365 Project - Day 365

"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take my limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size - abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become." 2Corinthians 12:7-10

This photograph is my celebration of my 1 year anniversary of breaking my ankle. I suffered a severe break of my left fibula while rushing out of the house on Day 3 to capture the early morning fog. Unfortunately, I had both my camera and my most expensive lens in my hands when I came crashing down. While the few days that followed were trying, the 350 days after have been exhilarating in many ways. I certainly developed as a photographer while shooting more than 30,000 photographs during the past year. But more importantly, making the decision to blog rather than simply post the photos has developed the holistic me.

And now I am closing out this project with this self-portrait as my finale and tribute to both physical and spiritual growth. I love everything about this photograph. I moved around to find an ideal spot. I like the mix of light and shadows, the messiness of leaves and acorns, that my healed leg is planted, the camera and tripod silhouette, the multitude of long bold shadows, and the fact that I am running toward the camera as I press the remote trigger. As I said the other day, it is unclear to me how this ended up as the final photo, but leaving it here makes perfect sense. It has been important to me to learn from the break. My most profound lesson came as I was listening to a Joel Osteen CD recently. It is a sermon I have heard repeatedly given it is stuck in my car's dashboard. This time I understood.

Joel describes admiring a sunset in India, when he feels God questioning about His greatest creation. It was in that moment, after listening to this sermon multiple times, that I finally made the connection. I realized I had been rushing out of the house that morning to photograph something God considers ordinary, when He needed to me to focus on the extraordinary. Yes, fog, sunsets, landscapes, flowers are beautiful, but His most prized possessions are people. To be candid, most of the time, when I hear this call, my response is, "you're asking just a little too much of me."

My assignment is clear-ish. I have been assigned a people project. Why me? Not sure. It is a difficult project and I needed an adjustment to remind me that lovely photos of the fog had absolutely nothing to do with that assignment. On top, I wasn't so sure I was fit for His race and had confessed as much. So perhaps I was running away. The break accomplished 2 things: the narrowing of my focus and the assurance of His omnipresent strength. I did not stop taking photos of lovely things, but I did double-down on people.

From here I will move on to completing my task and also start a new photography project. My next project will be a 52 Week project. I will orchestrate selected photography exercise, planning mindful execution. More importantly, however, it allows me to focus on my assignment.

Love and Blessings!

Today's Photo: Grace: The weaker I get, the stronger I become!

"When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place." C.S. Lewis

365 Project - Day 364

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." e.e. cummings

I hopped into the taxi early Sunday morning said, "Good morning" and gave the driver my destination. After a couple of minutes, when we stopped at a traffic light, the driver turned around and said, "you're a nice lady." What he meant was, "you're awfully cheerful for this hour on a Sunday." He proceeded to explain that most of his fares are grumpy, bearing few smiles and much less of a sense of humor. He and I talked the rest of the ride. The trip was a gift. He started the heart of the conversation by sharing the importance of laughter. He said that a doctor had told him that laughter, loud hearty laughter, will keep one from getting cancer. To which I responded, "of course, laughter is the best medicine, right?" Then, we discussed health and food choices and with the most beautiful Indian accent, he explained the importance of the enzymes our mouths create when we eat fish. As we finished our ride, he repeatedly insisted that I remember his advice on staying young. I promised, but I couldn't resist asking him to guess my age. He guessed 20-30 years younger and when told him how wrong he was, he said, "No it cannot be - stop - and don't say that again. You look so young." I am simply living proof that laughter improves your health.

I can't recall the last time I had so much fun taking photos. This was pure self-indulgence. Our garden was full of leaves. I couldn't resist taking photos. A light rain had just finished, but a mighty Fall breeze was at hand. IMHO, the best way to capture the dizzying swirl of leaves at this moment was to become one. So, I laid down, selected a hyper focal distance and when the wind kicked up, I stayed as still as possible and clicked away. Most of the time I was giggling while the leaves fluttered around me. It was far too much fun.

One of the things that I enjoy about this photo is the crispness and clarity of a few of the leaves and the blades of grass. It does foretell that when we are ready, we are able to stand strong against whatever may attempt to derail us. Yet, all winds are not meant to destroy.

One of my most enjoyable lessons during this 365 project has been the appreciation of simple things. We are given gifts every day. Some magnificent, some average, some plain. And, all are more than enough, if we are grateful to the giver and if we use those gifts as seeds for growth. Being a leaf was an extraordinary gift. To some it may seem trivial, for me it was exceptional, more than enough to fill my cup with joy. I join e.e. cummings in saying, "I thank God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."


Blessings.

Today's Photo: The Joy of Dancing Leaves!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." Proverbs 17:22

365 Project - Day 363

"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however." Richard Bach

When I initially planned my final week of photos, I planned this as Day 365. Practically, it should have been. Oh well, 2 days off isn't too awful.

I was driving home last night, more tired than I should have been and could only get one station on my car radio. WHUD and was playing only 70's music. I can't recall the last time I had heard many of the songs, but I knew nearly every word to every song. I belted out every tune like I was young girl spinning 45s in my bedroom. These words from Ricky Nelson's Garden Party resonated, "But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well. You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself." The rest of the lyrics are "meh", but the chorus works for me. Similarly, the photo below is all me. Could I have made different and more impactful choices? Absolutely.

The Bible is my confirmation Bible. I have a lot of Bibles. I pulled a few off the shelf. This one, to my surprise, had my name handwritten inside along with the date presented to me. It has always had a prominent place on my shelf. I actually thought it belonged to one of my grandmothers. I chose to open the book to Philippians, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13) I am enjoying our study of prayer in our church series. The moleskin is my new prayer journal. When writing prayers recently and looking at this photo, I noticed that the penpoint in the photo was just about on Philippians 1:6,

"And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

The camera is the first I acquired on my own. I have gotten a lot of mileage out of my Nikon FE2. I won a contest at work some 20+ years ago and chose it from the catalog as my prize. The camera, instead of a pair of skis, or a grill or a bass fishing boat or jewelry, etc.

The ball is a Ball of Whacks from Roger von Oech. "Most people think of success and failure as opposites, says von Oech, but they are both products of the same process." Roger von Oech is a creative genius and as I move into my next phase of photography projects, I will take the time to stretch my creative muscles. I believe my creativity and the ability to interpret situations differently than others is a terrific advantage. The piece inside the Bible is from the ball. A reminder that even the smallest creative exercise or influence can give way to big change. Every von Oech exercise puts this theory into practice, "Take advantage of the ambiguity in the world. Look at something and think what else might it be?"

The candle ... "He said to them. 'Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is canceled is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. Consider carefully what you hear,' he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what thy have will be taken from them." (Mark 4:21-25) We must develop our gifts and shine our lights brightly giving in some form to as many people as possible.

When I mentioned to someone that I was nearing the end of this project, they asked if I had learned much about myself along the way. The answer is a resounding, "YES!" I had forgotten how much I enjoy writing. Making this a nearly daily process has brought both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Yet, every moment I persist with that pen, I win.

I used this cross previously to photograph a silhouette with my crutches. The photo is one of my favorites. This small cross always appears larger, serving as a reminder of the omnipresence of God. Emerson's may be one of the best perspectives, "All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen." I intended more by this cross, however. Jesus was clear about our ability to gain strength through our relationship with him, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."(John 14:12-14)

Now that's a promise I expect to collect. Blessings.

Today's Photo: 365 Project Self-Portrait

"And who knows you may have been chosen for just such a time as this." Esther 4:14b

365 Project - Day 362

"Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly."
Proverbs 3:13-17

When I committed to today's project on "thinking," I could not decide how to capture my perspective. Then, we were offered this fantastic evening filled with rambling clouds and bright moonlight. I did not realize it at the time, but I needed to rush to capture the shot I wanted, because the clouds were beginning to clear. Unfortunately, as I folded my tripod, I noticed that I had forgotten to turn off vibration reduction and it was too late to reshoot. The clouds had cleared. If only I had taken the time to think.

It is often easier in life to drift like these clouds, or to follow the crowd, to agree with others, or to do as we are directed, without thinking for ourselves. In fact, we are trained to live life this way. There is little room for academic creativity when we are growing up. We are more often instructed than engaged. There is a right and a wrong way to do everything, right? Children are to be seen and not heard. There's a damaging consequence to this. Those children not taught to think, seek, explore, evaluate and conclude for themselves will follow someone else's path later in life.

We create a unique personal power when we exercise our mind. We must not, therefore, simply rely on answers from others. Ask questions. Seek knowledge. Explore. Take risks. Find opportunities to discern reality. Insist on facts.

Be confused. Be curious. The more advanced thinkers will ask absurd and dangerous questions. Wisdom often comes from poking in these crazy spaces. So, we should dare to discover new worlds and new truths.

Our mind is also a battlefield. It takes less energy to focus on negatives and our mind is perpetually choosing between positive and negative thoughts. When we consciously choose positives, we develop a rhythm or muscle, if you will, that will affirm our lives. As a result, new habits form. To stay in this space we have to clear our environment of negative forces, lest we unwittingly adapt to their rhythm.

The interesting bit is this: the more we think for ourselves, the less likely those negative forces want to hang around us anyway.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Think

"Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it." Henry Ford

365 Project - Day 361

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

As with all of the final projects, this took multiple attempts, much to the amusement of my son who was playing Destiny on his Xbox just behind me. I tried over and over to get these Fortune Cookies in view, in focus, with proper collision and standout contrast. I nearly gave up, but I had no backup plan.

This exercise was a living example of the challenges we can face day to day. Yet, I learned so much while working through the difficulty of bringing my vision to life. I'm thankful it was hard and I'm grateful that I had no alternative. While my son was saying, "mom, why don't you just give up," I could honestly respond with, "because I intend to figure this out and make it work." I might have suffered temporary defeat, but I knew that if I stuck with it, thought about what I learned with each try, made corrections and kept at it, I would not succumb to permanent failure. Quite the contrary, I would be richly rewarded. As one of the fortune cookies in this shot says, "Half of being smart is knowing what you are dumb about." Through trial and error, in this instance, I certainly progressed my intelligence.

One of my favorite quotes about adversity is by Napoleon Hill, "Each adversity brings with it the seed of equivalent advantage." You know the first several times I looked at that, I read, "good things can come out of each difficulty." Then one day, it suddenly dawned on me that I had it all wrong. In fact, Hill's view (and it's somewhat Biblical) was this: imagine a scale with your troubles on one side and the possible good outcomes from those difficulties on the other side; that scale will balance. Say what?

"Instead of shame and dishonor, you shall have a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy." Isaiah 61:7

It is fantastic to imagine that out of every challenge, difficulty or seeming defeat there is the opportunity for equal goodness or in the Biblical view, we get double for your trouble. It is only the opportunity, however, we must find the advantage. There is an art in discovering that advantage. It requires us to open our minds to possibilities versus limitations. Rather than run from adversity, therefore, I say - embrace it. Be courageous. Seek out challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. You can only become wiser, more talented, more knowledgeable. For it is true that "We acquire the strength we have overcome." Ralph Waldo Emerson

My perspective: Try. Fail. Learn. Revise. Try harder. Fail more. Learn anew. Celebrate vibrantly. Then revise and repeat.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Celebrating Adversity

ps: This was a random bunch of fortune cookies that arrived with our latest Chinese take out. The other fortune you see here is, "Happiness is not pleasure, it's victory."


"My experience has taught me that a man is never quite so near success as when that which he calls 'failure' has overtaken him, for it is on occasions of this sort that he is forced to think. If he thinks accurately, and with persistence, he discovers that so-called failure usually is nothing more than a signal to re-arm himself with a new plan or purpose. Most real failures are due to limitations which men set up in their own minds. If they had the courage to go one step further, they would discover their error." Andrew Carnegie as discussed with Napoleon Hill

365 Project - Day 360

"We know from daily life that we exist for other people first of all, for whose smiles and well-being our happiness depends." Albert Einstein

Candidly, the last 365 days have flown by. I rarely planned ahead for my daily projects; instead, I often let each project happen and then speak to me. For these final days, however, I planned all but one of the projects. The unplanned one due to a miscalculation of the number of remaining days. No worries - it worked out just fine!

Each of these final projects were uniquely challenging. Today's photo was, perhaps, the least successful, but also quite meaningful.

We all struggle to find our place in this world. You can call it passion or purpose or meaning or something else, but we are each called to light a candle in the darkness within this world. Be it figuratively or literally. And, we will not be satisfied until we do so because this desire to do good is somehow baked in to our DNA. Improving the world doesn't have to be grand or full-time, but it needs to be. If not, our soul is turned upside down and set on a collision course with disaster. Are people inherently bad? I don't think so. Without being given guidance that helps them understand that they are needed in this world; that they have gifts without which the world is diminished; that the tide ebbs and flows with a different rhythm when they do not exercise those gifts, then their light is consumed by darkness.

Regardless of the roles we play in life today: business executive, politician, parent, teacher, sales person, consultant, advisor, photographer, etc., being exceptional requires service. Our success is dependent on whether we approach our position with this attitude, which is one way of saying we are served when we serve others. As in the Albert Einstein quote above, our own well-being depends on helping those around us. Or in the words of Arthur Ashe, "True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It's not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."

In closing, it bears repeating that we all have gifts the world needs. That means everyone has need of you. What an awesome truth! If we neglect, therefore, to share our gifts, the world is deprived, and well, you are also cheated of the blessings you would have received from giving. On top, there is less light in the world.

Blessings!


Today's Photo: Be the Light

"Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back - given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Luke 6:38

365 Project - Day 359

"A beautiful city
Yes, we can; Yes, we can
We can build a beautiful city
Not a city of angels
But finally a city of man." A Beautiful City, from Godspell

Godspell was one of my favorite musicals when I was growing up. I used to listen to the music over and over. We were fortunate to hear a fantastic version of "A Beautiful City" sung by the group pictured below, composed by a 2015 graduate of NYU's Tisch School. I have been moved to tears during our recent visits to NYU. There is something magical about that school. When the outgoing president addressed alumni and parents, I thought he was funny and endearing. Actually, he was very much both of those. If he has been as good natured around the students, they have been fortunate to have such a leader.

"We need more creation and less destruction ... you will be creating you!" I suspect comments like these, made by the Dean of the Tisch School of the Arts, are what moves me to become teary-eyed during my NYU visits. This dedication to the creative process, both internally and externally, coupled with the drive to have a positive impact on the world are fully aligned with the hope I have for my children.

As a parent and mentor, I feel responsible for ensuring youth believe in the pursuit of their passions in a way that creates a sense of abundance and a drive for changing the world. It makes sense, then, that when we follow our dreams and fulfill our deepest desires, we build a more beautiful city.

Today's Photos: Following Dreams

"So let your light so shine before men
Let your light so shine
So that they might know some kindness again
We all need help to feel fine (let's have some wine!)
You are the city of God" Light of the World, from Godspell

365 Project - Day 358

"We never noticed the beauty because we were too busy trying to create it." Unknown

How does one see beauty? In an effort to create a more beautiful photo for today's contribution, I selected my idea of a perfect leaf and stretched out my arm so that I could focus in on the leaf, with the tree serving as a wonderful backdrop. Unfortunately, my arm was not quite long enough for my lens to acquire sharp focus. I continued to stretch and twist until I pulled a muscle in my back. I was in so much pain that I could not stand up straight. All in an attempt to create something that did not exist. I was both frustrated and broken.

As much as I could, I continued to walk around the garden to find something else to photograph given I still need a picture for today's project, but I was in tremendous pain. When processing the photo below, it dawned on me that I may have been trying too hard. And, that could be my lesson in this. Rather than stretch and twist to create something new, perhaps I needed to improve my ability to see the beauty that surrounded me. Appreciating the simplicity in that, would have saved me a lot of agony.

Too often we are running toward something more perfect and in doing so, we miss or take for granted that which exists around us. With a little more patience and a lot more intention, nature will inform us of the beauty in all things.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Truth in Beauty

"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere." Vincent van Gogh

365 Project - Days 356, 357

"All is how it should be. Just be. Just breathe." April Peerless

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday I celebrated the 1 year anniversary of breaking my ankle by going out for a short run. I used the opportunity to reclaim my body. Later in the day and this morning, I was filled with agonizing aches and pains in seemingly every muscle, groaning with each step as I climbed and descended stairs. The feeling has been fantastic. Every ache, every pain is like a long, lost friend. I have enjoyed feeling like I'm on my way to taking better care of myself. Those pains are familiar. It has just been far too long.

I was surprised at the strength of my legs and concerned at the weakness in my breath during the run. I felt all my anxieties knotted up in my chest, tightening my breath, making it nearly impossible for me to catch the next one. In that moment, I faced the dichotomy of my existence: one part ready to fly, the other anxious and restrictive. As I was about to try to stretch out a second go, my husband texted to remind me that we had a conference call and our appointment was on the line. I paused; took a deep breath; turned around and with confidence wrought with urgency, ran home. In that moment, my breathing relaxed. There was no time for anxiousness. That deep breath immediately provided fullness and strength that carried me home.

Sometimes when life's messiness makes us crazy, we need to pause and breathe before we get back in the race.

Today's Photos: Just Breathe

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“Your breathing is your greatest friend. Return to it in all your troubles and you will find comfort and guidance.” ~Unknown

365 Project - Days 354, 355

"Every particular in nature, a leaf, a droplet, a crystal, a moment of time is related to the whole, and partakes of the perfection of the whole." Ralph Waldo Emerson

We end daylight savings time this weekend. Yet another sign of the approaching winter. Wedged between the warmth and freshness of spring and summer and the cold and bitterness of winter, it does have a few of its own exceptional qualities. The crisp, bright mornings; cool breezes; uniquely beautiful colors; hearty comforting meals make this an embraceable season. The trouble is that I can often long for that summer heat and grow anxious about the bleak, cold winter. When that happens, I totally miss the grace and beauty within each autumn moment.

Isn't that very true about life? We spend time reminiscing about our past; pre-occupied with hopes of returning to the good ole days and we worry about the days ahead, creating a life of tortured anxiety long before an event occurs. Split between these two worlds, we miss the reality unfolding around us. Then I wondered the other day, "what if this moment, is the most important moment?" What if each moment, as Emerson describes, has impact on our lives as a whole? If none are forgotten and every one is a piece of the perfection of our lives, (which means how we execute today impacts tomorrow) then why waste time fretting over or desiring a spent past or anxious and excited about a distant future?

It is hard not to look back or look forward, but perhaps this is why the sun is so bright, the wind so fierce and the colors so deep in autumn. It's a reminder that the in betweens matters. We must, therefore, focus on perfecting our present. That work could be all-consuming. So I say, live in the present moment. Let it take your breath away and then breathe life back into this moment, creating roots for your future.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Autumn Beauty and Last Farmer's Market

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.” Henry David Thoreau

365 Project - Days 352, 353

"When you photograph a face, you photograph the soul behind it." Jean Luc Godard

In one agreeable moment, my son said "yes" to having a new headshot taken. This was unusual, but he was game. The trouble is I forgot, for that same brief moment, what it is like to photograph him. He is simultaneously delightful and exasperating. I told him he was / is my least favorite client. Nevertheless, he and I both had a job to do. His was to look his very best, mine was to deliver the very best image of him.

I thought it would be useful to share the beginning, middle and end of this expedition for the two of us. We had just 30 minutes to produce the photo on Day 352. When I reviewed our work following the session, I decided I was not happy with the pose on the best photo (#2) you see below. So I took us through the tortured process again on Day 353. Both of us were more clear of what we wanted to accomplish and we created a photograph that captures both his humor and mischievousness.

To be clear, he was no easier to work with the second time around. He insisted on testing my flashes every time I looked away. He moved from his spot. Changed positions. Goofed off and was nonsensical much of the session. In the end, it seems we needed all of that to deliver the final photo, I suppose.

Whether in sales, consulting or photography, I have focused on understanding the underlying nuances of the person with whom I am interacting. The surface is meaningless. In fact, I am terrible at interpreting "face value." All value lies beneath the skin. These photos are a perfect example: Despite the fact that the first and third photographs below were taken just 24 hours apart, IMHO, they do not look much like the same person. Had I thought I was interacting with the young lad in the first photograph, I would have handled the session very differently than if I was working with the young man in the third. People are fascinating and while their faces are interesting, it is what lies behind the face that tells the story. Take a deeper look.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: The Soul of a Teen

#1

#2

#3

“It is not easy in this world for one person to understand the next one.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.” Abraham Lincoln

365 Project - Days 349, 350

"For every ailment under the sun
There is a remedy, or there is none;
If there be one, try to find it;
If there be none, never mind it." W. W. Bartley

I put my crystal back to use for the photos below and was very happy I did. It is difficult to control the results, but not entirely impossible. I can move the crystal around and watch the image change in the lens, but I'm never 100% assured of the result. I have done my best to find the optimal version of the use of crystal with each photo. The efforts can be frustrating, but the results worth the trouble. These photos remind me of grace. The combination of the complication of our lives and the simplicity of God's grace overcoming those complications.

As in Bartley's version of the Serenity Prayer, above, we should do our best to find solutions to problems and challenges as they arise and if we cannot, let go. This is personally difficult for me. I often agonize before giving in. With plenty of courage, I want for more grace and more wisdom as in Niebuhr's version below.

I recently watched a discussion between Oprah Winfrey and Stephen Colbert on The Late Show in which they discussed their favorite Bible verses. I was captivated by Colbert's rationale for his choice of Matthew 6 ... "Do not worry," he said, "it's like a commandment." To which Oprah responded that it's like a sin to worry. Therefore, as the old adage goes, we truly should "do our best and let God do the rest." This is where grace steps in and often grants us wisdom.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Grace

"God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other." Reinhold Niebuhr

365 Project - Days 348, 351

"All things are possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23

When I was a young child I loved to sing. My challenge, however, was that my family told me I could not sing and I should stop. Nearly every time I opened my mouth to sing a brother or sister or one of my parents would insist that I stop. Sometimes, just for fun, I would belt out "Born Free" and they would all come running to shut me down! I found them annoying at the time, but I suspect their comments dampened any musical light or hope. I was so young, it's hard to recall what I was thinking at the time. I don't believe I had plans to become a Beyonce, but I was stripped of even the joy of singing, for I was always self conscious. Fortunately, I still loved music.

While I stopped singing in their presence, I didn't stop singing. The only people who really got to hear me sing aloud were my children. That was one of the blessings of my newborns. I could sing and they were incapable of complaining plus my music was helping the synapses in their brains. Hah! Perhaps that was God's way of telling me it was time to utilize the fraction of talent I had to light up my little corner of the world. My babies never balked at my singing (when they were tiny) and have grown into honored vocalists. I couldn't have been all that bad!! In fact, I would submit that my children's talent is evidence of my love of music and song. They are far superior to me, of course. Where I had a thimble of talent, they have a well. Yet, had I told them they could not or should not sing, they might have believed me and the world would have missed their talent.

Best wishes!

Today's Photos: Singers!

"Thought creates after its kind."

365 Project - Day 347

"Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

I had the opportunity to attend an event this weekend entitled, "A Crash Course in Parenting." The two primary speakers are critically acclaimed authors, both have law degrees, both are teachers and both are mothers of teenagers. Julie Lythcott-Haims is the author of the award-winning "How to Raise An Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kids for Success" and Jessica Lahey is the author of "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed, writes the bi-weekly column "The Parent-Teacher Conference" for the New York Times, is a contributing writer for The Atlantic, and a commentator on Vermont Public Radio. This was an enjoyable session that was also a bit of a reality check.

The speakers addressed the traps of over-parenting versus child-rearing. "When," they said, "did it become about the parents instead of the children?" Fair point! They stressed that our responsibility is to work ourselves out of a job. I shared that I struggled with the two ends of the spectrum ... For example, one of my sons had a competition over the weekend while my husband and I were at Parent's Day with our eldest. I prepared the materials for the younger son and reviewed his binder with him when I dropped him off at his friend's home the night before. As we discussed the details, his friend mentioned his own lack of organization and the work he still needed to complete, on his own. The speakers said that while the right answer was somewhere in between, the friend would likely be better equipped to handle difficult situations as an adult. "Hmmm," I thought, "Yes, he will know some things, but I'm hoping my son now knows how to create an orderly set of materials." At 14, exactly how much can he be expected to do on his own? Well, I'm game to let him have a try next go around. At least he has an example he can follow.

Life is filled with challenges, adversities and failures. Far more of these than, as parents, we tend to want our children to experience. Shielding them from these is disrespectful, I agree. There is a difference between the mother giraffe who kicks the baby when their born so they can rise and learn to walk and the mother who steps in to cover or prevent every possible mistake or the mother who told me that her job was to ensure her son survived until he was 18. A genuine middle ground can be found that sets our children up for both success and recovery or said differently, for both short term and enduring success. And in doing so they will understand that we loved them enough to give them the gift of training for both success and failure.

You see, I believe my children have an appointment from God and my job is to make sure they arrive, competent and confident.

When my son returned to his university after a recent visit, he requested brownies and chocolate chip cookies to take back with him. It was my pleasure to honor his request ;-)

Blessings.

Today's Photo: A mother's gift ...

"Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded." Jess Lair

365 Project - Day 346

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." Mother Theresa

As I thought about today's photo, it occurred to me that while we are called to give, we can actually manufacture that quality. How? Giving is inherently contagious. We have all heard stories of people committing acts of kindness with the beneficiaries replicating / perpetuating the same. Giving begets giving. Therefore, giving is contagious.

As an illustration of this, many of the lights in today's photo were added. They are replicas of lights that were in the photo naturally. The photographed lights produced new lights that created more depth and interest in the photo, changing and improving the image.

The lemon represents the importance of stretching to get involved in helping the difficult and bitter, or even sour. When we help them soar, we have done something special. They may then become inspired to help others soar. When that happens, we have lit two lights in the darkness and the power of our service is multiplied.

Perhaps we should think about service in this way: our calling is both to help others and to help others help others. Now that's how to change the world.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Manufacturing Light

"Through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13

365 Project - Day 345

"Are you called to preach? Then preach as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies so that God will be glorified through Jesus Christ - to him be glory and power forever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:11

My son is extremely musically talented. He can instinctively play any instrument he picks up with little practice. His musical instruments of choice in the past have been the upright bass, the piano and the guitar. So when, as a new High School Freshman, he bounded into my room joyfully announcing that he was joining the marching band, I frowned. "But my dear," I said quizzically, none of the instruments you play - march." That did not deter my son. I wasn't trying to to extinguish his fire or passion, but I wanted him to understand the realities of his situation. Nevertheless, he sat down one afternoon with one of his closest friends and learned to play the saxophone in a day. Amazing. He also discovered the other reality of marching band. It requires a significant time commitment and while he may have had the talent - he certainly did not have the time.

I have recently come to understand that I had a very old fashioned view of marching band. I had the opportunity to watch a local marching band event and competition and was surprised by the bands. I have heard a lot about the talent of our own hometown band through the years. What stunned me wasn't just the band talent, though there was plenty of that. I was pleasantly surprised by the volume of activity displayed by each band; the diversity of the bands - in all ways; and yes, by the fact that every single band included instruments that do not march. These non-marchers were instrumental to the success of the bands and several bands included lead vocalists. Each band executed with energy, enthusiasm and fervor far beyond what I anticipated.

I did not understand every thing happening on the field, but I was happy and I was inspired. The diversity of creativity in music, song, instruments, people and activity was impressive. These extended band members have learned the importance of putting all of their energies into every performance. If we can exhibit similar focus, fervor and passion in our everyday, we position ourselves to create an inspirational force field around us, making our little corner of the world a fantastic place.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Modern Day Marchers

“I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.” Roald Dahl

365 Project - Day 344

"Have no fear of perfection. You'll never reach it." Salvador Dali

"Art is never finished, only abandoned." Leonardo da Vinci

Haha! These quotes warm my soul today. I wondered if I should share my real objectives for today's photo or make something up. Why not? Because, I failed. I was unable to achieve the project task, despite a longer than usual daily session. And like da Vinci suggested, I finally gave up. I will try again, but I had enough for the day and despite several adjustments, I wasn't getting any closer to achieving my goals.

So my project was to capture water drops with reflections. An ambitious project, true. I had a recipe for success in hand and was excited, perhaps too excited. As usual, I started with a more challenging graphic in mind - the Greenbay Packers Logo. When that did not work, I switched to a simpler target of flowers. In my post-project analysis, I was overly confident to start and I went too far the other direction when the Packers logo did not work.

I look forward to another go and achieving my dream after I catch my breath. The good news is despite this failed attempt, I still managed to capture a few pretty cool water photos. Isn't that what happens if we give ourselves the space and time to live a little while we learn? Even if our intended plan fails, something interesting, if not magical, happens along the way when we slow down. And, if we can enjoy that magic, we are stronger when we finally arrive at our destination.

Blessings!

Today's Photos: Near Water Reflection and Slow Down

"You may say I'm a dreamer ... " John Lennon

365 Project - Day 343

"Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is not delay, nor defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing." Denis Waitley

So I've been a bit melancholy and existing on little sleep the last few days. I've decided it comes down to a couple of things. The signs of impending winter and rain. I did not enjoy the lengthy winter we endured last year, partly because I was on crutches and partly because, well, it was so cold and wet. Yesterday, it snowed. That's crazy. It is possible that our pastor, who preached one of his all time best sermons on prayer using the story of Elijah expecting rain, caused the snowfall - something about praying prophetically. Still - it snowed! And rain decidedly kills creativity. The cleansing aftermath is pretty sweet, but the rain, ugh.

One of my beefs with rain is that my own hair explodes to 10 times its natural volume in the rain. As long as I have nowhere to go, there's no problem. The bigger issue comes when I have headshot appointments on rainy days. I have shot as many as 40 headshots on a single stormy afternoon and did my best to keep a pleasant attitude. Now, I am tasked with editing a headshot taken on a rainy day and it is making me crazy. I watched a webcast the other day that began with, "these stray hairs are the reason why the suicide rate is so high among photo editors." I sobbed. It seems no method works. I keep telling myself, "the only way I will know if which one works is when I try and fail." Call me "little Edison."

I am determined, but may go nutty along the way. Failure will be my teacher. The question is what kind of student will I be? So far, I've thrown in the towel every day. "That's it," I scream at my screen, "this is impossible." Yet, a voice deep inside rises just as quickly, "It is possible. You will figure it out."

Along the way, I have learned a lot of of other pieces of information. I am getting lots of practice at Photoshop. I now know it is a bad idea to use the backside of my headboard, regardless of how pretty it looks. I am getting more adept at using my Wacom Tablet and I know which edits I want to perform in Lightroom and which in Photoshop. So, learning how to remove dark stray hairs from dark busy backdrops will come. And, also will winter. Both arriving painfully.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Winter is next!

"Failures are finger posts in the road to achievement." C. S. Lewis

365 Project - Days 341, 342

“I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning” Plato

When my children were born, I insisted on music being piped through the operating room during their deliveries. I never imagined that the doctors or hospitals might say "no." I suppose I was fortunate that they obliged, particularly given one was born in a very public hospital in the south and the other in a more exclusive one in the north. I was convinced that the music would both ease their arrival and soothe my state, but more importantly, create children who were more intelligent, more playful and also more calm upon their entry into this crazy world.

To be certain, we ended up with children who love music. I'm not sure I can prove their birthing environment is the source, however. I wholeheartedly agree with Plato's assertion that the arts are the keys to learning. Certainly music facilitates all learning and enhances all play. Music can be playful, spiritual, soulful, intellectual, philosophical, psychological, whimsical, physical, emotional, joyful, disagreeable, poetic, imaginative, timeless and transcendent. As many have said, music speaks when words fail us, "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." (Victor Hugo)

Yet, one of my favorite ways of looking at life and music is Wolfgang Mozart's perspective,
“The music is not in the notes,
but in the silence between.”

It all matters. Too often, amid the noise, we forget what matters most. Blessings.

Today's Photos: Boys and their play!

“If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC” Kurt Vonnegut

365 Project - Days 339, 340

"I am always doing what I cannot see yet, in order to learn how to do it." Vincent van Gogh

"Poetry surrounds us everywhere, but putting it on paper, alas, is not so easy as looking at it." Vincent van Gogh

When you look at a flower or a bouquet or a single candle or a candelabra, what do you see? Are you certain that what you see and how you interpret what you are seeing is the same as everyone who sees? This is an interesting question. Artists interpret scenes in various shades or dimensions of colors and light. The way they see what lies before them, therefore, can vary greatly from one artist to another, hence the reason paintings of a single place or setting often differ markedly.

Add a lighter shaper in the mix, as I have below, and the complexity of how that scene is read changes dramatically. As I shared previously, I've been having fun playing with my crystals and prisms. It's amazing how a simple flower or a single candle changes with these light shapers. I was stunned myself and am getting better at anticipating the patterns and adjusting quickly as I learn more.

This exercise is a reminder that just as the artist creates poetry with their interpretation of an environment, we also have a choice in what we create with our interpretation of the scenes that play out around us. Beauty or destruction lies in our hands and we are the light shapers.

Blessings.

Today's Photos: Shaped by Light

“A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light.” Leonardo da Vinci