Spoke Too Soon

It was brought to my attention that my Internet searching skills must not be what they used to be. I guess my "searcher" must have been taking a break.

Even though I still agree with most of my comments from my post below, this gave me a new perspective. Give it to the BBC, designers and creative types to pull this together. Apparently, others were thinking about beauty as well and created this show.

What is it? Eight young disabled women discover what it takes to be a model. They are competing for a photo shoot and to appear in a fashion magazine. How cool!

I've been checking out the site and found it interesting to read the perspectives on everyone who participated in the show. The show is over now but the winner is a 23 year old missing her left forearm.

I know sometimes it can be hard to get used to differences and to embrace things we aren't used to, especially visually. But, it looks like my below post may have found itself an outlet on the BBC! :) Hopefully everyone gets a chance to see an episode because it looks great!

Stay warm and have a great weekend.

Love,
Jen

Behind the Lense

Before I start, I want to thank everyone who posted recently! I appreciate all your comments and Annabelle my thoughts are with you.

Being in LA, how did you find this blog? I thought the lady who came over to your car must have made your day. Please keep me posted on how you are.

It's been such an amazing feeling to know the people who read this are from so many places. So, I have always been a big fan of great movies and photography. I can be in a book store or art museum and look at photography all day.

I am reading a great book by Annie Leibovitz and she provides a photo that gives you all the behind the scene details about the photo, the set, etc. It's quite cool, really. At the same time I'm reading this, I realized that I have seen some great movies lately.

Between the two interests that I've had forever, I have developed a creativity and interest in the stories that come from both. A picture can tell so many things as well as movies and I love the imagination of it all.

However, in reading about all the details and behind the scenes issues it has really made me reflect on a few things. The topic is discussed about how to make a subject look good or how to bring it to life.

I was interested in this part particularly because a few of the movies I have seen lately had a character missing a limb; one of which was Tropic Thunder. I don't recommend this movie for everyone. A lot of scenes have some pretty crude humor and violence (too much for my taste), but overall it was a decent film. The people I was with (hubby & family) were so sweet but looked at me each time as if to say "does this bother you, are you okay?"

When we think about photos in magazines or the movies, we rarely see anything less than flawless. I tend to appreciate the rawness of the moment versus staged and perfection which I think is what made me think of this post.

To answer the above question: no, it didn't bother me and I was okay, but they have developed a soft spot and it's super-special. It did, however, make me realize that with all the issues we deal with daily, physical issues seem to be the most difficult to photograph and resolve.

I did a search to find movies with physical challenges and the category is very small, comparatively speaking. Now think of the photography aspect -- not many come to mind unless your looking at para-Olympics or something similar or a specific area of interest, not just everyday photo shots.

So, this got me on a two hour Internet search (how does that always happen. I start out for 5 minutes, then, whew, its 2 hours!) which eventually lead me to an article on beauty that was so beautiful.

Is it easier to see a picture of a beautiful person with a great smile who seems great on the outside but has the worst issues that we can't see. Or, see a photo of someone who has a physical disability or a smile that is not so perfect but has no other issues?

Neither is right, wrong nor good or bad. But, we are all behind the lense of our own eyes and perception. This is so cliché, but if beauty truly came from within, I think we would see much more of the not-so-perfect world.

I received a very cool gadget from Nick that allows me to hold a camera and take pictures. Who knows, perhaps we will get to see more definitions of beauty. I'm much better with a great photography book than the actual camera, but it sure is fun. Find the not-so-perfect in everyday life and try to interpret it with beauty and not pity.

Love,

Jen

The Small Things

Ever wonder why some of the best things come in small packages or from unexpected sources? I do.

The weather today is not only really rainy and soon to be icy, it is really cold.

However, not a lot holds me back from a good meal, so I sucked it up and had lunch today with some great friends.

I had on several layers when I got home and realized I couldn't get my coat off.

I needed to pull on the sleeves. Guess who comes to my rescue? Our dog who gives unconditional love and is always surprising us with his dedication!

Sky knows the word "tug" so he comes up to me to say hi with a big lick to the face and I get an idea to have him tug!

He stood beside me and tugged on both arms and it worked perfectly.

He, of course, seemed very proud of himself and went straight for the treats before I did. I wish we could use this logic for pay raises! ;)

So, I'm going to use the "small things" as a way to live in 2009. It's not a hard thing to do. For all the small things I have received over this past year I could write a book and it means so much to me.

Make your small things part of who you want to be -- no strings, no attachments -- just because.

Love,
Jen

Twists of Fate

Happy holidays everyone! Wow, I didn't realize it has been two weeks since my last post. It has been pretty hectic lately with Christmas and traveling. We had a great holiday and we are looking forward to a comparable New Year!

So, I had a great post started today on one of my favorite authors: Malcolm Gladwell (Tipping Point, Blink) and his new book, Outliers. You can visit his website by clicking here. I was beginning to explain how he can compile and analyze data from the most random souces and break it down into the most interesting observations. Did you know that there is actually a "magic" number that almost every successful person has hit in number of hours studying, practicing, researching, etc. to be accomplished at their passion? I had no idea! Guess what that number is? 10,000 hours. Yes, ten thousand. Yikes!

I was making a comparison between feeling the impact of the hours I have had to put into my new life vs. enjoying the "process" of self-development simultaneously. I actually had some good stuff for you, however, as I was about to publish my post, the doorbell rang.

Nick went to see who it was and to my amazement it was a very nice man who had read my story in the Dallas Morning News and felt compelled to meet us. He has a friend who shared my experience and he wanted his friend to meet us also. He had a letter for us to read that was very moving. After he left left, my mind got distracted and I couldn't remember what I wanted to write in the post!

How many times have we gone out of our way to extend our thoughts to a stranger? He was doing a very thoughtful thing for his friend but also doing something that impacted both Nick and I tremendously. Things are so unexpected sometimes! Malcolm Gladwell and the man at my door are all examples of how every day can be a new experience if we just open our minds with optimism!

Peace,
Jen

Keeping Your Eyes Peeled

I have always had an affinity for the "local" scene no matter where I am and participating in the real flavor of my surroundings.

I like to go to local restaurants, markets, lectures, coffee shops etc. and experience what makes a community thrive.

By Nick and I doing this as much as possible, we have developed a curiosity for things that make me take a moment to go "hmmm..". ;)

Yesterday I was at the gym and looked around to find that Nick and I were by far the youngest in the place. I kinda laughed and thought we missed the memo.

But, as I was pushing the weights really hard and thought this is my last one (my arms were buckling), I looked up to see an approximately 80-year-old guy with a big grin, sweat band, jogging suit and the attitude of a college athlete.

He was working out like a madman! Nick and I both had a "hmmm.." moment. The old man gave that extra boost and I (barely) finished a few more sets.

Then, I started thinking about how many times we look so hard to find inspiration or a way to grow or change things; I thought how simple that "find" can actually be. We all gotta stop looking so hard!

If you think about it and keep your eyes open, it really isn't that difficult. Driving no more than a few miles from my house to the gym, I just started my day by being positive and keeping "my eyes peeled". :)

There is never a certain age, disability, gender or occupation that should stop us from making the best of the time we have. If you're 80 and want to lift weights and run, go for it! Maybe you're a CEO of a corporation and want to resign to run your own coffee shop, go all in!

I really feel like we hold ourselves back too often because of what society may think. At the end of the day, society isn't giving you hugs at night, words of inspiration or self-worth. It comes from within and how we learn from our local community and surroundings.

This week, find a local bakery, adopt a family in need, or just high-five the next 80-year-old you see working out! Supporting others is a great feeling. I know on a personal level how much I cherish all the support I've been so blessed to have. Happy holidays and I will talk with everyone soon!

Love,
Jen