WestPhd Inc.

Happy New Year...

2011-12-31T21:52:00.000-05:00

hey everyone .... i wanted to wish you a wonderful new year, One filled with prosperity, dreams and conscious awakening. Allow the new year to bring the knowledge that we are all working to obtain, here in the 3d dimension -- attracting only that which we desire, as we move forth and connect to the planetary changes that are coming. let the new year assist you in de-cluttering your life, removing negative thought patterns, and replacing them with Positive attributes that we all desire on a whole.  happy new year to you -- let it create a NEW YOU!   much love and many hugs... west

using some essential oils this season...

2011-12-05T22:11:00.000-05:00

"Sharing Joy and awareness for healthy lives.....
In gratitude for all........"

Holiday Greetings to everyone!
So many of us are looking forward to the holiday season........
It is especially nice to have the opportunity to gather with family and friends, and to express our love and gratitude for each other and the world.
During these times, our happiness may come readily but in years when life is stressful, or when we are alone or going through a painful life experience.......perhaps there may be depression or sadness.
Regardless of the circumstances during the holiday season, we all have a choice to create a joyful and peaceful holiday season.....

Here are some very simple but powerful things I have found to be very helpful to cultivate peace and joy in our lives....
1.) Set your intention ~ take a little time each day for joy........it might be challenging to feel joy, if you are going thru a stressful or overly busy time.......
One easy way is to start your day by choosing to put a few drops of the essential oil blend of JOY on your heart......and breathe in the aroma......it will immediate lift your spirits.......and you will feel lighter and brighter as it lifts and releases depression or grief you may be feeling. Another oil you may like to try is blend called.........Inspiration.....which was formulated to help find a calm space in our minds and bring us closer to that creative center where our higher intuition operates.
Again, after anointing yourself, breathe in the aroma and let it permeate your being.

2.) Another loving thing to do is to nurture ourselves even in little ways. Remember to give yourself some simple pleasures and this too will increase your JOY...
If you like to read.....make sure you give yourself time to read a chapter or two each day. This will give you pleasure and take your mind off the intensity of any stress or emotion you may be feeling.
If you like to walk.......make sure you can take even 15 minutes a day, to get out into the sunshine......and walk .......it is not only good for your heart , but your lungs and soul.
Start your day with some very simple affirmations.......I like to apply my oils, and then speak some positive loving statements about myself, and "my world" before I step out into the day.....it is a good reminder of how we choose to live and the things we want to create. Remember by speaking our goals and dreams will bring them into reality.

3.) Another Way to bring joy into the season is to remember to celebrate all the good that is in our lives....Living in gratitude is especially good for our soul and spirit.
To help assist you in that feeling.....you may choose to apply a drop or two of Gratitude oil blend on your heart, back of neck or temples. Breathe in the aroma, and give thanks for all the good things in your life....... Even though we may be struggling with sadness or emotion during this holiday season, we can make the conscious effort to celebrate the good in our lives... It may take a bit more work on our part, and even if it is the smallest thing...celebrate it! Appreciation of a kindness from a friend......or the laughter of a child.....When we can look at these things.......through eyes of gratitude, we will find a renewed sense of appreciation for all the blessings around us.

Information on the oil blends mentioned in the information above is taken from The Essential Oils Desk Reference- 4th Edition compiled by Essential Science Publishing.
Please see below for more details about these blessed oils...

Joy Essential Oil blend:
Produces a magnetic energy to bring joy to the heart, mind, and soul. It inspires romance and helps overcome deep seated grief and depression.
Ingredients:
• Rose (Rosa damascena) has the highest frequency among essential oils. It creates a sense of balance, harmony, and well-being and elevates the mind. It creates a magnetic energy that attracts pure love and brings joy to the heart.
• Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) balances hormones, calms emotions, and relieves anxiety, stress, and tension. • Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) has hypnotic properties and combats insomnia, stress and irritability.
• Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) increases relaxation; balances male and female energies. It also restores confidence and equilibrium.
• Lemon (Citrus limon) is stimulating and invigorating, promoting a deep sense of well being. A 1995 Mie University study found that citrus fragrances boosted immunity, induced relaxation, and reduced depression.
• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) stimulates the nerves and helps release negative memories so that joy can be attained.
• Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) exudes an exquisite fragrance that revitalizes spirits. Brings feelings of love, support, and joy. Used to combat sorrow, depression, and nervous exhaustion.
• Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) it is stimulating and revitalizing, enhancing both the nervous and cardiovascular system. It also brings about a feeling of security.
• Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) combats restlessness, tension, insomnia. It purges toxins from liver where anger is stored. It also opens mental blocks.
• Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) is high in linalool, which has a relaxing, empowering effect. Gives a feeling of being grounded, stable, and strong.

Application:
Dilute 1 part EO to 1 part vegetable oil. Diffuse/humidify, directly inhale, or add 2-4 drops to bath water. Apply over heart, thymus, temples, and wrists. May also be used on lower back, abdomen, and on the heart and brain Vita Flex points.
Dilute 1:15 with vegetable oil for a full-body massage.
Put 2 drops on a wet cloth and put in clothes dryer.
Put 4-8 drops on cotton ball and locate on vents. Possible sun/skin sensitivity.

******************************************************************************************************************

Inspiration Oil Blend:
Creates a feeling of being wrapped in a cocoon of spiritual quietness. These oils were traditionally used by the Native Americans to enhance spirituality, prayer and inner awareness. Inspiration brings us closer to our spiritual connection.
Ingredients:
• Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) stimulates the limbic part of the brain, elevating the mind and helping to overcome stress and despair. It is used in European medicine to combat depression. Frankincense contains sesquiterpenes which stimulate the limbic system of the brain (the center of memory and emotions) and the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands. The hypothalamus is the master gland of the human body, producing many vital hormones including thyroid and growth hormone.
• Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) is high in sesquiterpenes, which can stimulate the limbic part of the brain, the center of emotions and memory. It stimulates the pineal gland, which releases melatonin, thereby improving thoughts, cognition, and memory. Cedarwood is also very grounding and centering.
• Spruce (Picea mariana) opens and releases emotional blocks, fostering a sense of balance and grounding. Traditionally, it was believed to possess the frequency of prosperity.
• Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) is high in linalool, which has a relaxing, empowering effect. It is very grounding and strengthening. • Sandalwood (Santalum album) is high in sesquiterpene compounds which stimulate the pineal gland and the limbic region of the brain, the center of emotions and memory. Used traditionally in yoga and meditation. May help remove negative programming from the cells.
• Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is energizing, inspiring, elevating, and euphoric.
• Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) Avoid during pregnancy. Has been used historically under pillows to produce vivid dreams.

Application:
Possible skin sensitivity. Diffuse, directly inhale, or add 2-4 drops to bath water.
Apply 1 to 2 drops on edge of ears, wrists, neck, temples, forehead, crown of head, bottom of feet, or along spine.
Add 2 drops to a wet cloth and put in clothes dryer.
Put 4-8 drops on cotton ball and locate on vents.
***********************************************************************************************************

Gratitude Oil Blend:
This delightful blend is designed to elevate, soothe and bring relief to the body while helping to foster a grateful attitude. It is also nourishing and supportive to the skin. The New Testament tells us that on one occasion Christ healed 10 lepers (Luke 17:12-19), but only one returned to express his thanks. This blend embodies the spirit of that one and only grateful leper.

Ingredients:
• Idaho Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) opens emotional blocks and recharges vital energy.
• Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) is considered a holy anointing oil in the Middle East and has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. Stimulates the limbic part of the brain, elevating the mind and helping to overcome stress and despair. It is used in European medicine to combat depression.
• Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) is referenced throughout the Old and New Testaments constituting a part of a holy anointing formula given Moses (Exodus 30:22-27). It has one of the highest levels of sesquiterpenes, a class of compounds that can stimulate the hypothalamus, pituitary, and amygdala, the control center for emotions and hormone release in the brain. It possesses the frequency of wealth according to legends.
• Galbanum (Ferula gummosa) was used for both medicinal and spiritual purposes. It is antimicrobial and supporting to the body. When combined with frankincense and sandalwood, its frequency increases dramatically. (And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure with frankincense: Exodus 30:34).
• Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) increases relaxation; balances male and female energies. It also restores confidence and equilibrium.
• Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) is soothing and nourishing to the skin, enhancing skin elasticity, and is antibacterial and antifungal. It gives feelings of being grounded and stthened.

Application:

Diffuse, directly inhale, or add 2-4 drops to bath water.
Apply 1 to 2 drops behind ears, over heart, on wrists, base of neck, temples, or base of spine.
Put 4-8 drops on cotton ball and locate on vents. Possible skin sensitivity.
******************************************************************************************

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2011-09-24T23:12:00.000-04:00

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Zak says...

2011-08-22T17:31:00.000-04:00

In Todays world with all the toxins around us, Toxins have polluted our air, food, water, and other sources and sadly has become a major factor in our health. Toxins contribute to major diseases, blocked neurological functions, disturbing the flow of homeostasis in the body. Toxins hit our Immune, neurological an endocrine systems really hard.
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Today is

2011-08-12T14:48:00.000-04:00

Today is 386 days that the wreck happen. I remind myself that I am so blessed Daily, it is something that I keep in the forefront of my mind. I remember watching a video a long time ago about the people texting and then having a wreck …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs this video is something everyone should watch and realize that texting can endanger lives!

It is a documentary from At&t. It really got to me because of the young guy that hit his head on the right temporal which changed his life forever.

The wreck was over a year ago now, and it seems daily I am reminded of what has changed in my life, how it is different, and really how blessed I was in the wreck. My head was hit on the LEFT temporal, I ended up with migraines everyday since the wreck, neck spasms, and lower back pain and sciatica on the right leg. But it is nothing compared to the fact that I am still able to be on my own. Still able to make decisions and get around even though it is at a slower pace than normal.

Today I give thanks for a life that I can say is still mine! I am in gratitude for the blessings that have come my way. I PRAY for that lady that was texting when she ran though the officer and hit me… and nearly killing him in the process.. All for a stupid text. Her text changed my life…. Her actions effected many people that day.

When will people realize that texting Is bad… “I DONT EVEN TEXT PEOPLE THAT I KNOW ARE DRIVING” cause what if it was my Text… that ended their life…?

An Interview with God

2011-07-19T17:29:00.001-04:00

An Interview with God

I once dreamed I had an interview with God. "Come in," God said.
"So, you would like to interview Me?"
"If you have the time," I said. God smiled and said: "My time is eternity and is enough to do Everything. What questions do you have in mind to ask me?" I said, "What surprises you most about mankind?" God answered:
"That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. They lose their health to make money, and then lose their money to restore their health. Thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future. That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived..."

God's hands took mine and we were silent for while and then I asked...
"As a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?"
God replied with a smile:
"To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved. To learn what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but whom they have in their lives. To learn it is not good to compare themselves to others. All will be judged individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis!
To learn a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
To learn it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them. Learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
To learn there are persons that loves them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings. To learn money can buy everything but happiness. To learn two people can look at the same thing and see it totally different. To learn a true friend is someone who knows everything about them...and likes them anyway. To learn it is not always enough that others forgive them, but that they have to forgive themselves.

I sat there for a while enjoying the moment. I thanked Him for his time and for all that He has done for my family, and me, then He replied, "Anytime. I'm here 24 hours a day. All you have to do is ask for me, and I'll answer."

People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

I wish you …

2011-07-19T17:28:00.001-04:00

I wish you …

When you’re lonely
I wish you Love
When you’re down
I wish you Joy.
When you’re troubled
I wish you Peace
When things are complicated
I wish you simple Beauty
When things are chaotic
I wish you inner Silence
When things look empty
I wish you Hope.

Author Unknown

you will never lose your value: dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still...

2011-07-16T23:23:00.000-04:00

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $100 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, who would like this $100 bill? Hands started going up. He said, I am going to give this $100 to one of you but first, let me do this.    He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, Who still wants  it? Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, What if I do this? And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. Now who still wants it? Still the hands went into the air.    My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $100. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value: dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you.
 The worth of our lives come not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. YOU are special - Don't ever forget it.     Please pass this on to anyone in your email address book. You will never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope that it can bring.   Count Your Blessings, not your problems

Author unknown!

Was reminded today, of a few things...

2011-07-10T13:17:00.000-04:00

I have to laugh sometimes... at just how things work in my life.
How things saved many years ago, I would find today and be reminded of such truths.

in looking for some data on a backup drive ... i came across this!

enjoy!

West

Few thoughts to think about today. Hope you enjoy. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we
finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was
the best conversation you've every had. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't
know what we've been missing until it arrives. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back!

Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile
to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real! Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy. Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. The rightist future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Please send this message to those people who mean something to you, to those who have touched your life in one way or another, to those who make you smile when you really need it, to those that make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down, to those who you want to let them know that you appreciate their friendship. And if you don't, don't worry, nothing bad will happen to you, you will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten someone's day with this message.

emailed to me ... Author Unknown

The ABC's ... to achieve your dreams!

2011-07-08T17:32:00.000-04:00

TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS, REMEMBER YOUR ABC’s

Avoid negative sources, people, places, things, and habits.
Believe in yourself!
Consider things from every angle.
Don’t give up and Don’t give in!
Enjoy life today; yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.
Family and friends are hidden treasures. Seek them and enjoy their riches!
Give more than you planned to give.
Hang on to your dreams.
Ignore those who try to discourage you .
Just do it!-!
Keep on trying. No matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
Love yourself first and most!
Make it happen!
Never lie, cheat, or steal. Always strike a fair deal.
Open your eyes and see things as they really are!
Practice makes perfect!
Quitters never win, and winners never quit!
Read, study, and learn everything that is important in your life!
Stop procrastinating.
Take control of your own destiny!
Understand yourself in order to better understand others.
Visualize IT!
Want it more than anything!
Xccelerate your efforts!
Zero in on your target and go for it!

Author unknown:

7/1/2011 ... HairNewz

2011-07-01T00:09:00.000-04:00

So where are you at…
Stuck are you …

Today requires the independent wo/man to be creative and precise. We are here to EXPRESS ourselves and allow the energy that we chose to portray, to radiate from our being, expressing the feelings that we feel and to allow our mood to be shown to the world. I have found it very interesting to see that most of us have bold expressions trapped inside of our bodies. Fear keeps us from expressing; Acceptance keeps us from letting go. Jobs keep us in the mold of the corporate world, which is clean cut with no individuality or stand out traits. And with some religion that we were raised in, always threaten to cast you out, if you are different or want to express your hair in a different style, cut, or even color! It is this part of our soul that is BOUND by LIMITS, sometimes causing us to feel bottled up inside. These feelings start the downward swing of our worse critic, Ourselves. With in this swing the critic reminds us that we are bound by the limits of others. By there judgments and insecurities that have been reinforced in there own mind now spilling over in the world to control and binds the free spirit. What a shame. We are living in America and this is the Land of the free and yet if one is creative and express’ a style that is not the NORM then they are Damn, Fired, OR Grounded. What is the reason that one must control our spirit? What is the cause of all this Chaos?
With all these external factors it is amazing that any stylist can assist another human in the development of there canvas.

One spirit wrote long ago “…that which limits us makes us stronger.” Can I just say NOT! Maybe teach us the lessons, can give us patience. But it does not make us stronger. It is that type of thinking that created the catastrophes in history.
Rather it is our creative spirit… our vision… our expressions that truly allow us to tap into that wonderful hidden resource of strength … That is What makes us Stronger!

HairNewz!

USING my oils now .... healing my body.

2011-05-31T00:16:00.000-04:00

After having a Migraine for 314 days, the Doctors still dont know why the headaches, neck spasm, and back pain have continued. They have run all the test, and still can’t correct the issue that the wreck caused! Even the prescriptions they put me on still can’t control the pain.

I am not sure if you can even think about having a migraine for that long, but you get to the point… at this point you are willing to try anything to relief it.

So the YoungLiving essential oils have really come into assistance at this time in my life. I found that Peppermint, put on the nape, and down the neck helps the migraine pressure so much. I STILL have not had a day without Pain since the wreck. There might be moments that I have that I am just blank, not feeling anything, I pray that it is God giving me a small break, but I fear that my nerves has had major damage or they are in Over-Load.

I miss my life, being able to do everything that I was into, working my different jobs, and enjoying my life. I know there is a cause for everything, and I am praying for understanding these events.

I am asking for Prayer from my friends and family.
And just want you all to know that …
I am getting better and better everyday!
Much Love!
West

been almost 300 days since the wreck!

2011-05-10T02:04:00.000-04:00

Wow… it has almost been 300 days since I posted something on the blog, but a day after the Playing with HDR post. Was the DAY of the WRECK! July 23, 2010, in just a flash of a few seconds, so many things in my life changed. All over someone wanting to share a text, and not paying attention to driving or the Police Officers directing traffic. Sometimes when I have really bad days … I just want to know what that text was about. Why, did she have to respond to a text and not pay attention to driving.

On good days I am strong, I refuse to go into victim mentality, and I am focused on the path in front of me now. Healing my body! Regaining my life, and creating the aspect in it that I am now wanting. It seems many things happen after those dreary few minutes, I am not sure if I will even know all what really happen in my life, on the different levels, but I will say that sometimes focusing on our path is what deserves our most attention. I understand the concept, that “we are creators of our own reality”. But all the details of that statement have not completely lined up in my mental process’. I have been studying the Abraham material, and reading the Seth books, and studying Patricia Diane Cota-Robles-- books, and I am working through all the emotions that I am having. It seems that some days it is a LOT and others it is nothing … but then again that is the way we all heal … in layers, like onions.

I still realize I have a long way to go before I get to my goals, but everyday I am working toward repairing my Body, Mind and Soul. Also getting my life back on track and getting back to be me.

For the few that have been faithful and followed me on FaceBook, sending encouragement, Thank you, and for the one McDiva that wrote me a letter behind the scene, and shared about how it was time to get out of the rut, thanks so much, you know I love you for that.

I realize in retrospect … that sometimes when we have things happen in our lives, we go into a dark place, I feel that I was there in the lowest points I have ever been in this carnation. I know that I have had my share of DARK moments in this life, but I never felt my faith seem to slip away from me like it was. During the days that my brain was healing from the bruise, my body from the Nerve blocks, the back injuries, and neck damage, and loosing so many other aspects of my life that I had work so hard to build, I traveled a road that I was not use to walking. The sad but truth is that I almost got lost in some circle, but thank God for prayers and my family and friends, that reached out and showed that they loved me … assisted me in grounding here with prayers and encouragement. Also the human angels that assisted me with car services, bringing food, and doing errands for me.

I am truly Bless with wonderful people in my life. Thank you God!

Playing with HDR... the first time.

2010-07-22T02:31:00.000-04:00

Over all it has been a really good week, I have been playing around with the camera, and wow… I have just had so much FUN! Tonight I had the chance to play around with the HDR editing.

Backtrack, so on Sunday, I had the chance to play around with the AEB which is really fun. You have to set the camera in that mode. Then it basically take 3 photos of what your photographing. One is normal exposer, then one that is 2 stops down, and a third that is 2 stop up from the first. So you have 3 of the same photo that is for information. Then you merge them in HDR pro in photoshop, and play around and tweak it.

A dvd on HDR course that I purchased last week really assist me. It seem that you can do so much with the photo, like edit it in different ways… tonight I went to the extreme. But had a blast doing it.

Anyway hope you enjoy them.

Until next time…. Peace love and photos!

catching up...

2010-07-15T20:02:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful day yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the “Adobe Photoshop for Photographer tour”. It was a class put on by the Kelby Training. It was really fun! After being in class all day, I came home and really crashed! I had worked the night before and so it was a long day. The class was taught by Ben Willmore, it was exciting and amazing at the trick and techniques that he taught us. I also, will say that every training class that I have ever taken with the Kelby Training has been fun and efficient, with a printed out guide so you will not have to jot down many notes, and the ones you do, is normally printed in the handbook already.

Ben was really good about sharing and teaching us keyboard shortcuts, actions, and tricks to stylize our photos. All in all it was a great day.

The only draw back to the class was how some of the attendees acted. OF COURSE the kelby group could not be faulted for their behavior. But there was a couple behind me to the left, and the man and women just whispered, and when they did shut up the 2 women behind them took up the habit (like crack) and when they did shut up, after many people glanced at them, one of those ladies, had a magnetic clasp bracelet and she would open it up and then let the magnetics snap back together….

WEST prayed, “God, please dont let Sybil come out! Cause that would not be pretty!” so then that distraction stopped… then this man that was working on his laptop on my left down a bit from me, he was sitting next to me but a few chairs were empty. Most of the day, he had been working on the laptop and listen to Ben, and then came the time that he wanted to play with his clickable pen, click, unclick (you know the sound), click, unclick… I prayed again … “GOD, I know I do not do this in any class that I ever attend, what is the deal… let them get a clue… thankyouJESUS!”

And then it stopped… and I was able to go back and enjoy the class. I really felt that I was being tested… now I am not sure if I passed it! Cause I did want to snap, but that is that and then it was gone. I wanted to write a note and say thank you for distrubing everyone around you! But I did not do that.

Why is it that people have no respect in classes like this. I mean, it was not free, everyone paid to attend this class, so why would you be so rude to think that you are above respect. OK! OK! I will get off my soap box…. It is break time anyway!

SO It was time for me to renew my NAPP membership and so I did. Got a dvd on HDR from Matt Kloskowski. WHO by the way is one of my Favorite teachers on the planet. Learning lightroom was easy, he is a teacher that I JUST GET, you know. His style, process, explanation, and technique just flows with my process of learning. So I really enjoyed watching half of that dvd last night, after taking a nap. It was really cool.

Today, I started lightroom and went in and was looking at all the photos I have taken and came across this photo that just made me laugh. I remember taken this in Cocoa Beach, Fl a few years ago and then I had edited it to send to my friend during a hard time, the photo is of her daughter Jayden. It was SO cute, she had been playing outside with her umbrella, and so I grabbed my canon powershot and got this photo. After editing it, when I look at it now days I just laugh… pictures are worth a thousand words, or like I believe…. A Thousand Hugs! Hope you enjoy this too.

Playing in lightroom

2010-07-11T16:04:00.000-04:00

So today I was working in lightroom, and found this photo I took last year of my Cactus, that was given to me by my friend Ken Laperouse. It was in May, and around 2:00 am. I took it with the point and shoot Fujifilm Finepix Z20fd.

When I was playing today in lightroom, look at the original image, and you can see that the petals look just like feathers…. I thought that is so cute. I am going to play around and change the colors of the petals and do an artist version of the image.

It was fun and completely done in lightroom. Which I think that it is amazing! And I love the results.

Anyway, hope you are having a Great day and get ready for the eclipse tonight!

Legacy, what do we really leave behind?

2010-07-09T22:19:00.000-04:00

Legacy, what do we really leave behind?

Today, was a great day! I was booked for a change and so I was really happy! Things seem to be picking up again, so I am very blessed! So as I am going out the door today, I think… Hummmmmm I should take my camera! I was off to the other side of town for appointments, since I normally dont explore it, I grabbed my camera and out the door I went!

So after a great day, I was heading home, LOOKING for that one place that just GRABS me, energetically or pulls me to it. Well nothing did, so I thought why? Why was I lead to take my camera, and not shoot one photo. Yes I know that many people will just shoot photos, and then process them and see what they took later. But still developing the professional eye you have to get out of that habit, you have to envision what your taking and set goals. So that is what I was thinking about as I drove back to my side of town.

Man, what did I miss today? So, as I am driving down Aloma I remember the cemetery! Many months ago, a friend of mine shot a beautiful angel and I know where that angel was… the cemetery by the golf course. So I navigated to that spot and found that angel. As I am shooting it, I found myself in an emotional space. A space that I have visited a lot since so many of the people that I have loved has passed away in the last 4 or 5 years.

I changed lens from the Canon 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 III, the telephoto was great but I wanted to play around with the Sigma DC 17-70mm 1:2.8-4.5 wide angle, to get a closer feel. Also in the early part of the morning I updated the firmware of the 30D, so I was really excited. I got some great shots of this angel! Different angles and closeups, which really made me happy that it was such a GREAT subject and had so much character to document.

So after I got the shots that I wanted, I started feeling that feeling again, sadness seem to be just riding over me. No one else was visiting any of the graves now, the guy that was there had since left. As I look around I decide to get back in the truck and just figure out what to do. I decided to drive around the cemetery. What other angels are in here, or cool tombs?

So I go up and down the roads looking and feeling my way, and I seen some amazing tombs, and I started thinking about each of these people that had passed away. These tombs were they visited often? Some of them cost as much as a small house now days. I was drawn to this back corner, an seen this amazing house like structure, built out of granite. I took a shot, then I had to go up to the door and look in. As I put my hands up to the glass, and looked in it look like a place for two coffins to rest, both had names engraved on them, both were male, and I just had a wave of emotion come over me. As I continued to look in I seen a wrought iron table, a chair, and a dozen red roses, and a roll of paper towels… and tears just streamed down my face.

It is so hard to find the one, the one that captures our hearts and then lose them. Yes, I know that is a part of our life. How sad to deal with a loss, a connection that is so deep like this one had to be. As I looked around, I started to investigate the other tombs around that area, the ones that were like sections of people devotion, statements of love.

I was drawn to another, and then another, and ended up walking around the whole section, I came upon a Black Angel, it was amazing. The lighting was not what I would have hope for, but it was ok. I adjusted my ISO, and played around with the shutter speeds, but in post I found out the first photo was not at all what I thought it would be.

Then I seen this tomb, it was different from all the others. It just grasped my heart, and I walked over to it. It said “Lacey” so I thought that it was a daughter or mother, sister but it was a young mans tombstone. “Ryan Todd Lacey“ it was so beautiful, I just stood there looking at the design, the engravings, and feeling for the parents of this young man, I know that they had to miss there son, and the grief that they must have endured.

The tombstone had a box set on it and said “out of the box and into heaven”. It was so beautiful. When I got home tonight, I googled the name, the young man was cleaning his gun, and it went off and killed him. Ryan was 21, a target shooter, and a student at UF. The family has setup a foundation in his memory to assist adolescents in coping with a parent’s diagnosis of a chronic disease.

All in all, today was a good day, I prayed for the graves and felt that some of them had not been visited in many years. I wondered just how many times graves are visited. What happens to graves after the generation of the kids are resting with them, the grandkids, or great grands do they visit.

It brings me to memories of my grand parents, all 4 of them have crossed over, each of them are buried with nice tombstones. I have visited each of them, but not like I should because I do not feel they are there. When I go to the grave sites, it is a void for me. I have taken photos of the tombstones, and have looked at them since I live in Florida now and cant drive to see them without making a major trip.

Legacy, what do we really leave behind? When given this thought I wander if it really is what we do, done or have setup while living. Could it be the legacy of our life is created in our honor when we die?

I do not want to be buried in a tomb and seal in a coffin to be visited a few years, until I am forgotten. I don’t want to have a team exploring my bones years down the road to see what my life is all about, like what is currently going on in the tombs of Egypt, or digs in indian burial grounds. The bones then studied but someone that is disconnected with me or my memory.

I want to be cremated and then scattered to the wind… over water. My ideal place would be my favorite place on the earth (as of this moment) which is Niagara Falls. This week I was watching and believe I even posted about Tesla, he was cremated and placed in a Golden Sphere, his favorite shape, but I dont want to be confined, I want to be free, after I die I want to be free with no boxes, not even for the suit I just shed!

Names wrote on stones is what most peoples legacy’s consist of, and some people dont even have tombstones, just a marker or even worse, buried in a gravefeild with the other John/Jane Doe’s of the world.

I still have no answer to the question that this blog poses…. But it is food for thought.

Live your life to the fullest … and be blessed!

how do we effect others...

2010-07-02T12:26:00.000-04:00

Yesterdays post a closer look, has got me thinking about many aspect of our lives…

Today, I was all in my vision of the future, what I need to finish and get done, how the task are prioritized, and the list goes on. We get so caught up, Do we ever really know what someone else is dealing with? Our lives sometimes take over every aspect of the time we have in a day, we interact with other on regular basis but our focus is normally is on what we have going through our heads, aspects of our lives, things we have to do.

But when that person is having a bad day, and they are short with there spoken word, action or deed, how do you react?

I am not saying that I am great at this at all, trust me every time I drive I am reminded about just how much I need to de-stress and think of others. LOL! When I am cut off, or people dont use there blinkers…. Or they are talking on the cell phone and not paying attention…. Argh! I am sure that you get the point.

But how do we effect others when we are so caught up in our lives… are we impolite, do we use our blinkers while driving, do we only chat on the cell with ear pieces or bluetooth headsets?

I make it a point to be polite, to use my blinkers, an ear piece while driving, I look for little thing to do and try to bring a sense of humor to often times stressed out friends, or people that I interact with. Does it always work, well no…. But it can never HURT!

A smile is worth its weight in GOLD, and when things are bad, we have to put on a cd, dvd, or something that will make us laugh, cause laughter is the easiest catalyst to change our moods.

a closer look...

2010-07-01T13:36:00.001-04:00

Have you ever just really stopped and breathed and thought, how has my life touched others? Has it left a good impression? When I die will people remember me bringing Joy to their life. Will they remember the times I was there to hold their hand, or give advice, comfort? How has my life touched others…?

What will the DASH mean? Many years ago, I read something about the dash … the dash that is put between the day of our birth and the day of our death. The dash that basically sums up our lives.

Poem here:

http://lindaellis.net/wp/the-dash/

I have never forgot it, well maybe the exact wording, but the point NO…

This week yet another death of a friend, which makes me remember all those that I have lost over the years, what does the dash mean in my life, your life. When that day comes that we will transcend this earthly suit what will be the thoughts that cross the mind of my family, love ones, friends?

One can only hope that they are positive, with each action I choose, I want it to uplift, enlighten and motivate. I have to remember this when challenges are facing me, because it is always the RE-ACTION remembered …

Until next time…..

Today was a wonderful Day...

2010-07-01T10:46:00.000-04:00

Today was a wonderful Day...

I learned about Metadata today, I have often wondered why it was so important, and what the function of it could be. It really is amazing just what you can find out from a picture.

((this is a test blog for MacJournal))

The Four Agreements

2010-01-12T03:24:00.002-05:00

(Author: Don Miguel Ruiz)

* Be Impeccable With Your Word *

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the words to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

* Don't Take Anything Personally*

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

*Don't Make Assumptions *

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

* Always Do Your Best *

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different from when you are healthy as opposed to when you are sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self judgement, self abuse, and regret.

holidays are coming

2009-11-28T14:59:00.001-05:00

wow ... this year has just flew by... i am sending happy warm thought to all of you... i hope that you are truly blessed this holiday season.

Inspiration from a forward email, The Buzzard, The Bat, and The Bumblebee

2009-08-19T12:53:00.004-04:00

this was inspiration today... i wonder how many things each of us can lift ourself out of? when we stop waiting for others or a magical door to appear. it is amazing when we realize to change our lives ... we simply have to try a new soul-tion, get out of our Habits allow our eyes to see a different Route.

i really dont know if the following is true but how can it relate to you?

just a thought, Begin forwarded EMAIL message:

The Buzzard, The Bat, and The Bumblebee

THE BUZZARD:

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet.. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT:

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE:

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE:

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up.

Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. But faith looks up!

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our

Creator who loves us.

remembering all those that touched my life in the past..

2009-07-21T03:56:00.002-04:00

Today, I have thought of many of my friends that have passed away... I know that we all have days that we remember the fallen ones, but why does it have to have a sadness associated with it… it seems to me that we should remember the good and not the missing and longing… but then that is not the part that happens… well for me at least. I really am a person that when I connect or allow a person in my life and connect with them as a Friend… that person becomes part of my heart. When they are gone, I remember them often and it makes me very sad.

Today is not any different, I had many of my friends come in my mind today. First I thought of all the things that me and each of them would be doing or talking about on the phone. What reviews we would be sharing of some restaurant, makeup, eyeshadow, or computer gadget. Wow, sometimes when you allow many things to just come into your mind you realize JUST HOW MUCH YOU DO MISS THEM. It really sadden my heart for days like this.

R.I.P. My friends, and visit me in my dreams!