Synchronicity and Inspiration: South Florida Music Photographer

Six years go I was a full-time student commuting one hour each way several times a week, and a full-time lead sales agent/manager at a multi-million dollar company. By necessity, my social life was non-existent. I was either working or sleeping. Or driving.

Any spare block of time no longer than 20 minutes, but greater than 5, I would use for a "power-nap." I became hyper-aware of time, with an uncanny ability to guess what time it was before I even opened my eyes.

I knew it was not healthy when I felt that just by waking up, I was late.

What balanced out all of this hard work? We all make sacrifices for what we love, and I'd realized that passion while studying photography. That, and knowing that my frenzied pace of life couldn't last forever.

When I look back on it, it's easy for me to recognize that my love of photography was my first guru. It taught me how to SEE. To recognize the colors, shapes, and patterns in front of me were simply a mirror of what I felt. Thus allowing me to appreciate the consistency in change, and the skill to objectively observe the effect of light, or lack there-of, moment to moment.

Wow, this blog just got philosophical, fast. Bottom line: despite running toward what I liked, I was ultimately doing myself a disservice if I wasn't able to slow down and relax once and a while.

Finding my passion helped me to learn to stop and smell the roses. And to take pretty photos of them, too. Image taken in Provincetown, MA.

Six years ago when I had hardly the energy or time to spare, I found a way to attend Elliott Landy's photography exhibition at a Ft Lauderdale gallery.

Landy was the official Woodstock Music Festival photographer. You might not know him by name, as I hadn't prior to that day, but if you are remotely a fan of 60's era music, I bet you have seen some of his iconic concert and documentary photography. Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Richie Havens, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, etc. etc. etc. 

Last night, I met him in person at the Norton Museum while on assignment for the Broward Palm Beach New Times. (See pics from the event.)

I listened to him describe what Woodstock meant to him. But what really effected me, was when he mentioned his theory of synchronicity. He described that when you are doing something you truly love, without trying, coincidences will happen as a reminder you're on the right track.

I got goosebumps.

Tomorrow night, I have a an exhibition at Artists Haven Gallery in Ft Lauderdale. The same gallery that six years prior, I found a moment to just let go and relax, and discovered the iconic photography of Elliott Landy.

Actual Woodstock tickets. Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.

Elliott Landy describes which photograph he felt was the most iconic. See why I was so inspired: preview/buy his book HERE!  Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.

I hope this little backstory gives you a little inspiration to go to the show's opening tomorrow night. It will be up until August 31st, 2012. My piece is represented in the Music/Sports/Journalism/Documentary category.



"Work hard. Love harder."- Love Handles

2010's LAST Photoshoot!: Chris and Bekah, Maternity Session

Happy New Year Everyone! Here's an image from my photoshoot this morning with Chris and Bekah, who are expecting their little one in February:



May this year bring you peace of mind, good health, and plenty of joy!

Love,

Monica

Yogic Inspiration: The Love of Doing Dishes

As a yoga instructor it is my intention to share information that I've learned directly through my own yogic practice. My Guru, Yogi Amrit Desai says, "you teach who you are." So here is a website I stumbled upon which offers a story that I connected with. I've also included the story below:

Finding Enlightenment in the Most Surprising Places
© 2005 Corinne McLaughlin

"One of the most significant dreams I’ve ever had came to me over 30 years ago when I first began my search for enlightenment. I still remember it today and cherish its wisdom-- and I’m still working to embody what I learned, as it is the cornerstone of the spiritual path.

The dream began when I went to hear a lecture by a spiritual teacher, a young white man whom I admired and heard speak many times. There were hundreds of students attending his talk. They all saw him as a great guru and brought him flowers and fruit. He gave a very wonderful and inspiring talk, full of deep spiritual truths.

Then I blinked, and the scene suddenly shifted, and I seemed to travel into the future. I knew somehow that I had advanced spiritually, and was now attending another spiritual lecture. This time it was held in a very unusual futuristic building. But I noticed there were much fewer students in attendance than the previous lecture.

I realized it was because this time the teacher was a black man, and racial prejudice kept people from hearing the same deep spiritual truths from him. I was told that any type of prejudice could prevent someone from hearing the same great truths. Some people couldn’t hear it from a woman, or from someone of a different religion, for example. But I knew I was more advanced now, and I could accept deep spiritual teachings from any authentic teacher, regardless of how he or she appeared.

But then most remarkably, the scene shifted again and knew I had advanced even further on the spiritual path. Now I was in the kitchen of an ordinary house and there were hardly any other students left. I knew I was there for the same deep spiritual teachings, but where was the teacher?

Then the realization suddenly hit me: the teaching at that moment was doing the dirty dishes in the sink with love!

Now I’m one of those people who don’t exactly get super excited about doing the dishes. So this realization made me feel sick to stomach. I had to lie down. I just couldn’t believe it! So this is the really advanced teaching?!!

Yes, I was told inwardly. It’s all about finding the Teacher within you--not outside yourself. You find the face of God that is your own face. The Buddha said, “Look within: thou art the Buddha.” Your true Teacher is your soul, the Divine Presence within you. This is where you’ll find your most reliable source of guidance for your life. When you work with your inner Teacher, you learn to do everything with love, even the most mundane tasks such as the dishes. You learn to be more fully present in each moment, more fully awake and aware.

This dream reminded me of the ancient wisdom, “Before enlightenment, chopping wood, carrying water. After enlightenment, chopping wood, carrying water”—but now you do everything with love."

Here are a few more of my favorite articles from the site, some offering great meditations:
ATTENTION: The Most Precious Resource
How to Keep Spiritually Sane in Challenging Times
The Art of the Observer

Palm Beach Gardens Bridal Shower for Justine

I had the pleasure of photographing a friend's bridal shower! Justine will be marrying Greg in less than one month. I'll also be photographing their wedding and if this shower is any sign of things to come, you'll be sure to know why I'm honored...the whole event this past Saturday was just beautiful! From the hibiscus iced tea to the gourmet buffet, to the devotion of the guests to honor Justine's committment to the blessed life that we know she and Greg will share together. Here are just a few photos of the day:


The Atmosphere


Table Settings


The Food!


Tasty Hibiscus Tea


The Beautiful Bride-to-Be and the Flowergirl


The Cake (Yum!)


Some of the Lovely Guests


Traditions


Junior Bridesmaids and the Flowergirl practicing their Smiles

Thank you Justine for an opportunity to share in your joy. You're going to make a beautiful bride!