Joy In Motion

Summary

The undefined website content discusses the concept of finding joy in motion through photography, personal experiences with aging and mobility, and the stories of individuals who have overcome physical challenges to continue moving with joy.

Abstract

The undefined website features an article titled "Joy In Motion," which serves as a November writing prompt for the Weeds & Wildflowers community. The author reflects on the stillness of photography and how it can inspire stories of movement, such as the image of a Cycad Blue Butterfly captured by Marcus. The narrative transitions to personal insights on aging and the increased mental and physical effort required for motion. The author emphasizes the importance of finding joy in movement to maintain motivation and enjoyment in daily activities, citing personal strategies and the experiences of others, including co-editor Louise Peacock, who relearned movement after a stroke, and Ben, who healed from a fall through his love of walking. The prompt invites readers to share how they discover joy in motion, considering factors like companionship, nature, music, and the change of seasons. The article also acknowledges contributors to the October prompt, "For the Love of Dogs," and expresses gratitude to the community and its editors.

Opinions

The author appreciates the stillness in photography as it stimulates the imagination to create stories of motion.
Aging has made the author more conscious and deliberate about movement, viewing it as both a physical and mental exercise.
Finding joy in motion is crucial for the author and the community, as it encourages continued activity and enhances the experience of movement.
The author values the role of companionship, nature, and music in making movement enjoyable.
The author admires the resilience and determination of individuals like Louise Peacock and Ben, who have faced mobility challenges and found joy in motion through their passions.
The change of seasons is recognized as a potential influence on one's motivation and ability to be active.
The author expresses deep gratitude towards the contributors, editors, and the Weeds & Wildflowers community for their engagement and support.

November writing prompt

Photo by Marcus — Used with Permission

One of my favorite aspects of photography is its stillness. I look at Marcus’s photo of the Cycad Blue Butterfly and see an inanimate object on another inanimate object. That’s what my eyes see, but my imagination sees a story of motion. It sees a butterfly who glided to and landed on the plant. It sees twitching antennae, wiggling legs, and fluttering wings. A video would rob my imagination of its story.

As I age, I think a lot about motion — because it doesn’t come as easily as it once did. After sitting a bit, I have to shake out my left leg with its wonky tendon before I stand. Rising from bed in the morning requires stretches before my feet hit the floor. I have to consider where I will walk and how long I will walk before I walk. I have to plan when and how I will move and the breaks I need before my next activity.

Motion is now a mental exercise as well as a physical one.

And, oftentimes, my body needs encouragement to move. Because activity doesn’t come as easily as it once did, I sometimes need a push, an urging. I need to find joy in motion so I will not only move but want to keep moving. And I want to enjoy the movement, not merely tolerate it.

The joy may come from sharing my movement with Ben or Syau or having a camera slung over my shoulder. Often, it comes from sounds in nature or from music.

Sometimes, movement requires a firm nudge, an aide, a little help. I think of my co-editor and friend Louise Peacock who had a stroke this past summer and had to learn to move again, relying on a walker, and then, a cane. Ben had a similar experience last summer after a bad fall.

I know from her writing and photos that Louise used her garden to once again find joy in motion.

Ben used his love of walking to heal.

Our November prompt is Joy in Motion. How do you find it? What keeps you moving when your body wants to stop and stay? How can you elevate an ordinary walk or the mediocrity of housework to joy in motion? If you’re melancholy, how do you motivate yourself to get up and go? Do you find that the change of seasons affects your joy of motion? Is it more difficult to be active in one season or another?

Please remember to use Writing Prompt Response as one of your topics/tags. Weeds & Wildflowers prompts have no expiration or due dates. You can always respond to old ones.

Thank you, Marcus, for our November banner, and thank you, Susan Alison, for our October banner.

As always, I’m grateful for Louise Peacock and her willingness to jump in as editor when I need time off, and to all of you for making Weeds & Wildflowers such a wonderful place to be.

Here are the responses to the October prompt, For the Love of Dogs:

Thank you to all who responded to the October prompt.