The wonderful world of the catch 22.

My biggest challenge as of yet has been trying to find the time between my 80 hour work weeks to expand on my photography. Getting stuck in the need to work to pay the bills, often times finds us unable to put enough effort into those ventures that have the potential for the higher pay off in the end.

When I do end up finding time for the photography aspect of my life, I want to make sure that it's enjoyable. I need to make sure I keep involving myself with work that fuels passion to continue the work because if I don't, it's not going to happen.

And that's just what I've been doing. Teaching myself that it's okay to say no, and reminding myself that everyone has different expectations and the only thing that I can truly rely on is being dependable on myself.

I recently spent some time away from the over stimulating demands of the electronically dependent world we live in. In the woods, just me, my camera, some beer and a good friend; and it was grounding. Shutting out all that noise can be the best for finding the clarity we need.

And he told me perhaps one of the most important concepts I've been trying to adapt to lately.

He told me about a (I believe) Buddhist philosophy that being able to bend is stronger than standing up against the strongest winds. He explained how even the tallest thickest heaviest trees give and sway in the breeze because if they were to brace against the wind, their only option would be to snap and break.

I guess I've been pushing for too long and using way more energy than I need to. It's time for me to lay back and sway, and with that will come great reward.