ENTHUSIASM!!!

"Exuberance carries us places we would not otherwise go...and if we ourselves are not so exuberant we will, caught up by the contagious joy of those who are, be inclined collectively to go yonder."  Kay Redfield Jamison, Exuberance

Look at these faces - excited, enthusiastic and celebratory!  OK, it is my son, Jon and his friend, Greg - they have known each other for eons and for a few years now, when Jon comes home from Japan to visit, they plan an excursion to Cape May for a meal at the Lobster House.  Of course, on the way, they get out their skateboards (and thankfully helmets and pads) and revisit every skateboard site from Roosevelt Park in Philadelphia to those along the Jersey shore from Barnegat to Cape May.  Why is this relevant today?  I read the quote from Jamison and thought about Jon and Greg and how life is to be lived and enjoyed!  They are mature and responsible yet they are engaged in their music and enjoying food and have a perfect balance to work and play.  We all need to learn lessons from these two!!  They are authentic and peaceful and living their life on purpose! 

There have been many times in my life, from the days of growing up, when my enthusiasm and exuberance have not been appreciated.  Some people enjoy being around me and value my energy level - others have told me that I am too loud and need to be more 'profesisonal'.  My question is what is there about me that is NOT professional when I have a joy and a passion for life and what I believe in and express it in my way???  If you choose to be cool and aloof and removed and consider that 'professional', then let that work for you, but don't impose on me how I need to be!  I am sure that there are many of you out there who could share similar comments and experiences.  My friend Allison has said that sometimes we live in a Parallel Universe.  But remember, we all need each other and in the end, aren't we all one and don't we all come from the same Source?!? 

Reflect on that and find the JOY in life!!

In My Own Little World

It's been a long time. A few days after I wrote the last blog about adventuring in Kensington section of Philadelphia with 'the gang', I opted for surgery! Yes, it was by choice if you can consider that getting rid of pain is a choice. The right foot was looking funny and then skewed the spine and the rest of the body. My doctor said "I was an interesting woman" and proceeded to tell me all of the things going on with my toes that made this so. Lucky you...this is about photography and seeing - not my medical ills!! So I am now the lucky owner of straight toes (though I won't know that for days yet til we go back for a check up) and this big ugly black open toed boot that is my faithful companion for six weeks. I am confined...and not champing at the bit like I thought I might. I almost find it relaxing to sit upstairs in the recliner with my foot up on a bunch of pillows.

But wait!!! This is about the PhotoSchmoozer and seeing. What can I do if I can't go out and about?!? Well...simple my photography friends...stay in and within and see what is right in the world around me. There are windows to the outside and amazing little wonderful things right here in this room that have lots of meaning. My niece Rebecca found some cute little duckies at the local hobby shop, so there too are photo ops. Then there are all of my 'chatchkas', goddess statues...the choices are infinite. In the days to come, I will share some of those. For today...me healing in my chair. As the New Year approaches, I can be filled with gratitude - a foot on the way to healing, a great new job and wonderful family and friends who nurture and care. Happy Days and always be still to just look around you. It is amazing.

Gil & Curtis Sail the Seas!!

His hat is soooooooo the opposite of everything that Gil is! We went sailing on the AJ Meerwald out of Bi-Valve, NJ for a six hour cruise on the Delaware Bay the other day. The day was one that we would have to call 'perfect' - clear, sunny, the right temperatures and the excitement of the expectations of what we might see or do while out on the quiet of the Bay. For one thing, we knew we would be seeing lighthouses that could not be seen from land! Great expectations. For me, as The Photo Schmoozer who likes to 'catch people doing something right', there is always yet another expectation though. I wonder who I will meet and what stories they will have to share. Today was no exception!! Well, ok I admit that I can find stories everyday!! As we were waiting to get on the boat, I saw three people sitting on the bench on the dock. Later, I happened to be sitting next to the female of the group - she had forgotten her seasick medicine so we were just being still together. Soon, she was joined by Gil, her fiance, and Curtis, Gil's little brother from the Big Brothers program. It's Gil I want to affirm because he is so opposite of the hat he was wearing - see the saying on the collage?? "The beatings will continue until morale improves". No way was that him!! First, I have to say, I watched him with Curtis and you could see a caring connection between the two. Turns out they have a 5 year history together. When Gil comes aboard the AJ Meerwald as a volunteer, Curtis is right there with him, working by his side hoisting the sails, taking pictures, or snoozing on the deck!As we talked, I asked Gil what he did. He shared that he is Executive Director of a Community Health Care agency in South Jersey. I was wearing my DARE to AFFIRM shirt, so we talked about what that was and then Gil began to share his philosophies as the leader of his program. The first thing I have to share is THAT HE REALLY LISTENS!! People talk about an 'open door policy', but his truly is. He goes to staff meetings, meets with all of his managers weekly, and nips problems in the bud by encouraing everyone to be involved in solving them together. I asked if he had always been such an affirming individual? He didn't answer right away, but after reflection, we came together a bit later for another conversation. His experiences in Peace Corp and his degree in Cultural Anthropology plus the wisdom he has gained from life, are some of the other puzzle pieces that make Gil open to people, cultures, values and beliefs. He respects them and in turn, engenders so much respect from all of the employees at the 20+ clinics that serve the working poor. He is amazing; his staff recognize him as such, and his fiance', Betty, loves to spend her time validating him as well! I learned almost as much from her as from him!! Yes, we saw the lighthouses and I came home with some photographs of them, but the experience of meeting Gil, Curtis and Betty was a special event of the cruise.