Outside My Comfort Level

Believe it, or not, I am one of those people that worries about what others think. Because of this, I tend to be reserve in my actions. I shy away from anything that may get me noticed, or could potentially embarrass me. What this means - I take life to seriously.

The other day during Oyster Run, while photographing the Seattle Cossacks, one of the Cossacks asked if I would like to sit on a bike and have my photo taken. I immediately said no, that would mean getting my photo taken (which I hate), being the center of attention (which I am not always comfortable with), and could potentially mean embarrassment (not sure why). Their response to my NO, they laughed. They couldn't believe I would turn it down.

Then it hit me, what was I so afraid of. Big deal if I get my photo taken and big deal if everyone notices. I thought, what the hell and decided to let go, step outside my comfort zone and just enjoy myself. And, I did.

Expressing myself outside my comfort zone. At least this once.  :-0

Wet and Loud

Each year our little town hosts an event that welcomes thousands of motorcyclist.  This year was a little wet and blustery, but that didn't stop them from coming. Not as many showed up due to the weather, but that didn't stop the ROAR! A bonus of this event is the amount of money it brings into town and the surrounding area.

Acceptance - Forgiveness

I recently read a saying that said sometimes like - you get to see the 'true colors' of people who say they care about you. These 'true colors' show up when life is hitting you the hardest. I have found this saying to be true and profound. During a recent low point in my life, friends disappeared, some slowly fading away. A family member abandoned me.

So, is it acceptance I need to perform? Or is it forgiveness?  No. What I really need to do is accept that I don't necessarily have to 'forgive', but I do need to let go and move on. That the energy, and emotions, I waste fretting and feeling angry is not worth the precious minutes I give towards these people.

What I need, is to accept and feel grateful, for those that are in my life and are there no matter what.

Expressing myself with letting go of the bad and feeling loved by the good.

Tradition - Please Don't Let It Become A Lost Art

Each year a Pacific Northwest tribe will host a week long event rich in tradition. Tribes from up and down the coast arrive by canoe - hence the name - Canoe Journey.  This year's event is hosted by the Quinault tribe.

Today, I watched as the Samish Indian Nation, welcomed the Lummi Nation.  I was fascinated by the whole ceremony. The canoes were greeted by members of the Samish tribe with drumming and a welcome speech. Canoes approached the beach going through a series of rituals.




As an outsider I didn't understand it, yet I found myself overwhelmed with emotion.

Then it hit me. Tradition, for most of us, was becoming a lost art. So many of us nowadays have forgotten long ago traditions and no longer pass them on. Our children have no real sense of history. Yet here was a group of people steeped in tradition, passing it on to the young people in their communities. Giving the young people a sense of pride enriched by these traditions.

When Storms Hit

Life is complicated. Sometimes too damn complicated. Relationships, jobs, career choices, money, children, family, friends, health, which path to travel...

Storm after storm as blown me off course. I am not even close to where I thought I wanted to be at this age. But then again, maybe where I thought I wanted to be, is not where I am suppose to be?

See, I told you life is just too damn complicated.

But after a series of storms, I now long for calm seas.