Change Without Changing

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone,
you may still exist, but you have ceased to live. -Mark Twain

It is, to my observation, that this world is filled with many types of different people. There are those of us that flow freely through life, taking each obstacle as it comes and learning with everything that life gives us. The good. The bad. AND the ugly. The ones that embrace each season they come to experience and let down their walls for change to take place. Much like a tree does every year.

Then, there are those of us that can never let go of anything. Sometimes it's because they like the way things are, but with time, change is ultimately inevitable. Time changes, but they are lost in the past. Sometimes it's because they experience something so devastating, they fear of letting it go because they don't want anything like it to happen again. It's almost like a constant reminder so they can never create such regrets to happen again. And sometimes, it's purely based on the fear of not having a certain element of control in what might happen to them. They become so afraid of the unknown that they are consumed into a life filled with doubt, a lack of self-confidence, and an inability to embrace anything and it stunts their growth as a person.

Now, I'm definitely not one to preach because up until recently, I was one of those people that could never let anything go. I loved how the majority of my childhood was and when it came time for me to take on my own life, I was almost reluctant to start at all. I was like the kids from Hook that said they would never grow up and they would stay in Neverland forever. But if you don't learn to let go of your leaves in Autumn, you will never be able to survive the winter with all your heavy, burdened, and broken branches.

So, being past the horrors of the so-called storm of life, I've learned that we don't have to ever grow up completely. If you just build your being like you would a tall, strong skyscraper, or a tall, grand Oak tree, then you'll change throughout your entire life, without actually changing at all. Meaning, you just add brick by brick, branch by branch to the same foundations that were laid down for you. Times change. People change. Work changes. Change with it! But never change who you are inside. Embrace the positivity that change brings to allow your soul to grow in deeper and deeper ways than you ever had before.




PS: Like some of the new editing techniques? Been without my computer now for a few weeks and without my usual programs. Trying new things! Layers have been my friend tonight in both these images in this blog and my flickr post here and here.

PSS: I wish winter coats didn't make you look like you have 30 lbs more on you than you actually do.

PSSS::::.... These two (1 | 2) songs are the soundtracks for my night.

Shhh...

Dear World: I have a secret to announce. And this secret has been in process of being made for a little while now and I'm sooo happy to let it out in the open. Now, knowing this secret, you can either take full responsibility and never tell another soul orrrr you can unleash your inner gossip and spread the news like wildfire. Either way, I leave the choice up to you because ultimately, you are going to do whatever you want anyways despite what say I have in the matter.

So.

I have kept the world from making me busy today and taken my off hours as a day to myself. When days like this happen, reflection and a lot of thought streams through my brain and usually pumps my creativity up like the energizer bunny. Sooooooo, [ready for the secret?!?] I used these creative efforts today to finish the works of my latest website design with the free site my sister suggested to me called wix.com. I'm really happy with the way it looks and have left some room for my portfolio to grow as this year plays out. Hopefully I'll be able to upgrade to the pro account and be able to use my own domain again, but for right now, it's something. And that something is more than I had before.

http://www.wix.com/brooketownsend/photography

Well, in other news, I finished up the wedding photos from the wedding I did on January 8th for the lovely couple Erin & Josh. Due to the weather that day, we couldn't take any pictures outside but Erin rocked that nursery of the church like no other! She was absolutely stunning. Here are some of my favorites : )


That's all for now folks!
(Drum in Looney Toons closing theme)

-Brooke

Life Left to Go

I've noticed through my walk of life thus far that there are lessons to be learned from the day to day happenings we all experience. It happens when we almost spill our drink down our shirts to teach us to slow down. It happens when we don't fully listen to the person talking in front of you because you're so absorbed in your own thoughts. It happens when you almost squish the beautiful caterpillar mindlessly crawling across the sidewalk in front of you.

Well, I had another one of those lessons.

When I was driving home the other day, I was caught on the highway peering through my windshield trying to see the road while it was covered with snow, ice, and rain. I couldn't see the car in front of me at all and felt the need to turn my wipers on full blast. But I didn't. Then, the wipers on the lowest setting would finally click on and smooth out the entire windshield giving me the sight to see clearly. The car was clearly visible after so much struggle before in trying to focus on even the basic shape of it. It became an instant metaphor to me of life, my life, in how my whole 2010 year played out. I was so focused on trying to get promoted, get moved out and on my own, that I wasn't looking clearly out my windshield. I was moving blindly through the year focused on one thing only. I suppose this blind eye can be good for success, but it's important to realize that there are so many little things happening to you all around. And also, you can lose yourself when you focus on petty goals that aim toward "success". Enjoy each moment that you come to hold in your time of life, turn those wipers on in the downpours of rain and keep your eyes peeled on all details. There is so much to experience, it's a shame to let any of it go to waste.

Alone as you walkThrough a crowd and its awkwardLike nobody seesAnd you can't help but wonderWould anyone come after youIf you'd leaveSo a pain grows insideAnd a fear comes aliveLike you'll never be freeBut there's no pain you feelThat I know love can't heal here at all

Safety Suit - Life Left To Go

Ben Ten Kenobi

Hello 2011. You are welcome in my arms. And to celebrate the beauty of change, rebirth, and new growth, I stumbled across the most beautiful surprise I've seen in a long time. And that my friends, is my new puppy, Ben.

Dogs have always been an important part in my life thus far. There hasn't been a day (until recently) where I did not have any interactions with dogs at all. So, now moved out on my own, I thought it was time to fill the gap and purge in and start looking for a new member to my possy. And not just any either. It had to be the kind of dog that can be my sidekick for the decade and hopefully more. Be there with me on every adventure, greet me every time I come home, have that friend there when no one else can be seen or heard.... and I've been feeling this huge gut feeling that this new friend I've been seeking has been right around the corner.

And that's when we went to the SPCA and found Ben.



He's a lab mix, born on 10-10-2010 (easy to remember his birthday), and full bred with spirit and uniqueness. He has a beautiful soul, one that I'm getting to know more and more as each day passes. He seems to pick up on things very easily as housebreaking is already taking its way, but the chewing might take a little bit longer :P. I'm looking forward to growing with this little guy and seeing all the places we will go together.

Note to Ben:
I hope you like your name. I thought you should be honored to know that you are named after these two amazing characters.

So, in other news, I want to start this new year off right. I've been stuck on the couch sick for the whole weekend having to take off 2 total days off work. It put me at the realization that this is the first time I've had 3 days off in a row since I went to Hilton Head with my friends back in the summertime and also given me plenty of time to think. So, that means the biggest thing to change up 2011 with is more adventure. More travel. And most importantly, more growth. So 2011, I hope you are ready to meet some madness.