Whispers of Light
A Journey Through Time
Ebb and Flow Within
a flower blooms, do I do the same, what then is my color
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
we are the ebb and flow of tides, of clouds drifting across the sky
calm serene still, the water the sky, beautiful blue on blue until the storm arrives, in an instant we shift we feel disturbed, questioning life
suddenly within a tempest of unsettled energy emerges, where is it to go, why is it here, what do I do
this ebb and flow surfacing, errupting within, this disturbance daring to rise up to reach the surface of me, do I listen to the voice seeking release
it is here, make no mistake, it is real, I choose to listen to sort to honor to allow the darkness within to rise to give light to its words too long held in silence
to understand the why, is to heal its pain anger hurt fear, this energy long buried now asking to be heard
to be given a face in the darkness of me, to be felt understood, to be released, to be known seen as part of me, it is real
this is you - all that is you - all that is - within
we are light and we are dark, it is one
yes, we move with an ebb and flow, a drifting, we ask to be free of all debris we hold within to rest in the calm stillness of blue on blue
this disturbance that dares to disrupt this moment, this now, erasing the calm with turbulance is you, all of you asking to be recognized understood
to see that both exist light and dark, it is how we grow to know our truth, everything teaches something
only when we allow the energy within to open will we return to calm, in time we heal what we feel within, buried through time, lifetimes of time
we are the ebb and flow of tides, of clouds drifting across the sky questioning our why
it is the ebb and flow that gives us direction to know the next right step waiting
this is is how we heal, to see the why behind the blue on blue, this is the birth of the rainbow that waits to be revealed
smile…Nancy
Heartbeat
dedicated silence, time spent with soul
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
tending soul ‘s garden
nourish often what you love
and
what loves you
feel the heartbeat of life
within
too soon things are gone, a touch, a thought, a being, a blossom, a raindrop
until
a new touch, a new thought, a new being, a new flower, a downpour of raindrops nourish heal
what is missing
rainbow renews reflects love
restoring soul’s garden of hope
remember to tend what matters
ones heartbeat
the garden within
smile…Nancy
Remembering, Today is NOT Yesterday
a moment shared is medicine to my soul
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
being challanged to see only this moment, now, to move forward, to go toward, can be a bit intimidating, yes challenging
working, expanding, growing this website is EXHILERATING AND INTIMIDATING AND CHALLENGING … BUT (yes there is a BUT in here) this IS BEYOND EXCITING!
TRUTH … isn’t this the way it should be, these words reflect growth, effort, birth of an idea and guiding the steps as it grows day by day, moment by moment, thought by thought into the POSSIBILITY YOU DREAMED INTO BEING?
only when my very dear friend opened my perspective to see, THIS IS ME, every part of me, vulnerable and powerful at one time, was I able to understand, yesterday tried to filter each thought with yesterdays pain, to hold me back, tell me no, do not do this, no, this is too risky, no to every thought I had, while I listened to what my soul was guiding me to do, personality said, no, do not do this no, no, no BUT soul said, you got this, keep going, it is time
writing is my deep love, words have been my healing medicine through my life, I remember sharing words written within minutes with my sons early on, asking them for their thoughts, they are the creative ones with an understanding of ‘perfect punctuation and grammatically correct lines’ which many will come to see, that surely is not me!
hint hint nudge nudge … oh yes, there is indeed a story in that last line!
to write is to be creative with what lives in my mind, scary thought I know!
to access what disturbs me, confuses me, brings Joy to me, wrongs that I have endured in my life, words heal me within
expression for me has been soul food for me to grow, to listen, the Dragonfly is my souls medicine
as I developed each photo, moving with Joy felt as I watched through my lens, Joy that was present before me, the present gifted me to see, to share, to heal, IS, what I offer in this Website, this Blog, a step to share this LOVE I have witnessed, offerings given to me of healing, growing to truly become me, AUTHENTIC REAL ME … I wish to offer to you, to be Inspired to reflect on these beautiful creatures to believe endless possibilities DO exist
my early years of taking photos, in the developing stages, words were gifted to me to share, I added words to each photo, listening to what my Dragonfly and Butterfly friends wished to say, to share, to guide me going forward
many of the WORDS are shared, here, throughout the BLOG, many more will be shared as this BLOG grows in its journey, unfolding within these pages
I love creating Altered Art, inviting this creative Magic to blend with my friends the Dragonfly, the Butterfly and even Bumble Bees dancing into my space, across my screen, feeling their spirit come to life, listening to wisdom shared in these precious moments
perhaps one day a new Portfolio will arrive, Altered Art, sharing these Magical Moments as well! STAY TUNED!
everything here is real me, pain when it surfaces, memories as they return, dreams of my tomorrows, it is me, openg my Self to the world of Receiving ALL that has been waitng FOR ME, ME LOVING ME back to life, honoring this next right step for ME
I ask that you take this step with me, join me in these pages, Smile or Cry, Dream of More, Allow and Rest, this is my reason for offering this Sacred Space, to share and know we are one, always and in all ways, we are one … hugs and love to you all …
Smile…Nancy
Solitude
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
These words are a few thoughts of what were written in quiet solitude during my time spent with the Dragonfly … words shared in our time together … Inspired by the Dragonfly, seen through my lens, created on my screen, these words came to life as I shared space with my Magical friends … each written word, holds Deep Sacred Inspiration for me, perhaps for you as well as you read and receive their messages on your journey through these pages … these Inspiring words can be added to the Art, as the Dragonfly Inspires you, touches Your Soul with Wisdom, offerings of Love, Healing, Joy and pure Magic into YOUR home!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
life has taught me the one thing I resist the most is the one thing I most need to learn resistance is the door that needs to open
to preface my thought with love is to speak from love
trust is my knowing deepening
if we are never challenged we will never grow
I dream of magical moments and they happen
solitude grows my soul opens my heart my love expands
our silence sacred holy rest allow go within
know always I will hold the mirror for you to see you the beautiful soul I see
a story becomes a message when your soul asks a question and you listen for the answer
to see all sides is the gift we give to our self
it is never too late you are never too old to discover to recover JOY
broken is broke open to see truth
smile…Nancy
Moving, just keep moving
go toward, always go toward
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
‘go toward’ my friend told me
go toward and allow the unfolding
I keep this in the forefront of my mind remembering
sitting still is still going toward
experience has taught that if I try there will be a result
if I like it wonderful
if I love it even better
if I am not a fan, that too is acceptable since
always a direction can be changed rearranged with a different perspective
‘go toward’ I shall
tomorrow is waiting
today was yesterday wondering
now is the blessing of a moment to believe
even if you are sitting still
‘go toward’
see what is waiting the unfolding of experience our gift to receive
smile…Nancy
drifting
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
today I am here
yesterday I was there
where will I be tomorrow
so much waiting to see
life offers hurdles
I believe
to teach me to climb
to reach for more
except when I am tired
I say please
no more
I rest
I go within and ask the questions
only I can ask
and then I listen
tomorrow is but a thought away
today I choose
what tomorrow will be
I choose my next thought carefully
I feel perhaps I can climb my mountain
tomorrow
so today I rest in my thoughts of what is yet to be
smile…Nancy
I write
an experience is what you perceive in the existing moment
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
life swirls in circles
wind blows through
clouds form and dance to the music of the wind
where are we
in this drift of life
experiencing or existing
are you dancing to the music of your soul
do you stand in one place berated by the words of ego
it is a choice the voice the sound that gains your attention
dance fills me as I twirl around my home with an unending effortless smile
because
this is what I chose to honor when my attention asked for attention
and you, where are you in this moment of now
it is a choice
every time
you choose
life swirls in circles
as the wind blows through
smile…Nancy
Self Respect, Self Worth
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
a dear friend called me out on my words, choice of words, phrasing
to downplay me is to disrespect me to me, my value, my worth
MY Art has taken many years to develop, to hone, to become what I see within me, yes it is what I love, yes it is what I feel, yes it is fun and I do play, BUT it has taken many years to get here, there has been great pain great loss in my life to bring me to a place of discovering, recovering me, to be here sharing this love with the world
healing is more than the PHYSICAL recovery, it is the EMOTIONAL within, it is the WORTHINESS within, it is the restructuring of who we are to SELF we need to REMEMBER
each DRAGONFLY holds within hours of training, learning, listening to feel the connection found in a single photograph, a single creation of Art, years to get to this place of understanding what it is I do
yes it is fun, yes I do play BUT now I smile because I see ME, I am an INCREDIBLE PROFOUND CREATOR OF FINE ART and I honor this place I have created to share with all of you
may the heart within my Art welcome the heart within you with this love we are here to see to feel to be, our WORTH, our VALUE, our REASON for being here is LOVE
with deep GRATITUDE I say thank you to this incredible friend who loves me enough to call me out on my words when I need it
to YOU I say thank you, I love YOU forever my friend, hugs and love always…thank you
smile…Nancy
pain and change
in the grey is a story waiting to be told
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
pain is inevitable, we all experience it in various ways
receiving pain is a personal choice how it is felt, I choose to feel it process it as I can, not linger in it as best I can
it has taken quite a while for me to do this, it is a journey understanding pain, it is done one moment at a time
pain led me to photography, a way to seek something outside of me, a different focus point
it worked, it heals, it is possible to step outside of pain if we try, it is not selfish to do this, step away, it is necessary
not all pain is movable when it happens, it takes time, perspective comes with time
understanding I will have moments when tears flood my being, pain is powerful, tears allow what is within to move through
my sweet companion is up in age, she is blind, hard for her to hear me when I call her name, she will only walk outside if I have her on her leash with me by her side, yes, I cry, even with these words I cry, she knows I love her deeply even in my frustration
her name is Chai, she is my best friend
I am trying, smile…Nancy
Delivery
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
delivery of a word
is life changing
knowing the impact we have on another should be the reminder of the lasting effect that remains
what is spoken is indelible
impressions become life reflected in steps
interaction is remembered as an imbedded memory of moments
pain learning joy heartache
all effects of a moment of words perhaps spoken inadvertantly yet spoken
remembered may become embedded pain
think before you speak
anothers life is reflected through your words shared
you are life altering
to another
be kind
each word matters
these words are reflections of moments in my life, I share to show words hold power, reflecting impacting embedded in those we meet on our journey
we are amazing beings
choose with love the reflection you wish to leave behind
smile…Nancy
Stepping out of My way
trust the darkness to bring the light
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
only
when I moved
out of My way
did
My way
reveal itself
dare
to step aside
and
see
what waits
along
Your way
here
life begins
Magic opens
quiet Dreams
are waiting
to take root
trust
step aside
and watch Your world
blossom
Believe
…
smile…Nancy
Moments and thoughts
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
we step into moments our thoughts define
choose wisely
the thought you wish to step into
smile…Nancy
Sometimes life just happens and we roll with it …
in the heart not the mind lives real magic
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
we start a day like any other, an alarm clock, coffee or tea, ready our self to leave the house or schedule our day at home, what are the needs of the moment
many days I would think of all the ‘to do’s’ required within the day, overwhelm sinks in on the drive to work
until last year
46+ years of work suddenly finding myself unable to work, my mind wandered to what if, a well known friend on my journey, typically my stopping point from moving forward, only this time, it was not, it was one of curiosity
interesting year, so grateful I am still here
unable to move like I did, it was a year of few photos, my Dragonfly friends everpresent only I was not
catalyst to try, a calendar of my friends for the new year, I needed photos, I will always remember the moment, camera in hand, in my front yard, very weak, I sat down, and here they come, rainbow colors dancing all around me, joy filled my being, this was home, this is home, I felt life fill my being with hope
each year I create a calendar for holiday gifts, small desk size, they have come to be expected, they are loved by my sons and my friends
truly, this is my joy, being with these beautiful creatures keeps the smile in my soul brilliant, encouraging me to keep going
covid tried to take me more than a few times last year, sheer will kept me going, it was not yet my time to go
staying curious, shifting my direction on ‘what if’ opened me to more, a me long forgotten, realizing I can be there for me as well as you, I matter
this begain the journey to now, I began to see ‘what if’ I succeed instead of ‘what if’ I fail
quite the shift of thought don’t you think
challenge you to shift how YOU hear your words, it might surprise you
like I told my sons when they were youg, ‘if life throws you a curve, just turn’
smile…Nancy
Imagine everything you Dreamed coming to Life
question wisdom answers are waiting
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
I smile
knowing this is just the beginning
a journey unfolding
soon
very soon
this website will blossom with the ability to share with everyone an opportunity to see one of these beautiful creatures hanging as Art on their own walls, filling their home with the Joy and Inspiration they have brought to me
yes, a very big smile
hope is found in the wings of these sweet creatures
just this morning, I was blessed with an array of photo opportunities as I was greeted early by the sweet Dragonfly throughout my yard
each photo is from my home
offerings of many years sharing space with the Dragonfly
unbelievable moments where they flew around me in a dance of friendship
when you purchase a Fine Art Print, this joy will be embedded within its colors, of moments shared
as a Writer, many have seen photos shared of my friend with words felt as I created the photo, this too can be added as a special request, each piece of art is created uniquely for you, what your heart feels
I do hope you enjoy this journey with me as we see, feel, watch this website blossom into powerful joy ENCOURAGEMENT to find your joy within
together we begin sharing a love that has healed my soul
my friend, the Dragonfly and I, invite you to our sacred space of love of joy, to experience the unfolding of possibilities together
smile…Nancy
Believe in Beginnings
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
sometimes faith is believing endlessly in your passion, what you feel in your soul even when you cannot see it in your mind
knowing life holds a slew of obstacles calling for your attention at any given moment
question is
what are you giving attention to, specifically, internally, externally, do they match with what YOU want to feel, where are YOU in what has your attention
family is my love, my sons, my life, only when I could see past this love did I see my sons as men, living a life of their choosing knowing, I taught them well with what I knew, it is their time to grow with each remarkable experience they step into, I realized, my love deepens each day, whether I see them or not, always are they with me, always
realizing this, released me from thinking I was only a Mom, I am more, many layers of me exist, being Mom was, is, always will be my life, only now I can be Me along with being a forever Mom
this website, the joy I feel inside holds a light so bright I need sunglasses when I look at myself!
understanding that life is what I choose it to be at any given moment has opened me to trust me, my choices, realizing, I matter, what I think matters, sharing this love matters
so my friends here I am, open bold vulnerable, being me, just as I am
working through glorious obstacles as I learn to navigate, manuever through this incredible website, offering a Private Collection of pure JOY!
I look forward to everyday and what comes next in this crazy cool wild adventure unfolding, I am indeed … flying
let’s fly together and see what the world holds in store for these pages to come! only fun, only joy, only hope, only faith, is what my heart seeks, knowing, whatever comes we got this together, thank you for tagging along with me each day
smile…Nancy
Welcome to my new website and blog!
It all begins with an idea
words and photo by Nancy Baker Shearer
excitement overload, this is finally happening
this website, this blog, this space where I can share a deep love connection for nature life words joy hope grace knowing that yes, unexpected things happen BUT they make us stronger more resilient
it is called life
for many, I am known as Pollyanna, I smile, I wear this crown proudly because I choose happy over all that happens each day, happy is a choice, the voice I choose to listen to, it is the energy that fuels my soul with hope
getting to this place, this birth of my website, has been a long standing dream just out of reach, until it wasn’t - now it is real! I am beyond thrilled, my wings have truly unfurled and I am flying!
dreams are more than a thought, they are real, simmering just below the surface until you are ready to say, it is time
it is then the roots take hold, you grow into everything you dreamed impossible, you know now it is possible, an absolute
the biggest naysayer was me believing in me, I was my greatest adversary, allowing words outside of me to override the words inside of me, until I realized, there is no other me, how could another know me better than I know me, this was my turning point
I smiled
I was thrilled to see this website come to life, my hope is that you find within my words, my art, courage to listen to the voice within you, knowing, there is only one you for all time, step into you, your dream is waiting for you to believe become and blossom
smile…Nancy