Says one photographer to many anothers...

Once upon a time, one professional photographer was talking to another professional photographer about really wanting to improve her photography (a desire I know all too well). The other photographer said to her that if she was serious about improving her photography, she would take 3 actions daily… for a whole year, with the result being to improve her photography 300%. The actions include:

• Take at least 1 photo every day.
• Read at least 1 page in my camera manual every day.
• View other professional images every day

I don't think I am a professional photographer, though I am definitely aspiring and working to be on some level eventually. But this challenge struck a unique chord within me and made me truly want to take part in it in a real and committed way, even if my version of it may look quite different and quite amateur comparitively. I am reminded that hesitations and insecurities are all the more reason why I should do this - to put myself out there and potentially allow and encourage others to see my images more often and more naturally as they are captured rather than hide behind my lens and only show a select fraction of what actually gets documented with my camera.

So I'm doing this too...and we'll just see how it goes and what I learn about photography...and myself... in the process.

Thank you Tasra Dawson for the inspiration...and thank you Scott Bourne for issuing the now viral challenge to Tasra in the first place!

...creativity with a purpose...

I am learning that I am one of those people who just simply must be creating...something...at...all...times...in...some...way...shape...or...form. It feeds a part of my being and makes me feel so alive. But what happens when simply creating for creating's sake feels somewhat empty and selfish?

I found one possible answer to that question this Saturday...

In a cozy, charming, inspiring and adorable home in Elmer, NJ belonging to an old friend from high school, I along with my mother and 5 other women ranging in age from 34 - 74 got together for a stamping/card making party. I do not consider myself a stamper nor do I really know the first thing about stamping nor have I ever been particularly interested in stamping...until now.

I didn't really know what to expect when going into this except that it would be fun...but it was so much more than that. I watched and listened as an organic community sprung up around me - a community of women who love to create, who love to craft, who love to be together and who value sharing life with one another. Morsels of encouragement were passed as if on the handles of the scissors, in the ink of the stamp pads and in the fiber of the ribbon. Generosity was abundant in the passing and sharing and caring and laughing. Conversation was real and interesting and funny and simple. Creativity was flowing in and around in scallops and layers and buttons and brads. Friendship was fueled and found over paper scraps and ink stained hands...and I love that.

I stopped for a moment to take it all in and realized how blessed I was to be there, in that moment, with this particular group of women...on this particular day, in this particular house, one simple Saturday in August...each making her own unique mark and creation in the form of 12 cards - that's 84 cards total. That means our experience doesn't end there...84 more people will receive our token of this day - and perhaps it will come at just the right moment to cheer them, encourage them, comfort them, congratulate them, bless them, speak to them, reach them...

...that is the purpose, and it is full and rich and contains a piece of my self but isn't selfish...and that is why I must continue to create in whatever form it may take...

...for a better 2009...

a dear friend sent me an email with "Tips for a Better 2009"...and normally I don't pay much attention to stuff like that...but today I took note, why? I don't know...I guess because I needed a kick in the butt to get out of my most recent funk...so for now, if it takes a list of ideals and things to aspire to over the next year to get me going and keep me positive and believing, then I'll take it ;-) So I share the list(in no particular order) with you too in the hopes that maybe even just one thing on here will encourage you or challenge you too...(there should probably be one on my list about being a more faithful and consistent blogger too)...Anyway, here's to a better 2009!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in factories.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts. '
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this situation matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful to your spirit.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. Remember that the best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them forever!!!)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride.. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Add your own personal additions to the list and share it with people you care about. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more.