Your Life As Art Photography by Pam
Artist & Intuitive | Pamela Zmija
Feeling truly grateful this week for the shifts that are happening for me, with arms wide open! Much like this flower!
These beauties are blooming in our raised bed, grateful as when we first brought it home, our dog ate the only one in bloom at the time 😉
“Sunflowers end up facing the sun,
but they go through a lot of dirt to find their way there.”
– J.R. Rim
I am excited to begin participating in the online weekly themes within WordPress as a Lens-Artist Challenge. This week the guest host is SH. The theme Quiet Hours, is so beautifully timed. At a time in my life where I am pulling myself more within, to set aside the rest of the world and focus a lot more on me and the healing I need. To spend time with those who have been there for me through a very challenging time in my life and allow myself to sink deeper in to the quiet hours. For me, this means creativity, grabbing my camera and simply walking outside or going for a drive. Conscious of what is around me and open to discovering more. Nature, as it turns out, is also so deeply healing, when I am able to walk into a path in the trees, minutes from town and feel like I am all alone in this magical forest. Just me, my camera and nature.
I am so excited I found these weekly challenges this morning!
Let me share with you some photos that I feel have the energy of ‘Quiet Hours’
I could see in my minds eye one of the photos, its from 11 years ago and I just feel such peace when I look at this image.
Macro photography continues to take my breath away, this has helped me in my healing, as beautiful a landscape photo can be (much like life), sometimes its easier to focus on one thing to help not feel overwhelmed. Personally I find capturing macro photography to be a serene time, to take it all in, and be open to the unknown, to what I maybe might uncover. A tiny friend I may meet…
I was photographing our new sunflowers that had recently blossomed and suddenly something caught my eye, I allowed myself to stay curious and then I found this little guy. He is about the length of my thumbnail, tiny! Was also so happy to pose for me.
For our wedding anniversary we chose to begin exploring Eastern Canada in Halifax. The people, food, atmosphere, experience, was simply incredible!
The quiet on the water, even with the gentle roar of the engine, is like a complete reset for me, being on the water, just taking in the gorgeous view of nature, able to appreciate the view, without the crowds. Bonus, the gorgeous angle for photos!
The view from our private balcony, when booking our 20th anniversary trip we searched high and low, we knew the experience we wanted to have and having a balcony off our room was important to enjoy the morning sunshine or have a drink in the evening. This was the view, so beautiful.
One of my absolute favourites from this year. A Blue Heron at one of our local parks. As I took a solo walk with my camera, I stopped to scan for details and this guy presented himself to me.
Macro photography I can almost feel everything inside of me take a deep breath.
The beach… a special place in my heart. I love the peacefulness of an empty beach.
These two I captured today, after seeing the challenge information, I knew my macro and I needed to get out for an experience, I met a new friend in one of our garden boxes!
I am happy I found this weekly challenge, excited to connect with other photographers to share my own photography and also to enjoy others interpretation of the theme, its exciting for me to see the variety of images!
Please be sure to check out the guest host SB post HERE and use the Lens-Artists tag to help us find you – thats how I found this today! I am grateful to have found this community and excited! Interested in joining the challenge, see the post information here.
The centre pieces for the shower were just gorgeous! I had fun capturing some macro shots of the flowers – just beautiful! The colours and flowers were outstanding.
A flower does not rush its bloom, reminding you to trust your own timing in life!
It’s often too easy to sink into the victim game of life. After listening to a wonderful video about the full moon happening July 10th I feel even more aligned in life.
It’s time to choose the higher frequency, always. It’s time to stand behind your voice and also beside it. It’s time to know your oath and own truth. It’s time to go within for healing, reaching externally isn’t suffice anymore.
It’s not just for me and my healing, it’s for the world. At a time when hitting those energies is necessary, to set aside what anyone else is doing, any excuses or name game they may be playing.
It’s time for true, honorable healing, which can, and will, only happen when living an aligned, honest life.
There have been several road blocks Ive personally hit on this journey of life, some massive mountains, other mole hills and the in between bumps and hills.
Regardless of what anyone else is doing and even the shit thrown at us in life. I have had to shift, multiple times, in truth, everything within the 2020’s hit me even harder after a significant sudden loss of a family member. Something I have never used as an ‘excuse’ and yet more an understanding.
For me to properly flow through life now, much of that is writing everything down so its not forgotten, leaving things in plain sight so I see it and dont forget, or asking for help, admitting when I feel off or down. Allowing those who care to be there.
Next week its 8 months and I am so damn grateful for all our good times and good memories, especially those I captured with my camera. How has it been 8 months. How has it been 9 months since I saw you last… almost 8 months since I spoke to you.
“I see the moon, in the middle of the afternoon” vision, noticing all the little things in life that can and do bring such joy.
The way a garden can pull my heart in, instant peace, fulfillment and I can drift into my own little world, even with a crowd of people around. If anyone saw me bending over, in a dress, I may need to offer apologies, I see the shot and go in LOL! I was excited for the baby shower, as I knew Aunt Lori’s gardens would be beautiful, they did not disappoint! The beauty, peace and tranquility… just priceless!
Possibly my fav of the day…
“A garden is always a series of losses set against a few triumphs, like life itself.”
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
Walking into my aunts backyard is like walking into the secret garden, its so peaceful for being in a city. The variety is vast and so very natural looking. Even in the heat of the city!
Red, is so challenging to photograph in the high noon sunshine, even when toned down for settings! Alas, still so beautiful!
Be like the flowers, regardless of who is around you, in your life or not just be the best you, you can be. Bloom like you’ve never bloomed before!!!
On a beautifully hot humid summer afternoon, I was taking photos of the new sunflowers that had just blossomed, as I was capturing the delicate details of the blossom before it opens, I noticed this little guy. A tiny baby grasshopper, he is maybe 1.5″ long and happily posed for me!
The beautiful new sunflowers, when we brought this plant home, Gunner ate the top off of the only plant in bloom. I am so happy the plant is surviving and growing!
My fav…
New growth is so beautiful, I love the uniqueness of nature, how it all integrates together, seamlessly it feels. A sense of peace, and tranquility.
This past weekend felt like a deep opportunity for healing as a family, for my own immediate family and our extended family – which I embraced as we gathered for the July long weekend.
A fun thing we like to do is go for rides… sometimes it gets a little deep. As you can see below. Since my husbands accident back in 2020 we always ride at the back, and stay out of situations like this due to his leg. As soon as I saw this, my heart began to panic – yes these machines are meant for getting wet, yes he is very capable to drive this and handled it well.
This was a situation where my heart lept into worry, where I am reminded of my need to stay calm, when the trauma response jumps before I do, my heart has been through a lot with the husbands accident with multiple surgeries and dealing with the Canadian medical system, then our boy and multiple surgeries, also dealing with the medical system and with on going challenges, even before those the kids being yo-yo’d in and out of school, my mama heart has been pulled through the ringer in the 2020’s and although 2025 IS for deeper healing, I catch myself quickly at times falling into the fear… I know my nervous system has some very deep healing needed and there is no way to rush this, healing happens in time with multi-level grief.
Everyone was safe, everyone was capable at handling everything. My husband reminded me all is ok… yet when you have been ON for so long, its not that easy for your nervous system to calm.
“Psychology says when women face constant stress and uncertainty, their bodies learn to live in survival mode. They stay alert, tense and exhausted. Always waiting for the next thing to go wrong. Even in moments of calm, their minds don’t relax. Its not because they are overreacting, its because their nervous system has forgotten what safety feels like. ”
As I sat there, I could feel myself in that freeze state, and felt the nudge to begin taking photos – I quietly said to myself, ‘ok little brother, you are my boy’s co-pilot now, keep him safe…’ I continued taking photos the entire ride, the entire weekend and finally got through them last night. Side note — take the photos! We have been blessed with digital opportunities for capturing memories… take all the photos! This weekend I culled through over 800 between my phone and big camera 😉
Early this morning I saw this…
As I was going through my photos (I shoot in RAW so my “editing” process is processing from RAW to JPEG with mild tweaking of the images), I see this photo… that blue orb… is right beside my boy, after I asked for protection for him from my brother (who passed in Nov).
In the big picture, was all was well, however a healing nervous system doesn’t initially see that, which is why I made my silent prayer. My heart was bursting when I saw this orb. I talk to my brother all the time, a song comes on its like he’s talking to me, or pictures show up on the digital frame, like at the perfect time, and I am instantly back in that moment. This shot was through the windshield, no glaring bright sun, that orb… is authentic!
A beautiful reminder, as much as it hurts so much that he will never be physically with us, this just shows me HE IS WITH US. He is listening, he is protecting, he is free. I am grateful he is free from his pain, and yes selfishly wish he were still here with us, so much.
Ive always been one who strongly believes in our spiritual connection and this just showed me that in a very very BIG way.
Talk to the other side, talk to your loved ones… they hear you ❤
The new moon is today, as an empath who feels deeply connected to nature, I have felt this shift in the same way. One of my favourite tools is my oracle cards, to help offer a different perspective. In fact, 6 cards lept from the deck, as I began to shuffle them yesterday. As I gathered the cards up, they actually fell in a stack, I, for a very brief moment thought wait was that too soon? No, trust. Deep trust. This is something I’ve embraced living, in trust, which for a long time was not easy. Living in trust is true wealth. Happy New Moon and I hope you embrace all that you are to let your soul truly thrive ✨️ 💖
Sometimes, what we need can be in front of us, and yet, our vision isn’t able to receive. This is a time for slow, yet celebration. Someone I highly respect with her knowledge of the planets truly reinforced this with her recent Under This Cancer New Moon video over on YouTube, truly profound the shifts we can experience when we lean in.
When I was out the other day taking photos, I happened upon a few baby robins, playing near the puddles and in the grass. Much like that feeling I had watching them that morning playing, is pulling into this new moon. The freshness, the shift, even some shifts that may bring up tears, these shifts are needed, required actually. It can feel painful, it could hurt, it may take you back in time even, feel through it all and above all, trust yourself. Lean into your intuition with deep emphasis for your heart. Trust what you are naturally drawn to, if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else but makes sense to you… its for you! I remember this almost daily with my oils, when someone said to me today to use Lime more often, I instantly said oh… zest for life – the emotional meaning!
“In The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote, “Nothing in the world is quite as adorably lovely as a Robin when he shows off – and they are nearly always doing it.” Robins are not shy about illustrating their joy and boundless love of music. Some believe if you see a Robin singing to you, it is a message from the Spirit Realm, so listen closely.
In a similar vein, Robins have an association with the soul and its mission. Robin can bring you direct counsel from the Gods. When you heed the advice, it leads to greater self-actualization and inner peace.
When a Robin visits you outdoors, such as by landing near you on a walk, it means good luck is coming your way. The more often it happens, the greater the serendipity. Sometimes the same Robin represents a loved one who has recently passed over, telling you all is fine and there is nothing about which to worry. Your loved one is watching over you and wants to see you happy.” Source whatismyspiritanimal.com
One of the shifts in my life, these Robins showed up for a reason. As much as Id love life to stay nice and boring, simple, life continues to move, however birds are never scared of falling, they trust, they trust fully that their wings will open and carry them through the sky. A trust we must all embrace, envelope around us to attract the peace necessary.
Take some time for yourself this evening, get quiet, write out intentions, allow your heart to lead!
I had a ‘ where did you come from’ moment while at Murphy Park the other day.
Big and beautiful bald eagle – it was surreal seeing it, I didn’t know at first what I was capturing, I just felt drawn in that direction, look up and shoot. The eye connection is so awesome!
“Do you need to summon up true courage? Are you called to deliver messages from the Divine but need support in learning to access them? Eagle, as a Spirit, Totem, and Power Animal, can help! Eagle teaches how to embrace an elevated perspective while bravely speaking your truth.” (Source WhatIsMySpiritAnimal.com)
These birds were speaking to me, just as the heron was, the bald eagle is reminding me to be courageous in all that I do and trust in my connection that I know is there.
“Because the Eagle is one of the highest-flying birds, He is considered Chief of all flying creatures; this certainly also connects Eagle with the Air element. He also rules over the Eastern quarter of creation, which represents renewal and the season of spring.
If you have a dream, if you desire to achieve a goal that will make your soul feel more “full”, take your cue from the all-confident Eagle and “know” your aim will be straight and true.
Egyptians regarded the Eagle as symbolizing both the Great Spirit and the sun at noon. They saw the Eagle as rising over mundane restraints into the realm of mystical awareness and spiritual progress. The Native Americans agree with this assessment.
From high above, the Eagle symbolizes an awareness of those mysteries that humans find difficult to grasp. Eagle’s vantage point allows him to discover patterns that guide us toward greater spiritual knowledge.
The soaring of an Eagle inspires awe. From its place in the heavens, the Eagle Spirit Animal can watch over us as a guardian, bear messages to and from the Divine, inspire insight, manifest well-being, and offer us wisdom.
Eagle, as a Spirit Animal, puts you on notice that the winds of change are headed your way.
Some type of rebirth or renewal is about to happen, and Eagle prepares you for that change by showing you how to tap your inner strength and fortitude.
Stand up tall, wrap courage around your waist, and stay true to yourself.
This is a time for self-discovery. You may need to take a retreat to get your mind and spirit together and internalize the dramatic transformation on your doorstep.
Eagle is a mover and shaker who stretches your limits to new heights.” (Source Eagle)
I am grateful for this reminder! For this renewal, and for the renewed courage and strength.
It was when I was editing that I saw the connection, from that moment it truly felt magical!
All images on my website and Flickr are copyright Pam Zmija. Images are available to order from Pam – Please contact directly if you would like to order a print/canvas.
