Bartolomeu, lomofyied

Bartolomeu, lomofyied
Originally uploaded by Nós da Montanha.

I've been feeling like this a lot lately.

Photography - Purple Pansies

Purple Pansies

CREATIVITY+ photography
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bestrated1/

Accomplishment -- Yabba Dabba Dooo! Finished 3 days EARLY!!

My total scanning job turned out to be 506 photos & slides. I not only scanned them, but improved the contrast, color, and in some cases retouched them. Then I burned 16 CD-ROMs and made labels for them. They are set to go, and I feel pleased and proud of my accomplishment. It will be so much FUN to give the CDs away. It’s nice to know everyone will share the same 23 rolls for film dating from 1948 to 2005.
YEAH!!!!

See more progress on: digitize 500 family photos

Photography + Freedom + Editorial -- What's the balance between security and freedom?

I was having great fun at a shoe store, taking 20-30 shots, when the manager asked me to stop. I was as courteous and groveling as possible, and he didn't ask me to delete the ones I already had. I decided to ask permission the next few times I was in a business building. . and was denied EVERY time. I generally ask people if I can take their photo before I shoot, but I've found that in corporate environments its easier to say you're sorry than to get permission.
Perhaps it's time to really fight the ridiculous security of our government.(that does little except turn us into a police state) For example: They have never caught the person distributing anthrax, have they? How many agencies and dollars were spent pre-9/11 without the effect of protecting us? How many person-hours, how much money have we spent on airport security? When you think about it, the terrorists have won! We've given in to fear and given up part of the freedom we fought so hard to obtain. We have chosen to spend BILLIONS of dollars on security that could better be spent curing and solving the injustices that cause the terrorism in the first place!
Maybe it's time for al little peaceful, respectful, civil disobedience. I'm pretty sure I'd be willing to go to jail a few times for a few days, if it would help to restore our pre-9/11 freedoms!!!

Joy + Transformation -- Look at these eyes!

Nicole
Originally uploaded by dulcelife.

How is it that we become bruised, broken, afraid, and cynical? I see NONE of that in this child's trusting, open face. No wonder we've been told that we "must become like children again" to become God-like children.
Let's mend each other, support each other's becoming, trust that together we can conquer fear, and see the world as a place of possibility.

Self-Actualization + goal-tracking -- Planner

Today I bought FranklinCovey's PlanPlus for Windows XP.

I will make it a central location for all my goals, projects, tasks, to do lists, and values. That doesn’t mean I won’t be using 43things.com. I enjoy the human interaction too much. In addition, the chance to write and expound on a goal is helpful in becoming more clear about it.

I’ve used FranklinCoveys stuff for 11 years, and I know it’s effective. It has always helped me focus on my values, goals, and the tasks I need to accomplish to meet those goals. I've slacked off during the last four years, as I've struggled with illness, but I'm ready to methodically use each day as effectively as I can again.

See more progress on: Concentrate on a manageable number of projects and goals

ART + PHOTOGRAPHY + WORLD-VISION

A painting I did in 1975 of a 5 year old Peruvian sheepherder.

Creativity+ Photography - All rights reserved.

FAMILY REUNION -- One week to go - deadline looming

I have set out to scan over 500 slides and photos for our family reunion in Franklin Indiana. My brother David, his wife and 4 teenage children are flying in from Hawaii (their home) to join us. I've got 300 some photos done, but I'm feeling like I Must. . . . scan. . . more. . .must. . .scan.
I found out today while scanning slides that I have just enough time after I push the “scan” button to sit and play a song on my guitar, have a short conversation with my wife, listen to a song on the CD player, etc. That’s helping to keep the process from being a drag.
The second part of the process – retouching the photos, adjusting levels, chroma, contrast, color, is fun because of the immediate improvement I can make on these old slides. I feel like I’m restoring old art.

MUSIC + SELF-ACTUALIZATION -- Audition for the St. Louis Symphony Chorus

Well, I missed my deadline to audition because of my fear, and my vacation. But all is not lost. There are two more nights of audition in august. I need to take the following steps:

• make the appointment for August this week - that throws it into the future with a deadline.
• buy a Tenor solo Karaoke tape at Schlattinger’s music store (that’s one thing I didn’t know existed)
• take some voice lessons between now and then

HUMOR - Ideal president?

bushkerry
Originally uploaded by Uncle Mikey.

The president who would please everyone. Democans and Republicrats alike!! 1/2 Bush, 1/2 Kerry. A New Hampshire Cowboy. Both a libertive and a a conserviral.

SPIRITUALITY -- Make time for being alone - Schedule it!

My friend Diane reminds me, that we need SOLITUDE to be connected with ourselves, and with God (the spirit world, higher power, universe, nature, as you have experienced Her/Him/It). Only then can we interact with others in a more powerful, positive way.
Artists (musicians, dancers, painters, etc.) experience being in what Diane calls “the flow” more frequently than most, I’d guess. It’s that feeling that what you are doing or creating is just happening, and you happen to be there at the time it is shaping itself. It’s a sense of being completely in the present, completely involved, completely in love with the process.

Meditation and solitude are ways of reaching that “flow” without anything actually happening, being created, or done. In fact, it is getting in touch with BEING pure and simple.
Before doing something worthwhile, we must BE someone worthwhile. And one step is to meditate, pray, or read something inspirational – alone.

See more progress on: be more spiritual

Sayings -- 3,000 year old wisdom about wealth (& other stuff)

From “The Tao” by Lao Tzu:

Chapter 33

Knowing others is wisdom;
Knowing the self is enlightment.
Mastering others requires force;
Mastering the self needs strength.
He who knows he has enough is rich.
Perseverance is a sign of will power.
He who stays where he is endures.
To die but not to perish is to be eternally present.

I achieved a state of wealth 7 years ago when I realized that I had all I needed:
a lovely, kind, sensitive wife
a house that was paid for (a simple house, yet secure)
no financial debts, only debts of gratitude to others
many caring and supportive friends
a deep sense that I am loved, and worth it.
enough money and time to give away money and time to others.
a job that I loved and that requires constantly improving my sills.
A sense of plenty rather than scarcity. A feeling of abundance and generosity rather than fear and grasping for more.

See more progress on: Become Financially Independent

Transformation -- Reached the 10% goal = 23 pounds in 13 weeks!

I was 237 and now am 214. Can you imagine? Have you ever picked up a 25 lb. bag of sugar or rice? I was carrying that around all the time. Ridiculous! My next goals are:

1. get down to less than 200 by the next 3 months (Labor Day).
2. get down to 185 (29 lbs. to go)
3. stay there in the 180s for at least a year.
   
   See more progress on: lose weight

Lemon Hat Kitty

Lemon Hat Kitty
Originally uploaded by rolandog.

What happens when?
1) You've got nothing to do

2) You've got a good knife.

3) A big lemon

4) A very patient cat

Transformation + Musings.

On 43things, we easily feel connected by common values and life goals. I think these kinds of interpersonal attachments may be more lasting than other kinds. I have found people at 43things who care and support me in my becoming. It's a safe place to be who you are and who you dream you can become.

See more progress on: Make new friends