The Barnes and Noble Classics edition of Essays and Poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson, has an introduction of the same title, “Optimist and Realist,” and it resonates with me greatly. Emerson’s work is something that has inspired me over the past year, ever since I first took interest in a class offered at the Open Center, in New York. Emerson believed in the virtues of human nature, in the amazing power of unique expression of an individual, and in a morality that reflects the unstoppable human spirit.
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About My Work – in the Third Person
I was recently asked to define the benefits of working with Sarah Sloboda – an idea I loved – because to date, I am unsure as to whether I have truly written anything that captures the essence of my mentality when I am photographing something, or otherwise creating something. Continue reading “About My Work – in the Third Person”
Photography and Optimism
Through recent years, photography’s technical developments have made leaps and bounds in ways that shocked and surprised photographers of old. Perhaps the digital age has amplified the technical elements of photography, or perhaps it simply is an art form that is more technical in nature than say, painting.
New Orleans – Enchanted Field Trip
I stepped off the plane like someone who is always stepping off the plane, and up to the curb where we waited for the white truck, which was stuck in traffic. The air was almost jovial, sun trickling sideways and the scent of flowers bouncing off the breeze.
“This place reminds me of California crossed with Buenos Aires,” I thought, as if I had spent hours and weeks exploring its essence. Continue reading “New Orleans – Enchanted Field Trip”
Hometown Culture Shock – Emerging from Vacation
For a brief moment today, while I was walking up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, I found myself caught in a blissful void somewhere between vacation and real life. As I came out of the subway at Union Square, I had stopped and bought an apple and some cider, and I had a great playlist going on my iPod, thanks to my favorite technological development of late – the iTunes “genius” function. In wanting to fully embrace the beginning of spring, I bought some pansies for my fire escape garden, as a miniature emulation of the blossoming yards I had just seen on vacation in New Orleans this past week.
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True Voice Intro Call – Success Story!
I am thrilled to be serving my community from the place of empowering and activating so many beautiful, powerful written voices. Thank you again, for the opportunity to serve you! I am off to New Orleans on vacation, but I wanted to give an update on the introductory call for “Writing from Your True Voice.”
How to Use a Little Money to Create a lot of Joy
We are living abundant lives. I hope we call all let ourselves see that a little more. Economists will tell you that the economy expands according to the FLOW of energy (money). In other words, energy (money) isn’t “in” or “out” of the economy. The economy ebbs and flows proportionally to the flow of energy (money).
Continue reading “How to Use a Little Money to Create a lot of Joy”
Awaiting Spring
Shape-shifting – The Story of my Changing Career
“Hello, Joe?” I said, quietly into the phone.
“Yes?”
“It’s Sarah Sloboda. I think I need to come in for a follow-up session.”
“Sure, Sarah. What’s going on?”
“I quit my job.”
“Come in tomorrow,” Joe said.
Continue reading “Shape-shifting – The Story of my Changing Career”
7 Points of Optimism
A brilliant woman who coaches me on my business, Coco Fossland – self-titled Success Alchemist, was chatting with me in her living room one afternoon this past fall about my endeavor to bridge my artistic sense as a photographer with my desire to inspire millions of people with optimism. She said, “You know what you need? You need the 7 Points of Optimism.”
Continue reading “7 Points of Optimism”