Words take on different meaning in different times, cultures and how they are used. My belief is that placing them together in a paragraph to create a story, express an idea or concept is a form of art. Sometimes in my attempts to use words to express myself or an idea the words work and sometimes they don’t. It is rewarding when I read your words on your blogs and through comments you leave on this blog. So often I find my feeble attempts at expressing myself are found in your words. For that I am grateful! Thank you!
We have been hot here in Colorado, reaching 103 yesterday. It’s going to be cooler, somewhere around 95 today but Saturday will only reach 70 with a chance of rain. Below is an exert from my journal, a prayer if you will, from June 3 2108.
“It’s quiet here on my porch. Enjoyable. May I stay present, aware of all that’s around me. May I have calm and serenity. I do not like conflict in my life, whether that is internal or external. May I trust more and have courage to take actions in my life. Grateful for the quiet.”
I had to take my car in to have brakes replaced, so after dropping it off I walked to a nearby coffee shop. I noticed this young lady working on her computer and loved the light shinning on her like a spotlight. I went to spot metering in an effort to make her the focus and darken the background. As I raised the camera she spotted me. Caught! I lowered the camera and asked if I could take her photo. After getting her approval I suggested she just be natural. Well, that didn’t happen as she knew I was pointing a camera at her. However, I’m pleased with the image.
Nature always amazes me in it’s creative ways. Each moment is something new, we never see the exact sunset, they’re similar but never exactly. I took probably 50 images of last night’s sunset. I can look through them on my monitor, almost yawning, then stop because one speaks to me in a way the others don’t or I’m in a place to hear that one image. I’m also aware the image I connect with may not be the same one viewers will connect with. So, you’ll have to accept the one I connected with.
Good morning! Hoping you’re awake. And, if not, then I’ll let you know this is my desk lamp with shadows coming in from my bedroom window. Another one of those surprise scenes that was given just as I was about to leave the house. Had to be awake though.
Seems I have lived most of my life with a thinking cap that believed the best time to start a project and put the work in to move towards finishing the project, was tomorrow. At this stage of life I approach each day with new attitudes and a trust in myself that was missing in the past. I attribute this change to some healthy maturity, some inner work, authors who have helped me, photography, journaling, unclouded thinking, accepting failures as a part of life, finding a spiritual path, putting in the work and chocolate. Having a network of fellow photographers has been essential also. Those of you who follow along on this blog, sharing your insights with me can pat yourselves on the back. I now have on a new thinking cap. Hope you have a great Friday and weekend!
There are days when my inner peace is troubled or just not there. It can be due to the political environment and struggles of our world, a troubled relationship in my life, my weight, a task I really do not want to do, traffic, road construction, money (the lack of it). I could go on but I’m sure you have your own list. Sometimes I find myself thinking I’d have more peace if I did more walking, got more rest, spent more time in prayer and mediation, more solitude, more…. a lack of something? Then at some moment of clarity I stop and laugh at myself. More is not my answer, although this culture wants to convince me it is. I’ve come to realize it’s not the wants that bring peace and serenity but it’s the acceptance and gratitude of what I already have. And, maybe having less will allow more peace, letting go of something(s).
On Fathers Day I spent time with my daughters in-laws. Needless to say, I ate way too much. Matt’s twin brother and his family were out from Chicago. Matt has to two boys and his brother has four for a total of six young boys. Grandma wanted to buy the boys bib-overalls, in memory of her dad who wore them all the time, so photos were taken. During the chaos of pulling together all six boys I happen to catch this image of two brothers. The pose and identical clothes just made this a special image for me.
“Fix all your attention on your own path, and do not imitate others. Your life is unique, and your karma is yours alone.” Taisen Deshimaru
