This I Believe

This morning marked the final broadcast on NPR (National Public Radio) of a 4-year series entitled "This I Believe," the personal philosophies of famous and ordinary people. For most of the series, I thought about writing my own statement, but never quite got around to it. Until this morning. And the thoughts flowed. Not necessarily related directly to travel and/or photography - but one's philosophy toward life, I'm sure, has a bearing on all aspects of life. So, without further ado:

This I believe ... I believe in calculated risks. Not jumping off a cliff without a parachute into a foggy mist. But taking a leap of faith with a worthwhile goal in mind and the odds at least a bit in my favor.

I have not done this too often, but there have been those times – moments actually – when the leap seemed a good option and I went for it. And they have always worked out – maybe not exactly as intended – but worked out nonetheless.

I remember some of my dad’s final words – “I wish I had taken more risks in life” – and how proud he was that I had taken risks here and there.

* When I changed majors the first week of my junior year in college from the “safe” major of “business administration” to the “interesting” major of “political science.”

* When I quit my decent paying, pension-oriented job with a Seattle transit agency and moved to New York City, sans job, to be close to my then-girlfriend (and now wife).

*And when I quit my decent paying, pension-oriented job with the same Seattle transit agency a number of years later to go out on my own as a consultant so as to have more control of my time and to work on a project dear to my father’s heart – Safeco Field.

I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t make any of the leaps on account of my dad (at least I don’t think so!) – I had my own reasons for each – but it certainly made it easier knowing of Vic’s support for each.

Leaps of faith require faith – a belief that it will all work out – and require a leap – taking off into the unsecured future. Most importantly, they require making a decision based on incomplete information, “trusting in the universe.” And, thankfully, the universe provides!

Ever Onward - Why We Travel

I was just reminded this morning of one of my favorite sites within the NY Times website - a slide show that is updated from time to time entitled "Why We Travel." There's obviously no one answer to the question and that's what makes this site so interesting - 17 photos and short stories of individual responses to the question. Check it out - it might inspire you and your next journey.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/04/26/travel/20090426_WHY_slideshow_index.html

And note, if the link is broken at some later date, just go to www.nytimes.com and search for "Why We Travel."

Hot Time in Belize

We recently returned from spring break in Belize. During our ten day stay, we hung around the pool, snorkeled, ate very well, did lots of walking, got WAY too hot, saw a few Mayan ruins, got addicted to Belikan beer and fresh limeade and met some of the friendliest and most helpful folks in the world. Some photos and a more detailed description of our experiences can be found at my realtravel.com site:

http://realtravel.com/b-283249-belize_blog-spring_break_in_belize, or click on the Real Travel link on the right column of this blog.

Inspiration from Jodi Cobb

"There are stories everywhere—in your own house, your backyard, your town. You need to find out what you’re interested in, what you’re passionate about, what you want to change, celebrate, illuminate, interpret. It’s right there. You just need to get started. "

This quote is from an interview conducted by Hannah Theim on the photo.net website. The link to the full interview follows: http://photo.net/photographer-interviews/jodi-cobb/?p=3#love-documentary-project. Occasionally (or more often!), we all need a kick-in-the-pants, an incentive, an inspiration to get us going. And I feel that Jodi's comment fits the bill.

Writers and Photographers

Today marked the end of the print version of the Seattle P-I. A sad day for all of us in the Pacific NW. Lots have been written (kind of ironic, isn't it) about the demise of the paper. But I wanted to add one thought. A surviving member of the P-I staff that will now be working on the on-line version of the P-I stated that she couldn't wait to become a better photographer now that she had to take any photos related to her writing. Hmm. They should have kept a couple of photographers around who, with a little time, could have learned to become better writers! Professional photographers are getting a bum rap these days - it still takes more than just a cell phone camera to take a moving photograph. Skill still counts. Or at least it should.

Opportunities

Whether its planned serendipity, listening to the universe or just dumb luck, an opportunity to learn, grow and experience often arises. I had been wanting to take a photo workshop from Chris Rainier for many years. I am moved by his photographs of cultures and rituals around the world. I finally found a window of opportunity that match a Rainier workshop in Santa Fe. And never one to just go and do one thing, I flew down several days prior to the workshop to explore one of my favorite parts of the U.S. In looking on the Internet for lodging options, I came across the Christ in the Desert Monastery, 2 hours or so northwest of Santa Fe. The price was right, all meals were included, as were 7 or so monastic services a day, beginning at 4 a.m. The calm, serenity and quiet was the perfect prelude to a photo workshop on a "In Search of the Spirit." During the 2 days and nights I spent there, generally spent in silence (conversations are not encouraged outside of very limited times), I took lots of photographs (again, a good prelude to an intense week of photography at the workshop), attended a lots of services and ate well. An opportunity arose, I went for it, and all was well.

Turning Dervish

Speaking of rituals and journeys, I'm always fascinated by spiritual journeys and rituals. I've observed Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) rituals in Guatemala, Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions in Spain and Buddhist festivals in Bhutan. I've watch believers lighting candles at the Temple of Maximon (an interesting cult figure in Guatemala), at Lourdes (a Christian pilgrimage site in France) and in churches throughout Europe. And I've seen pilgrims walking up Crough Patrick in Ireland, being blessed (and incensed!!) upon completing the Way of St James in Compostela, Spain and sitting in quiet contemplation in churches, both large and small.

I recently had an opportunity to observe an intense spiritual experience - the Turning of a Sufi Dervish. A concert by the Yuval Ron Ensemble included what is commonly called a Whirling Dervish. More accurately a Turning Dervish, the gentleman first offered a ritual prayer toward Mecca and then began slowly turning at ever increasing speed, entering a trance-like state. The white tunic worn by the Dervish was itself mesmorizing to those observing the prayer dance.