When a couple reaches their fifth wedding anniversary it is said that they no longer are considered “newlyweds.” I suppose now that Chasing Dreams has reached its 5th anniversary it is time for some personal acknowledgements.
Firstly, thanks to all of you who have been reading my posts and offering comments. I hope you have not only enjoyed my stories and photographs but have also come away with a bit more understanding of what intrigues me to do this blog and in that sense, what parts of me this represents.
I have pondered these questions. I had never before put a title to what I do, but let me try now. One Hindu mantra says it best:
So’ham: “I am that.”
I am a photographer, more specifically I am a naturalist – my means of studying nature is to attempt to capture its wonder in photographs. I have discovered that I most enjoy the challenge of animal portraits and sweeping landscapes. Sometimes I fail spectacularly but once in a while magic happens.:
ANIMAL PORTRAITS
LANDSCAPES
I am also a birder, or as a recent fellow traveler in India coined me “bird girl.” It is quite a challenge to capture these perpetual motion machines in mid-action, but with patience, there are rewards:
I am a storyteller. It is not enough to just ”rotely” list my travels experiences. I never want to be guilty of this:
the use of memory usually with little intelligence learn by rote mechanical or unthinking routine or repetition a joyless sense of order
Instead I try to transfer some of my wonder and awe in what I have seen and done during my journeys to my readers. I am always changed by my experiences – intellectually, physically and spiritually – I want to share those journeys as well. And to provide humor – life is often so complicated and intense and we all need to laugh, even at ourselves.
I hope you will continue to read Chasing Dreams, joining me as I take new journeys in the coming year.
It is fitting that I end this post with one more Hindu Mantra:
Lokah Samastah Sukhino :
“May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.”
Happy New Year!
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Awesome pics..
THANK YOU!
Looking forward to viewing year five. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and philosophy. I look forward to the journey.
Elly thanks so much – I am so glad that I met you and Wes and all the other India Travelers and Vishal. It was a glorious and I hope I can bring some of that wonder to my stories – Happy New Year!
As I have told you in the past, you are a wonderful photographer. I am not an animal lover but you have gotten me to appreciate some of the beautiful creatures that inhabit the earth. I look forward to seeing some more of wonders. Happy New Year. Keep them coming.
Thanks so Manya – your comments mean so much to me, especially since I seem to be “convincing” you – lots more to come – Happy New Year!
Happy anniversary and thank you for 5 years of beautiful pics, fabulous information, and spectacular writings. You are truly talented.
Thanks Ellen – always love your support!
I look forward to following your blog in 2019. Your photos are wonderful. Deb
Thanks so much Deb – its been wonderful that many from our group are keeping in touch – more to come!
Happy New Year Cindy,
Continue your travels and photos so that I can live vicariously through them knowing you will visit places I shall never experience.
Bon voyage to wherever your next travels take you……
Diana
Sent from my iPhone
It’s a deal – next stop will be Israel in May – Happy New Year to you, Parker and family!