DEVASTATION TO RESTORATION … HURRICANE IAN 9.28.2022

if I slip out of my orbit

into a lower orbit

how then

do I return

to the orbit once shared with Dragonfly

when seasons

have shifted

return to the moments

memories

of photographs taken

time shared

where love blossomed

deepened

capturing this essence

embedded

within the photo

eternally present

fly ever higher

here

once more

on shared wings of joy

it is here

you return

to the orbit of you

high above

disarray

allow this Joy to return

allow soul to remember

smile and know

here

you are always home

wherever you are

here

you are

always

one with the Dragonfly

love is the essence

of the photo

shared gifted

moments offered

to be remembered

to return to often

feeling this delight of magic

rise up from within

this is eternal

within the photo

this

is the offering of Dragonfly

time shared is forever

an unbreakable bond

woven within your soul

a reminder

your true friends

never leave you

waiting

‘we want what we want when we want it’

I have heard that phrase more than a few times in my many years of life

disappointment became a reappointment of my direction my focus

practicing the art of perception, perceiving, over time throughout my life from a very young age

what felt difficult when I was young became a catalyst for me to try new ways to see a different direction, perspective, stepping outside of me into the shoes of another, feel what they feel, see how they see, imagine what they might be imagining in this moment

teaching my self this step early on has offered me ways to see differently what I thought I saw firstly

second view shifted how I felt, releasing ideas that didn’t feel too great

sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t, but, I always tried to see differently

perhaps this was the birth of my love for words, very young, practising the rearrangement of words became a bit of Joy and Fun, wondering what new thought phrase combination of words might evolve

oh to add to that, word evolvement thought, this could totally be why I learned to screw up my words so incredibly well, just ask my Sons, they can attest to trying to understand what it was, Mom was ‘really trying to say’!

always imagine what could be

want what you want while allowing what you want to be the right want for you in this moment

this is patience, yes it takes practice and flexability

however

it is worth the wait and makes for an interesting journey along the way

…

‘every horse should have a back pouch’

what was I really trying to say! one of my more epic moments shared with my youngest son while driving, I was laughing so hard that I had to stop the car!

smile…Nancy

Finding a way to quiet

be a listener

be that

just

be

and listen

smile…Nancy

Ethers

sometimes I think, where do I begin, where do I end, do I end, do I begin, or am I just as I am now

space is everywhere as am I

I know what I know but so much I wish to know more of, questions about this space before now and after now, what is it exactly, why is it that I am in this space of now, is there a reason now is now, indeed now is here for a reason

a curious place it is, this place of now

a wondering of what this is, who am I, what is next, will I be me, or perhaps someone else within me emerging

words intrigue me

can you tell

always am I curious about any given moment I am given

smile, our story is not yet finished, as am I, still growing into the reason I am here, in this moment of now

pretty cool, don’t you think, I do

smile…Nancy

Early hours before Dawn

mornings are my favorite time of day, greeting the sun as it greets the day, slowly rising up at the horizon

when I drive to work I cross the Peace River, having done so for 33+ years, I have watched through the seasons the sun rising in the east in different locations looking across the water, offering spectacular visuals of color, clouds, sometimes fog, as I cross the bridge headed south

I smile thinking, I should bring my camera and maybe be a little late for work, one day I might just do that

with each new dawn, sun rising once again, we are given one more day to be a better person, to share a smile, a thought, teach, listen, to do something that honors your soul, offering gratitude for this time gifted to us we so often take for granted

I wake often in the early hours long before my alarm is set to sing, with words running through my mind, this week was one of those mornings, tired absolutely yet I know these words are incredible swimming in my mind, so, on goes a light, journal and pen in hand, I write, and yup true to my knowing, I am never disappointed, tired perhaps, disappointed never, grateful I wrote what I heard

below is part of what I wrote, I love these words, my Mantra, I repeat them daily, they speak a profound truth, I may add them to one of my Dragonfly photos and order an acrylic for my wall, ooohhhhh I’m kinda likin that idea a lot, I will keep you all posted on what I choose to create for my wall Art

and this reminds me, perhaps soon I shall ponder sharing even more Dragonfly photos, I have so so many that are exceptional, simply asking to be seen hanging on your walls inspiring you to remember what these words are saying below … we are all connected and we share the Dragonfly Magic in our souls, as one, as the collective

I have a series of 3 photos, a gorgeous golden Dragonfly, with amazing expressions, looking through the lens I was giggling so hard camera kept shaking and I would lose my focus point, yes I do enjoy this time shared with the Dragonfly and the amazing gifts they give to me, I am honored to capture their Magic with my lens, really no words can describe this Joy within me as I share sacred space with each one

…………………….

Uniquely Divine is my mind, collectively we are Magnificent … written by Nancy Baker Shearer

smile…Nancy

Ebb and Flow Within

we are the ebb and flow of tides, of clouds drifting across the sky

calm serene still, the water the sky, beautiful blue on blue until the storm arrives, in an instant we shift we feel disturbed, questioning life

suddenly within a tempest of unsettled energy emerges, where is it to go, why is it here, what do I do

this ebb and flow surfacing, errupting within, this disturbance daring to rise up to reach the surface of me, do I listen to the voice seeking release

it is here, make no mistake, it is real, I choose to listen to sort to honor to allow the darkness within to rise to give light to its words too long held in silence

to understand the why, is to heal its pain anger hurt fear, this energy long buried now asking to be heard

to be given a face in the darkness of me, to be felt understood, to be released, to be known seen as part of me, it is real

this is you - all that is you - all that is - within

we are light and we are dark, it is one

yes, we move with an ebb and flow, a drifting, we ask to be free of all debris we hold within to rest in the calm stillness of blue on blue

this disturbance that dares to disrupt this moment, this now, erasing the calm with turbulance is you, all of you asking to be recognized understood

to see that both exist light and dark, it is how we grow to know our truth, everything teaches something

only when we allow the energy within to open will we return to calm, in time we heal what we feel within, buried through time, lifetimes of time

we are the ebb and flow of tides, of clouds drifting across the sky questioning our why

it is the ebb and flow that gives us direction to know the next right step waiting

this is is how we heal, to see the why behind the blue on blue, this is the birth of the rainbow that waits to be revealed

smile…Nancy

Heartbeat

tending soul ‘s garden

nourish often what you love

and

what loves you

feel the heartbeat of life

within

too soon things are gone, a touch, a thought, a being, a blossom, a raindrop

until

a new touch, a new thought, a new being, a new flower, a downpour of raindrops nourish heal

what is missing

rainbow renews reflects love

restoring soul’s garden of hope

remember to tend what matters

ones heartbeat

the garden within

smile…Nancy

Remembering, Today is NOT Yesterday

being challanged to see only this moment, now, to move forward, to go toward, can be a bit intimidating, yes challenging

working, expanding, growing this website is EXHILERATING AND INTIMIDATING AND CHALLENGING … BUT (yes there is a BUT in here) this IS BEYOND EXCITING!

TRUTH … isn’t this the way it should be, these words reflect growth, effort, birth of an idea and guiding the steps as it grows day by day, moment by moment, thought by thought into the POSSIBILITY YOU DREAMED INTO BEING?

only when my very dear friend opened my perspective to see, THIS IS ME, every part of me, vulnerable and powerful at one time, was I able to understand, yesterday tried to filter each thought with yesterdays pain, to hold me back, tell me no, do not do this, no, this is too risky, no to every thought I had, while I listened to what my soul was guiding me to do, personality said, no, do not do this no, no, no BUT soul said, you got this, keep going, it is time

writing is my deep love, words have been my healing medicine through my life, I remember sharing words written within minutes with my sons early on, asking them for their thoughts, they are the creative ones with an understanding of ‘perfect punctuation and grammatically correct lines’ which many will come to see, that surely is not me!

hint hint nudge nudge … oh yes, there is indeed a story in that last line!

to write is to be creative with what lives in my mind, scary thought I know!

to access what disturbs me, confuses me, brings Joy to me, wrongs that I have endured in my life, words heal me within

expression for me has been soul food for me to grow, to listen, the Dragonfly is my souls medicine

as I developed each photo, moving with Joy felt as I watched through my lens, Joy that was present before me, the present gifted me to see, to share, to heal, IS, what I offer in this Website, this Blog, a step to share this LOVE I have witnessed, offerings given to me of healing, growing to truly become me, AUTHENTIC REAL ME … I wish to offer to you, to be Inspired to reflect on these beautiful creatures to believe endless possibilities DO exist

my early years of taking photos, in the developing stages, words were gifted to me to share, I added words to each photo, listening to what my Dragonfly and Butterfly friends wished to say, to share, to guide me going forward

many of the WORDS are shared, here, throughout the BLOG, many more will be shared as this BLOG grows in its journey, unfolding within these pages

I love creating Altered Art, inviting this creative Magic to blend with my friends the Dragonfly, the Butterfly and even Bumble Bees dancing into my space, across my screen, feeling their spirit come to life, listening to wisdom shared in these precious moments

perhaps one day a new Portfolio will arrive, Altered Art, sharing these Magical Moments as well! STAY TUNED!

everything here is real me, pain when it surfaces, memories as they return, dreams of my tomorrows, it is me, openg my Self to the world of Receiving ALL that has been waitng FOR ME, ME LOVING ME back to life, honoring this next right step for ME

I ask that you take this step with me, join me in these pages, Smile or Cry, Dream of More, Allow and Rest, this is my reason for offering this Sacred Space, to share and know we are one, always and in all ways, we are one … hugs and love to you all …

Smile…Nancy

Solitude

These words are a few thoughts of what were written in quiet solitude during my time spent with the Dragonfly … words shared in our time together … Inspired by the Dragonfly, seen through my lens, created on my screen, these words came to life as I shared space with my Magical friends … each written word, holds Deep Sacred Inspiration for me, perhaps for you as well as you read and receive their messages on your journey through these pages … these Inspiring words can be added to the Art, as the Dragonfly Inspires you, touches Your Soul with Wisdom, offerings of Love, Healing, Joy and pure Magic into YOUR home!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

life has taught me the one thing I resist the most is the one thing I most need to learn resistance is the door that needs to open

to preface my thought with love is to speak from love

trust is my knowing deepening

if we are never challenged we will never grow

I dream of magical moments and they happen

solitude grows my soul opens my heart my love expands

our silence sacred holy rest allow go within

know always I will hold the mirror for you to see you the beautiful soul I see

a story becomes a message when your soul asks a question and you listen for the answer

to see all sides is the gift we give to our self

it is never too late you are never too old to discover to recover JOY

broken is broke open to see truth

smile…Nancy

Moving, just keep moving

‘go toward’ my friend told me

go toward and allow the unfolding

I keep this in the forefront of my mind remembering

sitting still is still going toward

experience has taught that if I try there will be a result

if I like it wonderful

if I love it even better

if I am not a fan, that too is acceptable since

always a direction can be changed rearranged with a different perspective

‘go toward’ I shall

tomorrow is waiting

today was yesterday wondering

now is the blessing of a moment to believe

even if you are sitting still

‘go toward’

see what is waiting the unfolding of experience our gift to receive

smile…Nancy

drifting

today I am here

yesterday I was there

where will I be tomorrow

so much waiting to see

life offers hurdles

I believe

to teach me to climb

to reach for more

except when I am tired

I say please

no more

I rest

I go within and ask the questions

only I can ask

and then I listen

tomorrow is but a thought away

today I choose

what tomorrow will be

I choose my next thought carefully

I feel perhaps I can climb my mountain

tomorrow

so today I rest in my thoughts of what is yet to be

smile…Nancy

I write

life swirls in circles

wind blows through

clouds form and dance to the music of the wind

where are we

in this drift of life

experiencing or existing

are you dancing to the music of your soul

do you stand in one place berated by the words of ego

it is a choice the voice the sound that gains your attention

dance fills me as I twirl around my home with an unending effortless smile

because

this is what I chose to honor when my attention asked for attention

and you, where are you in this moment of now

it is a choice

every time

you choose

life swirls in circles

as the wind blows through

smile…Nancy

Self Respect, Self Worth

a dear friend called me out on my words, choice of words, phrasing

to downplay me is to disrespect me to me, my value, my worth

MY Art has taken many years to develop, to hone, to become what I see within me, yes it is what I love, yes it is what I feel, yes it is fun and I do play, BUT it has taken many years to get here, there has been great pain great loss in my life to bring me to a place of discovering, recovering me, to be here sharing this love with the world

healing is more than the PHYSICAL recovery, it is the EMOTIONAL within, it is the WORTHINESS within, it is the restructuring of who we are to SELF we need to REMEMBER

each DRAGONFLY holds within hours of training, learning, listening to feel the connection found in a single photograph, a single creation of Art, years to get to this place of understanding what it is I do

yes it is fun, yes I do play BUT now I smile because I see ME, I am an INCREDIBLE PROFOUND CREATOR OF FINE ART and I honor this place I have created to share with all of you

may the heart within my Art welcome the heart within you with this love we are here to see to feel to be, our WORTH, our VALUE, our REASON for being here is LOVE

with deep GRATITUDE I say thank you to this incredible friend who loves me enough to call me out on my words when I need it

to YOU I say thank you, I love YOU forever my friend, hugs and love always…thank you

smile…Nancy

pain and change

pain is inevitable, we all experience it in various ways

receiving pain is a personal choice how it is felt, I choose to feel it process it as I can, not linger in it as best I can

it has taken quite a while for me to do this, it is a journey understanding pain, it is done one moment at a time

pain led me to photography, a way to seek something outside of me, a different focus point

it worked, it heals, it is possible to step outside of pain if we try, it is not selfish to do this, step away, it is necessary

not all pain is movable when it happens, it takes time, perspective comes with time

understanding I will have moments when tears flood my being, pain is powerful, tears allow what is within to move through

my sweet companion is up in age, she is blind, hard for her to hear me when I call her name, she will only walk outside if I have her on her leash with me by her side, yes, I cry, even with these words I cry, she knows I love her deeply even in my frustration

her name is Chai, she is my best friend

I am trying, smile…Nancy

a Smile

a smile

ia hope for another

a knowing

someone sees them

truly sees them

a smile is magical

connecting to a source within

offering a place to reside to remember

what matters

a smile

changes everything

smile…Nancy

Delivery

delivery of a word

is life changing

knowing the impact we have on another should be the reminder of the lasting effect that remains

what is spoken is indelible

impressions become life reflected in steps

interaction is remembered as an imbedded memory of moments

pain learning joy heartache

all effects of a moment of words perhaps spoken inadvertantly yet spoken

remembered may become embedded pain

think before you speak

anothers life is reflected through your words shared

you are life altering

to another

be kind

each word matters

these words are reflections of moments in my life, I share to show words hold power, reflecting impacting embedded in those we meet on our journey

we are amazing beings

choose with love the reflection you wish to leave behind

smile…Nancy

Stepping out of My way

only

when I moved

out of My way

did

My way

reveal itself

dare

to step aside

and

see

what waits

along

Your way

here

life begins

Magic opens

quiet Dreams

are waiting

to take root

trust

step aside

and watch Your world

blossom

Believe

…

smile…Nancy

Moments and thoughts

we step into moments our thoughts define

choose wisely

the thought you wish to step into

smile…Nancy

Sometimes life just happens and we roll with it …

we start a day like any other, an alarm clock, coffee or tea, ready our self to leave the house or schedule our day at home, what are the needs of the moment

many days I would think of all the ‘to do’s’ required within the day, overwhelm sinks in on the drive to work

until last year

46+ years of work suddenly finding myself unable to work, my mind wandered to what if, a well known friend on my journey, typically my stopping point from moving forward, only this time, it was not, it was one of curiosity

interesting year, so grateful I am still here

unable to move like I did, it was a year of few photos, my Dragonfly friends everpresent only I was not

catalyst to try, a calendar of my friends for the new year, I needed photos, I will always remember the moment, camera in hand, in my front yard, very weak, I sat down, and here they come, rainbow colors dancing all around me, joy filled my being, this was home, this is home, I felt life fill my being with hope

each year I create a calendar for holiday gifts, small desk size, they have come to be expected, they are loved by my sons and my friends

truly, this is my joy, being with these beautiful creatures keeps the smile in my soul brilliant, encouraging me to keep going

covid tried to take me more than a few times last year, sheer will kept me going, it was not yet my time to go

staying curious, shifting my direction on ‘what if’ opened me to more, a me long forgotten, realizing I can be there for me as well as you, I matter

this begain the journey to now, I began to see ‘what if’ I succeed instead of ‘what if’ I fail

quite the shift of thought don’t you think

challenge you to shift how YOU hear your words, it might surprise you

like I told my sons when they were youg, ‘if life throws you a curve, just turn’

smile…Nancy

Imagine everything you Dreamed coming to Life

I smile

knowing this is just the beginning

a journey unfolding

soon

very soon

this website will blossom with the ability to share with everyone an opportunity to see one of these beautiful creatures hanging as Art on their own walls, filling their home with the Joy and Inspiration they have brought to me

yes, a very big smile

hope is found in the wings of these sweet creatures

just this morning, I was blessed with an array of photo opportunities as I was greeted early by the sweet Dragonfly throughout my yard

each photo is from my home

offerings of many years sharing space with the Dragonfly

unbelievable moments where they flew around me in a dance of friendship

when you purchase a Fine Art Print, this joy will be embedded within its colors, of moments shared

as a Writer, many have seen photos shared of my friend with words felt as I created the photo, this too can be added as a special request, each piece of art is created uniquely for you, what your heart feels

I do hope you enjoy this journey with me as we see, feel, watch this website blossom into powerful joy ENCOURAGEMENT to find your joy within

together we begin sharing a love that has healed my soul

my friend, the Dragonfly and I, invite you to our sacred space of love of joy, to experience the unfolding of possibilities together

smile…Nancy