“Truly transformed people organically change the world, while fundamentally unchanged people can only conform to the system and wholeheartedly cheer it on.” Richard Rohr
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Shadows on campus -
Window Light
Beautiful Woman This beautiful young lady was working on her computer in a local coffee shop. I was drawn by her striking features and the wonderful window light on her face. I worked up the courage to ask her if I could shoot a portrait of her as she gazed out the window. Gratefully, she said yes.
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Hot
Ammons Hall CSU Administration Building 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.”
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Found in the Spotlight
In the spotlight 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.
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Waking Up
Morning Shadows and my Desk Lamp “Spirituality means waking up.”
Anthony de MelloGood 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!
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Acceptance and Gratitude
Daisies on Campus 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).
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Unit 52
Somewhere in the Shadows We have been warm in Colorado this past week but that looks to be changing the next few days. We are going to see temperatures about 10 degrees cooler and rain/thunderstorms. It is dry here so many are looking forward to any moisture. The predicted rain on Sunday may put a damper on any BBQ plans for Fathers Day.
Each morning as I leave for one of my coffee shops I’m given this scene of morning shadows. I usually just take a mental image, smile, and go my merry way but I’m sure I take at least one image a week of my neighbors door.
For the past 25 years I have done a lot of reading. There are times I have three books going at one time, which for my simple mind is probably not the wisest of decisions. I’m finding I struggle with my focus when reading, requiring the paragraph to be reread, sometimes more than once. The thought crosses my mind that I need to put all my books down for awhile. I don’t consider myself an author but then again, these journals are my books, my stories.
“There comes a point in your life when you need to stop reading other people’s books and write your own.” Albert Einstein
