Off-Center
Monday, March 30, 2009 at 7:14AM 
Just when I thought I had my ducks (er, chicks) in a row I am in yet another uncertain place. A growth spurt I suppose. During the growing pains clarity can be hard to come by. I am clinging to words I find, wisdoms I uncover and insights discovered and shared by those that have been through the fire and live to tell about it.
“Life is a good teacher and a good friend. Things are always in transition, if we could only realize it. Nothing ever sums itself up in a way that we like to dream about. The off-center, in-between state is an ideal situation, a situation in which we don’t get caught and we can open our hearts and minds beyond limit. It’s a very tender, non-aggressive, open-ended state of affairs.” – Pema Chodron, When Things Fall Apart
And what wisdoms are you discovering with the help of your own lens? Or maybe the lens of others? Share with us what you have found this week.
Reader Comments (26)
Beautiful post Tracey. I never feel like I have my ducks in a row. Maybe one day. Right now I am discovering Spring through my lens. This is my favorite time of year. All of the new buds and blossoms revitalizes me.
Here's my Best Shot:
The Color Purple
I've followed Best Shot Monday for months, but this is my first time playing along. Thank you Tracey for hosting. I get inspiration from seeing other photographers photos; seeing what they capture that I might have overlooked.
That is a great post (and quote!) Tracey. I like the idea of being in constant transition - gives me hope that those things I do not care for may soon be either fixed or changed.
I don't have any great wisdom today, we just had a little Girl Time this past weekend.
well, i'm not sure what "wisdom" i've found this week, other than to remember how painful it can be to come back from a week's vacation :).
spring break
i feel like just when we put everything in row is when other things pop up. that's just the way life works, i guess.
hang in there, tracey!
i'm making changes of my own this week
happy spring!
I took a break from getting my ducks in a row this weekend, but your post here reminds me that sometimes it's ok to do just that! To find out what I "discovered", visit me at www.whenigrow.blogspot.com.
I'm learning to be more content in that 'off-center, in-between state'... When things seem to be going smoothly is when I get uneasy.
This week I'm remembering that sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.
p.s. My ducks are so not in a row either! I don't even know where my ducks are!
HA! I try and try to line my chicks up, but it never happens for me. In fact, I'm probably that sweet little chick on the right with its head in the stuffing, letting life pass it by while it pretends all is good, while chaos ensues around it. Yep, that's me.
But, spring is renewal for me. The Cherry Blossom trees remind me to hope.
Great picture! Here's my Best Shot Monday...
http://wisefam.blogspot.com/2009/03/best-shot-monday.html
I agree with Farmer Girl.....I dont even know where my ducks are! Great post Tracey.
BSM.
Great words to live by. I have no wisdom this week only some weekend photography to keep me going.
Lots of transition here. New season, new baby on the way. Lots of little things mixed in with some big. And lots of potential. Great photo, and great quote.
My BSM post is full of transitions. Have a look-see.
"nothing ever sums itself up in a way that we like to dream about" ---those words out to me for reasons I can't quite articulate publicly, but this was a very timely post to stumble upon this Monday. For me wisdom is in including more newness, more things that are challenging and not so easy. This week: one tree
What an inspired post, Tracey!
We went Kite flying this weekend!
HOW cute!!! :) I love the post, too... I've seemed to have lost my ducks a s well....
Here's my post: Ice CREAM!
There was a time in my life when my ducks were in a row, but those days seem few and far between these days.
We played in the mud this week. =)
Muddy Piggies
Happy Spring everyone. My best shot you can see by clicking on my name.
My ducks are supposed to be in a row?!?! Love your post, Tracey!
Here's my BSM Fairy Kitty
I'm also in transition, maybe waiting for my ducks to arrive. The chick in the picture looks quite determined and ready - this post inspired with words and a picture. I'm still seeing the new season (and recycling yard waste into decoration and subject).
Happy Monday.
Ducks are supposed to be in a row?! I am afraid that means that I am in major trouble...there are no rows around these parts for sure! I think that life is pretty much always like that though -- you try to get things all neat and tidy, and something always comes along to shake it all up again.
Coincidentally, my best shot this week is pointing out just how much my ducks AREN'T in a row!
Well MBSM isn't all that informative, but it gave me a little chuckle, anyways.
My life seems more in flux than usual, too, lately, and I'm trying to keep in mind that it will be for the better, eventually. It's hard, but I'm trying.
Patting some of those adorable chicks might help. ;)
We discovered this lovely, enchanted garden shop while out in Encinitas this week.....
Secret Garden Shop
We discovered a Secret Garden while out this week.
oops sorry, my windows shut down and didn't mean to double post....feel free to delete one