Posts tagged "friends"

Recently I met my new friend.  We talked for hours, walked in a drizzling rain, went to the beach in the dark.  We had a great time and conversation.

In talking with her, I realized how far I came.  My attitude towards everything has changed.  Like the saying goes, “Do not look for me in the past.  I am not there anymore.”  It rings so true to me.

I realized all the struggles I been through in the past only made me stronger.  The people who treated me unfairly are no longer in my life.  Some things that I would be dead serious about before, just made me laugh.  I know what I want and nothing will stop me.

By talking to my friend, I glanced into my past and right now.  I came a LONG way. Wow!  I am not afraid of little setbacks anymore.  It only makes me stronger.  Setbacks are just a little building blocks that goes to the top of the castle of our dreams come true.

By summing up all our conversations about life and people, an enormous gratitude filled my heart.  I am grateful for:

1. My family and friends.  You are truly amazing, each one of you!

2.  My health.  Where I was and where I am now – HUGE difference!

3.  My pets who give an unconditional bundles of love and joy.

4.  A peace in my heart.  Forgiveness plays a huge part.

5.  My self-confidence.  Gosh, even my back is straight and I see clearer.

6.  My cheerfulness and positivity.  A simple smile makes the whole difference not only for me, but for others.

7.  My creativity and curiosity.  I LOVE making ordinary into extraordinary, to challenge myself to see in creative ways.

8.  Challenges.  They teach me lessons and test me how strong I’ve become.  It builds a character, so bring it on.

9.  New opportunities that unexpectedly present themselves.

10. LIFE.  I cherish every minute that I am alive!

What are you grateful in your life?

People come and go.  Some of them touch our hearts, some of them break them.  Some people come into our lives to give certain lessons.  Some people test our nerves, test how strong we become.  Yet with some people, it feels that we have known them for years.  We can talk to them for hours, and never gets boring.  It seems that they are our soul friends – people who are traveling a similar path.

If we look at our friend circle and people we meet, do we feel empowered?  Or do we feel drained?  Do we feel enthusiastic?  Or do we feel victimized?  How our friends make us feel?

This year, I decided to sort my friends out in a personal life and on social media.  Animal abusers or animal hunters for fun, people who demean women and others are not acceptable in my world.  I had to un-friend some on Facebook.  In personal life, I had to let go of some people as well.  People with chronic victim mentality only drains’ others’ energy.  They are real downers and not willing to change.  Some people just do not deserve to be in our lives.  If they put us down or belittle us, we can choose to let them go.  I did that, and my life became lighter.

Note:  if mentally we are still mad on them, they still have a control over us.  Therefore, forget, forgive and let it go. By being mad, we only hurt ourselves.

I choose to surround myself with people who are amazing, creative, inspiring and empowering.  Yes, we all go through life’s hard stuff.  We all have our stories.  However, if some people choose to complain about it and do not do anything, it is a downer not only for them, but also for us.  We do not need to get into other people’s dramas.

Life is all about going higher and achieving our dreams.  Let’s surround ourselves with people who empower us to be the best.  Let’s be the best for others, too.  Let’s inspire one another.

Happy New Year!  It is a new beginning.  Like Winfrey Oprah said, “another year to make it right.”  The thing is that we go through changes many times:  it could be at a beginning of the year.  It could be after some drastic event happening, like changing a job, losing someone, divorce, kids go to college, retirement, marriage, moving to a new place, etc., etc.  There is also a saying that major changes usually happen after 7 years.

Lately, I and my friends are going through major life changes, too.  So, how to cope with that? How to make changes fun?  First of all, I found the greatest thing to do is to get rid of crap.  Through many years, we collect so much stuff.  Some things we liked before, we do not like it anymore.  Get rid of it.  Our tastes change.  We have so many e-mails that we did not even read, subscriptions that we ignore.  Delete and throw away.   If we take pictures, some pictures seemed nice before. Right now they’re mediocre – delete them or save them on DVD.  There are clothes that we did not wear for years – donate, give away or sell them.  There might be some unfinished projects or writings that we never get to finish, or lost interest in them – throw it away.

Also, not only we got to get rid of old, worn, unfinished stuff, but also the same goes with mental stuff.  All negativity out – to open a new space for positivity.  There might be some people that hurt us in the past.  Don’t you wish that some of them would have a “delete” button?  We can do it in our mind:  we got to forgive them and let it go.  Because if we are mad or upset, we only hurt ourselves – let go of anger and hurt.

Or, here is a brilliant idea:  Use these feelings to make you go higher.  Sometimes anger or being upset gives us a motivation to succeed.  We can channel those feelings to make ourselves only better and stronger.  If somebody said, “You’ll fail,” just say, “Watch Me” and strongly believe that you can do anything you wish and do it.

Also, while we clean old or bad energy out of our lives, we open doors to new opportunities.  The thing is that in this process of getting rid of the stuff, the new ideas come.  In working on these ideas, we got to communicate with people.  That’s how we start something new and exciting.

Moreover, we shall not take on a new crap.  If people do not treat us right or be negative, we have every right to walk away or change a subject.  We do not need their negativity in our lives.  Let’s surround ourselves with friends that lift us up, inspire us, and encourage us.  No more drama and no bullshit.  Also, no more excuses.

I feel an enormous gratitude to my family and friends.  For my family, thank you for being my inspiration.  I love our deep conversations about life and what is possible, remembrance of our past moments and seeing how far we came, and where we are going next.

For my friends, thank you for cheering me on, for inspiring me to strive for the better.  You inspire me to be more creative and share the beauty of life and the world with you.  Thank you!

I wish you heart-felt moments with your family and friends.  These precious moments are more important than any gifts in the world. I wish for you lots of laughter, many surprises, heartfelt hugs and great conversations.

Love dearly, smile widely, hug wholeheartedly, laugh till tears, dance till whole room spins, and sing from your whole being!  Create something that nobody but you can create!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Thank you for being a HUGE part of my life, each one of you!  You are a True Blessing!

This is a time to stop and think about what we are grateful for.  For me the list is HUGE not simply in words, but in feelings, too!!!

I am thankful for my life and health.

I am thankful for my family and friends who are INCREDIBLE in every way. Thank you for being You!

I am thankful for my family who are true inspirations full of courage, determination and so much love.

I am thankful for our pets who always warm our hearts and make us smile.

I am thankful for wildlife that cause me by surprise and leads me on curiosity trips.

I am thankful for every magical moment I see everyday: from diamond sparkles on the leaves and flowers after the rain to a sunset that takes my breath away.

I am thankful for challenges that life throws in order to let me think creatively.

I am thankful for my creativity to see and feel things.

I am thankful for moments of inspiration from people, books, and life.

I am thankful for freedom of my heart and thoughts.

I am thankful for great wisdom teachers who challenge to see life in a heart-felt way.

I am thankful for my fans who cheer me on and see the beauty of life the way I do.

I am thankful for all the love I feel within my heart.

I am thankful for all the artists who make a world more beautiful with their creations.

I am thankful for music that lets my heart sing.

I am thankful for having a courage to let go of things that do not serve me anymore.

I am thankful for a new space I am creating for new possibilities.

I am thankful for an incredible future that will come because I know what I want.

I am thankful for nature how it always refreshes me and makes me wonder and gives me an inspiration.

I am thankful for every day, hour and minute I live.

What are you grateful?

Have an awesome Thanksgiving, my family and friends!!!!  Sending you lots of love!

These are excerpts from the book “A Walk on the Beach” by Joan Anderson.  This book always inspires me.  So much wisdom here.

Here is a Joan Erikson’s Unconventional Wisdom.  It will make you think.  It will make you come alive.  It will make you feel grateful for what it is.  Make it a fantastic day, and live each moment to the fullest:

1.  OVERDOSE ON THE SENSES.  “Get out of your body, absorbing all that you come in contact with.”

“The great joy is when something happens seredipitously,” Joan says, “like an unexpected breeze, or finding this boat.  I never feel as though I am living unless I am making contact with the world like we’re doing now.  In my youth, I would walk the streets of New York and smell the neighborhoods, all the aromas of people from other places, or walk across the great bridges with rain-soaked hair and the wind on my skin, or go to museums where I would get so close to a painting that I could smell the oil.  Do you know what I mean, dear?” she asks, extending her hand now over the edge of the boat and letting the water race through her fingers.  “We taught early on to stop sensing the world.  Parents say no to their toddlers all the time, when all their child wants to do is sense the world around him.  Pity, isn’t it!  Overdose on the senses is what I say, all the way through life.”

“…the way to feel a whole range of emotions is to use them.”

“I want to be nature – you know, unblemished, natural, primitive, even, That makes all the difference.”

“We came away from that moment realizing the importance of reflection.  If I recall we spent the rest of the afternoon reflecting on reflection.  It’s a matter of using all that is around you, merging your senses with the world like an animal or child would do to find the clarity you seek.  Once again, the key is to loosen up.  Where curiosity and playful discovery are the focus of activity, there’s little opportunity to fail.”

“See, smell, touch, and taste everything… that’s what enlivens and links us in a sensuous way to the world outside ourselves.  It’s the very food we need for our body and soul.”

2. DANCE BEYOND THE BREAKERS.  “Having direction and going after something – going toward that which gives you purpose is the way – otherwise your life becomes avoiding trouble and there is no strength in that.”

“That’s the beauty of this life.  You leave all the rigid rules behind.”

“Dance is so absolutely glorious.  There’s no end to what you can do with pure energy.”  “…especially with modern dance, which isn’t restricting.  Rather, it’s about breaking boundaries.”

“And down the street and onto the beach.  Why not?” she laughs.  “Dance beyond the breakers, that’s what I say… be willing to go as far as you dare.  Hell, it’s one of the few legitimate ways to be sexy and sensuous,” she says, her naughty twinkle appearing again.  “The motion of the whole thing…and the flexibility it evokes!  The lucky ones are those that grow up near water where everything is in motion – you crave it the rest of your life,” she says, reaching for my water glass and taking a gulp.”

“Dance when you’re broken open, and, Dance if you’ve torn the bandage off, Dance in the middle of the fighting, Dance in your blood, Dance, when you’re perfectly free.”

“There should never be any set way to dance.  It’s about losing yourself and giving your body over to the music.”

“Always remember, my dears,” Joan says by way of a toast, “that no matter how hard you dance, not everyone will clap.” She lifts her glass to both of us. “At the very least, from here on in, you’ll be creating your own rules.  Take your dreams by the hand and let them float.  It’s a gift being your own person.  In any case, it’s pretty deadly not to be.”

3. LEAN ON YOUR STRENGTHS.  “In order not to fail in the end, you have to be dependent on yourself and know that you can handle things.  Most importantly, bring a little humor into despair.  Lightness, imagination, flexibility – these are the things that go into making a new start.”

“Adventure gets you to a feeling level and keeps the mind at bay.  Allow your imagination and feelings to follow whatever image moves you.”

“You must have confidence in your body.  It’s a portable world-a wonder, really.  It will get you through anything if you take care of it.”

“Passion is a force, a direction you are moved to.  It comes when you are open and vulnerable…  Still, passion is only a lofty word if you stay closed and not open.  All the words attached to the stages are so grand.  Only when we turn them into verbs and connect them with action do they make sense.  Always remember, dear, that theory without action has no strength at all.”

“It was she who told me that she didn’t hit bottom awfully easily.  “When I do,” she once admitted, “I try to focus, not on the problem but on my strength.  One way out of doldrums is to do something…take action rather than sit passively.”

“I keep telling myself that I can be either powerful like the sea or as weak as the broken shells under out feet.  Of course you know which I’d prefer.”

“One thing I’ve learned is that when you can no longer get in touch with your instinct and intuition, It’s all over.”

“You must imagine your capacities, how much strength you can muster, what you can do even before you set out.  Then you will have the confidence to stretch yourself like never before.”

4. SPONSOR YOURSELF.  “Don’t deny yourself to please others.  You only lose yourself in the promise.”

“Many a woman makes it a goal to know her man without knowing herself, first.  She sees loving him as the solution to her problems, but love soon becomes the center of her problem.  She is thinking rather than feeling her way through the relationship and eventually becomes isolated from the very essence of herself.  That is a tragedy.”

“Well, in any case, I always envisioned marriage as a collaboration,” she continues.  “Mutuality, reciprocity, interdependence are the keys to the game.  If you don’t have them, what’s the point?”

“We must have sensed a deep need to know ourselves better if we were ever to know anyone else.”

“When you are willing to pull back and look at your neglected dreams and foibles, you bring a newfound energy into your partnership.  You learn to respect what makes you an individual and you learn to accept the other person’s quirks as well.  It isn’t easy work.  The big trap most of us fall into is believing that love and joy always go together.  It can’t possibly be so because truth comes with love and many times truth is not so playful because of its honesty.”

“You get love by participating in it.”

5. SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW. “Be generative.  Pass on what you know.  In sharing there is real delight.  People in every stage depend on other people.  Out of connection real growth happens.  If there is no reciprocity, nothing ever works.”

“It’s not about you, dear.  It’s about being generative and giving back.  Can’t you see how people are sick for the truth?  Nothing in our culture encourages us to break out of the mold.”

“Henry James said that a writer must be willing to embarrass himself,” “Everyone wants to hear the voice of someone who has gone through something real.”

“You have something unique to share, my dear.  People are dying for adventure, and if they can’t make themselves get out there, they will content themselves with living vicariously off of others.”

6. PLAY OUT YOUR EXPERIENCES.  “We don’t stop playing because we grow old.  We grow old because we stop playing.  Anyway, the opposite of play is obey!”

“The point is to be less serious,” Joan says, “and more playful.  Children have it right – that is, until someone knocks sense into them and the life out of them.  I always insist that joy is a duty.”

“If only we could spread our wings and be freer with our bodies, we too could lighten up and recharge our souls.”

“Stop relying so much on your mind and get in touch with experience.”

“It’s one thing to hazard out in a safe place and another in unknown territory.  Taking chances and risking routine are two important ingredients for keeping alive.  Besides, a new panorama always offers fresh insight.”

“I make a silent promise to remember always to strive toward more unimaginable experiences.”

“I have been leveled and grounded by intangibles – such things as endurance, patience, will, commitment – a pleasant combination of active and passive ingredients needed for a harmony and balance.  Sitting here and taking stock forces me to remember and cherish what is to be vitally alive – somehow to transcend the mundane, to be broken and remade.”

“In any case, richness of experience is a potential generator of wisdom.”

“Life works best when there is a flow between times of intentional quiet and informed action. ” Action needs a counterpoint and destiny always develops in silence.”

7. REACH FOR SATISFACTION.  “Does what you are doing (in work or play) satisfy you? Does it make you laugh?  Does it make you sing?  If so, latch on to it.”

“You emerge slowly when you truly listen to your heart.  There’s no putting a time frame on soul work.”

“Practice nonsense, Have some joy during all your trudging, and don’t forget to laugh.  Tears no longer become you.”

“I want to remember to reach for the unknown or exotic as well as a measure of joy.  “It’s there for the taking, ” Joan constantly says, “and we must seize it for ourselves.  The opposite of joy is shame and doubt.  There’s hardly any fun in that.”

8. ALWAYS BE WILLING TO EMBRACE CHALLENGES.  “A good life is like a weaving.  Energy is created in the tension.  The struggle, the pull and tug are everything.”

“It’s the hard that makes it great.”

“The only way to pass the test is to take the test. – Native American Regal Black Swan. “Whether I’m giving a speech, walking my talk, or climbing the mountain, it’s all about taking one step and then another.

“Sigmund Freud though that out of one’s vulnerability comes strength.”

“you need to shake your life up in order to find new intentions.”

“No more asking permission, Whose life is it anyhow?…Besides, haven’t you learned by now that no one ever pushes you towards freedom.  You need to take that for yourself.”

Take Action

Have Adventures

Face Your Fears

Seize the Moments

Tolerate Isolation

Overdose on the Senses

Lean on Your Body

Reach Beyond Your Grasp

“Please let your sun – your concentrated energy, your own submerged authentic vital power – shine out from you.”

This is a third day after we lost our Thoroughbred Tango (Congressman).  He was the sweetest horse in the world with the biggest eyes that melted everyone’s hearts.  He was a gentle spirit with the biggest appetite.  He lived to be 25 years old.

Tango had a racing name Congressman and he was a winner in the races.  His grandfather is Mill Reef – a Century Horse, and his father was a Champion, named Diamond Shoal.

We are not sure about what happened after his racing was over, but he was abandoned, and my mom adopted him and nursed him back to health.  We had Tango for 10 years until 3 days ago when we lost him to cancer.

We do have another horse a Dutch warm-blood Princess Adora, who is grieving with us.  She spent most of her time with Tango.  When we buried Tango, Princess was running and calling him.  She stood at exact spot where we buried Tango and tried to dig him out.  Who says animals have no feelings.

Losing Tango was a huge heartbreak.  It still is.  Our bodies were hurting, and our hearts were heavy.  It felt as if a huge stone was on our chest.  No wonder, we carry our beloved horse in our hearts. <3

When we found Tango laying on the side, we did not know how terminal it was.  Therefore, we were fighting with all our might for his life.  He fought, too.  While waiting for a vet, we tried to sit him up at least.  He brought his head up a few times, but then he went down again.  Tango was incredible.  He still had a huge appetite.  He drank some water and had food and some alfa alfa hay.  We tried to keep him as much as comfortable as we could, not giving up.  We persisted, he persisted, too.  Unfortunately, his body did not cooperate.

At the end, he was tired.  After vet came, she informed us that he is in toxic shock because of cancer.  That’s why he can’t get up.  No matter how heart-broken we were, we had to learn to let go of him.  Our love for Tango was most important thing, and we did not want him to suffer anymore.  Persistence, love and letting go were our lessons.

Losing Tango changed me a bit.  It gave me a different perspective in life.  I realized how precious each moment in life is.  We should cherish every minute of it.  Family and friendship, a connection one to one can’t replace anything in the whole world.  Helplessness (while waiting for vet and not be able to help Tango) is the most frustrating and scary feeling and I do not want to go through that again.  To have an open mind to look for different solutions is very important.

We lost Tango and our hearts expanded for more love.  There is a space that opened up for new possibilities, for cherishing life and for what is most important.   And for some things, it is time to let them go…

When we came to the ranch yesterday, we saw the most incredible gigantic heart in the sky.  Perhaps Tango sent his love to us. <3  We love you, Tango.  You always will be in our hearts.

Trust that little voice in your head that says “Wouldn’t it be interesting if…”  And then do it.” ~ Duane Michals, “More Joy of Photography.”

This powerful quote says it all.  In photography, if we trust our inner knowing, we can create magic.  We can capture what we see in most unusual ways.  It gets us creative, it fills us with imagination, and we capture that wonder in our beloved photography.

Here are some photos I captured following my inner wonder:

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot an incredible sunset reflected in theater’s windows?

Here is the magical result.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot sunset reflections in a far away building with my zoom lense?

A building becomes alive with a golden beautiful light.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align the sun with crystals?

The beautiful necklace by Dalia Koss becomes full of crystal magic.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align fishing Great Blue Heron with Super Moon’s pathway?

Even though I was tripping in the dark going down the slope, I had a vision in my heart and went for it.  This picture in my Flickr was overnight sensation, totaling 1000 views per night.  Right now, it has over 2,000 views.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would catch a sunlight in my fingers?

Magic catch.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align the sunset colors with a spider web?Here is a colorful spider web palate

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I will integrate my friend Sandy in art?

Sandy becomes a part of statue. Art Deco.

Sandy becomes a part of painting.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would capture sunset through the window from inside the house?

The door window becomes enchanted.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I align a sunlight with our Princess Adora?

Princess becomes an angel.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I will capture Princess through my car’s reflection?

The capture makes an interesting composition.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I will try to capture moon through the blinds?

Here is a result.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align a crow statue against decorative lamp?

It becomes like fairy tale: a crow against the moon.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if we would take our cameras while parasailing?

The view was spectacular!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot rain drops on my back car’s window lighted by the car behind while waiting by the red light?

Rain drops become hundreds of hearts.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would “train” a dragonfly to stand on my finger while taking a picture with another hand?

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dragonfly the Acrobat!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align a sunlight on the dragonfly’s wings?

Golden Magical Dragonfly.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would come really close to the Brown Pelican, and snap the photo?

The light was incredible.  Brown Pelican trusted me to come closely.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would capture the wave from the low point?

Getting a close up.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would use a light post for support because I did not have a tripod with me for this night shot?

It is great to improvise!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would take this photo of sand castle against sunset and include a person to show the size?

Here is a dreamy dragon beauty.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would include a sunset and shoot this castle from the ground?

Picture becomes magic.  One woman yelled at me because according to her, I took the best spot.  It was my idea all along and after me, a few people started to follow my low point of taking picture.  Love to inspire people.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would see what is inside this rock?

Here is a result.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot a sunset through my car’s mirror?

I was standing by red light.  Love to use these waiting moments for my advantage.

So, what would you see if you would follow your inner knowing, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if…?” Go shoot the magic!

Wish you lots of creativity!

Sometimes photography is all about a color, and the most that stands out is a color Red.  It makes a gloomy day more interesting.  It gives an energy and power.  It is a color of passion, love and life.

Red color flowers stand out in the garden.

In fashion, the touch of red brings out sexiness, like these Christian Louboutin heels.  (See shoerazzi.com for more great shoe goodness)

Red brings out fun, summer feel and vacation.  This is my friend Sandy dressed in Dalia Koss necklace

Deep red color top and turquoise makes a great match. Jewelry by Dalia Koss.

Red dress in this photo makes a woman beautiful, and mysterious.

Even red light reflection on the street makes otherwise gloomy rainy night like a painting.

Red accent like this red toy makes already cute picture more powerful.

This one is an interesting moment.  I captured a giant moon right next to the red light through car’s window.  It made the sky surreal.

Red paddle boat makes this scene even more magical by giving a great contrast.

Love is in the air. Red Macaws are grooming each other.

Red sea of flowers

Red dragonfly is a sure stand out in a green background.

Sometimes a red color is a great protection for insects.  It is warning for birds not to eat them.

Red sunset adds a drama to the sky.

This Red horse statue brings out excitement to the city.

Red strawberries add a delicious touch to this yogurt.

Red bromiliad looks like a natural firework.

Red color makes the overcast day so much prettier.  It brings a sense of adventure.

Red brings out a huge contrast into a magical day.

Of course, nothing can beat a red sports car.  This Ferrari makes my heart skip the beat just looking at it.  It has a sense of dangerousness, hotness, and adventure.

The red color adds a fire and passion in our lives.  Where can you find yours?

Color Green photography