I have never made any bones about my politics and you that know me know them well. So for me to be reading Decision Points is probably something you would expect. I have only just started to read, but it has brought some memories back and is what lead me to this post. George has always been my President and somebody that I would easily follow. I was talking with my wife about “Decision Points” and how it was written and the unique style that he wrote his memoirs. I found myself reminiscing about 9/11 and the time when George stood on top of the and spoke to America. It was moments of authentic leadership like this moment that were the things that made George America’s President. Click on the link and read some of the article and then watch the video again. Tell me it doesn’t send a wave of pride over your entire body. It did mine.
I would consider myself an avid enthusiast that would love to make a living in photography and the employment of digital graphics. I have done a small amount of photography in the past, won some contests, worked briefly for a local paper, and overall just enjoyed myself. However, my photography skills remain as those of an enthusiast.
I subscribe to a email letter that provides daily tips and techniques for both the enthusiast and experienced professional photographers. The email that I get everyday is great and has provided so many creative suggestions and ideas that follow me throughout my day. The subject of a recent email was about being disciplined about photography and about what it takes to become more than just point & shoot photographer. We all have seen wonderful pictures and even thought I could do that. My experience has shown that most of my best images have only come at the expense of many others that were not deemed worthy. Yes, I got the occasional one shot impressive picture, but for the most part the best have come from shooting many and being disciplined to get the perfect shot.
It is this level of activity and attention to specific details of a picture, the camera, the lightening, etc. will allow you to rise from the amateur to a knowledgeable, creative artist so many secretly desire to be. The last tip in a recent email was a challenge to shoot pictures for 365 days in a row using different themes, locations, or subjects. The point of the task is to get your brain thinking about photography daily and creating neural pathways in your brain for the art of photography. While this task is a difficult challenge, it is one I am anxious to get started.
In the coming days you will see a page at www.barbourcentral.com that has 365 spaces reserved for that days picture. I haven’t yet decided upon a structure, but will write about that in the coming days and as the project moves along. I will be taking pictures daily using various themes, locations, and subject and then posting them. I am contemplating taking picture with the meta data being on every picture to provide some proof of the day and time the picture was taken. I am not sure I will be able to post them daily, but I will be dedicated to taking the pictures daily. And if somewhere in my 365 days I fail to take a picture, I will continue, but you will know by the blank spot that I have failed.
So check back in a few days for the first picture and continue to follow me on my journey over the following 365 plus days. Don’t hesitate to leave me your comments and provide feedback on any of the picture. Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to the challenge.
The previous post made me think of this movie quote.
“You’re an interesting species. An interesting mix. You’re capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you’re not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we’ve found that makes the emptiness bearable, is each other.”
Does anybody know the name of the movie?
I found the following quote on a very important man’s website. Thought I would share it here and in someway be attached to his intelligence. Thanks……
“The human animal is a beautiful and terrible creature, capable of limitless compassion and unfathomable cruelty. If you wish to find that which becomes the dividing line between mankind and other biological classifications, it rests not in brain size, dominance, or even emotional capability, but lies in the unique capacity for human beings to reflect on their actions and show regret, what is most certainly the ability to empathize, that gives them their position. All animals understand love and affection, but only man shows the propensity to place himself into the shoes of another lifeform. Losing this capability among individuals of this species reduces them below their much heralded position and readies the climate for the likely fall of man, the fall from grace.” – The Cruxshadows
I spent over 20 years of my life in an world where the mission was dependent on an expected level of discipline, I understand the expectation that General Mcchrystal tender his resignation. It is this sort of violation that has brought many a airmen, soldier, sailor and marine in front of a military judge and resulted in punitive actions being taken. Is it not therefore fair to expect that the General be somehow reprimanded as well.
I wonder however, how many other outspoken and gritty generals have done something similar and worked through it to go on and do great things. Patton’s slapping incident of the recuperating soldier has made its way into the history books and yet we all recognize him as one of life’s greatest General of all time. There are many others with some level of controversy, General McArthur’s opinions turning into demands of the president, quickly resulted in his removal. Yet his dismissal was quickly forgotten and his return home resulted in a parade attended by millions of people.
So the question is this….. Is there room in the military environment and within this civil administration for a result that would allow a great General to continue to do great things. Obviously the needs of the President to be seen as Commander and Chief are vastly important to both the civilian and military populations, it is also very likely that allowing the General to continue to serve might just be what is needed in this situation. It is fitting in our ever more tolerant society that he continue to lead, and yet might very well embolden the military troops morale and set the tone for a victory in Afghanistan.
What are your thoughts?
I have read a few articles on the subject of Apathy and some on procrastination and I believe it is the greatest hinderance to success that Americans have. Are you one of the many that have to much of either one in your life? Wikipedia defines apathy as
Apathy (also called impassivity or perfunctoriness) is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation and passion. An apathetic individual has an absence of interest or concern to emotional, social, or physical life. They may also exhibit an insensibility or sluggishness. The opposite of apathy is flow.[1] In positive psychology, apathy is described as a response to an easy challenge for which the subject has matched skills.
Wikipedia defines procrastination as:
Procrastination refers to the counterproductive deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychologists often cite such behavior as a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision.[1] Schraw, Wadkins, and Olafson have proposed three criteria for a behavior to be classified as procrastination: it must be counterproductive, needless, and delaying
For a few minutes someday, be a little introspective and review the situations where you were not successful or are still having difficulties. My guess is that you will find many instances of apathy and or procrastination. If that is the case, summon up every ounce of self-discipline that you have and extracate both of them from your life. You will be far more successful, far more happy and overall less burdened by the trappings of the situation you are in. You are in control of your success currently. Remove the apathy and procrastination and that fact will become much clear to you.
I hope that you all enjoy BarbourCentral. I am taking a step further in my effort to give the Barbour clan a place to reside on the web. The purpose for this site is to allow the members of the Barbour family to input the happenings of our family, to communicate with each other, and stay together. So please let your family (Dads, Moms, brothers, sisters, cousins, etc) know about the site and please contact me with suggestions or comments. Thanks. Scott