Tumble and Drift :: CT

Tumble and Drift :: CT

“I realized then that even though I was a tiny speck in an infinite cosmos, a blip on the timeline of eternity, I was not without purpose.” -RJ Anderson

One of the most powerful things you can do for yourself is to rule out who you’re not, so that you can focus on who you are meant to be. In doing so, you find a voice you didn’t know you had, the motivation to work towards your goals and the strength of character to weather any storm.

For me, that has often involved saying yes to opportunity, or following a blooming interest. Sometimes you find you’re not all that passionate about xyz afterall, and that’s ok. You haven’t failed, you’ve learned a lesson, and in doing so you’ve taken one step closer to finding your passion and purpose in life.

And once you discover what path you are meant to walk? The possibilities are endless. Cultivate with that purpose a strong sense of morals and ethics and you will be a significant force for positive change in this world.

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Clamorous Cascade :: CT

Clamorous Cascade :: CT

“Then something Tookish woke up inside of him, and he wished to go see the great mountains, and hear the pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking-stick.” -Tolkien

Kaleidoscope :: CT

Kaleidoscope :: CT

 

The news these days is rough, but it’s important to remember that dark days are when we need to shine our lights the most, to bring some good back into the world. ❤

There is never a wrong time to show kindness, be empathetic, and help others. I encourage all of you to look into your hearts, and think about what you can do to help the world be a brighter, better, safer place. It’s when we come together with love and the mentality that we can make a difference that we start to see positive change in the world.

Traverse Through Tranquility :: CT

Traverse Through Tranquility :: CT

 

Today I’m choosing to focus on what I have in life, as opposed to what I’m striving for.

-I’m grateful for my crazy, fun, loving family (especially the time spent with my 90-something year old Grandfather <3).
-I’m grateful that I have mashed potatoes, which I plan to demolish today.
-I’m grateful for a roof over my head, and my health insurance that allowed me to get my broken finger looked at this week. lol
-I’m grateful for my friends who make me smile even if the world feels a bit heavy some days.
-I’m grateful I have the resources to travel, to take photographs and to pursue my dreams of running a photography business.
-I’m grateful for the support of my photography peers and the people who take the time to spare a kind word or purchase a print (it means so much, y’all!)
-I’m grateful I live in a country where I, as a woman, have the freedoms to do those things.
-I’m grateful for the security we take for granted everyday, and for the freedom to speak my mind.  (Thank you to all of the Vets out there! <3)
-I’m grateful we live in a diverse country where I can meet people who introduce me to new foods, culture, ideas and religions (because seriously…tacos, pho, pączki, aloo gobi, sushi, paella… I can keep going, but you get the delicious delicious picture!).
-I’m grateful that this past week, I was able to help some friends who lost EVERYTHING in the wildfires out in California.  They need so much right now, and my contribution felt like a drop in the bucket, but I recognize it was a blessing for both of us to give and receive nonetheless.
-I’m grateful for my cranky horse, and my difficult dogs. lol  There are lessons to be learned from everyone and every animal you meet, and they remind me of the value of patience, compassion, forgiveness and a loving heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Andante :: CT

Andante :: CT

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

A few weeks back, I checked out a waterfall @pmacmiller posted about (he’s a great guy, check out his page!) and the hike was lovely. A lot of it meanders along the shore of a lake, which in the summer can be a bit noisy (motorized boats allowed) but it didn’t stop me from finding little moments of joy in the woods. For example, at the end of a curve in the trail, I stumbled upon this scene. It’s a fallen log, and some trees, but in the right light at the right moment it was magical. In fact, so much of photography is just that: recognizing beautiful moments. As Emerson said, it’s a study in patience. But when the trees take on the soft glow of diffuse light, while the birds chirp and chipmunks rustle the undergrowth, it becomes clear that patience pays off. Talk about a life lesson, eh??

Divergent :: CT

Divergent :: CT

Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel.  But sometimes you find the most beautiful things in your backyard. 🙂

Rejuvenate :: CT

Rejuvenate :: CT

“The question is not what you look at, but what you see.” -Henry David Thoreau

At times, it’s hard to determine what is a cause and what is an effect when it comes to my photography. Do I explore the corners of the earth looking for beauty because I want to create an image? Has photography helped me hone my ability to find joy in nature? Or have I always loved nature, and photography is just a vehicle to share that experience with others? To inspire others to appreciate the world around them?

Perhaps both truths are valid.

There is so much beauty and joy to be found in this world, the trick is to be open to it. Often that means some discomfort and growth, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

As an aside, here in CT we have had muggy, hot, rainy weather which is miserable when the humidity is so high, but it does produce some lovely waterfalls. That being said, you won’t hear me complain about the heat when California is experiencing the biggest fire in its history.  Apparently, the direct cause of the fire is unknown, though generally speaking there seems to be some acknowledgment that climate change(a complicated issue) has been playing a role in the severity and frequency of extreme weather events.  There has also been some criticism of the US forest service’s policy to suppress fires rather than letting some burn for the health of the forests.  The news outlets covering the fires do say with certainty that multiple days of three digit temperatures have exacerbated the problem.  Many have been evacuated, lost homes, and some have been injured/lost their lives. Yosemite is closed indefinitely while they try to control the fire.

Thoughts and prayers to everyone on the west coast living with those conditions. Many thanks to all of the firefighters, fire personnel, etc working to contain things.