Every coffee shop will have its regulars. They make up an important part of them. Along with the quality of the coffee, the personalities of the baristas,and the decor, they help develop the ambiance of the coffee shop. The baristas and customers know them by name and they know the baristas and customers. If they do not show up in their regular chairs, people will worry. Here are a couple of regulars at a local coffee shop with their thinking caps on. Not sure if they are all talked out or they decided they’ve finally solved all the world problems.
Most artist will tell you that their ability to inspire themselves was the key to their success. Well I have plenty of inspiration but I’m lacking in “motivation”, which is preventing me from moving forward with those inspirations. I’ve little motivation lately. I hardly take the camera out for walks and when I do it’s for short walks. I could blame the cold but that will not suffice. Just not motivated.
Motivation is what causes us to act, whether it is getting a glass of water to reduce thirst or reading a book to gain knowledge. They say there are three major components to motivation: activation, persistence and intensity. Activation is something gets us started. Persistence is the continued effort required. Intensity is staying focused through its completion.
Motivation can be activated in several ways. It can be caused by the influence of others, such as a shooting session with another photographer. Making a list of projects. Searching for new places for images. Shoot a different venue such as portraits rather than macros, or macro rather than portraits. Work on storytelling. Being invited to try a project such as Earl’s calendar. Or working new software for creating books such as Paul.
Something had to be done to get me moving. So, I decided to take a cold walk without my camera. I bundled up against he cold and took the treacherous walk as the melted snow was now turning to black ice. Without my camera I was seeing a lot of potential images. There was a lone Canadian goose just sitting on the ice, no other birds around him. It was so out of the ordinary I suspect the bird may be ill or wounded. The next thing to catch my attention were the cattails along the edge of the lake. The stalks are standing tall while in stark contrast their snow laden flat bladed leaves bend heavily downward. And then there were the rabbit tracks in the snow. They were telling of scampering feet looking for cover. Between the edge of the lake and sidewalk I discovered feathers that told of the demise of a bird. I wondered if death came from the powerful claws of a hawk or owl. This exercise was new to me, and it seemed to do the trick. What steps do you take for motivation?
We have a different hotel for our overnight in Kansas City. It’s not too far from the previous hotel and is just across the street from the Zona Rosa Mall, which has a pretty good BBQ place. On the back side of every hotel is an enclosed trash dumpster. Here is the gate for that enclosure. I knew you would want to see it. It looks used as the paint is wearing off.
“You’ve got a handful of years to do your work, don’t you dare waste those moments whining instead of creating something amazing.” David Duchemin
David was on a rant the other day which is where the above quote was taken from. Some rants will turn people away while some can be life changing moments. I enjoy his rants as they are not demanding of others but offer ideas where a quiet listener can receive enlightenment. It was one of those “Hmmmmm” moments for me, so please hear me out. I promise not to rant.
“Don’t settle for hours in front of a large screen TV when you can have a larger life.” David Duchemin
They suggest 111.3 million people tuned in to see the Superbowl. This number went up to 114 million for the half time show and the final moments of the game showed 118 million viewers. Not sure how they come up with those numbers but that’s not what this post is about. My focus is on those large numbers of people glued to their large screen TVs. I just wonder are we missing out on a larger life?
Ever wonder what an animal is thinking as they make eye contact and stare? In this case I assume he is not thinking about the political debates, his taxes, his 401k, or who won the Super-bowl. His focus is on the world around him, which includes us. This world is where he finds shelter and food, the necessities of sustaining life. He is part of nature. He stares at me trying to determine if I’m a predator or abserver, a danger or not. However, I do smile as it doesn’t look like he’s that worried about eating. 🙂
Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. John Muir
It was not a good day. They happen, ya know. Sometime in the morning I felt this restlessness rising within me. I lost my anger on a couple of trivial things, calling inanimate things names, as if they could hear and understand. My focus was all over the place. I walked into the kitchen for something and could not remember why I went there (still can’t). These are signals for me that my spirit and soul are in need of more time in nature. So, with a sunny and warm day I made my way to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR. I knew a long walk was the needed therapy. I had just read a post by Dave Showalter whoincluded an image of one of the approximately 50 eagles that have been seen at the refuge. No eagles were spotted but it was just what I needed. John Muir looked to nature as a temple, a place where he encountered his Creator. So, I guess I needed to wash my spirit with a walk in nature.
