...texture tuesday...

kim klassen-simplicity texture.

it's Texture Tuesday

awareness that focuses entirely inward,

into the mind,

the spirit,

and the self,

while failing to give due attention

to the wonders of nature and the universe,

is merely a partial experience.

to travel onward we need to go joyfully

out into the world 

as well as deep in the 

recesses of our being.

1,001 ways to live in the moment

just BE.

robin.

...the music...

kim klassen: annabelle texture

august rush

i.

close my eyes.

every time.

every time.

i get lost in this music.

i am listening.

my heart is soaring.

i am listening.

just BE.

robin.

...1.29.12...

“those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” 
~Bernard Baruch 

for paula s.

“we're so quick to cut away pieces of ourselves 

to suit a particular relationship,

 a job, a circle of friends,

 incessantly editing who we are until we fit in.” 

― Charles de Lint

i think fitting in is highly overrated.

 i’d rather just fit out...

 fitting out means being who you are, 

even when people insist that you have to change.

 fitting out means taking up space,

 not apologizing for yourself,

 and not agreeing with those who seek to label you with stereotypes.” 
― Golda Poretsky

i had.

much typed here.

that i let the delete button remove.

what i will say.

is.

when the layers of family and friends.

peel away.

the true layers stay.

so stay true to yourself.

enjoy who you are.

enjoy life.

this is it.

this is all we got.

i choose to make the most of the ride.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...leaves you all the parts you enjoy...

this is a machine that takes your life 

& does all the hard parts 

& leaves you all the parts you enjoy

 & almost everyone discovers they're not the parts

 you'd think they were at first glance 

~storypeople

it's a very, snowy

blowy day today.

i believe it may be

a creative juices flowing day.

a day of 

my hands wrapped around my cup

of coffee day.

while i am wearing my 

warm pj 's day.

 enjoying the talents of the people on this

screen in front of me day.

i will be heading to shadow land.

for yummy sun and shandows.

 then to my fellow participants

in beyond layers.

later...

as the snow settles.

i will take a walk outside.

and witness it's beauty 

through.

my.

lens.

enjoy your day.

just BE.

robin.

beyond layers-week two

texture by kim: just stitched

this week's challenge.

week two.

'beyond layers'

think of a single word .

mood.

or thought.

and then seek out to create a photo around your theme.

those of you.

who have sat with me here.

know.

that my word is.

BE.

i am a broken record.

but i will BE.

despite how hard the world tries to knock that out of me.

i wear this necklace every day.

at times.

it requires.

taking this necklace.

into my grasp.

 i close my eyes.

 i take that next breath in.

i find that space.

where i am true to myself.

and then.

the next breath.

out.

leads to.

breathing in the clean air of possibilities.

just BE.

robin.

...texture tuesday...

for a bigger photo you can see it here

today is texture tuesday.

you can see more lovelies

at kim klassen

the texture included in this photo

was cracker jack.

i love old mirrors.

especially ones that come from

medicine cabinets.

this one hangs on it's side.

in my dining room.

it has it's own

cracker jack effect.

i love working with texture.

please visit kim's site.

and enjoy all it's dreaminess.

and as always...

just BE.

robin.

...i am, i said...

i am, i said. and smiled

SMITH is the home of Six-Word Memoirs^© and a vibrant community of storytellers.
 Explore story projects, write your story & share it with friends.

Share a story with us

today our wonderful, soul expander,

kim klassen

'beyond layers' ecourse

shared with us the 

six-word memoirs at  

smith magazine.

originally, she was taking us 

in a different direction.

but she saw something,

that caught her eye...

on the O magazine.

kim believes...

"things don't just happen by accident". 

(oh how i love this girl.)

i love this.

i just wanted to share.

so.

check out the website.

share a story with us-just takes you to the smith magazine site.

what is your six-word memoirs?

leave it in a comment here if you'd like.

but, just write it down.

what do you have to lose?

here is another one from me.

may the music inside never stop.

just BE.

robin.

...1.22.12...

Is there a dividing line between right and wrong?

If so, where is it at, and how can I find it?

Because it seems to be so subjective

Many are confused and argue where it lies

But whenever a choice arises between

Right and wrong, what we should and should not do

We intuitively know the choice we should make

Because it has to do with the signals we see

There’s a light always shining from everyone’s eyes

Always available if we choose to look

Providing us info to their current needs

Letting us know how we may be of service

Here is the fundamental question at hand—

Do we serve them or do we serve ourselves?

This is the difference between right and wrong

Self-aggrandizement versus love towards others

Do we do it for praise, reward, or glory

Or is it for the benefit of others?

Do we do it to feel better about ourselves

Or does it serve a purpose in society?

Could it be for self-justification?

Do we do it to ease our own burdens?

What about for self-gratification?

Could it be to appease our own egos?

Do we like ourselves in doing the task

Or do we enjoy the task for its purpose?

Because if our choices do not serve others

We can be sure we’re serving ourselves

Remember that people are always the ends

And should never be employed for the means

Because if people are utilized that way

We’re using them as pawns for own purposes

The key isn’t always to do the right thing

But to have the right motive behind the action

Any time justification pops up

We can be sure our hearts are not right

Any time a wrong decision we make

We feel that gnawing sensation in our soul

We then have to lie to ourselves to feel OK

To prove to ourselves our decision is right

Because in our own minds we would never choose

A wrong decision knowing we’re at fault

Self-deception and lies always accompany

Those choices so we can put our conscience at ease

These are the indicators between right and wrong

Do we live in tension and discomfort

Or do we feel free with a clear mind and pure heart?

One path leads to remorse, the other to joy

If right decisions we consistently make

We will trust ourselves and others will too

Because the worst feeling to have inside

Is when we can’t even trust the choices we make

–Jason Westlake

i am glad .

that i found this poem.

today.

i breathe in the word choices.

and let it resonate.

and breathe out the word.

wrong.

and i choose.

to let go and let God.

for His grace will  provide the outcome.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...special balancing trick...

this is a special balancing trick that requires a small child to stay completely still (so it's still only theoretical)

~storypeople

the temp is currently a balmy 6 degrees.

but at least there is beautiful sun for today.

this shot is taken from one of my

kitchen windows.

it started snowing...

and it really hasn't stopped.

we got a new snow blower in december...

i enjoy using it so much

i think i could clear out a path

the size of a football field.

ah winter.

i will find some way to enjoy you...

even if only 

through my camera lens.

let's go find some more shadow shots.

shadow shot Sunday 2

have a wonderful day.

just BE.

robin.

...simplicity...week one

week one...beyond layers.

"keep it simple"...she said.

i knew that i liked her.

kim klassen.

the texture.

she named 'awaken'.

my composition.

...enough time...

enough time to.

be creative.

daydream.

breathe in the clean air of possibilities.

smile.

week one.

i think.

i am .

in love already.

just BE.

robin.

...1.15.12...

Of course I hang on tight, she said.

 You can't believe the kind of stuff that happens when you let go.

~storypeople

i am so excited!!

tomorrow i start a 52 week journey.

a creative journey with kim klassen.

the last two photos today

have texture added to them.

compliments of kim's talent.

i tend to prefer my photos

straight out of the camera.

but. 

i am.

 stepping outside of the box.

my tight grip is lessening.

just imagine the possibilities that lie ahead.

just because of letting go.

breathe in.

open the door.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...and the snowman smiles...

Snowmen fall from Heaven, Some assembly required

Beautiful feathery flakes of snow 

Over the woodland and field they go 

Making a blanket so warm and deep 

Over the flowers that lie asleep

the time of snow has arrived.

the area schools called a snow day yesterday.

mainly so they could have a four day weekend?

or maybe because it was jan.13th

in michigan

and we just now had a snowfall that amounted

to something.

at this stage in the game...

i , dare say, it's pretty.

but...at this stage in the game...

it's january 

spring is right around the corner!!!

yah!!

so for now...

let's go bask in some sun.

shadow shot Sunday 2

just BE.

robin.

...lighting a match in a dark room...

Dwelling on the unimportant, stressing on the unintended, and freaking over the unknown, 

simply doesn't work... and is a bit like lighting a match in a dark room to make sure no one accidentally 

sprinkled any gunpowder on your bicycle, which is kept under the stairs, near the back porch.

Actually, some of that wasn't really important, but hopefully it distracted from any stigma you 

may have attached to freaking over the unknown. 

~Notes from the Universe

live for the moment.

because you don't know about tomorrow.

fifty-two degrees and sunshine today.

tomorrow...

winter storm warning.

ya just never know.

just BE.

robin.

...1.8.12...

a snippet from

ordinary sparkling moments

by christine mason miller

"when you are standing 

at the bottom of a mountain

that you have no choice but to climb,

taking one day at a time is

the only thing that matters.

it is the only way you will reach

the top of that mountain,

the only way you will find your

way through the darkness.

it is solid.

it is reliable.

it is like the rising of the sun everyday-

it is something you might not take

much time to notice,

but it is always there,

a reminder that each new day

holds endless possibility."

oh, i know.

excuses are many.

we all have them...

and play that card often.

that's what baby steps are for.

forget that it's eight days into the new already.

today is the first day.

i have had many "first days of the rest of my life"

let go and let God.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...just in case...

i was never good at hide

& seek because i'd always

make enough noise so my

friends would be sure to 

find me. i don't have

anyone to play those games

with any more, but now &

then i make enough noise

just in case some one is

still looking & hasn't

found me yet.

~storypeople

how freeing

to make a snow angel.

this is a photo from

a couple years back.

but  i do remember 

i enjoyed making it.

laughing from the depths of your soul is cleansing.

try it.

maybe today.

and when you are done.

let's go find some more shadows.

shadow shot Sunday 2

i don't have enough snow today 

for an angel.

but i bet i can go outside and kick up my heels

in delight that there is no snow.

and laugh.

a really good.

laugh.

just BE.

robin.

...ordinary...

seeing things in the ordinary.

getting down to its level.

studying it.

pulling the camera to my eye.

looking through the lens.

taking a leap of faith.

and shooting.

it is that simple to me.

i am that simple.

i don't need big and flashy.

that has never been me.

i am a warm soft breeze that carries the dandelion wisp.

i am the robin that comes in december and sings it's song as beautifully

as it does in the spring.

i am a stream that gently flows over the rocks making its 

rough edges smooth.

i am the butterfly floating to the vibrant flower petal.

i am the note that lingers in the air after a powerful song.

i am.

i will always...

just BE.

robin.

...1.1.12...

Happy New Year!!! 

"This is your LIFE.

 Do what you love.

 and do it often.

 If you don't like something.

 Change it.

 If you don't like your job. Quit. 

If you don't have enough time. Stop watching TV. 

If you are looking for the love of your life. Stop.

 They will be waiting for

 you when you start doing things you love.

 Stop over analyzing.

 All emotions are beautiful. 

When you eat.

 Appreciate. Every last bite. Life is Simple.

 Open your mind. Arms and heart to new things and people.

 We are united in our differences

. Ask the next person you see what their passion is

 and share your inspiring dream with them. 

Travel often; Getting lost will help you find yourself.

 Some opportunities only  come once. Seize them.

Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them

 so go out and start creating.

 Life is short.

 Live your dream and wear your passion."

-The Holstee Manifesto

on the last day of 2011.

the robins came.

i can't even begin to

describe how happy this made me.

i stood out in the field

listening.

taking their chorus in.

breathing in their sound.

to keep it with me.

til spring.

it was exactly what i needed for the last day of 2011.

i welcome 2012

with open arms.

it does not matter what 2012 brings.

all that matters is that i live each day to the fullest.

bringing my A game everyday.

celebrating the moments.

the rest will be as it should be.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.