All things come…

…to those who go after them. – Rob Estes.

Anticipation.

I have a list of shots I consider my ‘must-have’ shots at any wedding… I will tell my brides my favorite shot is usually the one of the grooms face as he anticipates his bride making the walk toward him… toward their forever.  I see the same anticipation here… and though I’m the most impatient person I know, that is a type of wait everyone should feel!

When I set out to do this I thought I would pre-write all my blogs and then post the day they came… and while I got everything else scheduled out and created, I decided it would be better to write these daily when just one person was on my mind…. So they’d stay somewhat fresh.  Well, they have done so!  :)  It is today that it sunk in how great all these people are that have inspired me… BUT also how freakin’ beautiful they are.   Seriously… some of these people (Neta included) are super-model-esque caliber people.  I felt bad at first but then thought… they are who they are… and beautiful people need just as much (if not a little more) spotlight on their goodness.

No one can resist wanting to meet Neta just from seeing her… after meeting her, no one can resist wanting to know her for forever.  She has this addicting spirit that isn’t corny or over-the-top but it is always evident.  She is a calm mix of cultures with a subtle humor and is a stable conversationalist.  Whatever intimidation you may feel in looking at her, she will put to rest quickly when she talks to you.  I knew of Neta before I met her… I’m sure this is the case with most people in Neta’s life.  Now here’s where her perfection stopped in the beginning time of knowing her… I love her so I can say this… she had a dream and continued to let it be a dream. Everyone has dreams… I always think back to my favorite book, AGAIN, Love is A Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield when he says “The new wave girl knows what pop dreams are made of.  She knows Debbie Harry was lying when she sang, ‘Dreaming is free.’  She knows dreams are something you have to steal.”  This is the probably the only quote of the book I slightly disagree with since A. Stealing something technically makes it free, right? but more so B.  I believe dreaming is free but it’s like those ‘free websites’ that tell you how to make a million dollars… its just not that easy.  But Neta became an inspiration to this business owner (future, at the time) when she decided to get rid of the comfort and stability in her life and take off on her dreams.

She quit a stable job… at a time that was very hard for her because they really needed her there, this of course brought on further guilt of pursuing her dream.  Guilt I find is a common setback in doing something incredible.  She did her research, planned, but most inspiring, she jumped right in.  She knew very well that it could be a complete failure but was content that the road to possibly living out her dream would be worth it even if she never found her final resting spot in it.  I consulted her often as I jumped into self-employment and she was never afraid to share details, share pitfalls, share triumphs.  I think in today’s economic times so many people are afraid to share their business knowledge, but she did so with enthusiasm.  I have several friends that are ‘entrepeneurs’ and it is always nice to be in their presence… they know that while we make our own hours, our hours are not OURS any more, they are our business’ hours,  they know that there is an opportunity cost to hanging out with friends past five o’clock (or any time really) and that everyday tomorrow could be the last of our venture, but above all, in general, they are satisfied with what they are doing… this is me… this is Neta… and satisfied doesn’t even begin to describe it.  While I am a big believer in the saying ‘all things come to those who wait’  I DO NOT believe it applies to dreams.   Neta is an inspiration because she defines this title quote… I know more and more good things are coming her way, cause she most definitely will go after them!   Check out her AWESOME adventure here:  Dance & Music Academy of Woodstock! So proud of you, Neta… Let me know if you ever need an extra vocal instructor………….. HA!  :)

AND NOWWWWWW… quick corny note:  All of you that emailed me, first off thanks! second off, wow.  Proof that everyone has someone/something amazing taking them through life.  It keeps me inspired to keep looking out for those people in my life… I hope you all that wrote me forwarded your email to the person you were describing… It’s sweet medicine to tell someone they’ve changed your life!  And the winner of the $50 American Express Gift Card is Kaye H!  YAY… money.  I will be emailing you in a few.  Instead of just sharing her inspiration… I thought I’d pull a few rockin’ sentences from a couple different notes:  ”She doesn’t know how to not give.”  ”I never knew that something so small could have that big of an affect on my whole world.”  ”… is my inspiration just because she is who she is…”  ”I am proud and honored to call her a friend and even more driven in life to find what it is that makes me happy and smile.”  ”I am alive because of him.”

Thanks again… more fun coming in the next two weeks!   I love you Margaret M., you made my day!  …erika@erikaleighphotography.com!