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my springtime anthem

It’s time to begin, isn’t it, I get a little bit
Bigger, but then, I’ll admit, I’m just the same as I was
now don’t you understand
That I’m never changing who I am

The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.  Exodus 14:14

In this passage from the Bible the children of Israel are running from the Egyptians and fearing for their life.  Moses speaks these words in Exodus 14:14 to them.  Sometimes God’s ways are really just that simple.  In this case all the Israelites had to do was be still and wait to see the marvels God would perform.  Sometimes in my every day stresses I can make myself feel like I’ve reached the demise of my life… typical over-dramatics of someone who is lacking in faith.  I have to purposely remind myself at those times to trust God in his plans and promises for my life.  My relationship with Him really can be that simple.  Stop and wait and I will see God conquering those every day, minuscule stresses.    When the Israelites finally calmed down and trusted God, they witnessed one the most well-known acts of God–the parting of the Red Sea.  Now, surely if God parts the Red Sea, he can heal a broken heart or relieve the pressures of work or any other trial we seem to face.

Even for one who does not believe in God or the Bible, I believe this lesson is very applicable. Sometimes just getting caught up in stress or drama amplifies the situation.  Think how lovely it would be if everyone took a moment to be still before the flipped out or broke down in frustration or cut someone off or amidst a crisis.  Be still.

That’s a lesson to remember.  Be still and you’ll witness a miracle.  

(image above is from the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona)

Be open, a lesson I’m often reminded of.

“Faith is a state of openness or trust.”
-Alan Watts

I like control. I like five year and ten year plans.  I like knowing what I’m doing every day down to the half hour.  You know that boy scout motto, “Always be prepared”?  I think it’s genius.  I’m a planner.  As someone who went to school for architecture, got laid off and is now an photographer, you can imagine I don’t have much control over my life.  And if you are inferring that it drives me bonkers that I can’t control my life, you’re correct.

I am definitely blessed and love my life, but it takes serious effort on my part to relinquish control.  Letting go is definitely a step of faith and something I have to consciously do.  I know first hand how trusting God with my life opens me up to so many opportunities.  But that doesn’t make it any easier.  So I really haven’t written out my 2012 resolutions, but one of them is to be open.  Be open in work. in relationships. in love. in life.

yay!

Today I suddenly realized how much being a photographer and running a business has changed me.

I struggle.  I am not a natural career person.

I can be a very successful worker bee, but my natural characteristics make it hard for me get to the top.  For instance, I am an introvert.  In college a professor told me that INTJ’s were the perfect architects because an introvert will work without complaining or socializing, completely focused on work.  In the real world I learned that introverts make great workers but are unsuccessful at making progress towards management.  I remember working diligently in my cubicle while my coworkers built relationships with each other.  At the time I couldn’t understand why coworkers, who were “less qualified” than me, were moving up the corporate ladder while I stayed at the bottom.  When I became a photographer I found the answer.  As important as it is to be good at your job and work hard, in this day and age it’s more important to build relationships with people especially networking.  Maybe I was qualified in my architectural knowledge, but it was my coworkers who offered the balanced repertoire of skills necessary for success.

Now as a photographer I know that unless I’m social, my business will fail.  It’s so important to make connections with colleagues and clients; to be successful I believe that it’s more about being a people person than the most amazing photographer.  I recently went to a wedding photography conference and a friend commented that I knew “everyone” at the conference.  It’s obviously not true, but it struck me that I did know a good amount of people.  Looking back at myself years ago when I started my business, I was a different person.  2008 Meg would have shied away from everyone, perfectly content to be alone and completely unaware of the value of reaching out to people.  Now I know the value of a network of people to invest in.

There are plenty of other ways that photography has improved my life, and that’s why I’m so grateful for it.

“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’ve returned from an intense four days of learning and quality time with girlfriends. I am on fire. The year of 2012 continues to prove to be one for the record books. I returned home with a renewed sense of my ultimate purpose in life… which is to build relationships. Ultimately everything in my life points to that simple goal. My faith in God pushes me to that. The struggles I’ve faced prepared me for that. The transformation of strangers to kindred spirits encourages me towards that simple goal. Even my profession as a photographer (and traveler) is a platform for building relationships.

While in Vegas I was contacted by two men of my past. Jolted by the inexplicable coincidence of their timing and the stark contrast of their attitudes towards me, I was thrown into an overwhelmed state. One man tearing me down with every desperate word; the other building me up, sensitive to each nuance in our conversation. I felt alive to talk to him again, the feelings and memories surging back into my heart. It’s incredible to experience love over time, finding that in giving it space to grow it flourishes. And when it comes into your heart again you’ve found it to be transformed and matured. I experienced that in him, and now he waits for it in me, giving me that same space and a caring willingness to wait until I can come around in my own time. Knowing the faith he has in me will endure.

And I find so often a similar love in my friends. Friends who lovingly call me out when I’m wrong, yet are relentless in their support and encouragement. These ladies I spent four days with are no different.  They reminded me to inspire those in my life… day after day of the amazing life God has for them, of their untapped potential, of their amazing worth, of all of it.  And even though I also learned the importance, even necessity, to cut out those who are toxic and draining in my life, I will continue to invest in my relationships with those around me. Longing to both give and find inspiration.

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson