“No matter how slow the film, Spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer It has chosen” Minor White
“Have you ever been in love? Then you can photograph” Unknown
“Since Yes is all the creativity that a photographer has, it’s all he needs.” Unknown
The infinity of choices in our lives. There are an infinity of choices that come along in a lifetime. This aspect of free will is so much the differentiation between us and other species. There are many people that believe they do not have a choice in matters of their lives and thoughts. They become the victims of their genetics, family, nation, addictions, and more. Victims have large ranges of excuses for their behaviors. And really there is no requirement to change anything about oneself.
In our minds perhaps lies the greatest of opportunities for change that will ripple out throughout our lives. This is why great minds from the past suggest we have a set of ideals that we use as a means to help making choices as they come along.
Change is not necessary, not a requirement, for anyone. Choices are a requirement, you can’t escape them. And each choice flowing outward influences future events, events greatly influenced by our previous choices.
I believe everything in our lives presents opportunities to grow, to evolve into a place of greater love. Sometimes an illness is what it takes to consider our thoughts and attitudes. With that consideration comes the opportunity to change.
”Would you like to save the world from the degradation and destruction it seems destined for? Then step away from shallow mass movements and quietly go to work on your own self-awareness. If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.” Lao Tzu
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
Buddha
If you are fortunate you see the sun streaming through firs in a magic morning mist, give thanks for you are in the midst of good fortune.
“One is in harmony when that which one absolutely must do becomes identical to that which one most desires to do”. Maslow
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”
Chris Gardner “… here’s the secret to success: find something you love to do so much, you can’t wait for the sun to rise to do it all over again.”
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” Steve Jobs
A recent study by two Harvard researchers suggests that peoples minds are wandering nearly half the time they are awake. Their minds were not on their current activity as much as 46.9% of the time. Those whose minds were elsewhere were decidedly unhappy. The researchers interpret these findings to mean that people who live in the moment are much happier than those who don’t. While dreaming of the past or the future may be part of the human condition, those most focused on the present are happiest.
Memorial Day Weekend 2012
Time for massive maintenance here at home. The rain falls the sun shines, and suddenly there is hay in the orchard, hay four foot tall. My neighbor, from years ago, farmed hay, and farming hay takes special tools. Over the weekend I have used eight gallons of gas in the mower. I have weed wacked, blown, lopered, and chain sawed all in an effort to keep nature from making all but the tallest structures disappear. I wonder how long it would take for nature to reclaim where I live? It seems like they are all the time digging up lost cities covered in dirt, covered deeply in dirt. I wonder, how did that happen?
The garden beds got weeded and mostly planted on Memorial Day. I thought about my dad and how I learned the idea of gardening from him. He enjoyed a good harvest, you could see it in his energy and posture. I was a kid who preferred playing and don’t remember how much gardening I learned from my dad. I know I learned to bury fish guts in the ground below the tomato plant. I know I learned to love gardening.
The state of the vegetable garden this spring, seems like procrastination on my part. The good weather alters my perception of time. Some part of my brain reasons that so much good weather has come our way in Olympia recently, that we must be well into summer. Of course we’re not and there is time to do everything that must be done.
Written May 2012
Birthday Presence (pres·ence / prezəns Noun: The state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place a thought or thing on your birthday.)
It is so interesting contemplating my birthday this year in terms of trips around the sun. I have now been around the sun 62 times. That is 22,630 times around on the earth. It seems like a carnaval ride. There are times when the ride seems very serious and times when it is very light hearted. So much happens in a trip around the sun. In the material world everything is part of a cycle.
BEING
There are so many wonderful things about life. At this age I like to think about new experiences and learnings, and mostly, I enjoy thinking about states of being. What state of being can I aspire to, and what state of being can I attain?
For the last year I have focused much of my attention on the question of my purpose for being. Why am I here? What am I to be? The glimpses thus far are very simple, being kind is the one I am contemplating now. It is interesting that many say finding your purpose is really the easy part. Living your purpose presents the greater challenges.
As Maslow says “One is in harmony when that which one absolutely must do becomes identical to that which one most desires to do”. Wouldn’t this world be delightful if we all were in this state of mind? I find listening to people’s issues a timeless experience. I feel honored to hear their stories and to offer aid.
SHARING
I do not easily share myself. I grew up in Minnesota. My parents trained to be parents by watching their parents. We all have a family of origin with unique characteristics. So, grow up where I grew up and and you don’t “brag” about yourself. At minimum you must fake humility by not talking about yourself.
My life journey has had five perpetual activities; entrepreneurship, music (especially composing), photography, tai chi, and metaphysics. Each have waxed and waned at times, but have always been central to me. My traveling partner is my wife. We have been 16 times around the sun together.
I split my time between many activities. Most of my days are about hypnotherapy, website design,and property maintainence. I have been a founding partner in a Graphic and Web design company for 14 years. All the programming is mentally engaging and there is always something new to learn. We have rental houses where we live and they need the maintainence. I like having different tasks that use my right and left brain separately and in concert during different activities.
We have many acres of land and buildings that require maintenance. Sometimes when mowing the lawn I am very peaceful.
I play and write music as often as I can. I find it brings me into a wonderful trance like state of harmony and joy. Finally, another overriding aspect of my life is metaphysics. Metaphysics is a search for truth and understanding about the universe that is beyond current scientific verification. When I was 10 years old I believed I might be dying. This concern lasted for a couple of years. It made me very aware and interested in understanding the universe.