Ah-ha

I've got a startling revelation for you. Are you ready for this?

Just because I have decided to do something, or to behave in a certain way, doesn't mean the rest of the world has made the same choice.

Soak it in.

It is not the world according to me.

Shocking, isn't it?!?

No, but seriously, it doesn't surprise me when someone takes their coffee differently than mine...or they order something else from the menu at a restaurant, listen to another genre of music, drive a different car, pursue a dissimilar line of work, etc. So why does it bother me - or even make me grouchy - when I make a friendly gesture to a stranger and they don't return it. I wave and smile, they look the other way. I stop for someone to cross the road and they refuse to acknowledge me. (Of course this doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes the people I encounter respond very kindly.) But I found myself grumbling and feeling offended when people didn't respond the way I thought they should.

And then the "ah-ha" moment.

The only response I get to choose - the only actions I get to dictate - are my own. I never signed a contract with the rest of the world stating, "I will behave this way, and then you are required by law to respond in such a way that is pleasing to me." Are my convictions so weak that a few undesirable responses are going to cause me to behave in another way all together? I hope not. Afterall, I wouldn't feel obligated to order the same thing as the person in line behind me at Starbucks. They're getting an americano? Good for them. I like the non-fat white mocha. That's my choice and I'm the one who will be drinking it.

Dandelion Wishes

I know blowing soft, white dandelions just spreds the seeds...but I have never been able to grow up where that is concerned. They are fluffy and actually quite beautiful to look at. It's magical how they scatter and float on the breeze with a simple puff of air, releasing a wish out onto the wings of possiblity.

Take A Seven-Year Old Boy Out For A Family Photo

Take a boy - a seven-year old boy - out for some family photos and if you are lucky you will get a few genuine smiles. (If you are lucky AND really fast on the shutter button, that is!) Mostly, however, when you take a seven-year old boy out for family pictures, you will come home with a lot of funny faces...

and some pretend scenes of crashing and/or falling.

And if you think a good backdrop for those family photos would be a local river, then be prepared for the lure of the idle rocks and the rushing water to be more tempting than a seven-year old boy can stand! All those rocks...just sitting there begging to be thrown...followed by the satisfying 'plunk' and splash when they hit the water. Why pose and smile (boring!) when all that fun is waiting to be had?!?

But don't be surprised, oh photographer with the best intentions, when the little boy fun gets slightly out of control. Afterall, boys will be boys, and a little fun is always sweetened when there is a dash of risk involved! Risk like climbing onto a boulder that extends out into the river, and creeping over to see how much farther he can throw a rock from the edge...when unexpectedly...

SPLASH! Goes the little boy himself.

He will be sorry and remorseful at first, but more for the cold, uncomforable clothes and the fun that was ruined; less for the abrupt (and soggy) end to the quest for that illusive family photo. You, photographer, may grieve the loss of the nicely put together outfit and combed hair, but you'll find that the boy will recover quickly and make the most of the situation!

Then, without another thought, that boy will climb back onto the bank to resume the fun...wet or dry.

Yep. Cause there's never a boring or hum-drum picture to be had when you take a seven-year old boy out for a family photo.