Don't Worry

Mitzvah en San Miguel de Allende

Woke up this morning feeling a little more tense than usual. Searched for something that would put me in the right frame of mind: images and music. Found two very distinct things, a little Bob Marley (Three Little Birds) and my image, Mitzvah en San Miguel de Allende.

Old habits are hard to break. We get comfortable with them like an old security blanket. We can change them if we are willing to put forth the effort. Worry is a complete waste of energy. So today, I crank up the "Marley" and let go. Already, there's a good feeling brewing inside of me.

There's a whole lot of life to experience outside. The weather is changing and I think I will mix up my day and take my camera for a walk and "Stir It Up." Going to create something today. I can sense it inside of me. It's going to be a great day; I am going to compose it to my liking. It's time for me to give something back and to share.

Contemplative

Caddo Lake
Uncertain, TX

To unpathed waters, undreamed shores.

William Shakepeare

Feeling pensive and reflective this morning. My body anticipates the pending time change and the onset of spring. Rather than fight the natural wake up call, I choose to get up and write a few thoughts before the start of the day.

My friend Harry and I love going to Caddo Lake to shoot. It's a place where we can withness and absorb the changes a day and light can bring. Through the trees and and crowded bayous and the open spaces of the lake, we view Caddo's  ethereal complex and primal simplicity. In the morning, it's our own Jurassic Park. We say nothing or very little, sit back and enjoy the conductor-less symphony and witness the strains from life's orchestra from the cheap seats.

We think about the lake and how appropriate the city's name where we launch is for our journey: Uncertain, TX. There's nothing certain about what we will find that day. There's nothing certain what we will find any day. What is certain, is that we have another opportunity to live and to enjoy what the day brings. We have to look beyond the trees and perhaps in them as well. None knows what the day will bring.

Good day to play some John Denver: Poems, Prayers, and Promises.

A Little Fun

A Fun Shoot
"Pro-Fit"
Keller, Tx

One of my friends asked if I would shoot some commercial images at his personal training center, "Pro-Fit" in Keller, TX. The images will be used for his revamped website. At first I must admit, I was a bit reluctant. So far, it's been a lot of fun.

It's been fun because I've been trying to learn to tell his story. His program trains athletes and non athletes individually. Each gets the special attention that they otherwise would not receive in other commercial gym settings. Eric trains people of all ages. It's never too late to get "Pro-Fit."

Fitness is an incredible part of life. It's the key to staying emotionally healthy as well. If you are nearby Keller, stop by and meet proprietor Eric Chapman. He will put together a program based on your needs and age. Invest in yourself and get "Pro-Fit".

The Athlete

The Athlete

Every once in a while, we meet a special person. Someone who stands out not by what we simply see from the outside, but from what we can also sense from within. Last night that experience happen to me as I worked on capturing an off season athlete for a special project I am working on. With out a doubt I could sense my subject's playfulness, warmth, and kindness.

This athlete was noble in his demeanor and kind with his words. He has crafted his body to withstand the physical stress of the game of football and to chase his dreams. His discipline and focus has all been channeled to master the grid iron and to pursue a chance at playing professionally in the NFL. He is half-way there and already plays in the CFL.

We struck a relationship right away; not of camera, photographer, and client, but of two people chasing a dream and a passion. There was no barrier between us men. It simply became one shared of shared dreams and personal ambition. Passion is the stuff in life that makes it all worthwhile. The pursuit of personal passion and dreams yields profound pleasure and satisfaction.

Bistro Fada

Office Mural
Keller, TX

Woke up this morning with several musical themes in mind. The dominant one was Stephane Wrembel's work, Bistro Fada. For those of you who have not heard his work please click on the link. His fingers lead you through a magical tour of late night cafes in Paris. The experience is quite magnificent.

For over a decade, my wife and I, have archived our experiences within the walls of a place we call home. We want our friends to feel our warmth and our joy. It's truly our way of taking you with us and bringing you back safely. There's so much to share.

There has not been a day that I've not enjoyed my office and the mural that watches over me as I work. Angels and Demons freely interact in a Mexican heaven and exist independently as a part of life. At times, when I lapse into forgetfulness of how good my life is; I choose to look up at the mural and experience specific moments of my travels once again.

During the past several years, there have been instances when I felt that the best moments were behind me. Now I recognize that the best moments are the ones that I enjoy today and that remain ahead of me. I choose to make each day count and to fill them with meaning. Life, my life, is both for me to enjoy and mine to share.

Joie de Vivre

Joie de Vivre
San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico

My journey has taken me through both the peaks and valleys of life. There have been periods wasted as I attempted to discover what it takes to truly live. The answers found were in places remote and obscure. At times, I mined within. The answers have baffled me. It seems that there's an inverse relation between simplicity and happiness. Happiness requires less not more. It requires letting go.

Simplicity seems to bring uncomplicated joy to most. Children can be happy playing with sticks and balls. Mature adults seem to enjoy conversation over coffee at an outdoor cafe with a few friends. The many times I've travelled to Mexico, I've noticed how energy gets replenished even though the amount of sleep diminishes.

Days filled with very mundane things such as watching people stroll pass and listening to church bells ring, mute all other disruptions thereby shifting focus to the present and the joy of now. Today is it. It's the only day we've got. Living becomes as, if not more important, than simply doing. We live when we insure that our soul gets nourished  To this extent, living is about quality and not quantity.

A cup of coffee or a glass of wine with a good friend is an exercise in a different form of spiritual "holy communion". We share in the body of our humanity both our joys and our suffering. To live we must learn to drink from its cup. Ironically some of us must learn to pause and look so that we can live. If we fail to do so, life with certainty and swiftness will pass us by.

To my new found friends, Devesh and Corrine, let me thank you for reminding me of "joie de vivre". This is what I've been searching for many years. To my new friends from France, bonjour, welcome to my Daily Journey.

Portrait of a Young Salesman

Portrait of a Young Car Salesman
Fort Worth, TX

Every once in a while you come across an individual who truly impresses you. Most of us dread the experience of shopping for a new car. The main reason we dread this is the reputation that care salesman have. They tend to be deceitful, obnoxious, pushy, and ruthless.

The reason I met the fellow pictured above was precisely because the other competing Volkswagen dealership drove me away by their antiquated style. I hate being made to think that the automobile I am interested is the last one on earth and I need to make my decision today. It's about as bad as when an evangelical preacher delivers a poor sermon right before lunch and insists on an altar call.  Even with hunger pangs I would rather hold out than to heed the pontifical beckoning.

This was not the case with my new friend. He did not push but rather he just wanted to make sure I was a serious buyer. We shot straight with each other and it was a completely harmless event. His style worked extremely well with a difficult buyer like myself.

The situation was so complete that I took out my iPhone and photographed the noble man. I would like to print this image and print it on aluminum. The techniques I used to render the final image really lend themselves to be printed on metal. By the way, how do I sell him this image without being or sound too pushy? It's a great image of a very handsome fine fellow. At the end of the day, let's face it, I'm in sales too!!