Four months into my word and I really am surprised at the Full Discoveries that April brought! When I began this journey with full I considered “being full” to have distinct boundaries. Either you are full… or you are not…and with that idea in mind, I began to look at what was full in my life and what needed more…fullness.
But what if full does not have distinct boundaries? What if it is less a feeling and more an experience?
And so I began thinking about what that would look like…what it might change… and, especially, what that would feel like.
The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step outside the frame. ― The Ground Beneath Her Feet
What if the best part of full is when I step outside of full…or the boundaries I think belong to full?
I can tell you that even just thinking about this changed the way I consider things…and perhaps the best way to explain this is through the photographer’s lens.
Bonny hoped last week that I had taken more photos while at Presque Isle… and while I did take some photos (which I will share later this week… I promise!) I did not take as many photos as I had in previous visits… rather I spent more time looking beyond the frame. Seeing and experiencing more by spending a lot less time looking through my iPhone and it was so invigorating.
My “a-ha moment” was this: every minute does not need to be filled with doing something but instead by stepping into the moment, living in the moment… whatever the moment is… and in changing that one little thing I experienced so much more than I ever had before!
So here I am today… on the Monday-est of Mondays: Re-entry Monday… ugh!
I am wondering if that kind of full can only be had on vacation… you know, when there is not a normal routine or the usual task list of things that must be done. I speak from experience because in the lead up to vacation, I over-filled my days. I tried to do more each day – spring cleaning PLUS regular cleaning, and sewing, and knitting, and reading, and…I think you get the idea.
And you know what, although this is Perfect Vision Hindsight…very little of that was necessary…and if I had stepped into the day and looked at it completely rather than from my “list view” I might have realized that sooner (sans hindsight).
This month brought me so much to think about and I am going to step into May and be more conscious (and maybe more full?) of the moments (and hopefully less full of the unnecessary) on my journey to full!
A huge thanks to Carolyn for hosting us on our One Little Word journeys.
See you all back here on Wednesday!
Oh I love this post Kat and it is such a good reminder for me. I feel so much better on days when I really experience the day…rather than try to fill it with chores or other things (even fun things). Just being is often enough!
BRAVO to you for thinking deeper and for your discoveries! I love your analogies and because of them, I think I understand the differences between being full and stepping back and experiencing full. It sounds like a difficult state to maintain all the time but glimpses of it may be enough for now. I’m looking forward to seeing what May brings (and what you bring to May)!
Wow such thought provoking ideas. I find myself now thinking of all the fullness there can be. Full of life. Full of joy. Neither implies busyness. May is a wonderful month for feeling the joy if fullness. Looking forward to reading what you do.
I think it’s super important to put down the camera and be in the moment. I also think there’s value in capturing moments with a photo so I try and walk the line between the two. I think you are learning great things with the word full and I’m glad you are enjoying the journey.
I think so many of us are guilty of trying to do too many things at once or of trying to document the moment instead of just living in it, so thanks for this excellent reminder. I hope that in lieu of more photos from your trip you have good memories of the beautiful views you came upon.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
XO
I love the idea of stepping outside the boundaries of full. I also agree that sometimes every moment doesn’t have to be captured on the iPhone camera. I hope re-entry Monday treated you well.
What a beautiful realization– and a real gift that full has given you. I read this twice, just wanted to stay in the space that you offer of really being IN it.
Wow – what a perfect time to step into this mindset, Kat! I’m the worst at taking and sharing photos with my family and the next time they rail at me, I’ll have to tell them that I was simply living in the moment! 😉
I love how you framed this realization and acceptance of the NOW. I’ll be thinking about this for a while!
I work so hard at being ‘present’ and most of the time I am successful. However, I slip and I fret and then go back to being present. Your getaway sounds ever so lovely and restorative.
What a cool perspective, Kat! I love the photography metaphor … and oh my it extends just beautifully. xo.