Photography, Life and the Journey - "Let the Magic Begin"

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It's an almost typical Sunday morning, except for the fact that Molly the Wonder Dog had me up three times during the night - something she never does. So, unlike my usual early start to the day, I slept in.  In the process of waking up I thought a lot about what I wanted to share this morning.

I started thinking about the seasonality in the business of photography. That took me to think about the ups, downs, and seasonality we go through in our lives, along with some personal family challenges. Lastly, I found myself thinking about a few new projects, the artificial seasonality in the business with the Photokina show coming up this month, and new products being introduced.

As I sat here at the computer, trying to figure out how to write what I was feeling, I picked up Melody Beattie's book. So often I've found her thoughts to be right on target. Well, 2-3 times a year I share a post from Melody. She never lets me down, especially when reminding me to trust the process, life and the journey we're all on. 

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The Real Magic is About to Begin by Melody Beattie

As some point in the journey, we may become tired, weary, and confused. Homesick. All the mountains, the scenery, the food, the people, the experiences just don't do it for us anymore. We want to go home. What am I doing here? we wonder. Nothing worthwhile is happening. Yet another part of us knows the truth and whispers, Yes, something is happening, something worthwhile.

Feeling homesick is part of the journey. It can mean we've reached a turning point. "When we get to that place," a friend once said, "it means the journey has really begun."

Stay present for yourself and all your emotions. You've worked through so much. Don't stop now. Getting through this place, this point, will turn your life around. You've learned and grown, you've worked so hard healing your heart and cleansing your soul. Your spiritual growth has been profound. But until now, all the work you've done has been to prepare you for where you're going.

You've seen only a little of what life has to offer. You're about to walk through a door. Now that your heart is open, you'll see, touch, and know even more of life's wonders. It's the reward for where you've been. Keep feeling your feelings and trusting your guidance.

Let the magic begin.

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And there you have it - the importance of listening to our heart, and trusting the process whether it's personal or business. When things don't come together with the way you've hoped it's hard to get to that point of trusting the path you're on. It might not be easy to always do, but Shakespeare's "To thine own self be true," couldn't be more appropriate. 

The journey we're all on is never-ending, and it's filled with changes and surprises, many outside our control. All we have to do is stay focused, listen to our hearts and trust.
 
If you've had doubts about whatever journey you're on - give yourself the opportunity to think things through before you change your path. Draw strength from great friends and family and make it a day that allows Melody Beattie's suggestion of magic to begin.

Wishing everybody a terrific Sunday, or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. Always go for those long eleven-second hugs and cherish the people in your life who believe in you and have become part of your journey.
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The image above: Sunrise with a LUMIX FZ1000 f3.7 @ 1/1000 ISO 125 shot in IA mode and processed in Skylum's Luminar 2018 #MadeWithLuminar #WhereLumixGoes