I was driving through a small town called Koffiefontein. These guys were having fun, playing with their self-made push-and-go car. I took some pictures and went on a drive through the town.


On my way back, I found only this guy...

Yes. The wheels had come off.
Suddenly he was on his own.
Is that not true sometimes? When the wheels come off in the drama of life, we suddenly find ourselves feeling alone?
Well, take note that it's mostly a "feeling" and not a fact. And even if it seems like a fact, it's a very subjective fact, which makes it no fact at all!
But what if it is a fact?
Well, make sure you spend the time well, make sure you use the winter of life to prepare for the spring that's coming.
Spring always follows winter.
And if it seems to be happening too slow, don't just sit there, start pushing the car!

Energy...

Is it not fascinating how some people just have it?
My friend, Hendrik, a life coach, (See the link to Craffie's Coaching), talks a lot about energy.
The energy that makes us walk upright, smile sincerely, breathe deeply, laugh loudly and live passionately.

Last year during the December holidays, I was asked to take pictures of a group of young people. They were making calenders for their parents. When they arrived, they had all the fun stuff! Winter clothes, summer clothes, hats - the whole lot! They were having a ball. Because they had the main thing: Energy.
Energy is an interesting thing, the more you have, the more you give - and the more you give, the more you get!

Please feel free to write in the comments field about something or someone that energizes you...

And then smile, pull back your shoulders, breathe deeply and take in the energy.
It's free.

Two years ago my son's pre-primary school had a Visitor's day for grandparents. As I was taking pictures, I was drawn to the beauty of hands. Old hands and young hands were working together, painting together and being together. It reminded me...

My grandma used to have hands filled with blue veins, which she used to knit and create. My mom had gentle, comforting hands. My dad had strong healing hands. When I think of these hands, none of them being on earth anymore, I realize that we have to use our hands to make the world a better place.


And how do we do it?
Well, reach out to the many miracles that surround you. Touch a tree, caress a flower, hold a hand.


If you have a story about hands which meant a lot to you, please feel free to share it in the comments field below.
Reach out.
Love.
Live.
Lend a hand.

What if your body left?
What would remain behind?

We call it legacy.
It matters more than we think...
I think.
If you can remember someone whose made a difference in your life, please write it down in the comments field.
Share the legacy.

Low light. No tripod.
It was easy to realize that the evening was ruined.
Still, we had a great walk on the beach. My wife and the kids did not worry about the lack of light. They were on holiday. They had their feet in the water. They were not worried about blurry pictures as I was.

So there we were - the same scene, but different feelings.
I think that life's the same. It's the framing that matters.
Remember the old poem -
Two men looked through prison bars,
One saw mud, the other saw stars...

So what's your frame like today?

I was reading Martha Beck's Steering by Starlight. Realized again how we complicate our own worlds. So often we come under stress because of all the stories we keep in our heads.
Clutter is bad. Simple is good.
Same goes for photos.


Just for today - clear all the stories out of your mind.
Appreciate the moment.
Click the shutter.
Enjoy the picture.
It's yours.

Ask any photographer about the nature of light, and learn about the light of nature.

Every season brings its own glorious light. There's the yellow-brown of autumn leaves, the fresh pink blossomy arrival of spring, the white of frost in winter and the luscious green of summer grass. Every season brings the gift of color. And so often we forget that the seasons in life bring color too.

Sometimes life seems cruel and unkind, yet every winter predicts a new spring. Somehow we need the dark cold nights of winter to appreciate spring even more.
Whatever the season - appreciate the light!

So it was the first day of school.
And yes, there were fears, uncertainty and a fair bit of worrying.
Still, they were having fun.

And I thought about my life and work.
I often have fears, uncertainties and worries.
It doesn't matter....

As long as I have fun.

Have fun today. Every day is the first day in the school of life.
Every day is the first day of the rest of your life. ( I think I heard it in a movie - but it's only now beginning to make sense!)

Think about it...

Then live it.