Control is a MY Freak

Do you see yourself as a control freak?

I ask this question because, of late, whenever I find myself, without exception, become frustrated with my photography it is because I am a control freak. Whenever I feel the need to hang onto the control within it becomes a damn to my creative juices, causing me great frustration. The control blurs my vision and I wander endlessly freaking out because I can't ''see'' anything.

Whenever I let go and just let it happen, this is when I take my best pictures.

Come to think of it whenever I let go in life I find myself the happiest as well.

Note to self ~ Let go of your control ways and just let it be.

Trust The Change

When we get stuck in a particular situation or having to make a major decision we should go with ‘’what we know?’’

I know that my decisions are never right or wrong and that they can always be corrected. I know that opportunities are put in front of me because I am ready for what they bring to my life. I know that nothing is permanent, except maybe a Sharpie marker, haha, and that my mind can change at any time. I know that all decisions result in change and that change is good. I know that things always work out, regardless of what happens, the universe is funny like that.

So why do we often hesitate when faced with change.

Is it all the ‘’wrong’’ decisions we have made in the past? Or maybe, that some of our decisions have caused us pain, embarrassment, or misfortune? Could it be that we are so afraid of judgment, from self and others? Are we just so afraid of the unknown?

Is it a lack of trust, in ourselves?

Every moment presents a new opportunity and this is a good thing. We have to learn to trust ourselves.

What better time to start, than now? But how do we learn to trust ourselves? The same way you learn to trust anyone in your life, by paying attention to what they say and do and if they are true to their word. Try doing this with yourself. Build the kind of trust in yourself that you would want in a good friend.

Make a decision, stick to it. See what happens. It will become easier as you become more consistent. Trusting ourselves allows for us to ‘’go for it!’’

Trust in our truth and our worth, all in one.

Bob Marley definitely had it right when he sang the words ''don’t worry about a thing, cause everythings gonna be alright.''

50 things learned over 50 years.

1.     There is nothing wrong with being afraid.

2.     Don’t take serious stuff too seriously.

3.     Honesty solves most problems.

4.     Love more.

5.     Don’t allow anyone to take your personal power away, ever.

6.     Encourage kids.

7.     Go for a walk.

8.     Get a dog, they can teach you so much about love.

9.     Listen, when it’s time to listen.

10. Show up – on time.

11. Fight for things that are important to you.

12. Paint a picture.

13. Spend lots of time in the kitchen.

14. Shame, guilt, and jealousy are a waste of time.

15. You can only judge if you are paying for it.

16. Be grateful for what you have.

17. It always works itself out.

18. Listen to your kids.

19. Keep your promises.

20. Have dinner with family and friends often.

21. When you do a favour expect nothing in return.

22. Tattoos are no big deal.

23. Meditate – it takes many forms.

24. Never think you know what others are thinking.

25. When you say sorry, mean it.

26. It’s OK to say ‘’No’’.

27. Be polite.

28. Everyone feels inadequate, it’s not just you.

29. Keep a journal.

30. Music can make a difference.

31. Read ‘’To Kill A Mockingbird’’, ‘’Catcher In the Rye’’, and ‘’Fifth Business’’.

32. Always mean what you say.

33. The truth is so simple.

34. Keep an open mind.

35. There is always another way to look at things, keep an open mind.

36. It’s as important to go in, as it is to go out.

37. Wisdom has nothing to do with age.

38. Change is good.

39. Learn to listen to your gut.

40. Go to the movies.

41. When in doubt ask yourself ‘‘what would LOVE do?’’

42. Do what you want.

43. Crying is just as important as laughing.

44. Being different is ‘’normal’’.

45. New shoes and haircuts just feel good.

46. Be kind.

47. Passion is more important than wealth.

48. When you say ‘Cheers’’ look people in the eye.

49. Don’t be shy, it’s good to put yourself out there.

50. Try as many things as possible, at least once.

New Beginnings

When will things change? This is a question I hear all the time from people in my circle.

The answer is change, all kinds, has already started, and there is no stopping it.

People are becoming brighter and I don't me in a intellectual sense, although that is true as well, I mean in a spiritual sense. We are caring more about the things that are important to us. Family, friends, vocation, community, and environment. It's easy to see and I feel if we just took the time to look around us we would notice all kinds of positive change.

Case In Point ~ I spent my day yesterday working for a friend, one that I have gotten to know pretty much exclusively through internet socializing. Weird but true. I was initially introduced to Mike Cheliak by my dear friend Bob Hatcher. I want to illustrate how things are changing by examining Mike's company, My Sports Shooter. Mike is a well grounded, easy going, nurturing guy who empowers his company mysportsshooter.com. with his positive spirit. As far as I can tell, it is important to Mike to illuminate what it is he works on and who he works with and by doing so he in turn illuminates himself. This is a wonderful circle to experience, trust me. Positivity is a force that must be shared, there is no keeping in locked up.

This is a change that is spreading in homes, in offices, in schools, in communities, all over the world. It may seem so simple and it may go unnoticed but people sharing their positivity is what is going to change this world. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to work with fun, energetic, positive souls. I say work, but that hardly is a fair analysis of the case in point.

Starting today, do yourself a huge favour, and begin your week with positive intentions. Go out there and create a positive circle by looking to help those around you, share only good thoughts with yourself and others, encourage and support all that you come in contact with. Walk into your place of work with a huge smile and a helping hand. Be sure to take the time to shower the ones you love with your love, and you will notice a shift. Weird but true. You may think that this is an exercise that will drain you, and you maybe right. Initially this may feel physically exhaustive for you but I can tell you that eventually the spiritual gains that you begin to gather with lift you not only physically but in all ways.

I Am So Lovable

If I could have one wish it would be for every single being to have the ability to realize that they are worthy of being loved and of loving.

It's when we realize this about ourselves that we are able to embrace and express our vulnerabilities, completely. When we open up the windows to our not so perfect self this is when we make true lasting connections and to connect, after all, is why we are here. Connecting is what fills us with purpose and meaning.

Where have all the kids gone?

The year was 1971, the place Newmarket, the time 6 p.m. on October 31 and I was 10 years old.

I can remember being so excited for Halloween night and all that it brought with it. We would gather at dusk, we would plane our route for days, we would knock on every door within a 10 mile radius. Yes I said mile, it was 1971, remember? I can recall traveling the streets in packs, what seemed like hundreds of us. We would have to return home on several occasions throughout the night to ''dump'' our ''haul'' only to run out the door not to fall too far behind the other tramps, witches, ghosts, and ghouls.

Do you remember that lady that lived down the street that made fresh homemade candy apples for all the kids from our street? We walked right into her kitchen to pick our apple off a tray on her counter. Does this still happen?

Last night, in Barrie, I was so disappointed as I am on most Halloween nights, of late. I decorate my house, with spiders and pumpkins, smoke machines and full size handmade coffins. I wear my traditional scary mask and I sit and wait. to share my 100's of chocolate bars, bags of chips, and sweet treats, and I wait and I wait. I am pretty sure that I had fewer than 10 kids rap on my door last night. I did not have a single knock after 8 o'clock. The local elementary school seems to house 100's of kids during the day. Do they just not have the drive that we had? Is it too much effort for them? Are they too busy playing it safe?

Where have all the kids gone?

Knock Knock!

Life is full of opportunity. This world is full of possibilities. We are full of love. The ultimate opportunity. Embrace it. Embrace the world. Embrace life. Embrace yourself.