The Unfurling

The Unfurling, Akaka Falls, Big Island, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
300mm, 1/30 sec @ f5.6, ISO 720, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Are you managing and controlling all aspects of your life?  Checking off your to do list?  Ensuring each day is crackerjack-full of productive activities?

Or are you letting your life unfurl before your own eyes?  Are you open and receptive to opportunities that might just be around the next corner?  Are you leaving space -- precious space -- during your day for something magnificent to unfurl?

We've been conditioned by time management experts and self-help gurus to shape our lives to fit our preconceived notion of success ... only to realize later in life that we may well have been sold a bill of goods (quite literally).  

What would our life be like if we followed our nose to see just what opportunities were ever-present that ignited our creative spirit, or touched the depths of our soul, or let us express our deepest compassion.

Life has its own way of unfurling, and will do so quite nicely without any help from us, thankyouverymuch.  Can we learn (or unlearn) to accept that unfolding, and consider what is the wisest response to each situation?  

You will be surprised the degree of peace that can arise from that unknowing, that lack of control.  Indeed, it is our desire to control our world that introduces tremendous stress and suffering (when things inevitably don't follow what we had in mind).  

So resign today from your envisioned job as master of the universe.  And watch the miracle of life unfurl all on its own.  And then ... be at peace.

Stop Counting

Time to Stop Counting, Big Island, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
76mm, 1/30 sec @ f5.6, ISO 640, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I came across this T-shirt while strolling through Kona center on the Big Island with my family.  It made me chuckle.  And think.

I really don't think of myself as being as old as my birthday would indicate.  After all, it's just a number.  Rather meaningless, actually, when you realize the standard deviation around average life expectancy.

Kinda like dog years.  Those never mapped very well either, as far as I could tell.

They say you are as young (or as old) as you feel.  I think that is absolutely true.

So in case anyone asks, I'm 33 years old (and that's actually quite a bit older than I've been in the past). Yes, I'm a bit more mature lately.  But not too much.

And if you want to apply some other yardstick to yourself,  perhaps it's a good idea to use dog years for your age.  That way you are sure to be far from "average" ... in fact, you'd be well off the charts ;-)

Impressed?

Impressed, Big Island, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
78mm, 1/30 sec @ f5.6, ISO 1600, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

So are you?  Impressed, I mean.

No, not about the photo.  Although I have to tell you I really like this shot.  I was walking by an art studio that was closed, and saw this through the window.  What you might find surprising is that the piece is actually facing away from you.  It's the "negative" if you will.  And I really like the textures and the light.

But I was talking about you.  Are you "impressed?"

You know, with preconceived notions, parental biases, cultural taboos, and the like.  I would be willing to bet that you are, even if you can't discern them (much like the proverbial fish who can't see the water).  So the question isn't whether you can be completely unbiased or objective.  But rather are you tuned into detecting your biases before they cause you or others any suffering?

Take another look that the photo.  Imagine that is your impression.  And see how there is no person there now.  Imagine you have "stepped back" from the impression you just made, and now you can walk around it and truly examine it.  Now you can look objectively at both your perfections and your flaws.  And decide where you want to change, to grow, to improve yourself.

That's all we can do.  One day at a time, one step at a time.  And if we are guided by compassion, rather than ego ... well, then we just might make some progress.

And truly, I tell you, that would be impressive!