Special Photo Challenge: Inspiration
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did. “
Mark Twain
I love this month’s Special Photo Challenge about what inspires us to blog-what a great subject on which to spend time, energy and thought. For me (Armed and dangerous, above with my trusty Nikon), my passion for photography, reawakened following retirement from a career that got in its way, has been an incredible gift. It inspires me to see and to blog about the beauty and the pain in the world. Photography helps me to know that everything and everyone has a purpose, and to realize how fortunate I am to have been born into this place and at this time, surrounded by family and friends who love and appreciate me.
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
Henry Miller
Traveling the world as my husband and I have these past years has been equally inspirational. How can we not blog about such natural wonders as the peaks and glaciers of Patagonia, or the incredible man-made wonders at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Or closer to home, the beautifully bizarre hoodoos of Bryce Canyon or the commanding magnificence of the giant redwoods. Truly, I believe if everyone traveled there would be far fewer troubles in the world. I love Maya Angelou’s words: “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
“Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer. “
Jean de la Fontaine
My enthusiasm for travel and photography is further enhanced by sharing it with my good friend and fellow photographer and blogger Jane Lurie – who is in large part responsible for my entry into the joys of the blogosphere. We have shared excitement, challenge, frustration, ideas (both good and bad) and some amazing experiences as we have both grown our skills and expanded our vision. Plato said “People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.” Fortunately, ours is a friendship built on soil that nourishes us both.
“Art flourishes where there is a sense of adventure.“
Alfred North Whitehead
Our husbands, happily, are also the best of friends. Our shared love of travel, good food and adventure has resulted in some wondrous exploits. Our interests have taken us to some awesome places, which further inspire us to capture the essence of the people and places that catch our eyes, our hearts and our lenses.
Inspired by travel and photography, blessed with a loving husband and good friends, and open to new experiences, even when they make you look totally ridiculous (see below)…..as they say on so many tee shirts, “Life is Good”. And blogging gives us a way to share it just a bit, which makes it even better. After all, as Virginia Woolf said: “Pleasure has no relish unless we share it.”
For more information on the Special Monthly Challenge click HERE
Gorgeous and Samuel Clemons is a genius~
Thanks Cindy! This one was quite a while back – did it come up automatically or were you browsing the blog? Just curious. Have a hard time figuring out how wordpress decides which posts to highlight when you hit “like”
Awesome post! if I wasn’t already inspired by you, I would have with this! once again with pictures of places I also truly enjoyed (for example, I lived in Puerto Natales by Torres del Paine Nat. Park last year for 6 months (http://lespetitspasdejuls.wordpress.com/patagonia-experience/)…
Thanks for sharing such a tribute!
Happy shooting!
Jul’
We were there for 3 weeks last February; maybe we crossed paths?! We stopped in Puerto Natales for a short visit and almost got blown away by the winds there. Magnificent country. Started in wine country, then Patagonia, then went up to Buenos Aires. It was a great trip. Thanks so much for your enthusiastic support!
I was there then too (worked in a hostal in PN from Nov.2011 to April 2012) and had a blast trekking all over Patagonia! I’m glad you enjoyed it and am not surprised of your almost being blown away by the winds, they are quite fierce over there. I’m in love with that place and will return early 2014! 😀
COOKING SCHOOL, CHIANG MAI, THAILAND: happy team – worth to discover …
Thanks frizz, we were indeed a happy team! And the meal was outstanding 🙂
Sent from my iPad
I loved both the photos and narratives. How wonderful that you have a friend and spouse to share your adventures with!
Nancy
Hey nancy! Thanks for stopping by. Love your blog name!
hi Tina,
you wrote: “…reawakened following retirement from a career that got in its way, has been an incredible gift. It inspires me to see and to blog about the beauty and the pain in the world. Photography helps me …” – so are we too …
Hey frizz text, thanks for stopping by. Have been enjoying your blog.
I absolutely LOVE your blog. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts of words and pictures. It is rare that one is gifted with both.
Thank you Sandy. A compliment from an artist is always a treasure. I very much appreciate your lovely comment.
You certainly put deep thought into your response. Your images show your dedication to see the world through an intensely compassion lens. I’m delighted to find your blog.
Thanks Sally! I am very jealous of your blog name 🙂 I appreciate your kind words.
Good shots, Tina. The Torres are really beautyful!
Thanks very much Stefano. The Torres are beyond the lens’ ability to capture their beauty!
Tina. What a beautiful job you did with your challenge! You are truly gifted at this!! Thank you for sharing your fabulous adventures!
Thanks Lynne! And a special thanks for Steve’s call the other night. We were deeply touched.
What beautiful pictures. And what a fabulous friendship. Thank you for this
wonderful blog you have shared.
My pleasure Pam, hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving w the family!
Sent from my iPad
What a delightful tribute to the world of friendships, family and beauty. – one of my most favorite blogs you have shared. Linda
Thanks Linda. We have much to be thankful for, don’t we?!
It is certainly a shame you are such a homebody…
LOL. It’s hard work but somebody’s gotta do it! Happy thanksgiving!
Tina, a wonderful testament to the great relationships in your life.
I consider myself very lucky, thanks Jane!
Lovely, thoughtful post, Tina. I’m so glad you, too, have embraced the blogging world to share your insights and photos….not that I expected you to share photos of me! You’ve picked some of my favorite fun and memorable moments from our travels. Here’s to many more inspiring times together. Thank you, dear friend!
Count me in for sure; it’s my pleasure Jane 😉 PS. How come Bob got away with no toque?! LOL
OMG….I think that this might be one of my favorites…..love to get to know u through your words as u r a truly a spectacular person…envious of yours & Jane’s adventurous relationship as I too agree that the world would be a better place if we all could travel & see what the world really had to offer as opposed imagining what is…….I turn in with very peaceful thoughts….THANK YOU!!
Thanks April – I meant to note that the challenge asked us to post photos of ourselves! I’m not quite a self-absorbed as one might think when reading this one!
Tina, you are making me so anxious for my upcoming travels!
Remind me where you’re headed…..Southeast Asia?? You may have to start blogging!