Spring has arrived with its riot of color, gentle breezes and blue skies filled with puffy clouds. Personally we are busy spring cleaning... our homes, apartments, townhouse, condos, weekend cottages, storage sheds, yards, and flower beds. Professionally we are clearing the decks... whether it's our offices, computers, desk tops, file cabinets or supply rooms.

When spring arrives we also set about de-cluttering our minds and spirits. It's time for taking winters' reflections and turning them into action. Sometimes when I'm in the midst of doing this I become overwhelmed. I've discovered that I'm distracted by the profusion of nature's activity as well as the myriad of activities I've involved myself with professionally whether it's professional or charitable organizations, organized physical activity or social activity. This is when I know I need to refocus and simplify my point of view.

Don't get me wrong, I love spring and all of it's beauty. Yet when I feel sensory overload coming on I begin to search for a way to rest my over-stimulated senses. When this occurs I revert to what I call my personal basics and study my surroundings and thoughts in black and white. I desaturate everything I'm thinking and feeling and reduce to its most common denominator. This allows me to see things more clearly, to evaluate without distraction and to make note of my actions in a very fundamental way.

The photo accompanying today's post is an good example of what I'm describing.  The original color photograph was filled with bright colors of yellows, greens and blues, but it was too much color. I couldn't find the focal point of the vine or it's details. I decide to desaturate it, remove all of the color, and re-evaluate the image in gray-scale. It became clearer, but it still didn't provide the simple focus I desired. I began to work with the background to soften it and have it recede instead of fight with the foreground. The focus was "almost" where I wanted it to be, but it required another step. So I highlighted the foreground and simplified it as well, sharpening only the vine itself. It was then and only then I discovered the simplicity of light, shape and texture I needed to focus upon. My overly complex photo as well as overly stimulated self regained it's proper focus.

So if you are feeling the same way as I have been, take a look at my photo and remember that you too can regain your focus and momentum by simplifying your perspective.

Now— go outside, fill you eyes with the glorious colors of spring and check-out the entries at the Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul SPRING FRESH contest. There are amazing entries to read and share. The winners will be announced later today... or if I'm jumping the gun, it may be Saturday. I need to check with Sally about that just to be sure - lol! See how my excitement can get me in trouble!

Copyright 2009 by Linda Bourgault, Double D Enterprises and lulugraphix. All rights reserved. Photos taken by Linda Bourgault and may not be reproduced without express written permission of Linda Bourgault, lulugraphix, Flower Mound, Texas. lulugraphix is a creative design and photography service for the real estate market, small to large companies, start-up companies and nonprofits.