365 Project - Day 242

"After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you." 1Peter 5:10

It seemed the line of cars ahead of me was never-ending. I could not fathom where all of these people needed to be in the middle of a Saturday afternoon. I had just dropped my parents off at JFK Airport and the traffic home was crawling when it moved. We were moving so slowly that I took iPhone photos as my planned 365 Project for the day. I was not in a hurry, but did have a party to go to that evening. And I grew so very tired that sitting in traffic was threatening my ability to remain wide wake!

Very late that evening, I took a new set of daily photos. I had a choice to make: Focus on the afternoon's unpleasant traffic jam or find something I enjoyed far more. Anxieties and disappointments are simply, facts of life. As such, we choose how we react.

We can choose to dwell on our difficulties or we can choose to change our attitude. And while it is not always possible to "snap out of" a bad situation, when we can, we must. When we can't, adapting our perspective to an attitude of gratitude will set us on the course of change.

Just allowing ourselves the freedom to choose to focus on positive things can alter our outlook and shift our entire countenance. Lucky for me, I have a house full of flowers at the moment. Since daisies are absolutely the opposite of bad stuff, changing my attitude came easily. As Thomas Jefferson said, "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; Nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Positive Vibes

EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
50mm
f2.8
1/20s

365 Project - Day 241

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1Peter 4:10

"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. 'You call me "Teacher" and "Lord," and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.' " John 13:12-15

As we celebrated my son's high school graduation with a day long party, my husband and I spent the day serving our guests. We chose to actually serve dinner as well. In doing so, we had the opportunity to see everyone at dinner time. Though we had just a moment with them as we served their meal, we were pleased we had that brief moment. It was a nice to connect with each of our guests and offer a small bit of service.

Earlier in the day, my 83 year old father was recovering from a leg injury he suffered the prior day. My mother massaged his legs and feet to improve their condition. It seemed an unpleasant task from my perspective, but she gracefully and selflessly offered her services. Her efforts paid off and she gave us all the gift of a happy, pain-free gentleman that evening. The flowers below were given to my parents for their anniversary by the NYC hotel in which they stayed for their anniversary. Such a lovely gift and terrific way to honor 60 years of service to one another.

I believe we are often happy to give as long as we are in control of the size and conditions of our service offer. The two verses at the top of this post, however, suggest a more free and limitless approach to giving. The first is a reminder that all we have is designed to be a blessing to others. And the second is ensure we understand that we must give deeply and personally. There can be no such thing as impersonal giving, if done as intended.

The awesome insight about giving, though, is that there is as much, if not more, receiving when we give as there is giving. In fact, whatever we offer to others, we redeem ourselves. So that we are clear, all that goodness inside of you was never intended for you to keep just to yourself. God and nature require you to share. Therefore, go ahead and give more - Then notice your abundant return.

Blessings!

Today's Photo: Shared Life - Shared Giving

"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






EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 640
50mm
f2.8
1/90s

365 Project - Day 240

"Stars
In your multitudes
Scarce to be counted
Filling the darkness
With order and light
You are the sentinels
Silent and sure
Keeping watch in the night"
From Les Miserables, "Stars"

We are very excited for the Sabrina's Encore Productions Summer Series show, Les Miserables coming to our local stage in July. This week the cast had the opportunity to preview a few of their Act 1 songs at a carnival. The kids were fantastic and there is still a month remaining before the actual production.

The work they accomplish during the remaining month will be a testament to the value of practice, commitment, order and focus. While they sounded wonderful, this was a vocal review, rather than the full production. The latter will require much more of each of them.

This week, my mother mentioned a former professor of hers who had told students that setting a goal they could achieve was simply not good enough. If we think about this, once we can execute the basics well, if we continue to learn and grow and push ourselves exceptionally hard we can achieve something far beyond what we believed was possible. And then, “Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of.” Marcus Zusak

This cast is capable of producing an amazing show. They are phenomenally talented and with another month to go, they will achieve far beyond what they imagine. It's unlikely a more talented group of seniors has gathered together on stage. This is their moment.

We are each given these remarkable moments, some more legendary than others, but all are opportunities to push ourselves to achieve far more than we believed metaphysically possible. It is up to us to ... Shoot for the stars!

Today's Photo: Stars

“All that is important is this one moment in movement. Make the moment important, vital, and worth living. Do not let it slip away unnoticed and unused.” Martha Graham






EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
50mm
f2
1/250s

365 Project - Day 239

“The men of experiment are like the ant, they only collect and use; the reasoners resemble spiders, who make cobwebs out of their own substance. But the bee takes the middle course: it gathers its material from the flowers of the garden and field, but transforms and digests it by a power of its own.” Francis Bacon

My garden is buzzing with hummingbirds and bees, making today's photo selection a difficult one. To top off the challenge, I chose to photograph flowers as well. I had 3 categories of photos to choose from!

The bees were crazy busy while working on the lavender. I was thrilled that they paid little attention to me as I photographed them. I was not anxious to be stung or even harassed by the bees. Watching them work was fascinating. Their process, while exceedingly quick also appeared frenetic and inefficient as they seemed to flit back and forth amongst the stems. To my untrained eye, the whole pollen gathering process looked chaotic. At the same time, I was entranced. And, as you can see in this photo, in the blink of an eye the bee landed, delicately grabbed hold of the flower and gathered what it needed. If only we all worked as feverishly, delicately, and focused and then contributed as much to support our global good.

I am adding a second photo because I felt it represented my own little chaotic world during the last few weeks. No effort to organize the flowers could add uniformity. They are lovely, but messy. That's life!

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Chaotic Goodness

"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos." Stephen Sondheim







EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
250mm
f4
1/1000s


ISO 125
35mm
f5.6
1/2s

365 Project - Day 238

Today we celebrated my son's graduation and his impending entry into New York University. I'm exhausted, but he and his friends enjoyed the day long party and that's what is important!

When I went to the dollar store to buy balloons, they were sold out of both grad balloons and balloons in his high school colors. We were forced then, to focus all of our decorating energy on NYU. The home was ablaze in purple! The plums below are a fair tribute to the NYU school colors. When I allow myself time to think about it, it's impossible to fathom him away. Yet, the time is nearly here. I am fortunate to have been so booked up with activities that leave no time for melancholy.

Given the association of purple with privilege and royalty, my son's fast approaching future seems well positioned. So rather than waste energies on anxiety, I will shift to the anticipation of his magical, illustrious future. I'm sure it will be great!

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Plum Greatness

"The path to happiness starts by following your passion, not dollar signs. Find what you like to do and immerse yourself in it. Don’t take precious time to smell the roses while you are still young —you can always garden when you retire."
—Phil Baran, Darlene Shiley Chair in Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute (from "If I'd Known Then: NYU Alum Advice for the Graduating Class)






EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 100
50mm
f4.8
1/125s

365 Project - Day 237

"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

My parents celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary today. When I picked them up from their excursion into New York City, this happened: "Well, hello pretty lady," my father said coyly to his bride. To which she grinned and responded, "Robert! Just get in the car, please." I have watched this slow dance my entire life. I have been truly blessed by the richness of their relationship and the fullness of their love.

My mother asked me if I had written about their anniversary in my blog. I told her I had not, but then thought I should. As I struggled to remember which photographs I had taken for today, I was panicked by the thought that I had nothing appropriate to celebrate my parents nor their 60 years together. I do not, but I will try.

The day I took this photograph, I had decided I had an affliction I needed to resolve. Holding steady. I move far too much when I hold my camera. This has been troubling me since the very first time I picked up a camera at the age of 16. I have compensated for it, even overcome it, but I have not conquered it. I need to stop looking around once the camera body is up to my eye, trust what I see, understand and cultivate depth, shape the composition, place the subject in the best light, be still and then hold fast. Interesting, isn't it, that these activities are also essential for long-lasting relationships?

As I witness this milestone with my parents, I am inspired by their focus on each other and on their family and impressed by their ability to hold steady despite life's most interesting bits. I am indeed a grateful witness. Happy 60th Anniversary!

Best wishes.

Today's Photo: Hold Steady!

"Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. Love never fails." 1Corinthians 13:7-8







EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
280mm
f4
1/1500s

365 Project - Day 236

"Motion or change, and identity or rest, are the first and second secrets of nature: Motion and Rest." Ralph Waldo Emerson

After a two week hiatus, I refilled the bird cages. The birds have been slow to reappear, but it has been nice to sit, relax and enjoy the garden. Though it has been raining quite a bit, I have had an opportunity to get out, walk around the garden and photograph the flowers. In the midst of this crazy busy time, I have been thinking about my personal need for pure rest and relaxation. We are blessed by an abundance of fun and joy with graduation, parties, my parents, NYU activities, summer shows.

I need to constantly remind myself to order the activities of my life. It is okay to be in motion as long as my priorities align with my purpose and as long as I also build in, not steal, time to rest. I am a walking example of what happens, given my recent broken leg, when I do not. Whether the busyness is good or troubling, the Lord has promised protection for the small price of acknowledging Him. It's that simple, but it does requires change and motion!

As I worked on the photo below, I could sense the lavender in motion. Each time I turned back to my monitor, I was a bit startled as the blooms seemed to sway on my screen.

Blessings.

Today's Photo: Motion and Rest

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress,'
my God, in whom I trust.'

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, 'The Lord is my refuge,'
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

'Because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him salvation.' "
Psalm 91