Manifesting Serendipity

Jewel from the gate of the art studio

 The past month I have been reading a book by Wayne Dyer on manifesting your future. The basic premise has been told in many ways by many authors. I do believe that "you get what you BELIEVE you are going to get". I have watched it unfold in positive and negative ways through so many people in my life including myself. It seems like when I'm thinking positively, grateful and clear in my desires some force bigger than me seems to step in and help me out. I have also seen what happens when I allow myself to sit in misery and depression. The world  spins out of control and I end up wanting off the ride for good. 

I had a little minor surgery on Monday morning and I tried putting these principles into practice for it. I told myself that I would probably need Monday to recover from the anesthesia and meds, but that my body would bounce back quickly and I'd be good as new within a day or two. It worked. I was even able to run 3 miles today without a problem. I think the truth behind the principle is two fold. When we believe something is going to happen, our actions change and we make choices based on that belief. And then of course I also think that mysterious force I referred to earlier steps in and helps out too. That's the part I can't put my finger on, but I'm ok with that in the grand scheme of things.

So all of this had me pondering today. I think I need to spend some time focusing on what I really want in my life. If you were to ask me I would probably just stare at you with a blank face. Because while I think I know, it's all a hazy vague idea that floats around inside my noggin. I know that the clearer I can be in my desires and beliefs, the sooner and easier they will take place in my life. The one thing I know I want more of is serendipity, especially with human connection. I love it, love it, love it when I follow my heart and do something that seems odd or strange and because of it, meet someone new that becomes a good friend. I believe you can't have enough human connection in your life, it's what I believe life is all about.

Today we had our second photo shoot with the meetup group downtown and I totally had a serendipitous meetup. We were shooting this cool little alley and the owner came out to open the gate for us so we could get better shots. She owns an art studio there and invited us all in to look around. I knew the minute I met her that she will be a friend. She also invited us to an open house for artists Friday evening with live music and free food and drinks. More things I love and some of my new friends from the meetup group may join too. 

I feel blessed and clear today and extremely grateful for the gifts in my life. Life really is good.

Abandoned

The past few weeks I've had several opportunities to shoot at some great abandoned places. I absolutely love it. I think it's the voyeur part of my personality that enjoys it so much. Walking through these spaces feels sort of like rifling through someone's drawers or something without the guilt or consequences. Anyway, here are a few of the places I've seen lately.

First up is a cool old house in Mounds. The energy of this place was incredible. I had to hike through waist high weeds to get to it, but it was so worth it. Surrounded by trees, it's a little hidden treasure on the side of the road. 

I had a little time left after looking through the house and decided to take a look around at the property surrounding the place. A few of my butterfly minions showed up and actually allowed me to shoot them this time. I really love the entire property and honestly would consider buying it if it went up for sale. The little creek in the back with the trail was so cool too. I can't wait to go back and explore more of it. I even saw an A just for me.

Over the weekend I made a trip to Kansas City and just happened to go through Picher, OK on the way. Picher has such a sad history and you can feel it when you step foot on the ground there. I only stayed for a few minutes because I was run off by some seriously scary locals. Think "you sure do have a pretty mouth..." 

yeah.... I high tailed it back to my car and left.

 

I think the trees are the saddest part really. I laid my hands on a few and they give off an almost neurotic energy. They seem to be yelling for help and I can see it in the image below.

Of course all of the issues in Picher were caused by the quarries.

When will we learn to draw the resources from this beautiful planet

we live on, without destroying her in the process?

And last up I want to share some images from a downtown photo shoot.

I love wandering around and finding little bits and pieces of things that draw my eye. I have been doing it on my own on my lunch break around downtown and decided it would be fun to meet up with some other photographers (not to mention it's safer to do this in a group). So I created a group on meetup and today we had our first get together.

It was so much fun and the company was great. I'm looking forward to meeting

even more people and finding new cool places to explore.

photo by Sam Johnson

 

 

 

Here is my favorite photo from today and of course I didn't take it.

But this is totally me, doing what I love. After staring in this space for about 10 minutes,

I finally just said "screw it, I've got to get in".

photo by Sam Johnson

Wonderwall

I have always loved this song but it has even more meaning to me lately. I heard this version today and it completely stopped me in my tracks. It has been on repeat ever since.

Ryan Adam's Wonderwall

Wonderwall
Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now

Backbeat the word was on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now

And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
But I don't know how

Because maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

Today was gonna be the day
But they'll never throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you're not to do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now

And all the roads that lead you there were winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don't know how

I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

Said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me

A blessing

Deep peace of the running wave to you.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.

Deep peace of the shining stars to you.

Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.

Passing on Peace

Today I talked the boys into a nature hike at one of my favorite places here in Tulsa, Turkey Mountain. I wasn't sure how far they would go but we actually made it to the top. We had such a great time stopping to inspect bugs and squirrels and birds. Roland took my camera right away and started shooting the little things that he noticed, faces in the rocks, butterflies, trees that look like lizards and rocks that look like ocean waves. I can see so much of myself in both of them. Roland is definitely more of a hermit, but once you get him out he's great. He settles in and absorbs the energy around him and loves to go slow and notice the little details. Hayden is typically fearful of new places and ideas but once he gets into the groove, he can settle and enjoy himself as well.  They are both changing and growing so much these days, turning into little men. Time seems to move so quickly and I savor these times I get with them, one on one just enjoying each others company. I think the best part of today was teaching Roland about the energy of nature. I taught him how to close his eyes and place his hands on a tree or stone and simply let the energy of the earth pass through them into his own body. I watched as he moved from tree to tree placing his hands on them. He would close his eyes and I could see him literally lighten and relax. A sense of peace would cross his face that I can't describe. I wish now that I had taken a photo, but actually I'm glad I didn't. Instead I got to be fully present as he learned this lesson that I believe is so important and that I use as often as possible. I know I will look back on this day with fond memories and hope the boys do as well.

Macro Fun

I recently bought a used 100mm Macro lens off craigslist. Got an amazing deal that I couldn't pass up. I've been having fun shooting random things I run across with it. Here are a few shots.