Promote PASSION.

1. Encourage by example.

DO something, and others will be inspired to DO something as well. Action inspires action. The best way to motivate someone is to dive in first. Others will follow in their own way and time.

2. Try everything TWICE.

I have a rule for myself that states I will always try everything twice. Fashion photography. Brussel sprouts. Writing a book.

No matter what it is you’re trying, try it twice…at least. That is the only way you can avoid making quick decisions based on fear. The more you allow yourself to try, the more you can truly narrow down your passions.

3. Don’t apologize.

If you have a passion, shout it to the world. If you love something, don’t be afraid to say it. Call yourself what you are. Become what you do.

For example, one day, despite making almost no money from photography, I had to call myself a photographer. I didn’t really feel like one, since I thought all photographers were published in Vogue and made hundreds of thousands of dollars. Delusions. And then I realized that I was short-changing myself by not calling myself a photographer. By avoiding those words and skirting around the subject, I failed to instill confidence in other people about what I do, and I didn’t let my inner light shine.

So now I say confidently what I am, based simply on my passions and the hope that one day they can all be part of my business. I am a PHOTOGRAPHER, WRITER, SPEAKER, FILMMAKER, EDUCATOR…and above all else, I am a STORYTELLER. Not because I am great at those things, but because I love them.

If you do take this challenge, come back here and leave a comment with the resulting image that you created…or if you aren’t a photographer, take the same challenge but create something else entirely…an arts & crafts project, a piece of writing, a painting, etc…Create….because it will awaken something beautiful within.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF.
CREATE. INSPIRE.
PROMOTE PASSION.

I instructed all of the retreat attendees to be up by 5AM and ready to go on a partially moonlit 45-minute walk to a waterfall where, at sunrise, we would all jump in. Needless to say, I wasn’t entirely sure what the turnout would be.

But, to my surprise, everyone gathered at about 5:15AM and we began our walk to the waterfall. They didn’t know what to expect. I had scouted the location before and, since I was in complete awe, I knew they would love it. As we walked a few people came up to me and said, “But we aren’t really jumping in, are we?” To which I replied, “Do I look like I’m joking?”

And I wasn’t. When we got to the waterfall we lined up on the edge, some holding hands, and I counted to three.

1…2………..3!

And we jumped. We didn’t think about the consequences and we didn’t try to think about the shock of it all. We just did it. We climbed to the edge and we jumped in water so cold it was shocking, but also exhilarating. We screamed and clung to one another and tested our limits. And when we were finished, we felt like we could do anything.

That is the beauty of being in the moment and truly being present in your life. You take each challenge as it comes, and you find yourself more and more grateful for the small moments that make up our life story.

Every moment we have is a gift, and to fully appreciate those gifts we must recognize each one as being unique, individual, and inspiring. No one else can be responsible for making your life incredible. By becoming present and focused on the task at hand, there is less time to talk yourself out of adventures, or to dwell on past events. By thinking presently, we are training ourselves in the art of gratitude.

Life is one big story, and if we don’t choose to live it we are choosing to write the same story again and again. Take a moment today to do something that excites, inspires, or invigorates you. Do something unusual. Do something that you love. And above all, promote your passion, for doing so will write the most meaningful lines of the story of your life.

Model: Jen Brook <– Lovebug!

I can’t help but love to use butterflies in my work because of this exact sentiment. The idea of metamorphosis is so often pushed past because, well, who has time for it? Many do not have the luxury of reflecting on life and making solid changes…or at least it seems that way. It doesn’t have to take long at all, but it should happen. Because if we aren’t thinking about being someone better than who we are now, where is the growth?

This relates so well to any type of creative endeavor. For me, it’s photography. I create best when I am growing and when I understand who I am and what I want to say. I could never understand that if I didn’t take time to cocoon myself and reflect and ultimately, grow.

I will never take my best picture because each one moves me further in the direction of my dreams, which are always growing and expanding.

Just like these butterflies coming from the imagination and moving outward, so do the ideas and dreams in my mind. They spread their wings and move on to further reaches of the world to make room for more. We are always moving forward, and keeping all of those butterflies trapped within will only kill them.