Perfectly Imperfect: Finding Zen in Your Memory Keeping
By DS101 on in Perspective, Scrapbook Layouts with No Comments
When’s the last time you put yourself into a photo that made it to a layout? I recently returned from a trip to my home state of Arizona where I spent a weekend with my sisters and also saw my one and only brother. We made so many memories – we traveled, laughed, and reminisced among other things. It was perfect.
Reviewing the photos I was quite surprised to find a lot more of me than usual. This is what happens when you send four women on a trip and three have a camera.
As I looked at the images I must confess that I stressed a little – wishing I had lost 20 pounds before the trip. Really, I did.
Then the longer I stared at this photo with my four siblings (it was the first time we had been together with my mom in years) I realized something. These moments were priceless treasures and I just needed to embrace my imperfections – because life is just that – perfectly imperfect.
Sure I wish I was 20 pounds lighter and my face looked younger, but this is me, right here, right now in my life. If I don’t document it, I’ll never get this opportunity back. And who am I to judge what makes a good photo? When I look at photos of the people I love I don’t care about anything but seeing them there and remembering the moments.
So the next time you shy away from the camera or are tempted to delete an imperfect photo of yourself, don’t do it. Have a zen moment instead of a freak out.
It is only by accepting and forgiving ourselves of our imperfections that we can grow. Cherish your one wild and crazy life – it is yours and no one can take it from you! Accept yourself where you are and look forward to what you are becoming. Time is so limited – we should treasure every moment. That means getting more of us into our memory keeping.
Will you do it?
Products in layout: Papers: Michelle Martin Laurel Papers, Leora Sanford Home Kit, Title quote by Ali Edwards & Cathy Zielske (chat freebie from Designer Digitals). Lightroom photo template and Avenir font.
You are so right! I was just doing survey view of some photos I took earlier this month and had to stop myself from marking the ones of me as “rejected.” Thanks for your insight.
Loved this article, something I need to work on!
Once again you’ve hit the nail on the head! I was just looking at some pictures friends had taken of me at our conference in DC thinking UGH! I need to loose some serious weight. But when I think back to the time, we had so much fun together and learned so many things. While yes I do need to loose the weight, maybe I do need to scrap those photos after all.
-c-
So glad to know Im not alone in this!
Im with you – Respect instead of Reject!
Thanks for your comments – so glad Im not the only one!
Wow. I love what you said. So many people can relate, I being one of them. Thanks for looking at the brighter side of life.
Your thoughts and writings are so “right on”. It’s easy to love looking at pictures of those we love whether the pictures are perfect or not – yet, we are overly critical of our self images. Whoever took the picture of us probably loves the way we look – good or bad.
Being the “picture-taking person” I always have my camera and use it prolifically. After a while I realized others were “forgetting” their cameras often and relied on me. Too, I was not in any of the event pictures. I remedied this by asking someone to include me in one picture…after all, this is my life as well. Every once in awhile now, I “forget” my camera.
By the way, you have one beautiful family. Thanks for sharing them with us.
My mantra is: Ten years from now, you’ll think you looked great in this photo! And it’s true. For those who love you, you will always look good–after all, who criticizes the way their grandma looks in a photo?!
I love you Kayla! You are one of the most beautiful women I know!
You are one of the most beautiful women I know! Hope you have a great week Dottee!
Amen!!
Thanks Marlene! your words are so true!
Thanks Tracie!