morning light peeking through trees.

Self-Motivation

(a letter to myself, and you)

We are all given this bundle of atoms that makes us who we are, who we are even physically. Just a plethora of minute energy in this universe; but just enough to shift things. Just enough to start the change, to believe in the good and have it mean something on a larger scale. All you have to do is believe, have faith, see it happening, and trust in the good; the universe will create everything you need and want ten times faster than one might believe. All it takes is a tiny shift in your awareness. This is a beautiful fact of our existence; that you do matter, that you do change things on a larger scale.That bundle of energy called you... creates more good, universe-wide.

I recently watched the documentary "Gasland." I have never felt so passionately about something in my life. I have completely changed a lot of my plans related to photography in order to make a difference in our country. I see a long road ahead of me that will require a lot of hard work, dedication, and positivity; but things have never been so clear to me. Below is a poem I wrote yesterday, (inspired by William Blake's "Poison Tree") about the 'Natural Gas' movement, and the corruption hidden in the cracks that they themselves create.

"A Poisoned Tree"

Could it be

that before me was but a tree,

where leaves did scatter joyfully

upon branches of what seemed to simply be

was but a lie once told to me?

Beneath the roots

where one can't see,

was death and horrid company;

For years it sat under the tree,

slowly seeping under me

slowly climbing up the tree,

to each and every grinning leaf.

Taking all the life from thee,

all the cheerful company;

Leaves that once did dance with glee

not sit deadly at my feet,

draining all the hope in me

taking what I thought was free.

Now, more clearly do I see,

A poisoned tree in front of me.

Self Dependence

by: Mathew Arnold

Weary of myself, and sick of asking

What I am, and what I ought to be,

At this vessel's prow I stand, which bears me

Forwards, forwards, o'er the starlit sea.

And a look of passionate desire

O'er the sea and to the stars I send:

"Ye who from my childhood up have calm'd me,

Calm me, ah, compose me to the end!

"Ah, once more," I cried, "ye stars, ye waters,

On my heart your mighty charm renew;

Still, still let me, as I gaze upon you,

Feel my soul becoming vast like you!"

From the intense, clear, star-sown vault of heaven,

Over the lit sea's unquiet way,

In the rustling night-air came the answer:

"Wouldst thou be as these are? Live as they.

"Unaffrighted by the silence round them,

Undistracted by the sights they see,

These demand not that the things without them

Yield them love, amusement, sympathy.

"And with joy the stars perform their shining,

And the sea its long moon-silver'd roll;

For self-poised they live, nor pine with noting

All the fever of some differing soul.

"Bounded by themselves, and unregardful

In what state God's other works may be,

In their own tasks all their powers pouring,

These attain the mighty life you see."

O air-born voice! long since, severely clear,

A cry like thine in mine own heart I hear:

"Resolve to be thyself; and know that he,

Who finds himself, loses his misery!"

Recently went for a hike up the flatirons at the Chautauqua trail here in Boulder. It was a great time of day for this shot. I am working on creating more "stock" related images for editorial work. More to come from this day hike.

a feather

shapes and colors at the Getty Museum