The Heat is ON

Does my encouraging go to far?

What I have realized about myself over the years is I love to encourage. If I see that someone needs a pat on the back or that added boost to get them going I am there to do that. However, here I am trying to get my photography business going and get my name out there and in the process I have come in contact with several other photographers who are trying to increase their business as well. It comes natural to me to encourage them along, help them out, offer advice, send a compliment or two. I feel confident enough in my own work that, even though I am just as competitive as the next, I continue to go as far as to lend out my own equipment, letting them practice with my lighting, offering up tips and so forth. Am I destroying myself in the process? I don't know. Are they appreciative of my help or are they in turn going to try and stomp all over me? Don't get me wrong, I have learned from them as well. I think that has been my mind set. We can learn from each other so why not help out and encourage.

However, there is this stirring in my heart to forget about all of that and shake up the competition. No more referrals to other photographers when I am not available, no more boosting the egos, no more lending out or practicing w/ my equipment. I'm not seeing much love in return for the help I am offering up so why give it out.


Great discoveries and improvements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds. I may be given credit for having blazed the trail, but when I look at the subsequent developments I feel the credit is due to others rather than to myself.
-Alexander Graham Bell


This was takend from Barbara Rose, PhD Born to Inspire http://www.borntoinspire.com/

3. If I help my competition, won’t that take away from what I can gain?

NEVER, Ever, Ever! You are NOT “helping the competition” you ARE working in harmony with others – there is a BIG difference! Consider the example of two authors putting on a joint seminar to help people. or two, even twenty people, promoting each other’s work, to share their messages to uplift the lives of others. There is no greater reward than aligning with people of like-mind to make a genuine difference. EVERYONE gains – and that is WHY you are here – to make a difference, and the greatest way is by working WITH others, as opposed to being fear-based, and trying to “take” it all just for yourself.

4. How can working in harmony with others help me?

The greatest thing you can do is to build a genuine support system with others who are on a similar path. You will discover that you are no longer working solo, you will have wonderful people to turn to for guidance, support, and they can turn to you as well. You can create many new areas of advancement for life on Earth when you are working in harmony with others. No one can do it ALL ALONE! We all need the support of each other to bounce ideas off of each other, create new ventures, and by working together, the path becomes so much easier, because there is a sense of camaraderie and kinship that shines as an example for others.
I have found that my greatest joy is in working in harmony with others. I share all of the contacts and resources I come across to help the people that visit my website, and contact me. The only motive is to be of genuine service, and by working with others, sharing, and even promoting other people’s wonderful work, I can be of better service to YOU! This is what it is all about – and it has made a positive impact both in my own life, as well as in the lives of countless people. THAT is the reward – and it feels incredible!

I am obviously struggling with this and perhaps it's because I get tired of seeing the takers and not the givers. I want to believe that my encouragment and generosity is purposeful and helpful. But I want to do the smart thing as well and am I hurting myself in the long run? The above helped give me some of insite as to how I am feeling. This has been a life long struggle even outside of my business. I suppose I will carry along as I have been in hopes that the above writer is right in her thinking.

Promoting the Shirts Part II

Chelsea, Nathan, Tracey

Introducing.. Louie, Scamp, Margaret, and Rodney... The Grubs

Sunday was a BEAUTIFUL day to be out taking pictures!!! We had a blast! I could do this type of photography any time. We had three very fun and entertaining models.. Tracey, Nathan and Chelsea. There job was to be smiley, happy, fun people and they did a FANTASTIC Job! Here's a few! The lovely Grub Gear will be sold at my studio if anyone is interested. Soon you will be able to view these wonderful models on http://www.grubsgear.com/.

A peaceful pastime

Yesterday when I came home from the studio I noticed a piece of molding clay on the table that Jackson had brought home from Art Class. So I just started fooling around with it. Above is my amateur sculpture of a man praying.. Silly isn't it? However, I found an amazing amount of peace in doing this. Creating with all the wonderful computer programs in the world doesn't compare to actually working with your hands. I find myself even coloring with the kids on occasion and get the same satisfaction. So anyway, thought I would share my lovely work of art.

Promoting the Shirts

My Cousin, Bryan Bode, is Starting his own T-shirt business. Both Jo and Jackson are Modeling the Grub Scamp. He will soon have a website http://www.grubsgear.com/. Sunday I will be taking three models, including my brother in law Nathan, downtown to model the rest of the shirts. I will post them as soon as I get them edited. I am so excited for him! I will be selling the shirts at the studio as well. Yay Bryan! Way to go after your dream!

DAY OF SILENCE

Yesterday I received an email regarding the following:

April 25th.. A day of Silence for Homosexuals. http://www.afa.net/emails/transform.asp?x=dos_030508&s=browser&y=2008&m=03

DOS is sponsored by an activist homosexual group, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). DOS leads the students to believe that every person who identifies as a homosexual, bisexual or cross-dresser is a victim of ongoing, unrelenting harassment and hate. Students are taught that homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle, homosexuality has few or no risks, and individuals are born homosexual and cannot change.

Hmm... this should stir up something.

My issue with it is this. For those that support Homosexuality they are to be silent. However, those that choose not to will have quite the audience. Will those that decide not to remain silent be viewed as right winged hateful bigots? Or will they be respected for their decision not to support the homosexual lifestyle with out being harshly judged for their decision.

Not all schools are honoring this day, but I personally find it ridiculous. We are talking about a sexual choice for goodness sakes. What will it be next? Promiscuity day, or Free love day? What about a day for Swingers? Come on!!!

Okay, so I get that DOS does some good in that it is trying to put an end to the unrelenting harrassment of those that identify with the homosexual lifestyle. That is fine. I don't believe that anyone should be harrassed or made fun of. That is a form of hatred I don't find ever acceptable. However, that is not the only thing on their agenda. They want to educate our kids in that Homosexuality is a worthy lifestlye and that they are born with it.

What if I were to say that I disagree that ALL homosexuals were born that way. What if I believed that there are many reasons people decide to live that type of lifestyle and it has nothing to do with being born with it. What if I went as far as to say that I think for some it is even a perversion. What if I think that for say a Lesbian, she lacked that strong mother figure in her life and now seeks the intimacy from the same sex. Or a gay man didn't have that strong male father figure in his life so he seeks that intimacy from men just how young fatherless girls tend to be more permiscuouse. Do I think that making a choice to be gay was easy? NO. Why would they choose that lifestyle? Would that young permiscuouse girl want to have all those sexual partners? No! That is not ultimately what she is after, but she is trying to fill a gap that has always been left emptly.

Now that I have expressed my views on the subject those that are in support of DOS what do you think of me now? How do you judge me because I happened to disagree? That is my point. I don't think that it is fair do this to our kids. I will love you no matter what your sexual choice is, that is what we should teach our kids, but do I have to agree with it.