Off-Center

Off-Center

 

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.

52 Comments
  • Jen
    Posted at 14:24h, 30 March Reply

    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

  • Jen
    Posted at 14:24h, 30 March Reply

    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

  • Suzanne Broughton
    Posted at 14:39h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • Suzanne Broughton
    Posted at 14:39h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • carrie
    Posted at 14:50h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • carrie
    Posted at 14:50h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • megan
    Posted at 15:04h, 30 March Reply

    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

  • megan
    Posted at 15:04h, 30 March Reply

    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

  • phyllis
    Posted at 15:22h, 30 March Reply

    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!

  • phyllis
    Posted at 15:22h, 30 March Reply

    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!

  • Hayley
    Posted at 15:24h, 30 March Reply

    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 http://www.whenigrow.blogspot.com.

  • Hayley
    Posted at 15:24h, 30 March Reply

    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 http://www.whenigrow.blogspot.com.

  • Farmer Gal
    Posted at 15:34h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • Farmer Gal
    Posted at 15:34h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • Farmer Gal
    Posted at 15:35h, 30 March Reply

    p.s. My ducks are so not in a row either! I don’t even know where my ducks are!

  • Farmer Gal
    Posted at 15:35h, 30 March Reply

    p.s. My ducks are so not in a row either! I don’t even know where my ducks are!

  • natalie
    Posted at 15:58h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • natalie
    Posted at 15:58h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • Sarah
    Posted at 16:15h, 30 March Reply

    Great picture! Here’s my Best Shot Monday…

    http://wisefam.blogspot.com/2009/03/best-shot-monday.html

  • Sarah
    Posted at 16:15h, 30 March Reply

    Great picture! Here’s my Best Shot Monday…

    http://wisefam.blogspot.com/2009/03/best-shot-monday.html

  • Joanna
    Posted at 16:51h, 30 March Reply

    I agree with Farmer Girl…..I dont even know where my ducks are! Great post Tracey.

    BSM.

  • Joanna
    Posted at 16:51h, 30 March Reply

    I agree with Farmer Girl…..I dont even know where my ducks are! Great post Tracey.

    BSM.

  • leaca
    Posted at 17:11h, 30 March Reply

    Great words to live by. I have no wisdom this week only some weekend photography to keep me going.

  • leaca
    Posted at 17:11h, 30 March Reply

    Great words to live by. I have no wisdom this week only some weekend photography to keep me going.

  • Amy Jo
    Posted at 17:31h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • Amy Jo
    Posted at 17:31h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • Heather
    Posted at 17:56h, 30 March Reply

    "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

  • Heather
    Posted at 17:56h, 30 March Reply

    "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

  • Christina
    Posted at 18:52h, 30 March Reply

    What an inspired post, Tracey!

    We went Kite flying this weekend!

  • Christina
    Posted at 18:52h, 30 March Reply

    What an inspired post, Tracey!

    We went Kite flying this weekend!

  • Brittany
    Posted at 19:24h, 30 March Reply

    HOW cute!!! 🙂 I love the post, too… I’ve seemed to have lost my ducks a s well….

    Here’s my post: Ice CREAM!

  • Brittany
    Posted at 19:24h, 30 March Reply

    HOW cute!!! 🙂 I love the post, too… I’ve seemed to have lost my ducks a s well….

    Here’s my post: Ice CREAM!

  • Andrea
    Posted at 19:27h, 30 March Reply

    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

  • Andrea
    Posted at 19:27h, 30 March Reply

    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

  • Rebecca
    Posted at 19:35h, 30 March Reply

    Happy Spring everyone. My best shot you can see by clicking on my name.

  • Rebecca
    Posted at 19:35h, 30 March Reply

    Happy Spring everyone. My best shot you can see by clicking on my name.

  • Tanya
    Posted at 20:03h, 30 March Reply

    My ducks are supposed to be in a row?!?! Love your post, Tracey!

    Here’s my BSM Fairy Kitty

  • Tanya
    Posted at 20:03h, 30 March Reply

    My ducks are supposed to be in a row?!?! Love your post, Tracey!

    Here’s my BSM Fairy Kitty

  • Leslie
    Posted at 21:17h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • Leslie
    Posted at 21:17h, 30 March Reply

    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.

  • Maggie
    Posted at 22:03h, 30 March Reply

    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!

  • Maggie
    Posted at 22:03h, 30 March Reply

    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!

  • NTE
    Posted at 23:47h, 30 March Reply

    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. 😉

  • NTE
    Posted at 23:47h, 30 March Reply

    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. 😉

  • Mandy
    Posted at 01:04h, 31 March Reply

    We discovered this lovely, enchanted garden shop while out in Encinitas this week…..

    Secret Garden Shop

  • Mandy
    Posted at 01:04h, 31 March Reply

    We discovered this lovely, enchanted garden shop while out in Encinitas this week…..

    Secret Garden Shop

  • Mandy
    Posted at 01:09h, 31 March Reply

    We discovered a Secret Garden while out this week.

  • Mandy
    Posted at 01:09h, 31 March Reply

    We discovered a Secret Garden while out this week.

  • Mandy
    Posted at 01:10h, 31 March Reply

    oops sorry, my windows shut down and didn’t mean to double post….feel free to delete one

  • Mandy
    Posted at 01:10h, 31 March Reply

    oops sorry, my windows shut down and didn’t mean to double post….feel free to delete one

  • Bren / BG Garden
    Posted at 01:33h, 04 April Reply

    LOve this…. you have chickens! WONDERFUL!!!! I am jealous – this is one thing we always wanted at the farm. Someday!
    This week I found Peace and Confidence – confedent that I CAN grow the BEST garden ever in 2009!
    http://momingarden.blogspot.com/

  • Bren / BG Garden
    Posted at 01:33h, 04 April Reply

    LOve this…. you have chickens! WONDERFUL!!!! I am jealous – this is one thing we always wanted at the farm. Someday!
    This week I found Peace and Confidence – confedent that I CAN grow the BEST garden ever in 2009!
    http://momingarden.blogspot.com/

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