“Joy is a meeting place, of deep intentionality and of self-forgetting, the bodily alchemy of what lies inside us in communion with what formerly seemed outside, the raw engagement with the passing seasonality of existence.” ~ David Whyte, Consolations

This is the season of joy, or so all of the commercials say. There’s even a movie coming out on Christmas Day, called Joy. Of course, that’s not the whole picture. Life is always a complicated mixture of joy and grief. Just last week, I was notified of three deaths and one engagement.

As we look back on the year that’s coming to an end, we reflect in amazement on all that’s happened. It’s been a troubling year, with many tragedies and sorrows. Yet, even in the midst of these, there have been reasons to celebrate.

Joy is the daughter of wonder. It is wonder felt in the body. I experience it when I spend time with friends and family, or witness kindness and compassion. I experience it through the written word and good music, and, of course, photography.

Yet, just as light and shadow are joined at the hip, joy is also tinged with grief. There is in joy an awareness of the “passing seasonality of existence,” as David Whyte says, that makes it special.

Photography Brings Joy

Whyte’s words describe what it’s like for me to take a photograph – transformed by the moment. I’m engaged with my surroundings, an integral part of the big picture. Something resonates in my being, makes me stop. I feel a quickening in my body, my heart leaps just a little bit. I forget about myself and focus attention on what stopped me. Eye, mind, and heart come together in a beautiful alchemical connection and I click the shutter. The feeling I get in these moments is one of pure joy and gratitude for the privilege of being alive at this time, in this place.

The photograph above was taken during a walk in my hometown at the peak of fall colour this year. I decided to blur every photograph I took on that walk so that I could convey the colours I was witnessing. It was a fun exercise and the colours above are from one brilliant tree, expressing pure joy.

Looking Back on 2015

Throughout the year, I choose one favourite photograph per month and post it to a Flickr album (see below). It’s a great way to look back on the year and to be grateful; to remember the joy (and the grief).

In February I took a road trip down the Atlantic coast with my dog, Daisy, where I met up with photography friends along the way. This trip is especially memorable since Daisy left this world in August.

I went to Paris for the very first time in June and then felt the sorrow of that city and its people after the terrorist attack.

My theme for this year was writing, as I launched a new workshop in visual journaling with Sally Drew in March (next session: February 2016), and took a mind and heart expanding 6-month course in writing and book structure with Jeffrey Davis at Tracking Wonder. In October, I participated in a fabulous art/writing/photography workshop at Block Island, focused on bird migration.

Life, always an adventure. I wish you much joy.

** Books mentioned have Amazon or Bookshop affiliate links, meaning I make a few cents if you purchase through my link. I only recommend books that I’ve read.