Here is a repost that still REALLY grabs me.

Here is a really cool video. It is about how one person can affect the hearts of others. It is about a young man with Down Syndrome who wanted to add service to the place he worked -and did it so effectively, it changed the business. It might make you cry. At the end of the video, it leaves you at a sign up page, but you don't have to go further unless you want too. I was inspired by the video itself.

http://www.stservicemovie.com/

I get what I need…

Today is the feast of the Epiphany. It celebrates the time when 3 or more travelers from the east (Persia? India? China? Who knows?) –often called the 3 kings, followed a star until they found Joseph, Mary, and the new baby Jesus.

Many believe they were Zorro Astrian; people who interpreted dreams, astrology, the stars. They were the ‘originals’ believing we follow a star (or ‘astar’) in our life. And when you go off the right path, when you move away from your destiny, you are in fact in "‘dis’ astar" –away from your star. It is where we get the word ‘disaster’.

Many times in my life I’ve pondered on the why of Jesus being born 2000 years ago. Why that time in the history of mankind? Were the people of the earth not ready a 1000 years sooner? Why not the middle-ages? Why not now? (Of course, no “Christianity” until he arrives…so the sooner the better I think…) But really, God works things out according to His design, not ours. Would we really ever be ready? Because of this, it is easy to think He is not in our lives. We don’t always get what we want… At least we sometimes wonder and wait, impatiently.

And so, the Rolling Stones…

And so I’m sitting with coffee, pondering the Roman Empire, and the interesting way they ruled –both with official tolerance towards the strange (strange to them) way the Jews worshiped only one god, and their firmness of rule –where you’ve got to do certain things the Roman way or we will brutally make an example of you –“we got an empire to run”. It was then the Stones drifted into my earshot. “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.”

That is when everything came together. I have always asked for help, for guidance. I have always been thankful to Him of the good things that come my way. I have also when in longing, or in need, asked for help. I eventually see that help is delivered…often delivered years late. But, delivered at the right time. Delivered after a journey through life so I would understand the gift better. He knew when to give it. I know the gifts that have been given me and to use them in honor. I think my path is a destiny guided from above…a very complex destiny that weaves here and there for a reason. The journey reveals the insights I need to know to fully understand how I should live my life (and yes, I screw up. I also marvel at the depth of God’s forgiveness). I’m amazed at the complexity of asking and wanting something 30 years ago, and getting what I need at a time I can best use it. It is often not simply for my benefit, but provided in a way that is fruitful for others in my life.

Make me a better person…

Recently, someone needed a photographer for a wedding. Money was a huge factor. But it was not a normal wedding day. So I’m available, and I’ll charge a smaller price. Why not? They only wanted one hour of time. (Interesting, that’s their want…but not their need.) Twenty years ago, tiny wedding…tiny charge…I would have shown up and provided more than what they paid for…and thought better of myself in a selfish way. Today, God has crafted me into a better person (Hey - I’m still in need of more help!). I had coffee that morning…breakfast…and then I asked Sylvia if she want to go for a car ride. Even though my wedding that evening was simple –an hour of time –I wanted to scout the location around the chapel for better pictures. I spent an hour and 30 minutes looking around.

That evening, I showed early…telling my client I’d be there early, just in case she could come early too. I’m waiting…watching the sun preparing to end its day…selfishly wishing she understood better just how much we need the light. And then she arrives…with four children…dressed beautifully (as was she) ready for her wedding hour. I can’t believe the prep she must have gone through! Money may be dear, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a sacred day in her life. My morning drive with Sylvia was nothing compared to the mayhem of dressing the kids and getting to our meeting place on time! She’s my hero!

I poured my soul into 90 minutes of fun, family and love. She deserves my best. I’ll spend hours and hours making those pictures look like a glamorous magazine story. I love my job. I think I’ve been guided to it. Something a self-absorbed guy like me can give to others –while God patiently works to make me into a better person. I’ve got so far to go! But, sometimes you get just what you need.

It’s good to follow your star.

Bummer. Sylvia had a little emergency work to do this morning. Hopefully be done soon. I might be doing Easter morning by myself! It's okay because faith is within us, and the trappings of the world is simply that. At death we will leave everything worldly behind, as we begin our journey to God.

So, I went to Mickey Ds for a little breakfast. Nearly deserted, I poured my coffee and sat down with the paper. A man came in and said "You by your lonesome too?"
"Sure am," I answered as he staked out a close by table.
"This Easter crap," he said, "if it's invisible, maybe it doesn't exist."
Geez. Normally, I'd just shut up and ignore a comment like that. But I just hadn't had my coffee yet. I said, "You believe in love don't you? Can't hardly see that..."
Yes, I know you can see love like crazy if you know how to look. But, I hadn't had any coffee yet! In a way though, it was a fairly good answer.
He ignored me the rest of the time I was there, but I hope I gave out a little food for thought, without being too abrasive.

Happy Easter. Good Passover too. Love to you.

Sunday I had a great wedding! I'll blog about that in a week or two after I've been able to process each image to make them their very best in presentation. As I sat outside the wedding chapel, I marveled at how beautiful a day it was. I also noticed how strange it felt. Wedding photographers have an inner clock set to Friday nights or Saturdays. I did not take a wedding Saturday after booking this Sunday months ago (I don't like to crowd the weekend with 2 weddings, because I put so much time into processing the images in the days after). I took my Saturday off to drive Sylvia to Dallas to check out the new Rack store in Dallas for a shoe sale.

Jenna was my second shooter for Sundays wedding. (I like having pros shoot with me. Their expertise is always a plus for great images.) She too took Saturday off from her business. She told me about World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. Jenna has a daughter Lana with Down Syndrome. She reserved her Saturday to be exclusively with her daughter. And she blogged about the day she spent with Lana, horseback riding and exploring nature.

Yeah, you have to spend time together when you're married. And sometimes you've got to shop. But when I compare my Saturday to Jenna's -Jenna is my hero of the week.
If you'd like to read about her day with Lana, here is the link to her blog. www.fzphotography.com/blog
Jim Rode

Photo Montage/Used by permission of FickleZeal Photography

I'm back from LA! I had a fantastic time. I gave a presentation and advice to photographers from the US and Canada. (Hi Jerome Scullino from Montreal! Jerome was cool. He was smart and skipped late afternoon stuff to shoot a couple at the beach. His pier shots were really great! Here is his website. And a shout out to a great photojournalist from Long Beach. Chad Robinson is branching out into wedding photographer and doing great work! His site is here.) I spent two days listening and talking with some great photographers. Dennis Reggie had me gasping-for-breath laughing. He's big into reality/photojournalism and was speaking on the trend of colorizing a black and white image so the flowers are "magically" blooming with color...or a brides lips are red! Well, you had to be there.

I was excited to see that my Gallery Wrap print maker Simply Canvas had enlarged (see picture) one of my shots for a backdrop to their booth. I took a quick iPhone shot of it. It looks about 60x80. I originally shot it with my old D80 about 2 years ago. That's pretty big for the D80! I'm told it is being donated to hang at the Pictage offices. I feel that is an honor.

I got a shot of some clouds from the plane that remind me of Snoopy. When I got back at DFW a Vietnamese nun walked up to me for help (do I look like a teddy bear or something?! I think God said "that guy there, yeah, Jim is his name...he's the one to talk to...) She spoke no english other than. "I go with you." and "God bless you. I am Dominican Convent." I had only my carry-on and no luggage so I could skip that part, as it seems to add a half hour on to the trip. But, I couldn't refuse a traveler needing help. Especially a nun! I did get a picture made so Sylvia would believe me. I asked for the baggage location for her (D40)...she paused for the ladies room...then we hit gate D40...I convinced her that she shouldn't wait there...she followed me through the revolving doors at security...she didn't know to keep walking through the automatic doors and disabled them...an ambassador and I convinced her to push the red button to start it again "walk! walk! walk!"...as if shouting translates!...she made it out of the revolving doors...we find the D40 for baggage (why do they use similar numbers for baggage claim areas as they do for gates? -they never correspond...she points out 3 -60 lb. boxes she had sent from Nam. (I hope it's not drugs)...I pick them up and cart them for her...she shows me a name, address and number saying "sister -sister" -pointing to my phone. I call for her and let them talk. Her sister comes from Garland to pick her up. I go home. Jesus smiles.

The last pic is of me waiting in the car for Sylvia. We are going out to breakfast. My jet-lag sleep deprivation can be measured by the fact I left my coffee on the hood of the car. Yes, Sylvia got it for me before getting in. Coffee, Brazil's gift to the world.

Here is a really cool video. It is about how one person can affect the hearts of others. It is about a young man with Down Syndrome who wanted to add service to the place he worked -and did it so effectively, it changed the business. It might make you cry. At the end of the video, it leaves you at a sign up page, but you don't have to go further unless you want too. I was inspired by the video itself.

Here is the link: Runs about 3 minutes. Cool. StService  Enjoy.

Jim