365 Project - Day 96

"Keep me away from the wisdom that does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children." Khalil Gibran.

I have to repeat myself. These children are awesome. It is wonderful to witness them performing beyond their years, training and experience as they execute talent to their maximum potential. I wonder, perhaps, if music is the fuel that drives this push to overachieve. Music can flood our senses and sensibilities, intensifying feelings that exist or causing us to integrate new ones. And, it has the unique ability to give wings to an ambitious soul or refresh a broken one.

In this photo, I hope you'll agree, the former is at work. So much energy, such joy. I believe this is reflective of Bach's intention when he said, "Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul." All I can say is, "Bravo!"

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Children - The joy of music!

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." Plato




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 1600
70mm
f2.8
1/125

365 Project - Day 95

I have these amazingly talented children who seem to get a lot of joy out of surprising me by their roles in each. They prefer that I do not see the rehearsals nor know much about the shows before opening night and while that makes for an exciting evening, it also makes for an anxious mom. Brooks' performance of Schlomo in Fame, Jr. was outstanding, but I had no clue he would be leading the finale, starting out on stage alone. So, as I casually sat in the audience with my camera in my lap enjoying the show, I was stunned when he stepped on stage. (I suppose I could have read the program!) As usual, the show was terrific. All of the kids were wonderful and we were blessed with three musicals in a single day. I cannot imagine a more delightful way to spend a Saturday! Life is groovy.

My son's signature song, Bring on Tomorrow, is a poignant one. If our youth (and adults) embraced these lyrics and felt there was a calling to make a difference, utilizing the talents they were gifted, I believe they (we) would be stronger physically, mentally and spiritually. I have this discussion with my children rather regularly, "please do not forget that the talents you were given are intended for you to change the world." (aka not just for fun)

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Fame!

"We have arrived at a moment in our lives, when the future passes into our hands, we can find out, are we really strong enough to fulfill what the future demands? ... Bring on tomorrow, let it shine, like the sun coming up on a beautiful day, it's yours and mine, we can make a difference, it's not too late." From Bring On Tomorrow, Fame! The Musical




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 1600
130mm (70-200mm)
f2.8
1/250

365 Project - Day 94

We had the joy of witnessing another round of youth musicals this weekend. The kids are amazingly talented and always deliver energetic performances that warm us on these chilly winter evenings. Their talent and passion exudes from every pore. The photograph below is from the performance of Company by the older kids. I love the energy and passion displayed by my son, who played the role of Larry.

Passion has long been one of my cornerstone principles. I am convinced that passion can carry someone further than talent alone. And, I am sure that without passion, our breaths and steps shorten, making progress slow and uncertain. I'll share a few favorite quotes on passion: "Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn." John Wesley; "When you catch a glimpse of your potential, that's when passion is born." Zig Ziglar; "It is your passion that empowers you to be able to do that thing you were created to do." T. D. Jakes

I am passionate about a lot of things, but as you can read in my "about" post, I was unclear as to my true passion until recently. Since discovering, I have been hesitate to embrace it fully. A funny thing happened today, though. I knew I wanted to write about passion, given the evidence of it in this photo. I have been reading a single chapter in two different books each morning and evening. Today, those two chapters both spoke to the same bible verse with each also stating that God was the one who puts the dream [read passion] into our hearts. This was an exciting revelation for me. It does come with responsibilities, however, to ensure the fire of passion is stirred. Confirmed by a third reading tonight, "we will always harvest what we plant." (Galatians 6:7) I encourage you to live, fuel, and harvest your passion!

Best wishes!


Today's Photo: The harvest of passion

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 1000
150mm (70-200mm)
f2.8
1/90

365 Project - Day 93

I find evergreens in winter, when the color seems to have been drawn out of all things, refreshing. They have life and energy and are often vibrant even under the wake of the heaviest snowfalls and the coldest temperatures. When it seems as though nothing should survive, they go on.

We can learn life lessons from evergreens. All of us experience times when life is challenging and joy seems distant. I had a moment like that today. I had worked extremely hard on a difficult project. What I wanted most of all, was for the people who were a part of the project to feel good about the work and to be encouraged. I was reminded, however, that regardless of how hard you work and how well intended your actions may be, not everyone will be pleased. I am fortunate, though, I am blessed. And, as the verse below reads, today's situation qualified me for "double". I admit I was disappointed, but sustained by two things: my faith that God was in control and my unwavering desire to deliver the very best work product for the people involved. So, my blessing came when one of those people, unaware that I was standing behind her, said to her friend, "Did you see [it]? It's so beautiful! Go look at it now." Clearly, there had been no reason for my momentary disappointment.

One of the definitions of evergreen is "enduringly fresh." That applies to God's favor, His grace, and His mercies. All new every morning and there to hold us up under the weight of impending pressures. And, on top, how refreshing is it that we receive double for our trouble?

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Enduringly Fresh

"But you shall be named priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. 'For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.'" Isaiah 61:6-9





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
35mm
f4
1/250

365 Project - Day 92

In a brief study of the color purple, I've come to learn that it can represent royalty, knowledge, imagination, creativity, future, spirituality, and abundance. I'm thinking, "I choose all of the above, please!" Purple was once my favorite color, smart choice for an 11 year old, right? It is no longer my top choice, however, it is my sister's and honestly, if it were plausible, she would paint herself purple.

My sister is awesome! Now, to be clear, she wasn't always awesome. She was not much fun growing up and I did not like her when we were kids, but I like her now. She is kind, intelligent, loving and supportive. She is, perhaps, one of the most supportive people I know. I think I'll keep her, now. I put it that way, because my parents speak of a time when we were young and after too much complaining about there being far too many children in the house for civil living, they called us in one at a time. We were asked a simple question, "If we had only 2 children," my parents began, "you and one of your siblings, whom would you chose?" That was too easy. You see, if forced to live with someone, we all chose the baby. And, well, since the baby was so small, his vote didn't count. Yes, I was long ready to orphan my sister. I'm glad they kept her, though.

So, back to purple, future, spirituality and abundance. My sister has written terrific books on achieving abundance. She walks her reader through her personal journey to abundance, candidly sharing the challenges she overcame as the backdrop to thoughtful guidance and instruction. Her most recent book, Increase Your Abundance Starting Today, opens with a definition of abundance: "1. A great or plentiful amount; 2. Fullness to overflowing: 'My thoughts...are from the abundance of my heart' (Thomas De Quincey); 3. Affluence; wealth." She speaks to words having life, success your way, thinking big and dreaming bigger. The book is inspired by faith; well written with thoughtful research, reflections and exercises. If they follow her guidance, the reader is sure to achieve an abundant life, regardless of their starting point. This is powerful. She is powerful. I am grateful I can call her "sis".

Blessings ...

Today's Photo: Joyful, Abundant Life (an ode to my sis)

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 100
50mm
f4
1/3

365 Project - Day 91

I'm grateful that we did not get 2 feet of snow. Like everyone else, I love the look of a winter wonderland, but I was not looking forward to that prediction of 18" - 24". I was glad we were prepared, though. I say, better safe than sorry. Frankly, the high winds and 6"-8" were enough for me. Just enough snow to leave a fresh blanket on the ground and a new canopy across the trees and bushes. Just enough wind to keep things interesting, but not too much to knock out the electricity. We were all home, safe, warm and content. A perfectly lovely day.

Once the snow stopped and I had a break from my webcast training, I opened the front door to get a quick glimpse of the outside and grabbed my camera to capture the photo below. The front yard was lovely with the freshly fallen snow. I liked the feel of the combination of warmth and snow in this photograph. I also get that sense of invincibility Albert Camus references in the quote below. Why not jump out into the snow and/or whatever else awaits you no matter how challenging it seems?

Best wishes!


Today's Photo: Snow Day!

"In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 200
50mm
f11
1/125

365 Project - Day 90

I desperately want to stay true to my daily project so I will not cheat, though I must confess I could not believe my eyes. I downloaded the photos for the day and they fell into 2 files, which meant I shot on 2 different days. I was sure there was a mistake. I can't tell you how many times I looked at the photos, then at the dates, and then back to the photos and their capture dates and times again. "How is it possible," I thought, "that I actually took that photo after midnight?" I had stood behind the closed front door watching the snow come down, blowing from side to side and swirling around for several minutes. I was deciding whether it was safe to open the door, stand in the doorway and photograph nature's mess outside. By the time I finally made up my mind to go for it, I guess we had crossed over to a new day and I had lost the opportunity to use nature's fury for that day's 365. The problem was that I had only a few photos and I was clearly out of time.

Here's the thing, though: My standing behind the door, looking outside and thinking about what to do, did nothing for me, except cause me to wonder if I could or should. I would have been better served had I gathered my courage, my creativity and my camera (and coat) and opened the door, without overthinking. Perhaps, then I would not have crossed days and I would have been more excited about the photo op with a little less knowledge about the actual conditions. Said differently, I might have been more successful with my time and talents had I acted more and worried less.

So, I won't cheat. I will post two photographs. The first is a photograph taken earlier in the day. The second is the one I shot in the doorway at 12:10AM.


Today's Photos: I am close

and, Beauty and beast of winter

"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit." Galatians 6:9