Eda Doreen

:: shine ::

“ Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
- Buddha

I have actually been burning the candle at both ends of late. Its not like it was a bad thing, but eventually it does burn from both ends until you’re left holding the wick at the center and then you get burnt.

Yesterday was a great day for me. I got up, I drank coffee and I felt a sense of release. Not from the stresses that have bothered me of late, but in my mind and in my heart. I felt ok, you can do this Sam. Get up, and change. So I did. I thought differently yesterday. I walked differently yesterday. And for the most part I went to bed with a smile on my face, not running from fear for a change. Because it left. I said goodbye to the fear and uncertainty, and judgment I had on my own soul that was entangling my stability in life. I took an oath with my heart to let go of my fears, and to walk in the light again. That’s not an easy task when it seems much easier to walk in the shade, and stop along the way.
But its okay now, and I feel it. No more fear, no more tears, just an inner strength to shine. And that all I want to do. Shine.

I will be off now to write my end of semester major paper on a respected and honored Roman Emperor.

Have a wonderful day my friends,

Shine on !

 

 

Traceable intuition

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection”- Anais Nin

Last week I was dwelling for days over the sad air plane tragedy In Libya. The lone survivor, a nine year old Dutch boy, Ruben Van Assouw miraculously survived the crash of something so terrifying and horrific. I thought about what the little boy faces today, and in the days ahead without his mother, father, and only brother. I thought about how this baby, who no doubt still can hear the plane tearing to pieces, and the screams of those around him, who died instantly, or within minutes after. I thought about how his precious heart and soul may be feeling, lost and alone in a world now changed forever. I prayed that God might take his sorrowing pain, and give some to me. And, I wished him a life full of love, tenderness, and strength for the many years to come. Why would such a fateful event such as these devastating catastrophes occur, and the one also most recently off the coast of Africa?

Why?

 

So, in my mindful thoughts, and my daily musings, in which I often try to put myself in someone else’s shoes do I stop to question and exist to search for a truth to life’s reasons.

Something I will never be truly able to comprehend is the way in which life can have us in the throes of happiness, peace, and an abundance of everything, only to cut quick short the existence of life in a blink of an eye. So, I maybe think way too much, and I will never apologize for this thinking, questioning, or searching, but I continue to do so with an open mind, and do so with a passion for the pungency of life itself. And I have so easily learned that in philosophizing about life, its matters of the heart, and humanity, I can only feel a intellect of knowing, understanding, and appreciation of what you may think and feel as well.

 

Little Ruben, who has been broken physically, emotionally, and stands to face his hardest battle in the coming years, is not only a hope for us all, but a reason to give, love, and be compassionate to those around us. We don’t know who, or how other’s in our lives may truly be feeling, but with time, understanding and thoughtful insight, we can be their reason to keep on living a fruitful and abundant life. Never for a moment believe otherwise.

“Individually, we are one drop. Together we are an ocean.”-Ryunoskuke Satoro

 

Keep believing ...

Sam

 

time to walk.. and a time to talk..

Friends give full color to our lives

My weekend went ever so quickly, as the normal weekend would. I have not had a normal 9-5 job in over eight years, so while my regular weekend is on a Monday and Tuesday, I do take some light heartiness for those who come my way in sharing theirs. I have been somewhat lazy over the last week or so in constructing some journals, and cigar boxes, and despite my intentions to get going and move along with them, I seem to have hit a hurdle. It is not as if my motivation has gone, rather my mind has been situated elsewhere, and my body, well I decided to take better care of myself, and I started back with walking.

My walking includes a 4 kilometer stretch everyday, which is about 2.6 miles. I have to convert the miles to kilometers so that I can actually realize how far I am walking every day. And, it’s a fair distance so I believe. But, while my nightly habits of broken sleep are catching up on me in the mornings, I find myself trying to catch my tail in trying to get creative. I think in due time, I will find my flow again, but every once and a while, it is truly okay to stop, smell life, live life, and relax. Of which I am doing well of!

Shasta Daisies from my yard.

I had the opportunity also over the weekend, to have a great conversation with my close friend. I truly believe that the people who cross our paths in life, and who understand, accept, and love us for who we are, warts and all, are our guardian angels in disguise.

"True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable."  ~Dave Tyson Gentry
Without a good friend I would probably be all but lost in my thoughts. I know I have many great friends in my life, some I haven't seen in years, others I see every now and then, and some whom I have never even met. It is these encounters in life, where friendship is by far the greatest, where one can feel the inner fire that was dimly burning and bursts into flame when we find ourselves in someone else's heart.

Thank you for rekindling my heart, soul, and mind. You will never know how much I am indebted and grateful for a friend in you.

:: Acceptance::

~ Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. ~ Marcus Aelius Aurelius

 

 

 

Mike Bailey-Gates (c)

 

 

 

I have wanted to feature this photographer for weeks. I just didn’t have the words, or the timing in doing so. Most of my writings, as you may well have read, are based on creativity. I see an image, or think a thought, and with it comes the fruition of a compilation of gathered thoughts.

 

 

So, I have been thinking about fate. I heard a quote in a movie only yesterday, that there is “a fine line between fate and chance”. And, as life would weave its way down this wonderful journey for us all, I am sure we could all somewhat agree. So, that is why I have chosen to feature this young man’s photography today.

 

 

Mike Bailey-Gates (c)

 

Michael Bailey-Gates, has a rawness to his photography that borderlines on mystery and love. Every photo I view represents beauty, life, and wonder. And, for his talent which I believe is so magnificent, I am always in awe of his works. They touch my soul, they take me to the place where he has shown us this vignette of life, and they enable a peaceful feeling  in which to view.

 

Mike Bailey-Gates (c)

 

Which brings me to the point of discussing the anticipation of acceptance. Years ago I had not developed a greater understanding of humanity. Perhaps I was not open to understanding, and for that reason, my heart and soul wasn't ready to change. I think we all come to a place in our lives, where eventually once we realise who we are, who we love, and accepting fate as life would deal us, we can find an inner peace.

 

Mike Bailey-Gates (c)

 

 

"The first step toward change is acceptance.  Once you accept yourself, you open the door to change.  That's all you have to do.  Change is not something you do, it's something you allow."

Will Garcia
(AIDS patient)

 Mike Bailey Gates

Biography

Mike Bailey-Gates was born in 1993 in Rhode Island, USA. He became interested in photography at the age of thirteen when he began taking photographs of the landscape in his surrounding countryside. Over time the hobby progressed into a passion for portraiture and fashion. Michael is currently living in New England with his family and working as a represented photographer.

Resume

Published interviews, features, and spreads.

Art Gallery Showing at Jesse Smith.

-Interview/ spreads in Maddog Magazine March (2010)
-Interview/ Feature in NAME magazine (2010)
-Interview/ Spread/ Cover shot, Kinki Magazine, December (2009) 
-Photo used in “ Frankie Photo Album” book volume 1 (2009)
-Contributor to The Saccades project ( 2009)
-Spreads in NINJA magazine (August 2009)
-Interviews and Spread in Parasol magazine issue 4 (July 2009)
-Interview/ spread in NEET magazine issue number 15 (June 2009)
-Interview in Cupcake magazine (2009)
-Winner of the United way Contest, 500$, Featured in Rhode Island Monthly magazine.(2009)
-BLUR magazine issue 15 (2009) 

-Interview on Coming Upstrong (2009)
-Featured in “ teen INK” (2008)
-Featured in “ teenage life or lack there of” book.

Mike Bailey-Gates (c)

 

Life is as real as it gets. It is raw, perfect, and mystical. It can move along slowly, or it can speed as fast as you can keep up. But the greatest thing about life is the willingness to accept all that it has, is, and becomes. Once you accept what life, and fate offers, you are at peace.

 

 

Mike Bailey Gates (c)

 

Today is the day to live. Live life with acceptance, love and compassion. Help those who need you, love without reason, and shine for those who need the light in the darkest of hours. 

 

 

Sam

 

mike bailey gates (C)http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbg_photos/