Need a release? Just go shooting!

HA! I know what you were thinking! ;P

I recently purchased a Canon Rebel XSI, and I have found my niche in photography. It just makes me happy and relaxed to go out and shoot. It actually is helping to generate a interest in exploring Hays further. Occasionally, you will see some of my favorite or most interesting shots here.

Haircut

Isn’t it amazing how a new, bold haircut can make you feel like a new person? I just love that feeling.

The Wedding Night

I have started noticing an interesting trend lately. The wedding night seemingly no longer holds the sacred status, I imagine, it once did. Many couples are more interested in drinking or hanging out with friends than getting down to business. I refer not to hanging out 1 a.m. but to 4 or 5 a.m. What is the reason for this shift? Does it relate to the fact that sex before marriage and living together is much more commonly accepted than decades ago? My gut tells me this is a large part of the reason. Does it have something to do with the changing image of marriage? Again, my instinct is also ringing some bells on this one as well. Still, I think personally it wouldn’t matter to me. The wedding day is a major milestone in your life. For women, we can gain a new name. Legally, we have tied our name to another person’s name (and credit). This is a day that for many people has been worked and looked forwards too for a long period of time. For good or bad, your husband/wife just made a big commitment to you. (Hopefully, they intend to keep it.) I am somewhat traditional. The wedding night always seemed like a two person event, not a big party, at least not after 1or 2 a.m. I don’t have all the answers. It just seems to be a marked change in societal behavior that should be noted.

Strength and Leadership

I have been pondering the nature of strength and leadership for the last few days. What is the appearance of strength? It can be bold and forceful. It occurs to me that the true picture of strength is not so loud. I imagine strength is more of a quiet assurance that has the core of the firmness of steel covered with the softened edges of velvet. True strength stems from a rock solid belief that you are exactly correct or on the right path for your place in life. It isn’t afraid of opposing views or a change in your views, beliefs or path. Strength is not being afraid of yourself, others or living. It is the courage with which we face the unknown and unknowable and move forward regardless. It is a compelling, driving combinaton of fear and anticipation to face the cliff-like future with faith and just jump. This brings me to leadership. I believe that true leadership has a core of true strength. Leadership doesn’t always look like a bright beacon shining that we are compelled to follow, nor does it always look like the outstreched hand urging us to go forward. Leadership has many outward appearances. At the heart of brilliant leadership, I believe you will find a heart turned towards outward other people, ears that are listening and a mouth that is closed. When leaders speaks, their people listen. The power that a leaders’ words and actions hold is immeasurable. They considers the truth before they speaks. Their words are dedicated to lifting up, not tearing down. They are more concerned with giving than taking. The weight of responsibility is their mantle and they wear it with joy and acceptance.

Love and Other Random Thoughts

Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age.
Jeanne Moreau

Let the fear of danger be a spur to prevent it; he that fears not, gives advantage to the danger.
Francis Quarles

If you would stand well with a great mind, leave him with a favorable impression of yourself; if with a little mind, leave him with a favorable impression of himself.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge

An affirmation is a strong, positive statement that something is already so.
Shakti Gawain

Someone’s boring me. I think it’s me.
Dylan Thomas, in Rayner Heppenstall, Four Absentees (1960)

You can be a rank insider as well as a rank outsider.
Robert Frost

Independence

Everybody likes to go their own way–to choose their own time and manner of devotion.
Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

Talent

If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don’t hoard it. Don’t dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke.
Brendan Francis