Life lessons I learnt from Photography #2: Look for the Beauty

Everything is beautiful. If it is not, look again. See it differently. See it from a new perspective. Don't Judge, Keep looking and you will "see" it. We see what our minds want us to see.

Since I've started taking photography a bit more seriously, I noticed that this hobby allowed me to "pause, stop and look" more often. Photo sessions allow me to step out of my "hurried life". My camera lens allowed me to focus on life itself! Photography allowed me to embrace the present, so that I could set out to make the most of every moment. Yes, our history is in the past, our future is uncertain, but our present is beautiful if you choose to see it so. 

How often do we "pause, stop & reflect" in our lives? For me, I try to make it a point to pause and reflect before I start or end my day. I will pause and reflect on the wonderful things that had happened for the day and count my blessings daily. Everything is beautiful. Stop, pause, look and enjoy your present. The world we live in is filled with beauty, life itself is beautiful and living is a beautiful thing. The way we choose to see the world (and life) is ultimately how the world and life will be for you. For me, I've chosen to see my world and life experiences as something that is amazing and beautiful. This is one impt lesson I learnt about life through photography.... I'm getting a bit philosophical now.... Better stop!

"If something is not beautiful, it is probably not true."

John Keats

Life lessons I learnt from Photography "CLICK":

Life lessons  #1: Confidence in Self & Pay the Price

Life lessons  #2: Look for the Beauty

THE SECRET -- WITH A TWIST

This is an interesting article written by Michael Jordan Segal, MSW
Check out his blog for more of his sharing.

There is a book and movie called "The Secret" which describes how to find happiness, wealth, good health.. It was, and still is, a phenomenal success. The book describes many well known individuals throughout the ages, documenting their ability to "know the secret."

What is "the secret"? According to the book (as well as to myself) the "secret" is what is referred to as "the Law of Attraction." More simply put, "the way one thinks has a direct relationship to what happens to the individual." If one thinks the situation will be good, it will. If one thinks things will go badly, they will. It does not matter what subject you think about. According to "The Law of Attraction" if you truly think and believe there will be a parking spot up close at the mall, there will be one. If you truly think and believe your life will be terrible, it will be. It is more than "the power of positive thinking," but that's a very good beginning.

I often tell the story of when I was hurt. My attitude was very negative. I thought: "Before I was injured I could do 500 things really well; now, because of my physical limitations, I can only do 200 things well." I was constantly dwelling on the 300 things I had lost. However, with time I learned to refocus my thoughts to the 200 things I could still do. That thinking, and my new positive attitude, were so vital for me, as well as vital for everyone else.

Am I saying, "If one believes and thinks positively everything will be great"? Of course not. To borrow a portion of a title from Harold Kushner's best selling book, ".Bad Things Happen to Good People." I realize that sometimes life is not fair: babies unfortunately pass away; innocent people are murdered; hurricanes and earthquakes often devastate cities and kill many people..I could go on and on.

I love the quote: "What happens to you in life is 90%; but how you react to it is an important 10%!" What that means is that one's attitude plays a huge difference.

In my opinion, that's the "twist" of "The Secret." Sure, one's thinking is a huge part of life and finding happiness. However, I did not need Harold Kushner to make me realize "bad things happen to good people," (but thanks). The Holocaust was one of the worst events of history; the Viet Nam War brought pain to so many; the destruction of the World Trade Center brought anguish and pain to countless millions..All of these events were terrible. But typhoons and hurricanes occur with regularity; tsunamis and cyclones also cause unbelievable pain and wreckage; wars are with us in every generation and result in so much misery; people who do not smoke get lung cancer..All of these things are terrible experiences. There are terrible events of the past AND the present,AND they surely will again be part of our future. Unfortunately, they have been and will be part of our lives -- the bad and the good in our lives.

I believe with the right attitude and thinking a person can not only survive, but also thrive, if not here on earth, than in many people's wonderful memories.

And that is a great twist!

©2010 by Michael Jordan Segal, all rights reserved

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Jordan Segal, who defied all odds after being shot in the head, is a husb and, father, social worker, freelance author (including a CD/Download of 12 stories, read with light background music,entitled POSSIBLE), and inspirational speaker, sharing his recipe for happiness, recovery and success before conferences and businesses.

Source: http://scaredmom.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/the-secret-with-a-twist-by-michael-jordan-segal-msw/

Life lessons I learnt from Photography #1: Confidence in Self & Pay the Price

The digital age has completely changed the quality and possibilities in photography. From the first germ of a creative idea to the finished photograph, digital age photography gives you undreamed of freedom and control. Digital photography delivers instant feedback, eliminates the costs and delays of film processing and puts you, the photographer, in charge of every step along the way. It makes the process of taking a good photograph infinitely simpler. That's one of the key reason I started to take photography seriously in 2009. 

As I reflect on my photographic journey over the past 2 years, I was able to identify some key lessons I learnt from the process which are very applicable to life as well. I will be dedicating the next few weeks sharing these life lessons I learnt in this blog of mine. All comments and sharing are welcome. I really hope to hear from you as well.

Can I really take good photograph? This is one key question I asked myself when I was contemplating whether to pick up this new hobby of mine. Many people spent their life dismissing their talents and doubting their capabilities. Myself included.

One key lesson I learnt from this process is, we must have the confidence and believe in ourselves when we want to do something. We must believe in ourselves regardless of the potential challenges and failures. Believing in ourselves is such a vital part of goal achievement. Overcoming our doubt and disbelief is crucial if we want to improve our life. Most important of all, we need to face all challenges head on and with optimism.

Believing in ourselves is a simple matter of changing the way we think about ourselves and our capabilities. Remember that negative thinking is a habit, whether it applies to you or the circumstances of your life. Anything is possible. If others can do it, why can't you? Believing in yourself is the first important step towards achieving our goals. But this is not enough. A lot of people want to be successful and become rich, but the thing is, most people fail to accomplish it. Why is this? Have you ever thought about the difference between successful people and ordinary people? What makes great people extraordinary?

I have always been blessed with an overabundance of optimism and positive energy (that's what many people tell me). As I grow older, I learnt that dreams can really come true if I am willing to make the necessary sacrifices. If I am willing to pay the price, I will surely achieve what I set out to do. 

With a demanding job and a family to look after, many people ask me, "Jimmy where did you find the time to do all those things?" Well, if I am determined to learn or do something, I have to pay the price! Yes, I have the same 24 hours like most of you, in order to squeeze some time to learn this new skill, I had to make the necessary sacrifices. I need to be 100% committed to achieve my goal. I had to wake up as early as 4.30 a.m. to capture the rising sun. Sometimes, I will be working on my pictures till 2 to 3 am in the morning processing them. Of 

course, I am not asking you to go the the extreme, my point is - if you want something, you have to pay the price!

Look back at your life right now. I know that you want to be successful like many others, but are you paying the price to achieve it? Are you doing something each day that will move you toward your goal/dream? If you are not, you need more commitment. When you are committed to something, you will do whatever it takes to achieve it. You will try your best and take whatever actions and go against all odds. This is how great people produce extraordinary results in their lives. You can be the same as long as you are committed to your goals and dreams.

Believe in yourself and pay the price!

Just do it!

Whether you think you can or think you can't you're right!

Henry Ford

Life lessons I learnt from Photography "CLICK":

Life lessons  #1: Confidence in Self & Pay the Price

Lesson in life - crying over same thing...

Received this story today via email. For sharing:

A wise man once sat in the audience & cracked a joke. All laughed like crazy.

After a moment he cracked the same joke again and a little less people laughed this time. He cracked the same joke again & again, When there was no laughter in the crowd, he smiled and said..

“When u can't laugh on the same joke again & again, then why do you keep crying over the same thing over and over again..”

Jim's Reflection:

All of us have a choice in life! We need to know when to pick ourselves up every time when we fall. 

My boss once told me. When you are down or feel sad, moan for 24 hrs and move on. This will ensure that you don't stay in this unproductive state for too long. When you are successful, celebrate for 24 hrs and move on. This will help you to ensure that your head won't grow too big and become proud.

Security is mostly a superstition.
It does not exist in nature nor do the children of man as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.

Helen Keller

Photography: Nature, CATS

Gratitude

pic source: http://aboutmyrecovery.com/2010/11/26/gratitude-is-the-memory-of-the-heart/


“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ”

Melodie Beattie - motivational author

Jim's Reflection:

• The key to happiness is gratitude. Our lives will be so much happier if we change our mindset or thinking from what we do not have to what we have everyday!

• As the saying goes, everyday above ground is a good day! The very fact that we are alive is a blessing. Look at what is happening in Japan. Why are we complaining? Listen to our conversations everyday...Money not enough, can't go for holidays, things are so expensive, government not taking care of us enough, how come no subsidy to support couples to have more children, etc. compared to the conversations the Japanese are having everyday...e.g. What will be my future like? Where are my parents? How can I start all over?... Are we lucky? Are we fortunate? Why are we complaining?

• Be grateful for all that you have and if possible, pass it on or help others who are less fortunate. You will be happier that way!
  
  

This is just my take. Life is not about having more, it is about being grateful for what we have. Frankly as you grow older, you tend to start cutting down on the less essential and focus on the few that means more to you...Am I growing old....hmmmm

Jim