Dear readers, I hope you enjoy this meditation, which I wrote while thinking about a time of year when there can be many pressures. It is accompanied by a video from my home in Harris, and the music was a commissioned piece by Will Collant.

Sending love, Margaret

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Join Margaret as she updates us on her life in Harris while out paddling on calm waters on the island. She meets an otter who is having breakfast and enjoys the early morning on the Isle of Harris, a time when she feels most creative. 

A difficult year has resulted in deep thought about the way forward for her personally and for her business.  She articulates the journey to arrive where she is today and how she has continually adapted to ensure that everything she does is in line with her personal values. Ideas on why you should always keep evolving as you grow and change so that your life and creativity feels right for any given time. Keep listening to hear what lies in store for the next inspirational chapter.

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A. S. Apothecary is a crofting enterprise based on the Isle of Harris. Their work is deeply rooted in the ethos of therapeutic plant work. Join Margaret as she talks to Amanda who is the founder, plantswoman and gatherer, distiller and creative force behind A.S Apothecary.

This chat gently guides you through the process of how they cultivate a diverse range of therapeutic plants on their croft organically. They grown lush plants on the croft and in a huge greenhouse which 'meanders like a garden' inside. Hear how they wild harvest and use the plants for their products.

The Imagery is so powerful - the scent and atmosphere in their workshop is almost tangible. You can feel the passion for their work flow throughout. They produce skin care, Wild Eve, speciality teas, tinctures, first aid kits and even roast coffee!

A wonderful calm and soothing journey through nature - do not miss this.

You can find A.S. Apothecary on Instagram
Their website is www.asapoth.com

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Dr Marie-Lise Schlappy joins me to chat about HSP's ( Highly Sensitive Persons.)

HSP, is a term coined by psychologist Elaine Aron who has written several books on the subject. You can find more on her website https://hsperson.com/

We chat about how the traits are different to introversion, but a large proportion of introverts are HSP's 

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A solo episode from Margaret recorded out by the water with bird sounds in the background. Living more slowly and in tune with nature and how silence and nature sounds help soothe the nervous system. Cooking and baking and other creative activities that help slow down and live better. 
Documenting the wildlife and flowers that surrounds me in a small area around my house. 
Why creativity is important - it gives you the tools for coping and releasing emotions during difficult times in life. Making a date with being creative and allowing time for play. 
What are the circumstances in which you feel creative - begin to notice and then repeat when you feel the need to feel inspired. 

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In this conversation, Margaret Soraya interviews Bill Ward about his approach to photography, specifically his use of intentional camera movement (ICM) and his connection to water. They discuss the importance of being open and generous in the photography community, as well as the role of movement in both acting and photography. Bill explains how movement is central to his photography and how intentional camera movement allows him to add his own unique touch to his images. They also explore the relationship between a photographer's personality and their photographic style, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-expression in photography. In this conversation, Bill Ward and Margaret Soraya discuss their experiences with underwater photography and the challenges they face with their equipment. They also explore the idea of projects and how they evolve over time. They touch on the process of exhibiting and creating books, and the importance of choosing the right images and writing to accompany the work. They emphasize the need to keep photography interesting and fresh by constantly exploring new subjects and techniques.

Takeaways

• Being open and generous in the photography community can lead to a more collaborative and supportive environment.
• Movement is central to Bill Ward's photography, and intentional camera movement allows him to add his own unique touch to his images.
• A photographer's personality and personal experiences can influence their photographic style and subject matter.
• Authenticity and self-expression are important in photography, and photographers should strive to create work that resonates with their own passions and interests. Underwater photography can be challenging due to equipment issues, such as aligning the camera correctly in the housing.
• Projects in photography are ongoing and can evolve over time, allowing for exploration and growth.
• Exhibiting and creating books are valuable ways to showcase and present photographic work.
• Choosing the right images and writing is crucial when putting together an exhibition or book.
• It's important to keep photography interesting by constantly exploring new subjects and techniques.

Sound Bites

• "There's a temptation to be territorial, but as you say, being open and generous is important."
• "Intentional camera movement is about adding your physicality to the photographs."
• "Movement is absolutely central to what I really like doing in terms of photography."
• "It's the going back and back and back that's the thing... that's where the good stuff comes from."

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Matt Payne is a full-time landscape photographer, mountain climber and adventurer living in Durango, Colorado. He also hosts the hugely popular weekly F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast producing candid conversations with photographers.

Join Margaret in their conversation where they explore numerous topics from how Matt found his creative purpose and how he gets great joy from promoting other photographers.

His weekly podcasts have given him back so much. He loves the wonderful conversations, listening to lots of viewpoints and sharing and uplifting others' work and we talk about my own favourite episode of his where he highlighted women in Landscape photography.

Matt takes the approach that 'Perfection is the enemy of good enough' and uses it in all sorts of ways. Give yourself permission to fail and start to identify areas of improvement.

In August 2023 he got the opportunity to experience the Colorado trail and walked 500 miles home.  During this time he pontificated about life and himself and he subsequently became a full time photographer. Watch out for the book in time to come

Matts podcast page on his website
Matts Instagram
Matts' podcast facebook page

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Out on the kayak on the Isle of Harris, Margaret shares her thoughts along with the sounds of the birds and the water all around.
Immerse into the peace and quiet of the early morning on the island with Margaret.
Margaret shares thoughts about overwhelm and how to narrow down which channels to use for yourself.
A comment on Neale James' recent podcast with Sean Tucker where they chat about overthinking and how to learn to listen to your own intuition and not be distracted by whether your art or writing or music will be liked by others.

Some thoughts on journalling and how writing things down can mean the difference between remembering important things. As well as some readings from Margaret's notebooks. 

Neale James Photowalk podcast with Sean Tucker
 

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Listen in to Margaret as she shares her thoughts on this period of rest, regeneration, and self-compassion that she has been practicing recently.

She covers numerous topics and, in her own unique way, explains how she has consciously slowed her life down, prioritizing rest recuperation and meditation, which she instinctively knows is needed for her well-being. 

Sometimes, that space to breathe and not to be doing, reading and mindful activities can really spark creativity and thought processes back into action. She is particularly enjoying listening to the sounds of nature at the moment - the birds and barking seals, for instance, are all very soothing.

Neale James Podcast episode 

Joey Hulins website 

Find Beach art by Dorothy atTraigh Alba 

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Join Margaret whilst she chats with Laurence Winram, a professional photographer from Aberdeen and now based in Edinburgh. It's fascinating to hear how he balances his diverse commercial and unusual creative work. 

Laurence describes in detail how he creates his beautiful land art  At these times, he is embracing the moment,  whilst practising gratitude and mindfulness.  He loves the connection to nature. He creates his design, takes the image and within hours the scene can degrade and be returned to nature.

Enjoy this gentle insight into Laurence's life. it will make you think.  Be sure to tap into 
his @shapednature page on Instagram - you won't be disappointed.

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