My first thought, I’ll admit it, still tends to go professional achievements: placing sustainability more firmly on the map of university education. But really, what rings more true is a poem by Raymond Carver. Late Fragment.
And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.
To be loved and to love. Those are my greatest hopes and aspirations.
to be loved and beloved, that is too a goal of mine and am constantly working towards that in my life, wouldn’t that be so great, Maya
Wishing it for you and everyone…
When I was young, I hoped to be both a teacher and an artist.
So, I fulfilled my hopes of being a teacher when I was a homeschool mom and it was such a joy to teach my own children. Now, I am photograph and photo edit flowers in an artistic style. But my next hopes and aspirations is to become a professional flower photographer.
I really enjoy capturing the beauty and character of flowers outdoors in nature and in my garden. It is indeed a 'Zen' experience for me and I feel so at peace ...
When I was young, I hoped to be both a teacher and an artist.
So, I fulfilled my hopes of being a teacher when I was a homeschool mom and it was such a joy to teach my own children. Now, I am photograph and photo edit flowers in an artistic style. But my next hopes and aspirations is to become a professional flower photographer.
I really enjoy capturing the beauty and character of flowers outdoors in nature and in my garden. It is indeed a ‘Zen’ experience for me and I feel so at peace when I am with the flowers.
Greatest hopes and aspirations for how I want to be in this life.
Good question.
Probably the main change that I would like to make would be to become a calmer person. I like the way that I am enthusiastic and get really happy and excited about things. But I would like to reduce my stress level when things are difficult. Calm, calm, nice and calm- that is how I would like to be in this life.
I would like to be more connected to my families and friends. I would also like to more grounded...
Greatest hopes and aspirations for how I want to be in this life.
Good question.
Probably the main change that I would like to make would be to become a calmer person. I like the way that I am enthusiastic and get really happy and excited about things. But I would like to reduce my stress level when things are difficult. Calm, calm, nice and calm- that is how I would like to be in this life.
I would like to be more connected to my families and friends. I would also like to more grounded in my spirituality.
I want to repay the kindness of my parents and become filial as best I can, and to become more selfless and be a servant of all living beings in this world and beyond.
I want to be open — as wide as the ocean and the sky above it. To allow everything in and to flow with it like water, like wind. To live as part of the whole, as the whole. And to love it all.
Thanks Anna, Yes indeed, the prayer of St. Francis is my inspiration. Apparently the words were attributed to St. Francis but there is no record of his having said them. They were first found in the past hundred years, written by anonymous. That said, I value the words as something to aspire to …????????????…
Like I have not missed out, that I have made good choices, that I don’t dwell on the past, and that I am Happy in my life…and have the funds and opportunities to spend time with those I love.
To see the beauty without assessment, to find peace without opinion and to be mindful always, however my faculties might eventually diminish and to appreciate impermance. And to follow the Dalai Lama when he says ” compassion is my religion.”
to be free…..
to go back to Ed’s poem about The Vintage Artist by Hafiz
striving to be free, I want to be like the Vintage Artist, ” sculpting Light ”
no longer hurts herself or anyone and keeps on sculpting Light”
Today's question is a reminder that HOW is the key. As a retired journalist, WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY were drilled into my head but when it comes to being alive instead of existing, HOW is NOW. I have found that Toltec Wisdom addresses HOW directly. It teaches me:
1. To be impeccable with my word (to speak with integrity);
2.not to take things personally(take the egoic mind in to account); 3. not to assume anything(check it out);
4. and to always do my best (it will always be enough)...
Today’s question is a reminder that HOW is the key. As a retired journalist, WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY were drilled into my head but when it comes to being alive instead of existing, HOW is NOW. I have found that Toltec Wisdom addresses HOW directly. It teaches me:
1. To be impeccable with my word (to speak with integrity);
2.not to take things personally(take the egoic mind in to account); 3. not to assume anything(check it out);
4. and to always do my best (it will always be enough).
Help me to BE what is Mine to BE–Present
Help me to DO what is Mine to DO–My Best in each moment
Being on the flipside of major back surgery and healing slowly day by day, I am hoping that I will be able to resume my joy of photography with renewed passion and increased ease of movement! By golly, I already have a new photographer’s backpack in my sights once I am healed and strong enough to carry it!
And, in a year’s time, there’s a chance that I might be able to do some service work with my camera for an international children’s relief organization. One of my aspirations since...
Being on the flipside of major back surgery and healing slowly day by day, I am hoping that I will be able to resume my joy of photography with renewed passion and increased ease of movement! By golly, I already have a new photographer’s backpack in my sights once I am healed and strong enough to carry it!
And, in a year’s time, there’s a chance that I might be able to do some service work with my camera for an international children’s relief organization. One of my aspirations since retirement has been to find ways to put my photography to use in ways that serves others. That’s my hope and my prayer, at least.
– Kevin
Kevin, I am an amateur photographer and really enjoy capturing the beauty of flowers in my garden and in nature. I came across this photographer’s blog and he encourages travel photographers to purchase Luci Lights to give to those living in poor countries, in huts with no electricity.
Here’s the link: http://www.davidmiddletonphoto.com/the-magical-luci-light/
On a photography forum, I included this link in one of my comments. One of the photographers had posted his photo of a beggar when...
Kevin, I am an amateur photographer and really enjoy capturing the beauty of flowers in my garden and in nature. I came across this photographer’s blog and he encourages travel photographers to purchase Luci Lights to give to those living in poor countries, in huts with no electricity.
Here’s the link: http://www.davidmiddletonphoto.com/the-magical-luci-light/
On a photography forum, I included this link in one of my comments. One of the photographers had posted his photo of a beggar when he traveled to a poor country.
So I shared that I am so inspired about this professional photographer (link above) who wants to give back by giving away Luci Lights to the poor, when he travels to Third World countries. And I do think that if you take a photo of a beggar, street person, or homeless person, give them something for taking their photo – a meal, socks, warm hat or a Luci Light, etc.
But the other photographers on this forum told me that the photography forum was not the place for ‘shoving your morals at others’ and told me to delete the above link in my comments. I just left that forum.
But shouldn’t we give back when we take? Especially someone in need.
So inspired to know that you want to find ways to put your photography to use in ways that serves others.
I want to find a way for my photography to support nature programs and charities that help clean up the environment.
Hello Jill, thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I am sorry that you were made to feel unwelcome by the comment of someone on that particular photographer's photo blog site. And, I am not surprised that such a comment was made, either. I have to wonder if the person who made that comment to you was also feeling guilty, because he knew you were right. Many shooters struggle with the "take" aspect of their craft without giving anything at all back. I know a couple of Quaker pro photographers who...
Hello Jill, thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I am sorry that you were made to feel unwelcome by the comment of someone on that particular photographer’s photo blog site. And, I am not surprised that such a comment was made, either. I have to wonder if the person who made that comment to you was also feeling guilty, because he knew you were right. Many shooters struggle with the “take” aspect of their craft without giving anything at all back. I know a couple of Quaker pro photographers who make it their mission to always square their faith with their work, and make a point to find ways to give back, even if it is in ways that showcase the plight of a population that helps to bring relief and/or change. There are many other high profile shooters out there that do the same thing but choose not to draw attention to it, even.
In the past I have belonged to various such sites for serious armature and pro shooters. I no longer belong to any of them. I could be criticized for not knowing all the things that my cameras can do, and such sites do help us to learn from one another. But you have to weed through the egos, the gear heads, and the show-offs to find the real teachers who do teach and who help others learn. These days, I prefer to associate with sites (like this one) that feed the heart and soul and in turn inspire me to approach my photography (and writing) in new ways that I might not have considered otherwise.
I know about Luci Lights and the idea of giving them away like that is wonderful. When I travel out of the US I keep a roll of $1 bills in my pocket and if I take an image of a disadvantaged person I offer to give them a few bucks in return. Surprisingly, while some of these people were pleased to be offered a small payment, some refuse also. after which I make sure to make eye contact, perhaps shake their hand and say ‘thank you.’
It is my sense that there should always be more than just snapping the shutter. There needs to be an exchange of some sort. I am reminded of the little story of the photographer who once asked a Navajo mother if he could take her child’s picture. The mother replied, “Yes, but before you do, you must touch my boy, then you may take his picture. A child who is untouched will be unlucky.”
There it is again, the need for connection, giving, touching, because taking images without it is just a quiet form of thievery. I blog at RiseThisDay.com, and my photos are at kevinleephotography.com. Keep shooting, Jill, with one finger on the shutter and the other on your heart.
Thanks Malag for clarifying this question, at least for me…
Free, peaceful and joyful, so that hopefully I can be the change I want to see in the world
"What do you want to be when you grow up" or "who do you want to be..."? These are the typical questions I got when I was growing up. And they are interesting questions for someone shaping their life. But ""how" do I want to be... ", now there's a beautiful question.
I'm living on the edge of the known often deluded into thinking I can control what I'm stepping into in the future adventure. But there's far less I can control than I think. So my greatest hope and aspiration of how I want to l...
“What do you want to be when you grow up” or “who do you want to be…”? These are the typical questions I got when I was growing up. And they are interesting questions for someone shaping their life. But “”how” do I want to be… “, now there’s a beautiful question.
I’m living on the edge of the known often deluded into thinking I can control what I’m stepping into in the future adventure. But there’s far less I can control than I think. So my greatest hope and aspiration of how I want to live? : comfortable on that edge finding enjoyment in travelling that great unknown and having this life that I inhabit make some positive impact along the way.
I want to be reconciled with my daughter.
Sending my prayers for that Deb
Thank you for your kind prayers, Palm. I appreciate it.
My first thought, I’ll admit it, still tends to go professional achievements: placing sustainability more firmly on the map of university education. But really, what rings more true is a poem by Raymond Carver. Late Fragment.
And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.
To be loved and to love. Those are my greatest hopes and aspirations.
to be loved and beloved, that is too a goal of mine and am constantly working towards that in my life, wouldn’t that be so great, Maya
Wishing it for you and everyone…
Likewise dear Gina! Wishing it for you and everyone
When I was young, I hoped to be both a teacher and an artist.
So, I fulfilled my hopes of being a teacher when I was a homeschool mom and it was such a joy to teach my own children. Now, I am photograph and photo edit flowers in an artistic style. But my next hopes and aspirations is to become a professional flower photographer.
I really enjoy capturing the beauty and character of flowers outdoors in nature and in my garden. It is indeed a 'Zen' experience for me and I feel so at peace ...
When I was young, I hoped to be both a teacher and an artist.
So, I fulfilled my hopes of being a teacher when I was a homeschool mom and it was such a joy to teach my own children. Now, I am photograph and photo edit flowers in an artistic style. But my next hopes and aspirations is to become a professional flower photographer.
I really enjoy capturing the beauty and character of flowers outdoors in nature and in my garden. It is indeed a ‘Zen’ experience for me and I feel so at peace when I am with the flowers.
Greatest hopes and aspirations for how I want to be in this life.
Good question.
Probably the main change that I would like to make would be to become a calmer person. I like the way that I am enthusiastic and get really happy and excited about things. But I would like to reduce my stress level when things are difficult. Calm, calm, nice and calm- that is how I would like to be in this life.
I would like to be more connected to my families and friends. I would also like to more grounded...
Greatest hopes and aspirations for how I want to be in this life.
Good question.
Probably the main change that I would like to make would be to become a calmer person. I like the way that I am enthusiastic and get really happy and excited about things. But I would like to reduce my stress level when things are difficult. Calm, calm, nice and calm- that is how I would like to be in this life.
I would like to be more connected to my families and friends. I would also like to more grounded in my spirituality.
I want to repay the kindness of my parents and become filial as best I can, and to become more selfless and be a servant of all living beings in this world and beyond.
I want to be open — as wide as the ocean and the sky above it. To allow everything in and to flow with it like water, like wind. To live as part of the whole, as the whole. And to love it all.
a channel of peace …
Dear KC, your words remind me a famous prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi: “my Lord make me an instrument of Your Peace”…thank you.
Thanks Anna, Yes indeed, the prayer of St. Francis is my inspiration. Apparently the words were attributed to St. Francis but there is no record of his having said them. They were first found in the past hundred years, written by anonymous. That said, I value the words as something to aspire to …????????????…
Like I have not missed out, that I have made good choices, that I don’t dwell on the past, and that I am Happy in my life…and have the funds and opportunities to spend time with those I love.
XV
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. (Ps. 123:1)
A galaxy swept clean of angels
can’t stop me from wanting a Sky Father,
a Santa Claus god who grants my wishes
like a genie trapped in a bottle.
Help me let go of this smallness.
Break my heart open until it brims
with the clear water of trust.
Help me choose mystery,
compassion, love.
Francine, I bow in front of the gentleness of this prayer.
Thank you Anna!
To see the beauty without assessment, to find peace without opinion and to be mindful always, however my faculties might eventually diminish and to appreciate impermance. And to follow the Dalai Lama when he says ” compassion is my religion.”
to be free…..
to go back to Ed’s poem about The Vintage Artist by Hafiz
striving to be free, I want to be like the Vintage Artist, ” sculpting Light ”
no longer hurts herself or anyone and keeps on sculpting Light”
I want to be connected to something greater: To feel that power in my life and to be guided by it.
Live with no fear or anxiety, just complete honesty, simplicity, humility and love.
Loving, present, and in a state of surrender.
Today's question is a reminder that HOW is the key. As a retired journalist, WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY were drilled into my head but when it comes to being alive instead of existing, HOW is NOW. I have found that Toltec Wisdom addresses HOW directly. It teaches me:
1. To be impeccable with my word (to speak with integrity);
2.not to take things personally(take the egoic mind in to account); 3. not to assume anything(check it out);
4. and to always do my best (it will always be enough)...
Today’s question is a reminder that HOW is the key. As a retired journalist, WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY were drilled into my head but when it comes to being alive instead of existing, HOW is NOW. I have found that Toltec Wisdom addresses HOW directly. It teaches me:
1. To be impeccable with my word (to speak with integrity);
2.not to take things personally(take the egoic mind in to account); 3. not to assume anything(check it out);
4. and to always do my best (it will always be enough).
Help me to BE what is Mine to BE–Present
Help me to DO what is Mine to DO–My Best in each moment
Greater emotional & spiritual growth – as challenging as that can be sometimes!
Joyful, spontaneous, courageous and honest with myself.
Being on the flipside of major back surgery and healing slowly day by day, I am hoping that I will be able to resume my joy of photography with renewed passion and increased ease of movement! By golly, I already have a new photographer’s backpack in my sights once I am healed and strong enough to carry it!
And, in a year’s time, there’s a chance that I might be able to do some service work with my camera for an international children’s relief organization. One of my aspirations since...
Being on the flipside of major back surgery and healing slowly day by day, I am hoping that I will be able to resume my joy of photography with renewed passion and increased ease of movement! By golly, I already have a new photographer’s backpack in my sights once I am healed and strong enough to carry it!
And, in a year’s time, there’s a chance that I might be able to do some service work with my camera for an international children’s relief organization. One of my aspirations since retirement has been to find ways to put my photography to use in ways that serves others. That’s my hope and my prayer, at least.
– Kevin
Kevin, I am an amateur photographer and really enjoy capturing the beauty of flowers in my garden and in nature. I came across this photographer’s blog and he encourages travel photographers to purchase Luci Lights to give to those living in poor countries, in huts with no electricity.
Here’s the link: http://www.davidmiddletonphoto.com/the-magical-luci-light/
On a photography forum, I included this link in one of my comments. One of the photographers had posted his photo of a beggar when...
Kevin, I am an amateur photographer and really enjoy capturing the beauty of flowers in my garden and in nature. I came across this photographer’s blog and he encourages travel photographers to purchase Luci Lights to give to those living in poor countries, in huts with no electricity.
Here’s the link: http://www.davidmiddletonphoto.com/the-magical-luci-light/
On a photography forum, I included this link in one of my comments. One of the photographers had posted his photo of a beggar when he traveled to a poor country.
So I shared that I am so inspired about this professional photographer (link above) who wants to give back by giving away Luci Lights to the poor, when he travels to Third World countries. And I do think that if you take a photo of a beggar, street person, or homeless person, give them something for taking their photo – a meal, socks, warm hat or a Luci Light, etc.
But the other photographers on this forum told me that the photography forum was not the place for ‘shoving your morals at others’ and told me to delete the above link in my comments. I just left that forum.
But shouldn’t we give back when we take? Especially someone in need.
So inspired to know that you want to find ways to put your photography to use in ways that serves others.
I want to find a way for my photography to support nature programs and charities that help clean up the environment.
Hello Jill, thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I am sorry that you were made to feel unwelcome by the comment of someone on that particular photographer's photo blog site. And, I am not surprised that such a comment was made, either. I have to wonder if the person who made that comment to you was also feeling guilty, because he knew you were right. Many shooters struggle with the "take" aspect of their craft without giving anything at all back. I know a couple of Quaker pro photographers who...
Hello Jill, thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I am sorry that you were made to feel unwelcome by the comment of someone on that particular photographer’s photo blog site. And, I am not surprised that such a comment was made, either. I have to wonder if the person who made that comment to you was also feeling guilty, because he knew you were right. Many shooters struggle with the “take” aspect of their craft without giving anything at all back. I know a couple of Quaker pro photographers who make it their mission to always square their faith with their work, and make a point to find ways to give back, even if it is in ways that showcase the plight of a population that helps to bring relief and/or change. There are many other high profile shooters out there that do the same thing but choose not to draw attention to it, even.
In the past I have belonged to various such sites for serious armature and pro shooters. I no longer belong to any of them. I could be criticized for not knowing all the things that my cameras can do, and such sites do help us to learn from one another. But you have to weed through the egos, the gear heads, and the show-offs to find the real teachers who do teach and who help others learn. These days, I prefer to associate with sites (like this one) that feed the heart and soul and in turn inspire me to approach my photography (and writing) in new ways that I might not have considered otherwise.
I know about Luci Lights and the idea of giving them away like that is wonderful. When I travel out of the US I keep a roll of $1 bills in my pocket and if I take an image of a disadvantaged person I offer to give them a few bucks in return. Surprisingly, while some of these people were pleased to be offered a small payment, some refuse also. after which I make sure to make eye contact, perhaps shake their hand and say ‘thank you.’
It is my sense that there should always be more than just snapping the shutter. There needs to be an exchange of some sort. I am reminded of the little story of the photographer who once asked a Navajo mother if he could take her child’s picture. The mother replied, “Yes, but before you do, you must touch my boy, then you may take his picture. A child who is untouched will be unlucky.”
There it is again, the need for connection, giving, touching, because taking images without it is just a quiet form of thievery. I blog at RiseThisDay.com, and my photos are at kevinleephotography.com. Keep shooting, Jill, with one finger on the shutter and the other on your heart.
keep on Kevin, your aspiration is wonderful!
Thanks Malag for clarifying this question, at least for me…
Free, peaceful and joyful, so that hopefully I can be the change I want to see in the world
"What do you want to be when you grow up" or "who do you want to be..."? These are the typical questions I got when I was growing up. And they are interesting questions for someone shaping their life. But ""how" do I want to be... ", now there's a beautiful question.
I'm living on the edge of the known often deluded into thinking I can control what I'm stepping into in the future adventure. But there's far less I can control than I think. So my greatest hope and aspiration of how I want to l...
“What do you want to be when you grow up” or “who do you want to be…”? These are the typical questions I got when I was growing up. And they are interesting questions for someone shaping their life. But “”how” do I want to be… “, now there’s a beautiful question.
I’m living on the edge of the known often deluded into thinking I can control what I’m stepping into in the future adventure. But there’s far less I can control than I think. So my greatest hope and aspiration of how I want to live? : comfortable on that edge finding enjoyment in travelling that great unknown and having this life that I inhabit make some positive impact along the way.
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