August: The Keeper Of The Moments

August brings me to…. well many things, but first a bit about Photographs.... and Memories:

So, I am the taker of the photos. I am the receiver of the groans, the eye-rolls and 'hurry ups'. I am the one who disrupts the moments to capture them. And sometimes it's hard to be that person. But I am also therefore the holder of the memories... I am the one who keeps the precious proof. I am the bearer of the stories, the maker of the collage, the one who knows that the eye-rolls will be replaced one day with absolute all-consuming gratitude, for the image of a smiling face so missed and a memory returned home to stay. Keep disrupting life to capture it, my friends, when it's all that is left; someone somewhere will be very glad you did. I am so grateful now for the many memories that I hold in only two places, and one is not always going to be reliable! My memory - and the photograph. I take pleasure in knowing that long after I am gone, those moments can live on.

However, as a direct contradiction to the above rambly paragraph about being the photographer - sometimes I have to remind myself to try to live more in the moment. Resist looking through the eye of the camera & savour those cold drinks & moments with my own eyes. The moments of just being. The moments of being alive. Food does not need a photograph every time before it can be eaten!

In our fast-paced, ever-connected world, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of to-do lists, future plans, and past regrets. We often find ourselves either anxiously anticipating what’s next or dwelling on what has already happened. I personally spend far too much time being afraid of what might happen in the future & dwelling too much on the past & my regrets. But what if we paused, took a deep breath, and truly experienced the present moment? Sometimes I try not to take a photo of the moment before I’ve truly appreciated it, it's hard, but it's a powerful practice that can transform our lives, bringing more peace, joy and clarity. It's got to be worth a try.... 😊

So as August rolls in, bringing with it some of the warmest days of this year, the sun seems brighter, the days longer and I feel It's a perfect reminder for me to prioritise self-care and to engage in activities that bring me joy. Like eating Ice Cream. And to try not to photograph ALL my food before I eat it!

And if you’ve got this far, I’ve decided to throw in a 'Song of the Month' to share in my blogs now too; For August it’s this... ❤️

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