The World as of Now...

Into every generation the rant of "the world today is the worst shape it's ever been" is made in some form or another. What we need to keep in mind is information traveled more slowly back then. It came in the way of radio broadcasts, handwritten letters, public speeches and then on to the advancement of television. It was very personal and took humanly effort to get. 

Today the information hits, but it hits bluntly and emotionless through electronic devices... Technology is improving and expanding every day. Updates upon updates make our lives work more efficient and faster. With one click we can connect with anyone and everything in the world. We can see what is going on in high definition and voice our opinions and views instantaneously for all to see. But we are in a world where our signature is not stamped by us as individual people but by raw technology. It communicates for us, manages us and it thinks for us. 

When there is important news today, here is what happens: alerts pop up on our mobile devices instantaneously. Individuals who are there post videos for us to see and have a sense that we are there. Then people share their thoughts and opinions on social media. Within minutes of something happening the majority of the population will know. There is no time for anything to seep in. It is all there in our hands. The seed is planted in our heads and technology is the miracle grow that helps it spread faster.

I don't have the time or the word space to sit here and type out all the mass amount of news we have been hit with in this half year alone.. Everyone knows what is going on. There is so much hate and so many people divided. Within each division of people  there is such a strong set of beliefs and opinions that nothing or nobody else but themselves matter. People are waking up, picking a side and sticking with it. It is great to stand up for what you believe and push the cause.. But in a loving way, not through hate and resentment. Vengeance is not the proper fuel for the fire. It will only create more flames. Peoples actions speak louder than words, but words are fueling the actions as well. Technology is spreading the cause like a wildfire in a drought.. 

And here I am adding to the online voices.. I am hoping I am adding a refreshing, big glass of water instead of a hot, burning coal. I believe in every individual.. I am not in one particular division because everything needs to be done in love. Forgiveness over hate. We must love one another as we love ourselves. We must listen and act accordingly. Basic fundamentals that make the world a better place.. 

Lately I have been trying to not rely so much on technology. I have been on a social media hiatus as much as I can and staying away from time consuming apps. I have been trying to be more social in the sense of seeking out friendship in person as well as setting out working goals and performing them the best I can. I have been trying to pray more, worry less. When I go outside I breathe deep and give thanks for the day. I am seeing life as each day the sun rises to bring us new hopes while each night the moon brings us new dreams. 

But I never forget there is a lot going on in the world.. I want to help, but not in a way that is rash. We all need to learn to balance our battles in the proper way. I pray for the nation, for every person, and for the generations to come. I am sure this post will be rethought 100 years from now but in a different form. 

We need to think of ourselves not as one but as many. We are all in this world together. Let's make a difference in the right way.

Spring Showers Bring May Flowers

Spring has finally sprung; the world is full of endless possibilities. Each day the sun rises to bring us growing hopes while each night the moon rises to bring us new dreams. We begin to sprout out of our seeds and break surface to meet a welcoming oasis. Though our stories are all different and unique in their own ways we are all brought about the same way. Out of the winter slumber we arise to evolve into bigger, better versions of ourselves. Over the years our climate conditions change though. Some years it is harder for us to expand out. Harsher weather leads to bigger struggles. It makes our days of warmth and peace more valuable than what they seemed before.

The world is a crazy place right now. We are all in a chaotic struggle to be heard and seen. Through politics, religion and lifestyles we are trying to deepen our roots and intertwine with every other around us. It get's cluttered and starts to overgrow. We can only grow so much until weeding out needs to be done. When the wild flowers overgrow too much you can no longer enjoy the simplistic beauty. It is too overwhelming; it pollutes.

I want a simple, clean bed to expand and grow in. I want to be the single flower that stands tall and effortless. Within my box I want to be surrounded by other flowers strategically placed so we can grow beautifully together, a family that is different but in unison with our environment.

I have really been opening my eyes to the world around me. It feels like the world has been changing drastically within the past few months. There are so many voices around us and all of them are talking at the same time.. It is hard to hear when the words and actions get all cluttered together. I have really been trying to find a peace to my days and not let the chaos and stress of it all take over. It has been challenging, and I have still yet to master the craft of zen. But I am working hard to close out the negative and breathe in the positive. I am teaching myself to tune down the voices that don't matter..

Recently I have been trying to make it to Church every Sunday and pray more often. The discipline of it all has been rewarding. Lately, when I pray, I have been making it a point to start off by focusing on the blessings and giving thanks for what I have before asking for help and guidance. It is helping me add more positivity and light into my days. God is love.. and though life can be hard it all comes down to the sacrifice that was made and the power of the Spirit working within us through Christ our Lord. This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine!

To help me with my physical body I have taken up yoga. I am absolutely hooked on the practice right now. In this first month I am more energetic, flexible and calm. I am definitely going to be keeping up with the practice, and I am very excited to see where it takes me both physically and mentally. Namaste!

I am preparing myself this Spring for the busy and exciting summer ahead! This is one of the most important years of my life. I want to make the best of it! :) Let these Spring showers pour and bring me beautiful flowers of joy.

Urban City Tales

((CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE))

This is an Akron-based composite I have been working on the past couple of weeks titled "Urban City Tales."

This image has 13 photographs of random walls around downtown that I have taken and molded together to create a bigger story.

Akron Ohio is truly an eclectic city. 

We have a little bit of everything going on here, 

from art and music to business savvy.

There are so many different types of people,

and everyone has a unique story.

This piece is a homage to all the different characters

in this town and all the unique stories they hold.

Every window and doorway shows a different narrative for

you to observe and ponder.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Black and White

They say you can't have a good day without a bad. 

Well, let's start with the good. 

Bryon and I are officially moved into our first home! How exciting is that?! We are beyond blessed to have found the perfect home for us to start our lives together in. The wedding is about 6 months away, and I couldn't be more happy with the thought of saying "I do" to my best friend and soul mate. Through the good and bad, we have each other. Nothing is better than that.

Besides making plans of the future and working hard, I was able to take a mini-trip with my dad to the PhotoPro Expo in Kentucky. We had a wonderful time, with wonderful friends and wonderful speakers. We took a lot of information out of the trip, but most of all we were able to spend some much needed daddy/daughter time together!

In ways of entertainment, the X-Files are back and better than ever! Seeing Mulder and Scully on the idiot box again has brought a giddy joy to my inner geeky self. I love this season, and I hope they pick up more episodes. 

Through the devastating news of David Bowie's passing, a wonderful gift was left for us to have: Blackstar. What a masterpiece of an album. Bowie couldn't have left us with a better goodbye than through the amazing artistry that went within this album. It is Bowie in all forms and has brought his legacy to an amazing completion.

...

The snow has come down in abundance. Beautiful in its' own right but difficult in its' actions. The conditions have made for tricky travels as well as creating a longing for Spring so much more prominent than earlier before.

With the drastic weather change, I have been sick a lot this past month. I have had two strains of the flu and a bad case of strep throat. Emergency room visits as well as Urgent Care ones have been on my agenda for longer than I have liked. I have never in my life been so sick in such a short period of time. Usually my immune system is on top of everything. I am getting back to my healthy self, but it has definitely been a challenge. Thank goodness for Bryon. He has been a trooper in my recovery!

There have been a lot of changes in my life within the past couple of months. I must admit, I get a little stressed out. I am trying not to make myself go crazy over the little details. I have some things I need to work out mentally and physically, and I don't want to worry myself sick. But alas! God is good. I have just been praying a lot more often. 

The beginning of 2016 has been both good and bad, black and white.. Nothing is going to hold me back on my journey but myself.
Life is to be cherished through all times.
I am just living my dreams the best way I can.

Resolutions

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new." 

- 2 Corinthians 5:17

It is a new year, and I am blessed to say it is going to be one of the best years of my life.. This year I will be getting married to the love of my life. We are now officially homeowners and are planning the next chapters of our lives together. There are so many new, exciting things that await us this year! I am just so happy to be sharing these adventures with the man of my dreams.

With the new year comes new responsibilities, and I have never felt so strong about this until now.. Times are changing, and the best way to keep up with them is not only to adapt with the change but continue to keep our morals and values the same. In this technical, ever impatient world we live in today, people seem to have lost a certain sense of value in the small, everyday gestures of life. Material things have taken over parts of our emotional sense, and that can make this journey in life harder instead of easier in the long run.

I am really going to try and not be so dependent this year on "the wants" instead of "the needs." With a click of a button we can have anything our hearts desire.. but these are only things. The bigger picture is compassion and love with outlast anything materialistic we own. I want to help others where I can. Reaching out a hand and giving is so much more rewarding than reaching out a hand and taking.. I want to take time everyday to thank God for EVERYTHING that I have. Being alive is a blessing itself.. everything else is just an added bonus. We need to treat others with the same love that God has for us. It can be hard to do in these times, but the outcome will always be a great reward and a step to a better tomorrow.

I just want to wake up every morning with a positive outlook. The simplistic nature of this act will impact my life in a great way for 2016. I am sure of it! I am ready to take on this year and make it the best that I can. I wish nothing but good health and happiness on everyone! Have a wonderful start to the year and thank you for reading!