogiversary!! You are such a gift!
    Oh and I think that giveaway for the e-course is the bee's knees. Thanks to you both for the opportunity. Congratulations again on an incredible blog!

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  23. Wow, you sure have some happy followers! Congratulations on your gorgeous blog's birthday. Such an acheivement! I would love to improve my photography and I love to learn so here is my hope. Thanks so much for the opportunity with Maddie. It is such a lovely story of how it all came about and into a full circle for you. Love Katie x

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  24. Oh my goodness! This is such an incredible opportunity. I am in the process of putting together at " picture a day" challenge for 2012. I really want to push myself with my photography. The lighting on your photo is exquisite. What type of lens are you using?

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  25. congratulations mj, how lovely to have been blogging for one year, it's a blessing in so many ways (lucky us).
    thank you so much for offering this course, i've never done anything like it and i think my soul could use it, and i love to learn new things.
    i think we have similar wedding bands. such a lovely photo.
    xxx

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  26. Happy anniversary! What a great giveaway, I love to learn new things all the time.

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  27. you are a great blogger! happy blogiversary- my bloggy friend - I think I'm heading that way soon - if you're home I'd love to meet up at Kelly park or something! lmk-

    also- please enter me in the giveaway! I'd love that course - certain it would speak to me!

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  28. I love everything about this post. :) Signs are everywhere - and I love how it brought you around in a full circle.

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“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
~ George Bernard Shaw