self portrait challenge ~ enclosed spaces

boho, canon digital rebel xt

Me enclosed in waves.

It is a crisp morning here. There is a door to my studio upstairs that follows out onto a porch garden. I love to open it in the mornings and feel the mist dance its way into our home. The skies are overcast and there is a scent luring the promise of rain. I grew up with mornings like this and for me, they sooth my soul. I believe it was skies like this that lead me to living by the ocean. They call to my spirit.

I sit here with candles burning and the soft sounds of my visiting niece, Kelly sleeping down below.

While my thoughts were drifting to the ocean this morning, I thought about the two days I have spent swimming deeper into the ocean and diving under large waves. This is a brave new me and Kelly was there to inspire that bravery. You see...as much as I love our mother ocean, living near her, walking on the shore every day and sitting up against a rock watching her glory, I know of her power and therefore, have been intimidated by her waters most of my life.

I've always only allowed myself to get so close. Either on top by boat or if by foot, only comfortable with the waves that broke near my waist. Anything higher, I would feel overwhelmed and at her mercy.

The last few days, my dear niece has gently led me with her hand further and further and rather than cowering away from those waves over my head, I faced them head on and dove under. We'd come to surface, wiping our hair from our eyes and look at one another with huge smiles, squeals and then laughter. We did it again and again and again until our bodies were worn and tight with salty skin.

To me this was a new step closer to the intimacy I have always felt with the ocean. Not only have I admired her home but now I have entered in. I know she can be fierce but she was gentle with me in those moments.

I feel as though this was the prelude to many deep waters I am going to face and dive into. I am ready and willing to be baptized by their lessons and growth.

To see where others are enclosed, go here.

edited to add: i know i've posted this early, but tomorrow promises to be a busy day. i know you wouldn't expect me to bring my treasured camera out into the waves, so i am hoping this self portrait captures the feeling well.