“Gifts,” powers, material, intellectual, and spiritual possessions are the fruits of the effort; they are thoughts completed, objects accomplished, visions realized. 

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

I bought Allen’s book a while back and quickly read through it then placed it on the shelf. Today I found myself reaching for it and skimming over a few pages. I must admit I like some of the ideas he presents but reading the words quoted above have caused me to spend more time in reflection. When I come across something I’ve read that strikes a chord it can behoove me to chew on it, there is usually some important message for me to learn.

I remembered lying on the couch in my parents living room and dreaming about the life I wanted rather than the life in front of me: the girlfriend I wanted to have but was afraid of the possible rejection, or being the hero on the football team but was afraid I wouldn’t make the team. I considered myself a dreamer in a negative way with most of my dreams being nothing more than fantasy. But, maybe the dreams were viable thoughts for the future in my life while the negative thoughts I placed on those dreams was what was projected in my life. As life has given me lessons of experience, my views of these dreams and fantasies has changed. What would happen if we worked on our dreams as goals rather than seeing them as fantasy and not believing in their fulfillment? There is a saying that dreams without action are nothing more than fantasy.

Photographers who dream ideas and then work towards them without limitations will see those dreams accomplished. Photographers who do not pursue their dreams will not live the life they dreamed. Yes they will only be fantasy. What are our dreams and what steps do we need to take to make them come true? Once we take the steps then the “Gifts” will be given to us as fruition of our efforts. Excuse me while I go take a few images.