…that each of us aspires to may be enough for us to set each other free. -Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I think they're both dreaming of something wonderful... each other.
There are signs out there… I tell you.
So Sunday, I attend Buckhead Church 6pm Service, which before going much further I must admit this is my favorite hour of the week but by no means mean to put religious persuasions within my work. Whatever your religious views, I can almost promise I support them, I think spirituality is so very individual and much like voting, I believe the act of voting or the act of having some spirituality is bigger than which way you swing on either topic. Now that I have that cleared up… The service was on Solomon, in particular ‘Fear of man brings a snare.’ And he spoke enthusiastically about who we give our ‘stamps of approval’ to in life… who decides what you or I do is right or cool or best, who do you give that stamp to? But digs deeper in saying when you have a decision to be made, one must free themselves of anxiety found in others’ opinions and look to the bigger judge, in my case God. When you have someone bigger to always answer to, the smaller ‘stamps’ you have distributed become less fearful… This being the first eye-opening moment of the past few days… Freedom of Fear…
Next sign, so every morning I watch West Wing. I wake up at 7:55, get the bathroom teeth and face cleaned up and head back to bed with computer in hand and turn on Bravo. They play two episodes every morning from 8 to 10 EST. It is during this show, I catch up on all my emails, decide what the day’s schedule is, check my social media, write letters, read CNN.com, as well as get motivated to change the world. :) No joke, its that serious. The show is beautifully written and every show makes me cry or reevaluate some aspect of my life… sooooo maybe i shouldn’t watch it as much! :) Regardless just this morning, Santos (played by Jimmy Smits), the Democratic Presidential Candidate, gives a speech to a church that has just lost, through murder, one of their young congregation members. He speaks of blame but more so of healing our blame with compassion… much like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of during a time when compassion was probably THEE last word anyone could have felt. Compassion…
And then shortly after my West Wing time, is my hygiene/work out hour of the day… I say hygiene because it is from 10-11 I try and get ready, and work out because I laugh SO HARD watching the Ellen Show on CBS. This woman should win awards all across the board. It is also during this hour that I generally send texts to all my friends that usually say, ‘Gosh I love Ellen’ or ‘That Ellen is hilarious’… Not only is she hilarious, she seems so kind… this morning Brad Pitt was on from New Orleans (a rerun, but ironic rerun considering the signs) talking about his project there (which I have seen, touched, and photographed first hand) to rebuild part of the Ninth Ward in NOLA. He’s obviously doing amazing things but he spoke of Ellen and her show contributing over 1 million to their Make It Right campaign… probably one of a sack full of charities, let alone individuals, Ellen has helped with money, support or laughs. Selfless…
And finally I read this morning on CNN.com about a 22-year-old pregnant woman, Jenna Nielsen was delivering papers two years ago today and brutally stabbed to death. She was on her third child (at 22… oh my goodness, busy lil lady) and found June 14, 2007 outside a convenience store, dead. I have found a solace in those who die as I’m sure they’re in a better place, but I am alway saddened and mystified about those who ‘survive’ those who pass. No death is easy, but a brutal stabbing of two lives is all the more hard to fathom. The police have yet to have solid leads and the family has yet to give up on who did this and why… understandable so. Though odd… to me it brings the sign of life. Alive…
Though these signs probably don’t align in anyone’s mind, but in mine they are all rocks of a different sea of feelings that make me THANKFUL. Fear of others opinions, but being freed by understanding it is ONLY your fear that will only hold you back. Compassion for those who you fear, compassion of those who you seek approval will only bring you to a higher happiness. Selflessness with your compassion will free you further. And understanding all those things freedom of fears, compassion in the face of blame, selflessness in all you do lead to a new understanding of living. A thankful living, one that I think will take you beyond the hardship of the minute, hour, day and year… here’s to hoping it will get me through my obscene to-do list! :)
Yes, I’m a photographer but I’m also a rambler and a thinker and like i say often, my life and my work are one in the same. I hope those who I shoot have no fear of others approval as their beauty is undeniable in my photographs… compassion for my work and for every person I meet/get behind my lens… selfless in making such a small part of life, photographs, easy and happy… and I hope there is life seen in all my photographs! This was one of the things that originally drew me to shoot mostly wedding and babies… in these shots there is nothing but a true display of life.
In other notes… today I’m going to try out a Nikon D90 (but my loyalty is still all Canon!) just want to take a look at its video capabilities. Will test out the Canon 5D Mark ii shortly after and I’m sure buy it immediately…
Also, finally going to get some of my work hung around this house of mine. It’s about time. And I’m shooting one of the most gorgeous people I know, Ms. Jakene. She has been my constant support since moving into Atlanta. She took a chance on me and I can promise there is no chance that she will not look so amazingly hot in these photos.
OH and real quick… I want to do a special SHOUT OUT to my three best referrers for the first quarter: NIKKY W., CHATO W., and CELESTE P. I know the quality of these people first-hand and their referral of their friends, family, business associates is so very HUMBLING! Thanks! American Express Gift Cards coming your way soon…
Thanks for reading… Stay in touch! erika@erikaleighphotography.com
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