jimwdollar

A Philosophy of Health

What goes into being healthy? That is as rhetorical as a question can be. But, it sets up what is to follow. A healthy lifestyle is more than eating well and exercising. It includes how we set limits, draw lines and establish boundaries—and bear the pain of living within them in conjunction withContinue reading “A Philosophy of Health”

Grounded, Centered, Focused, Awake, Aware, Alive

There are four things doubled into eight things: Tao Dharma Kairos Grace Virtue Vitality Energy Spirit These eight things produce: Harmony Balance Stability Enabling us to be: Grounded Centered Focused Awake Aware Alive All ofContinue reading “Grounded, Centered, Focused, Awake, Aware, Alive”

Our Original Nature

The basic framework/outline/substance of this piece occurred to me in the shower. Our place is to watch for what occurs to us, take note of it, and act on it–if we deem it to be appropriate for the here and now of our living, which I do, so here it is. Our Original Nature isContinue reading “Our Original Nature”

Pivot Points and Perspective Shifts 01

1 The Bible is a treasure trove of metaphorical truth which we miss entirely in our hysterical insistence that everything must be factual, literal, actual, tangible and concrete in order to be real and true. Abraham left home, left everything that was familiar and comfortable, and wandered in the wilderness in search of the LandContinue reading “Pivot Points and Perspective Shifts 01”

The Hero’s Journey

1. The Hero’s Journey consists of doing what needs to be done in each situation as it arises. The Cyclops that stands in our way is always the next thing that we don’t want to do. Do we have what it takes to get up and do the thing without the boost of a PowdermilkContinue reading “The Hero’s Journey”

Good and Bad Religion

1. Bad Religion is grounded on facts. Good Religion is grounded on metaphors and symbols. Bad Religion has symbols too, but calls them facts. Take the bread and wine of Communion. Bad religion says they are the body and blood of Jesus. Period. That’s ALL they are. Any time you can say ALL a symbolContinue reading “Good and Bad Religion”

Disclosure

I have chosen to photograph things as they are in their natural setting. I do not dig up a waterfall, for instance, drag it into the studio, position it carefully against a muslin backdrop, adjust the lighting and take the picture. I travel to the waterfall and take what nature gives me. Or wait untilContinue reading “Disclosure”

The Fourth Week

Monday It helps to go without expectation, just being open to what you find when you get there. There is no way to plan for some shots. Maybe the leaves are right, maybe not; maybe the sky is overcast, maybe not. Maybe it’s raining, maybe not… So much has to come together, you’ll make yourselfContinue reading “The Fourth Week”

The Third Week

Monday There are no excuses for missing the photograph. Our job is to get the photograph. Not to be there five minutes late. Not to fumble with the equipment. Not to not-know how to use the camera. Not to forget to check the focus, and the exposure, and the composition. Anybody else can fail inContinue reading “The Third Week”

The Second Week

Monday Our job, our work, is to trust our own magic—to trust what we do to have its own magic. Take the photograph! Let taking the photograph do its own work, work its own magic. Do your part, do what is yours to do, and disappear. Get out of the way. Trust the magic ofContinue reading “The Second Week”