“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

The New Year tends to bring a renewed hope for so many, a new beginning.  Out with the old and in with the new.  So many of us will make New Year’s resolutions, such as – I’ll exercise more, I’ll lose weight, I’ll be more positive and the list goes on.  I too, have made the usual, I’ll lose 10 pounds this year, I’ll exercise and look more fit in the upcoming year.  Knowing myself,  that will most likely last for a month, if I’m lucky.  Rather than making resolutions that most of us will not keep, why not try to simply start each day fresh, with hope and a positive attitude and possibly this will lead you where you are supposed to be?  Maybe try eating healthier rather than trying to lose 10 pounds and that habit may just surprise you, you might just lose those 10 pounds.

So often we hear the saying, “what will be, will be” and it’s so very true.  I firmly believe there is a plan for each one of us, we may never know what that plan is, we can only react to each situation as it occurs in our life, our plan.  Whether you were meant to be a teacher, a doctor or the most important job, in my opinion, a parent, if you believe, have hope and faith, you will follow the correct path.

If we don’t have hope, where are we?  No matter how difficult life can become, if you have hope, then there is always a way to find the positive in any situation.  I’m not a terribly religious person, but my good friend Carolyn has shown me that if I can have faith and hope, then I can conquer anything and it won’t conquer me!

You are probably wondering what this has to do with photography, but it has so much to do with my photography.  Art is an outlet for me and my art reflects how I feel, my mood and if I feel at peace or not, it will be reflected.  I would imagine, this is true for any artist, our life situation is reflected in our art.

This year, as we begin a new chapter in our lives, I hope that you will take each day and live it to the fullest, and find joy in all or at least a small part.  A small amount of joy, over time will grow and you will discover a larger amount of joy.

Last year, Carolyn and I each chose a word for the year and this year my word is

Good things are in store for my family in 2018! Thank you for catching up, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and may we all find our own joy in the upcoming year.