Sweet stillness

 ... whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,

 whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

 whatsoever things are lovely,

 whatsoever things are of good report;

  if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

True identity

"And the day came 

when the risk it took 

to remain tight inside the bud

was more painful 

than the risk it took

to blossom."

- Anais Nin

Beyond action

“Out beyond right doing and wrong doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” My son will one day be a father and if he can take even a little of what my own fathers/ teachers gave me, then he will be a man, for ultimately, it’s only men that can initiate boys into manhood.

-Rumi

Spotlight Series: Private reward or public recognition

For weeks leading up to father's day and now, a day after.  I searched my head and heart for a special way to acknowledge and thank my partner, CP.  (Really, they should call blogging birthing it can be a really exhaustive process this working out an idea).  

I was fortunate enough attend the University of Oklahoma. A truly rewarding endeavor  for many different reasons: love, experience and self-discovery, to name a few.  While there i became as much of a football fan as i'm ever going to be so much so i traveled to see a few games.  One of them, a Texas A&M game.  While there i was introduced to the tradition of the Twelfth Man. 

...he stood ready for duty in the event that the eleven men on the gridiron needed assistance. That spirit of readiness for service, desire to support, and enthusiasm helped kindle a flame of devotion among the entire student body; a spirit that has grown vigorously throughout the years. The entire student body at A&M is the Twelfth Man, and they stand during the entire game to show their support. The 12th Man is always in the stands waiting to be called upon if they are needed...

Some days during the early years when the days and nights all run together, the illusion of one looooong day created, realized and experienced one time too many.  The strength of a partner who decides to be get-their-hands-out-their pockets and get-them-into-the game is life-changing.  Defining, in fact.  

In the way of the tradition of the Twelfth man, the love of my life, the father of our beautiful children, is not one for public recognition.  He prefers, instead, the private rewards that comes from providing the quite calm of certainty.  Certainty produces a quality of courage, character and capacity that ultimately defines one's purpose, point and path. 

As you read the words below ask yourself which one are you in it for and who is your audience: public reward  or private recognition.

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Until next time...

First things first

 As a parent you only have one thing to invest - your time.

Priorities

"Come and fill my days with dreams.

Empty me of all the empty things that I hold onto.

Come and fill my heart with 

You..."

Guiding light

Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever...

-Author unknown

Spotlight series: Elias Stern

If a man

has any greatness

in him, 

 it comes

 to light,

 not in one

 

flamboyant hour,

 but in the ledger

  of his daily work.

Welcome to my spotlight series.  I've had the deep pleasure of capturing some spectacular father/daughter, father/son relationships over the years.  For the entire month of June I'm going to focus on showing you images of what that love has looked liked.  I hope you enjoy!

Elias Stern - You Rock!

Shine

“...a child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.”

 Pablo Casals

Whisper of love

 

"Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen carefully."

Spotlight series: Tony Fuentes

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,

 having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words,

but pouring them all out, just as they are,

chaff and grain together,

 

certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them,

keep what is worth keeping,

and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.

Welcome to my spotlight series.  I've had the deep pleasure of capturing some spectacular father/daughter, father/son relationships over the years.  For the entire month of June I'm going to focus on showing you images of what that love has looked liked.  I hope you enjoy! 

Tony Fuentes you rock!