Every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace. - Anonymous

Every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace. - Anonymous

Sunrise
Ocean Grove, New Jersey

I am sitting at my computer this morning - the 15th day of active "social distancing" - trying to decide what to write. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives dramatically, some say it will affect our lives forever in one way or another. I didn't want to write about the pandemic but rather try to write something inspiring if I could. We all need a help to get thru this - some need a little, others need a lot.

I am fortunate to have a job that I can do from home and started doing so two weeks ago. It has been quite an adjustment; though I have worked from home before I have never done so for this long and with a full house. Working from home also means that I no longer commute by car, I simply walk to the computer and start working. That is the downside of telecommuting since I often detour on my way home (or sometimes on my way to the office) and do some shooting.

It seems I have not been too active with this blog lately, that is due, in part, from being very busy at the office and now working from home. You would think that working from home would give me more time to write but I often come up with topics (or write) during my lunch break at the office. When I work from home, I have other things to do. The main reason, though, is because I haven't had much to say. Okay, truthfully, I have had a lot to say but nothing you want to read about. 😉 Then I thought about my sunset photoshoot yesterday and how nice it was to be out of the house. I've had these quotes in my collection for a while so I dug them out to use as inspiration.

Every Sunrise Hold More Promise

I have been asked which I prefer - sunrise or sunset. My answer is usually, "Who cares as long as there is decent cloud cover." That is about as honest an answer as I can give. I love them both equally even if the experience is dramatically different.

I find a lot of truth in this; if you have ever witnessed a sunrise, particularly over the ocean, then I think you will agree. There is something very refreshing about seeing the day come alive and being given a blank page to write in your life's diary. No matter what lies ahead for you it is impossible to witness a sunrise and not feel like things are going to be okay.

The sun rising over the ocean has a particular hold on me - the combination of sitting on the beach, listening to the rhythm of the waves and seeing the sky start to come alive is magical. It is also one of the few times I can be at the beach and be reasonably assured not to encounter a crowd; especially in the colder months.

Every Sunset Hold More Peace

Sunset Tree - Maclearie Park
Belmar, New Jersey

The other end of the spectrum is the sunset. The sunset shown here was shot last night at Maclearie Park in Belmar. It was my first time out in more than two weeks; the trip made for a great diversion to all of the news of the COVID-19 pandemic. When I thought about going out I consulted ClearOutside (a weather app I use) and the forecast wasn't promising but I went anyway. The forecast was somewhat right but I came away with some nice images anyway.

Watching the sun set below the horizon is truly a peaceful experience and the perfect way to end the day. I can only assume that a sunset over the ocean to be as tranquil as a sunrise but I've never witnessed one. I do prefer being somewhere with water - a river (like in this image) or a large lake, especially on a still evening when the sun and clouds reflect off the water. The sunset let's you know that you made it thru another day - you took whatever life threw at you and soldiered thru. It is a time to reflect on the days events and then reach for the "Reset" button.

If you are in a beautiful place where you can enjoy sunrise and sunset, then you are living like a lord. - Nathan Phillips

In Closing

I must be "living like a lord" because I have many beautiful places within a close distance where I can enjoy both sunrises and sunsets. I'm even more fortunate in that I have spent my entire life in such a place. You can read about a few of the places in my Exploring Photography blog and searching for "sunrise" or "sunset." I also have quite a few in my Instagram feed and always adding more - follow me at https://www.instagram.com/valencia32photo/.

I will finish up by hoping everyone is well, practicing "social distancing" and doing their part to help "flatten the curve" of this terrible virus. There is still so much that the doctors and scientists do not know about COVID-19 and there is no way to tell how much longer it will continue to dominate our lives. I do know that if we follow the common sense guidelines put forth by the medical community we can help slow it's progress. This is not a time for selfishness - it is a time for all of us to stand together like we did after September 11, 2001 and as we have in other national crises.

Thanks for stopping by - please be safe.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Re-energize your soul… Walk with Mother Nature – Anthony Douglas Williams

Welcome to 2020!

Happy New Year! It is hard to believe another year has come and gone, time truly does seem to speed up as we get older. This past year was an interesting, and trying, one for me. There were a number of "bumps in the road" that I needed to navigate and I turned 60. I am happy to see 2019 in the rear view mirror and anxious to see what 2020 has in store.

I chose this quote as the title for this post because I think the start of the new year is a perfect time to re-energize your soul and get excited about what may lie ahead. I have a growing collection of quotations - mostly of nature and photography - and sometimes I go to them for inspiration. I do not know when I added this quote to my collection but I knew immediately that it was going to be the title of a blog post some day.

I love nature, I particularly love being in the woods. I live at the end of a dead end street and have a large woods bordering two sides of my property. I can walk out my door and within minutes be on a trail. A few years ago, I was having a discussion with a woman about religion and going to church. I pointed to the woods and told her she was looking at my "church"; there is no better place to be in order to become one with your spiritual guide. I think it took her by surprise at first but after a few minutes, she understood. Alone in the woods is the best place to be to reflect on life and to "re-energize your soul."

I did an interview a few years ago and was asked, "What do you think about when you’re by yourself?" I found that to be a very interesting question and after giving it some thought I answered it. I finished the answer with "When I am out for a hike in the woods I try not to think but to listen." No one had ever asked me that before and I never gave it much thought but it is true. I'm not even sure that "listen" is the proper word because it is more than that. My hearing is quite poor so listen is more of a metaphor because I am using sight, sound, smell and touch to learn about what is happening around me. I am fortunate that even though my hearing is poor I can still hear many of the sounds of nature on a quiet day - particularly birds singing (Stop and Listen to the Birds Sing) or a twig snapping. The snapping of a twig is important to hear because it could indicate a deer is nearby or maybe a bear. It is good to know either way.

I'm happiest when I have nowhere to go and all day to get there. I walk slowly with my head on a pivot trying to take everything in. When I come across some wildlife, I stop so as not to scare it off. I watch for as long as I can, studying what it is doing and trying to determine why; all the while shooting if I can. The more I understand the actions of my quarry the better prepared I am to photograph them. I may stop at a stream along the way and watch for a fish to swim by or search for footprints along the bank.

Flora and fauna are not the only things to watch for; there are plenty of interesting man-made features to spark interest. The first time I hiked the Pine Hill trail in Shark River Park I came across some interesting rock formations, aka cairns. There happened to be a deer stand not too far off the trail so I cannot be sure if the cairns were there to mark the location or if it was just coincidence. The next time I was there, the formations had changed and grown in size. It would have been very easy to walk by had I not been scanning the woods, both high and low.

I hope I have inspired you to get out and reacquaint yourself with Mother Nature. Re-energize you soul with her unending beauty and grace. The images used in the blog are some of my favorite from 2019; you may have seen them in previous posts here or on my photography blog, Exploring Photography with Joe Valencia.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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The Two Most Important Days in Your Life

The Quote

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. - Mark Twain

I saw this quote while watching JEOPARDY! one night; I immediately looked it up and bookmarked it. What a powerful quote! It got me thinking about the "why" and whether I have found mine yet.

I filed it away but started really thinking about it a few days later. At first I decided it was wrong - there are far more than two important days in many of our lives; getting married, having children, choosing a career, etc... Then I realized he wasn't just talking about important days but the most important days - what a difference that one word makes. Even when I made the distinction between "important" and "most important" I had trouble; I guess the trouble is that I think there are more than two days.

We don't have any say in the first day - we don't ask to be born and don't pick the circumstances - but the second day is the truly special one. I don't think we have a say in the "second" day, either; I think it just happens and we may not even notice for a long time. Naturally, the days that my children were born would have to be the most important for that was when I became responsible for someone other than myself. That is a shared "most important" day as I share that responsibility with my wife. There are other monumental events that would fall into the same category; meeting my wife, getting married, choosing a profession, etc... but I think the quote points to something a bit more abstract.

I have given this a lot of thought and think I know the second day. It would have been some time around mid-October in 2007 - the day I first volunteered for the JDRF Walk for a Cure in Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey. I didn't know it at the time but that would be the first of many times I have volunteered for a good cause. The first year I worked in the "Counting Room" going thru envelopes and counting money. It felt good to be helping but....

My "Why"

Team Photographer for JDRF - 2008 thru 2013

In 2008 I volunteered as a Team Photographer and continued in the job thru 2013. It was while volunteering as a photographer I learned the "why" but I don't think I realized it for a few years. You see, photography has always been something I loved and it was something I did primarily for me (you can read about my obsession here - Why Photography?). I would show my work to people but the underlying reason for shooting was to satisfy something deep inside of me. Volunteering as a photographer allowed me to use my skills to help others. Participants in the walk were so happy to have a group photo, it made me feel good that I could give them something in return for their supporting diabetes research. After the 2013 walk it was time for me to move on.

Event Photographer - 2014 thru ?

Immediately after deciding not to return to the JDRF walks I started looking for new opportunities. I had been wanting to volunteer with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) for a few years but always forgot until I saw someone post they had just walked.... I also wanted to get involved with the Lustgarten Foundation. Within days of my last JDRF walk, I found local Lustgarten Foundation and AFSP walks; they weren't until June and September, respectively, but I wrote right away. I got my answer from both rather quickly - YES! I wasn't going to be a Team Photographer - I was going to be an Event Photographer. I covered both events in 2014 and started looking for more - in 2018 I covered six (6) between May and November. I truly believe this is my "why", as well as why I was given the gift of photography.

Working as an event photographer is hard work but it may very well be the most rewarding work I have ever done. I get to meet some truly incredible people, while collecting memories of the day for them to re-live over and over again. Someone asked me if I got paid for my work, I replied, "Yes, with smiles, laughs, high-fives and 'thank-you's!" That is far more satisfying than money will ever be.

So, while I can't pinpoint an exact date, I do believe I know when I discovered my "why." Have you found yours? If so, what did you find? Let me know in the comment section below.

You can't always choose the path that you walk in life....

You can't always choose the path that you walk in life, but you can always choose the manner in which you walk it. - John O'Leary

Self-portrait
Monmouth Battlefield State Park

I forget where I saw this quote but I grabbed it as soon as I did. It is seldom I come across something that rings as true as this. Other, similar, sayings come to mind like "play the hand that is dealt you" and "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." They are not exactly the same but the sentiment is close. There are those who get the world handed to them and those who have to fight for everything they have. We have very little control over much of what goes on in our lives but there is one thing that we have total control over - how we behave and how we react to events in our lives, the good and the bad.

When your feeling down, it is easy to think that life dealt you a lousy hand. You feel that no matter what you try to do, you can't seem to get ahead so - why bother? You think, "I'm not giving up, I'm facing reality. It doesn't matter what I do." We've all had these feelings at some point in our lives; at least I know that I have. It may have been a teacher who decided you were a "C student" and no matter what you did, you were getting a C. The boss who rides you like a rented mule for no apparent reason or, maybe, no matter how hard you try you just don't seem to get the recognition that you feel you deserve. When faced with these situations you are presented with a choice - accept it and give up or you can resign yourself to the fact that you can't please everyone and continue being the best version of you possible.

It's not easy but, in my humble opinion, the only person you need to satisfy is the one looking back at you in the mirror. In life there are no guarantees but I believe there is always promise. The promise that, if you work hard, you can succeed. There will, invariably, be setbacks (or speed bumps as I have heard said) along the way but if taken in stride you will eventually reach your destination. Don't give up and don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something or that you aren't good enough.

There will be obstacles that you cannot overcome; don't let them define you. Use your setbacks as learning experiences and you will find fewer obstacles as you go forward.

Doubt Whom You Will, But Never Yourself

Doubt whom you will, but never yourself. - Christian Nestell Bovee

Inspiration comes when you least expect it and, often, from surprising places. I, more often than not, don't know when or where the idea for a blog post will come from. There are times when I sit down to purposely write about something - a song, movie, personal experience, etc.... - but it seems that lately an idea will come to me from nowhere, when I least expect it. This is one of those times.

I have a collection of quotes that I have gathered over time, some I stumble across and others I seek out. The majority of which are about nature and I have used them as inspiration for photo shoots and blog posts. I also have some under the heading of "Inspiration" which is where this title came from. Anyone with a social media account has seen the inspirational memes; I have and I collect ones that I find particularly interesting. I have no idea where this one came from but I liked it so it went in the list and was forgotten. I was looking at the list this morning and this quote jumped out at me; next thing I know I am typing it in the "title" block of this post.

This is a very powerful statement and I took it to heart. You see, like everyone else, I had dreams and aspirations when I was growing up - early on I was going to be a scientist but discovered I wasn't all that enthused with much of the science part. It was around that time (my early teens) that I discovered photography and quickly developed (pun intended) a love for it that has only gotten stronger over time. I was going to be a photographer but I had to learn how to do something else because all indications were that it was no way to make a living. There was doubt that I could make it in the art world so I got a real job in a real career. I didn't give up on photography but I accepted it as a hobby. There were many people around me who told me I was good but no one really ever said I was great and should pursue it. I did try in the late 1980's by submitting slides to a prominent calendar publisher (another story for another time….) but was soundly rejected which let me know that my doubt was not misplaced. It took nearly 30 years before I was ready to try again.

Fast-forward many years and an unhappy job situation re-ignited the fire which lead to my first experiences writing a photography blog. This was also right around the time I got my first DSLR and my daughter was leaving for her first year of college - a photography major! I started out posting a single image and maybe writing a short description. There were other times when I would write an instructional post. I got a fair reception but I wanted to do more - I love telling stories and wanted to combine my photography and storytelling. The problem was that I have always been insecure about my writing - I was filled with doubt. I had a small following and was afraid they might go away if I started writing more. I decided it didn't matter, if people didn't read it then I would just do it for myself as a hobby. Surprisingly, I didn't lose readers - I gained some! The blog evolved into one with multiple images and the story behind them. I discovered that I loved writing almost as much as I loved photography. I still had doubt about my ability as a writer and my ability to compete in the world of photography so it remained a creative outlet - nothing more.

It was a few years later that I discovered Niume which gave me the flexibility to write about many different topics and I took advantage of that; I started writing in the Business & Finance, Culture, Humour, Interesting, Lifestyle, Movies & Series, Music, Photography and Technology Spheres. In the first seven (7) months writing on Niume, I published 74 posts! Sadly, Niume grew too big, too fast and wasn’t well managed – it is no longer around. My experience with Niume prompted me to continue writing in various categories so I started writing two blogs; this one, From the Mind of Joe Valencia, and a photography blog, Exploring Photography with Joe Valencia. (Note: I have kept all of my writing from that period, updating and posting them here when I think it is appropriate; this post was originally published in October 2016.)

While I am still a little insecure (who isn't) about my writing, and photography, I no longer doubt that I am at the very least competent. A few years ago I began doing more with my photography than just sharing on Facebook and blogging; I began actively pursuing it as a part-time moneymaking endeavor. This was right around the time my daughter was graduating college with her photography degree and on the threshold of having the career I never had. I’ll admit I was a bit jealous. My self-doubt and fear of rejection had gotten the best of me for too long. I was encouraged by my wife, Doreen, and my good friend, Dave, who kept telling me they thought my work was good. That is pretty much their job, isn't it? They are supposed to encourage and support, within reason. I was also getting positive feedback from people who had no reason to make me feel good so I decided to give it a shot.

I spend much of my spare time shooting, editing, submitting and writing. Then the social media accounts have to be updated so that word of my work gets out. This is when I am not reading about the latest photography techniques and tricks, trying to learn marketing or searching for contacts. There are weekend days where I sit at the computer early in the morning and suddenly realize that it is mid-afternoon. It is exhausting at times but nobody is going to do it for me. It is a labor of love and I am beginning to get the recognition I sought. It took me a long time to get here and I plan to savor every minute. Doubting my ability is a thing of the past - I know I am good but I am still learning and getting better all the time. I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if I just said "Screw it! I am going to be a photographer!" I know life would have been quite different but I can't possibly know how or whether for better or worse.

The moral of the story is that you need to live life, take chances and never let doubt or fear of failure control you. My father once told me that it didn't matter what career I chose but I should be certain to like it because I was going to be doing it for a very long time. I have had two (2) careers - one as a draftsman and my current career as a programmer - and I have gotten great pleasure and sense of accomplishment from both. That said, I can't help but wonder....

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

I overheard my wife and son talking in the car and my wife read this quote to him. They are both Tolkien fans. I am not but I loved the quote and thought it was a perfect fit for me to write about. It's funny what inspires us sometimes. Ringo Starr makes a slip of the tongue and John Lennon writes "A Hard Day's Night". I overhear someone talking and get an idea for a blog article. Does that put me at the same level as John Lennon? I wish..... My point is that you never know when or how you will be inspired but if you keep your eyes and ears open, good things will eventually come your way.

My Wandering

Now, on to the subject at hand. I love to wander and do so whenever I get a chance. Whether it is for 20 minutes at lunch or hours on a weekend morning, taking a new way back to the office after lunch or a leisurely bike ride, wandering about is great for the body, mind and soul. My wandering over the past couple years has taken me to several cemeteries, eight (8) county parks, two (2) state parks and a couple national recreation areas, all in New Jersey. I have explored beaches and woods, historic sites and places that are just fun to explore. Until now the wandering I have written about has been done on foot but I recently got a bicycle and hope to start riding again soon. The bike is great because I can cover so much more area on each excursion but it still affords me the luxury of taking everything in. The bike also allows me to carry more equipment with me, such as a tripod.

The Images

The photos included here are from several hikes that I have taken during my various excursions. Earlier I wrote that I love to wander but I didn't tell you why and I am sure that inquiring minds want to know. There is no single answer to that question - some times it is because I am not anxious to reach my destination (the long way back to the office) or maybe it's because I was curious as to what was on the other side of the hill and I had to explore. I think the main reason is that it gives me time to think, time to reflect on "the bigger picture" and time to attend to my spiritual, emotional and mental well-being. People spend a lot of money laying on a couch talking about their problems to someone and that's okay but it isn't for me. Some turn to their church (synagogue, temple, etc....) for solace and answers to their problems and that's okay, too. Me? I prefer walking around in the woods or finding a good fishing hole to wet my line and just let myself go. For me, there is no better way to recharge the batteries.

In closing

So remember, just because someone is seems to be wandering about aimlessly do not assume he is lost. It could be me looking for my next photo or a secluded spot to sit and reflect on life. Give it a try yourself and see if you don't agree how liberating it can be. My one suggestion is to make sure you have a map - I wouldn't want you to get lost....

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it

Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it. - J. Petit Senn

What a great quote! It is simple, to the point and incredibly true. Everyone wants to be happy and we all seek it. Thomas Jefferson spoke of it more than 200 years ago and it still holds true today - "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

The problem is that happiness can prove to be quite elusive and sometimes it seems the more we go out looking for it, the harder it is to find. I have found, and lost, happiness more than a few times in my life but rarely when or where I was looking. I had people telling me where to look (supermarket), when to look (Thursday night) and what time to look (after work and before dinner) but for the most part it proved elusive.

I had all but abandoned the search when I found it standing on a street corner waiting for a bus. No, it wasn't raining and there were no umbrellas (The Hollies - Bus Stop) but there it was. That was nearly 30 years ago and I will leave the story for another time. Suffice it to say that I found happiness that day and I wasn't even looking for it. It hasn't always been rainbows and puppy dog tails but nothing worthwhile ever really is. Right?

Happiness doesn't always mean human companionship, either. There are many who are happy living a solitary life and the freedom it affords. They have other endeavors that fill their needs and make them happy. There is nothing wrong with that! You may find your happiness in a rewarding career or hobby. If it makes you happy and you feel your life is complete never let anyone tell you otherwise. The moral of the story is that no matter who you are there is someone or something out there ready to make you happy. Don't ever stop looking but don't let the search take on a life of its own. Don't get discouraged if happiness eludes you for a while, it is there. I promise!

Image is courtesy of Pixabay and is used under Creative Commons License.