Art Slam

In the past week, I have been asked to shoot photographs for a family, a wedding and a church group. I do not see this sudden interest in my shooting skills as a coincidence. I don’t believe in coincidences.

I love photography. For as much as I love it, I have gotten away from doing it daily. Each year, many photogs join one of the many 365 day groups on Flickr and shoot a daily portrait. I have started this process twice and have not managed to make it past day 33. It is one heck of a commitment to shoot yourself every single day.

But…I am going to do it. Make the commitment and find a way to do it. Instead of going for the whole 365 days, I am going to do it a month at a time. Just like I did this daily blog posting for a month. And, I am not going to start it in January. I am thinking of starting December 1st. Reason being, it is my birth month, one of the holiest times of the year and I love the festiveness of the month. That is three positives I can go back to if I find myself struggling to shoot a daily. So, here is to my new monthly creative commitment. Wish me luck and do let me know if you will be joining along.

As far as reordering my steps, I am in prayer about that. And, I am wondering and listening (God tends to speak to me in whispers) for signs that these photography requests are part of that reordering process.

Patience is something I always thought I had a pretty good handle on, but lately, I am beginning to wonder if this has changed for me. I feel like I am having to learn all over again how and what it really means to be patient. Ultimately, having patience means you trust that forces outside of yourself are at work and everything does not happen on your specific timeline. Being patient, in essence is trusting what you can not see. At least for me, this is what I am learning about patience.

I am also learning to let go of self-induced anxiety and mental fear scenerios. I have said before that fear is simple false experiences appearing real. Fear is feeding ground for an out of control ego. My ego has been very cooperative lately, almost protective. I am noticing myself residing in Witness and Nothingness. In these places, I am learning the lesson of patience and there is comfort in that. There is comfort in letting go and letting God.

Busy living and doing with the family this weekend. Loving this quote lately, “Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”

Last night, I sat down to plan my shopping strategy for this morning. After going out with the masses, here are a few things I noticed:

• There was no one hot item worth standing outside in the cold weather for.
• Stores are opening for their door busters earlier and earlier, but the door busters are garbage.
• This is the time of year people take advantage of the discounts to shop for themselves.
• Robes seem to be the gift to give right behind netbooks.
• As many black Fridays as I have been going to, many stores still have no idea how to manage a crowd.
• The wait to check out gets longer and longer every year.
• Shopping online is becoming more appealing as each year goes by.

Honestly, if the stores truly cared about the consumer and our spending dollar, they would spend more time making the shopping experience a good one. I am serious considering doing all of my shopping online from now on. Outside of having great black Friday battle stories to tell, I can not say I walk away with a ton of great deals anymore. Even still, I do enjoy seeing all the festive decorations and some people do try to be a little friendlier at this time of the year. So, I guess the insanity of standing in line for one bargain is worth it just to experience the festive holiday spirit.

It is my hope you all are having a great day and spending it with friends and family in thanks for all of your blessings. Today, I am thankful for prayers being answered, my faith being strengthened, my husband and my children and all of my extended family and friends. Truly, I am blessed.

A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard. ~Bruce Lee

This week, I will share some of my favorite self-portraits. This one I have not seen in a while and it was not initially one I would have selected because it is not perfectly sharp where I wanted it to be. Looking at it now, I love it. Softly focused is my new friend.

This picture speaks volumes without a single word.

Okay…I did touch the canvases and one of them did get a new layer, but seriously, I am so unmotivated to create right now. So, give me some ideas I have not already suggested for how you jumpstart your creativity. If I have to revisit any of my usual hobbies, I believe I will scream.

So, suggest away. I am completely open to just about anything.

I must admit, posting everday is a challenge, but I knew I could do this if I was mindful and stayed true to doing it.

Why is it people feel life owes them the easy way out of everything? When something does not go as we planned, we get offended or pissed that life did not go our way. That kind of thinking is so damn arrogant. Nothing in life is 100% easy. The things you want the most, you have to work for. Even if you do get exactly what you want, you still have to work to keep it. There are forces at work ready to pounce on any area of vulnerability in our lives and rip it to shreds. Our job is to be aware of those forces. Awareness is no joke. When you have it, things can be so clear it is almost painful. Clarity can be blinding with the truth it shows, but would you really want to have it any other way? Would walking around unaware be a better choice for living your life?

Through awareness comes growth. There is always a lesson to learn or some new insight to gain. Be it into yourself or another, the lesson can be life changing. If the change is a positive one, the path to awareness will always be the one I choose.

Is it just me or does seeing Christmas stuff up before Thanksgiving just seem wrong? I understand in the retail world it is all about getting the jump on the competitor, but seriously, can we enjoy one holiday before we move to another?

As much as I love the holiday season, I wish the commercialism would stop. This year, I am all about the handmade gifts and gift cards. I am teaching my kids it is not about the stuff, but the reason for the season is all about praising the Spirit inside yourself.