so, you go through the motions, do your day-to-day stuff, have ups and downs- some further down than others- and live your life. things can get mundane, complacency sets in. sometimes beautiful things happen that inspire you, a lot of time crappy things happen that can really get you down.

i have had a pretty hard week. no, i should rephrase that. the last three months have been pretty hard; last week sucked. bigtime. sunday was pretty much the worst day i have had in these last three crappy months. i knew that i needed to re-focus, spend some time by myself and think things through, so i got in my car and drove. when i arrived in new west, i parked the car at the river, got a coffee and walked down to the murky waters to think.what is it about water that really grounds me? even the nasty waters of the fraser river seem to calm me, the eternal aspect of water seems to sooth my soul: reminding me that there is something greater out there, that i am going to be ok.

and then tracy called. she was at the hospital with her new baby girl and asked if i would come by to take photos.

insert angelic, awe-inspiring music.

ten little perfect fingers. ten little perfect toes. skin so soft it feels like velvet. calm, sleeping warm body. god’s gift to human kind. life.

i feel so blessed to be alive.

criticism crushes creativity.

i think that i am a talented, smart human being and my opinions are valid; there is no right or wrong opinion. although people may be desperate at times to prove their idea is correct, in essence i feel that we are all just searching for validation.

in theory, if someone disagrees with you, it should not be a critical jab at one’s person. identity should never be confused with ideas.

as long as you know who you are, a differing opinion should never feel like an attack on your integrity. all opinions are is just that: opinion. maybe it might just broaden your horizons as well ;)