The infamous first post. Its funny how daunting this seems, stepping out into this new realm of technology, embarking on a quest to share with the world --(or maybe just the handful of people I verbally force to read)-- the most intimate details of the things that run through my mind. I can't promise anything groundbreaking, but I'll do my best to make your time spent worthwhile. I will admit that I have a tendency to be long-winded and on occasion have been known to amuse myself more than others, but my journey to relentlessly chase after God's dreams for my life is about to begin and I'm in need of accountability, and maybe some loud cheers from the sidelines.
For as long as I can remember, I've struggled with wanting to say too much, which is a strange contradiction to my shy, soft-spoken demeanor. What I mean is that in my telling of stories, emails, papers and letters, I focus on the details because to me, that is what makes the story. To me, if you're constantly focused on the bigger picture, you're missing out on the small moments that are the brush strokes to the masterpiece. I've been reading this book, "Wide Awake" by Erwin McManus, which, true to cliche, is changing my life. The main idea he presents is that God has instilled great dreams in you and that ignoring them is not only a slap in the face, but a huge disservice to humanity. With this fresh point of view, I decided it was about time to create a vision board; to write out all of these seemingly crazy ideas that have been hibernating inside while I seek out job after job trying to find some sense of purpose, and to create action plans for acheiving each one.
Here it goes, putting pen to paper...or fingers to keys. These are my dreams, both personal and professional. At times, these things seem to resemble a "bucket list" but a dream is a dream. All of these will be explained in further detail, don't you worry!
-photograph an artist for their album cover
-sell a print of one of my photos
-shadow Jeremy Cowart on a photo shoot (if you're not familiar with his work, you should be!)
-be a Top 10 photograph in the Photographer's Forum contest
-be featured in a home decorating magazine or tv show
-travel with a band for at least one tour
-meet NEEDTOBREATHE
-Open a Cafe/Music Venue/Gallery
-attend the Dove Awards and Grammy's
-photograph for a home decorating magazine or catalog (like Real Simple or Pottery Barn)
-photograph a wedding
-design and sell cards for my non-profit venture ---made4love---
-be involved in planning a major music festival
-plan a benefit concert
-renovate a house
-design a website for East Elm Photography
-sit behind home plate at a Red Sox game
-own a vacation home on the Cape or Vineyard
-Ski: Vail, Jackson hole, The Alps, Whistler
-do another cross-country road trip
-go on a missions trip
-run a 5k, 10k, and 1/2 marathon
-go to the winter Olympics (as a spectator)
-backpack Europe (Prague, Ireland, London, Paris, Florence, Rome, Portugal, Austria and Germany...to name a few places)
-See: Brandi Carlile, Hillsong, Nickel Creek, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish (if they ever reunited!), Colbie Caillat, Ingrid Michaelson, John Mayer, etc :: In concert!
....to be continued
And so begins this new adventure in blogging. Over the coming months, years, however long it takes, I'll fill you in on all the ups and downs that are bound to be a part of this beautiful mess, as I chase after my passions. I hope you'll join me in this quest!
peace&love
-L
