I'm not sure where I first read about 100 steps. If I could recall I would credit the source. The idea being you take a photograph every 100 steps, challenging you to look closer at what is in front of you.
I first read it years ago and it's been in the back of my mind since. For some reason I woke up today inspired to take the challenge. I find myself complaining too much lately about Los Angeles and my view in particular. I am beyond ready to move from our apartment and plant some roots in a safer home for myself and my family. My impatience with how slow going the whole situation has been is wearing a bit thin and I find I am wearing my cranky pants most days.
My soul work right now is to focus on what is in front of me and part of that work is staying open to finding a way to remain grateful in a difficult situation. That is why this morning seemed a perfect opportunity to open my perspective, slow down a bit and see if I could discover something new on this same pathway I have walked for well over a decade.
With Mia snuggled happily inside the Ergo on my back and Jimmy and Isabella leading the way we set out on our Saturday morning ritual of walking to breakfast and through our local Farmer's Market. I counted each step and realized our short morning walk is 1400 steps in total.
This is a wonderful exercise because it forces you to look for beauty in the unexpected - that 100th step sometimes will land you in a good spot (like where that sunflower was), but oftentimes leaves you wanting to cheat and take ten more steps.
At least that is how it is in my enviroment. I don't live in a particularly picturesque part of town so my challenge was to hold off on taking those ten extra steps and instead shift my perspective: by looking up, down, all the way around or even crouching to get a bug's eye view (this last suggestion not recommended with a baby on your back). By staying still and looking at your view in a different way you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find as I was.
In fact, I didn't see the photo of the stairs below right away, I had taken a photo of a church across the street before I turned around and discovered them and it's one of my faves from our walk. This is truly a fun exercise to help us discover what we might not normally see.
The last photo of Isabella was the final photo on our walk. I was in our stairwell which is in no way pretty. She and Jimmy had reached the courtyard long before Mia and I had and were playing. When the stair we landed on was step 100 I looked around and saw my muse, "Isabella, come see mama!" and she immediately ran towards me. *
I am really happy with the results.
I wanted to share our morning walk with you; here are all 1400 steps in order. May it inspire to take 100 steps of your own.
* yes, that is a nail you see that she is running towards. One of a billion reasons why we need to move.
Oh Stacy! I told you before and I'll tell you again... this project rocked! I would never know by looking at these photos that you didn't live somewhere "picturesque". In fact, I would think - gee, wish I lived there, wish I had something interesting to photograph! I think I should go on my own Photo of 100 steps soon. You've inspired me! xo
Posted by: Tiffany | July 16, 2011 at 08:47 PM
I am totally taking this challenge!
Time to make the burbs look good.. without cheating haha.
Posted by: Betsy | July 16, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Please let me know when you each do this, I would love to see your steps.
Posted by: Stacy | July 16, 2011 at 11:15 PM
what lovely photos...you may not live in a picturesque part of the world but you made it so. I feel like I went on this walk with you-loved it!
Posted by: brandi | July 17, 2011 at 06:41 AM
This is wonderful! It makes me realize how much I miss when I focus so much on my destination that I don't look around at where I actually AM along the way. There is beauty everywhere.
Needed this. Thank you. xoxo
Posted by: Kristen | July 17, 2011 at 07:52 AM
What a GREAT idea! I love this. Amazing photos! Thanks for sharing...xo
Posted by: melissa | July 17, 2011 at 09:52 AM
Beautiful photos. I am definitely going to try this in the future! Thanks for sharing. This is a great way to help us slow down and truly appreciate the world we live in wherever we are.
Posted by: Dyamond | July 17, 2011 at 02:16 PM
This is brilliant. Your photos are magical by nature of your how your beautiful eyes see. And you are an amazing storyteller.
Posted by: pixie | July 18, 2011 at 12:44 AM
i know EXACTLY how you feel--the need to get out of your current living situation. we live in an extremely depressing factory town and are desperate to get out. but so far, it's not really possible.
but look!--beauty all around, even hiding in the rough spots. it's nice to see what your eyes caught on. <3
Posted by: Brittany | July 18, 2011 at 09:32 AM
What a great idea this is. We often search for what we perceive as beautiful and miss seeing the beauty that is right in front of us. Great photos, I feel as if I took that walk too!
Posted by: Maria | July 18, 2011 at 09:37 AM