My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
This is one of those scenes I happened to see as I drove my car. No I did not shoot it while driving the car. But, I did drive around the block, pulled into the parking lot to get the image. Love the patterns and contrast, figuring I’d convert it to black and white. Hope everyone has a great week.
“Other voices easily drown out our own before we can really hear it. And this applies whether you hear positive or negative reactions; both are dangerous to us. Positive feedback too soon will stop us moving forward or going deeper. It’ll stop us at the low-hanging fruit and the first, most obvious iterations, and our work won’t have a chance at getting honed. And negative reactions or feedback can stop us just as quickly when that feedback often only means “this work isn’t for me” and has nothing to do with how authentic or good it might actually be.” David DuChemin
Took the early bus this morning to campus and now at the Lory Student Center. I came early to have some time to write and a bit of quiet before the students begin dragging themselves in to classes. I will meet a good friend for coffee who teaches philosophy at 9:00. It seems to be a beautiful day, almost reaching 70 degrees before we have rain later this evening.
I relate to David’s quote as I have for most of my life been one who wants the approval of others. Hopefully, I’ve moved beyond the need for approval of others to validate who I am, at anything. At one time acquiring the comments and likes determined the quality of my images. I’m aware there are times when I post an image too early, before it’s time, looking for approval of a poor image, or I just want to post an image. What I get from his quote is the need to listen more to the voice within in all areas of life. I’m a work in process, taking my own routes, as are my images.
It’s not as cold this morning, only about -2 degrees at 7:30. We’re already up to 4 degrees at 9:30 and hopefully we will see 32 degrees. Found this couple just outside one of the coffee shops in the Lory Student Center. She seems to be studying a book and he’s on his phone.
I decided to switch today and have a matcha latte rather than a mocha latte. Matcha powder is loaded with heart-healthy antioxidants, made from chlorophyll-rich green tea leaves that are ground into a fine powder. To make the matcha latte is simple. They place the matcha powder in a cup then add steamed milk to create the frothy latte effect. It was a good choice.
I also feel gratitude this morning for all my family. I have memories of times past with them. My cousin Linda died yesterday from brain cancer. So, this morning I have memories of times spent with her as a child and as an adult. No more pain and suffering in her life. In my own way I pray for her husband, children and grandchildren.
