Into the Light

Armed with a roll of Kodak T-Max 400, I ventured out on a few walk-a-bouts. It was my first time shooting with black and white since a photography class in high school. High school was a long time ago so let us just say this was my first roll of black and white. I stepped way outside of my comfort zone, into the unknown, with this roll and why not? What is the fun in doing the same thing over and over?

At any rate, I love the way the light is larger than life in these photos. It comes across natural and true.  The light is overwhelming and almost too much to bear. I thought about the "Allegory of the Cave" and how at first it hurts to step out into unknown. It is often the unknown that we fear and avoid, but it is often in the unknown that we find something spectacular.

Now play it with me

And love, the shoreline, where you and I meet

Sage

Not sure who started the tradition of spring cleaning but as I was re-arranging my home over the weekend I decided to burn some White Sage. Native Americans used sage ritually to purify and balance an environment. They used it ceremonially to "clear a space" during major life changes such a move to a new home. I love the way it smells and sometimes use it simply as an incense.

As I re-arranged and moved furniture I couldn't help but come across things that I needed to throw away. I found many old relics and reminders of past relationships and previous life chapters that are no longer necessary. It hurt a little parting with these items from yesterday's history, but I realized I was creating space for the new chapter. I then decided to take the "Sage Approach" and "cleanse" my space. A new outlook started to emerge and before I was finished my entire home took on a new look and feel.

You cannot fill what is already full. Sometimes our lives need a good cleansing. Whether it is a new attitude or a new home, I encourage you to let go of the past and make space for the new. In doing so, you might discover something you never could have imagined.

Beyond Coincidence

wilB:  I spent last Saturday getting my first tattoo at Autograph Tattoo by an extremely gifted artist, Thor Robbins. I chose to get a Hawk feather - a symbol that means so much to me on many different levels. Mostly, it is a symbol of my absolute love for all things nature. It's is also a symbol of the struggles during the past 10 years and how I've been able to rise and sore into the sunrise of freedom. The actual feather that inspired this tattoo is a Hawk feather that my best friend and brother Ken gave to me as a gift a few years ago. You can see it hanging on the light post being used as a reference. After about two hours the tattoo was done. I checked my phone and found a text from Ken with a picture of a hawk feather.  The message said, "Dude: it's a sign.. I just found this today!!!"  How amazing is that? Turns out he found three that same afternoon.  Coincidence? I don't think so...

Mourning Crow:  Last Saturday my friend, brother and spiritual counselor set out on a journey of self-expression by getting his first tattoo.  He chose a single Cooper's hawk feather that symbolizes a lot to him personally.  Hawk feathers are typically hard to come by.  They're not easy to find and a good one (not weathered or torn) can be a rare find.  I wanted to be present for my friend's tattoo session but was unable due to parenting constraints. As I walked outside (self-loathing in my parental constraints) I looked down and there on the ground... a perfect Cooper's Hawk feather exactly like the one Wil was getting tattooed on his arm at that very moment in time.

          Obviously, I was taken back. I took a picture and immediately sent it to Wil. Later in the day I happened across two more Cooper's hawk feathers and forwarded them to Wil! What a rare find on such a symbolic day.  I took it as a sign of approval on my friend's tattoo.  These feathers hold a deep symbolic and personal meaning to both of us. To find multiple perfect feathers of the same kind, while my friend is getting specifically that same tattoo... Well, that my friend is beyond coincidence.  

Took the long way home

 

Took the long way home and I stopped to smell the flowers.