The first drop

When are people going to realize that what matters most is not what you have, how much you earn, what title you have, how good you look, how many people you know, what size is on your clothing label (just to name a few).....but what really makes you stand out is how loving, considerate, open minded, generous, gracious, humble, mature, giving and respectful you can be to the world around you and the people within it.

I do not admire anyone who gloats about how much they can acquire, in fact, I get embarrassed for you. Why? Because I know that deep down inside, you would rather have the one thing you cannot buy instead of all the things you can. I know this because I've been there before.

I do not admire anyone who is quick to criticize others for doing things differently. Your way is your way, it's not the only way and may not even be the best way - but just as theirs is theirs, so is yours. You may not have an understanding of why others act the way they do - you have not walked in their shoes so don't assume to know their miles.

I do not admire people who are selfish with knowledge, holding information tightly is a sign of insecurity. Knowledge only becomes wisdom once it is shared; you are not wise because you 'know' a lot, you are wise when you allow the information to become powerful and make a difference.

I have no respect for people that would rather talk about themselves than seek to understand those around them better. Your ignorance toward others is your worst feature. Do you even know how to show interest and regard for other people's passions? When was the last time you sought to learn something new about someone not so new?




We need to accept ourselves for who we are, not who we need to be seen as in order to increase our sense of self worth...

Ponder

At times I can be accused of being over analytical, at times I can be accused of being too blasé.

This past week has given me an incredible amount of down time, time which under any other circumstance would've seen me productive in all aspects, home, mind and socially. Unfortunately, being confined to the couch, with little energy and even less motivation, gave me way too much time to think. And here I am, over analyzing again.

Sometimes I wish I was a puppet, someone guiding my every move and action, no need to think, feel, or come up with answers to some of the harder questions and choices life throws at us.

Now if I could only figure out which puppet I'd be.......(and so the process starts again!)

Quality not Quantity

As I get older, I have come to realise that it really is true when people say 'it's about quality, not quantity'.

In particular, the subject of friends.

After all is said and done, there are but a handful of people I would consider to be 'quality' friends. They know who they are and it goes without saying that we will be friends until our dying days. Our friendships have stood the test of time and space, challenges and chapter changes, and are filled with wonderful, warm, funny memories that only we can relate to.

Some may accuse me of being disloyal, moving on from friendships like they have an expiry date. Well let me tell you, some of them do. Just like a relationship gone bad, sometimes it's best to move on, take the friendship for what it was and realise what it can no longer be.

There is nothing quite as exhausting as a friendship that takes so much work to maintain and offers so little value in return. And yes, friendships should offer you value - why on earth would you want a friend that does nothing but bring you down, make you question yourself, your views, make you paranoid, lowers your self esteem and compromises your reputation all in return for your patience, advice, friendship and support? Friendships shouldn't be that draining, that's just not what they are there for and a person can only take so much before cutting ties.

On the flip side, it is unfair to falsely give your friendship to someone and have them believe that you admire and respect them. That's not being true to them and it is definitely not being true to yourself.

I have learnt the hard way that it's OK to no longer relate to someone and grow distant, especially if the path they have chosen is not one you wish to travel down.

In saying that, there are definitely people from my past that I wish I had stronger relationships with today. People that I know I gave up on, had silly little falling outs with, or just gradually stopped talking to. It's the ones that I know are toxic that I have no regrets over.

Life is way less stressful when there are fewer things to stress about....

Wheels in Motion

You may recall earlier in the year me posting some 'ideals' that I plan to live by this year, in particular one about giving my dreams and ideas a real chance.

Since picking up my mother in-laws DSLR camera early last year, I have been transfixed with the art of photography, wanting to learn everything there is to learn, then practising what I think I have learnt, all in hope to someday make it more of a career than a hobby.

I have been extremely lucky to have had work offered to me already, but I must confess that it scares the hell out of me. Taking a photo of someone with the expectation to produce a masterpiece is a lot of pressure...especially when it comes to capturing weddings, christening, engagements and the growing journey of a pregnant baby belly. Just because you have a good camera doesn't make you a good photographer! There are many elements to consider, but more often that not, the untrained eye is ignorant to them.

I am extremely critical of my work and have never felt comfortable taking money in return for taking photos - especially considering I am still learning and refining my own ability. Photography is something I find so fulfilling and rewarding, how could I possibly accept payment for doing it? Would that then turn it into actual 'work' and change my outlook on it....I know that I'd rather be paid to do something I love than be paid to do something I don't.

Perhaps I have never been comfortable with the thought that I just may have the talent to succeed in an industry which is so subjective....art has never been my 'thing, until now.

The feedback I have received regarding some of my work has been overwhelming, and I am so grateful for it as it keeps me motivated, keeps me wanting to challenge myself and keeps me critical of what I produce.

It's time to set the wheels in motion.....time to give my dreams and ideas a real chance.