Through My Friend's Eyes

I have a dear friend, a photographer who is a master with his camera. He travels all 'round the world, hunting. With a camera. He hunts for the beauty that we would otherwise not see were it not for his expeditions. His work is as remarkable as his heart. And because of him, I have my dream back. I told you about him in November (2014) when I spoke of The Colt and how he reached through the screen and grabbed my heart. The photograph that sits atop this Blog is also one of Ken's. It is a picture of The Colt with his family of Mustangs, out in the wild, doing what horses do. Be horses. Since meeting Ken, and receiving my copy of The Colt,  I have watched in wonder as my world has changed. These changes are, in large part, because of Ken Archer.

This piece is my gesture to him. To thank him for the beauty he brings to the world. For his friendship and his unyielding encouragement. It is a testament to the remarkable Human that is Ken Archer. (you can view his work HERE)

Can You SEE It?

A new year is upon us. And, for those of you who've been here for any length of time, you already know how I feel about "resolutions". I've given you every kind of angle from which to see, and then decide if you're going to set yourself up, or find a different way to march onward into your sparkly new year.

{For your convenience, here are a few of my past meanderings on the topic:

"A Bucket List...Instead"

"And So It Begins"

"First Tuesday"

...and if you want more, you can scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the "Blog Archives" button, and search for yourself. But this really ought to paint the picture...}

Anywayz....

I thought that this year, instead of repeating myself yet again, I would, instead, offer up this beautifully said sentiment by the glorious Paramahansa Yogananda. He is one of my very favorite "gurus" and I have, for many years, kept his desk calendar beside me to begin each day with his splendid perspectives (not to mention some stunning photography!) Oh...and now, another bonus: my dear and talented friend, Ken Archer, has, for the past TWO years, had his photos included in these beautiful calendars. He has, in all his generous Spirit, sent me one for Christmas these past two years. How cool is that?! But...I digress (some things never change!)

On the very first page of this very new year, this is the thought that Paramahansa shares:

"Behold,, through the gates of the New Year, the distant variegated decorations of future achievements glimmering at you and daringly luring you to give pursuit."

I'm quite certain I couldn't have said it better myself.

So then...can you SEE what you want? Can you close your eyes and be there? Is it so important to you that you dwell on it, every single day, to the point of obsession? How do you feel when you see it? Do.You.BELIEVE?

I have seen, with my own Life, that these are the questions that bring the most fruitful results. When I set myself up in this way, I am, more often than not, rewarded with the realization of these dreams. In other words: it works. For ME. Of course, you're not me and I'm not you and nobody can tell you what's going to work. All I know is: once I began to look at my "new year" through these eyes, I also began to see my dreams fulfilled. It is a grand and glorious way to begin.

Your choice.

Wishing you joyful, fulfilling, glorious pursuits for this shiny new year!

Friends in Far Places

When one lives in a rural setting, and is not prone to "getting out much", one tends to find other ways of making friends. Some might call it serendipity. I call it Kindred Spirit. And the best part? You don't even need to "hunt".

About a year ago, I was perusing Pinterest, looking at horses. I came upon a little Colt that took my breath away. (for more about this, you can read it HERE.) I wrote that post on November 28th, 2014. Now, as I near the anniversary of that moment, I am reminded, once more, of all the Magick that is my Life. I am reminded that even when you don't "know" someone, you can become friends by the mere act of writing letters. It is a most wonderful way to get to know a Human. Mostly because there is little resistance. There's none of the posturing that often accompanies face-to-face interactions. There is only a sincere desire to get to know each other, just for the joy of it.

When Ken Archer and I first began our friendship, we spoke of the things that we most treasure. We shared the stories of our passions for all things Nature. He told me about his family, his lovely wife, his love of photography and the wild things. I shared my own passions: horses and dogs and all things Creative. Our friendship grew slowly, and without tension. Just as it should be. No judgments. No competition. No dishonesty. Simply common interests shared between two people who understand what it means to be Human...and do the best we can with what we've got.

A beautiful way to make friends.

Today, after a long lapse in communications, mostly due to both our "busy" work, I got a lovely email, telling of the adventures over the summer, and some happy familial celebrations. It made my heart so happy to hear his news. And look at his photographs. And know that this new friend of mine is living his life just as he wishes. What more could anyone ask for? It made my heart sing to peruse his latest photographs and imagine all the magickal moments he must have spent taking those pictures. The mountains and rivers and snow and rain and all the many magnificent animals that he so patiently waited for, to capture with his camera and share with the world. This man, my friend, is a constant inspiration to me. And on this day, as the rain pours down on our very thirsty trees, I am deeply grateful. For his friendship and the heart that drives him. For the eyes that can see his incredible work. For the Internet that allows us this friendship. And for all the many blessings that are my Life.

Yes. Life is GOOD.

Ken Archer Photography

The photo below was taken by Ken Archer. All rights reserved. For more about this photo, and to purchase a print, please visit his website.