Serious

Week Thirteen – SeriousThe 13th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal.  A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

The journey is life.  I’ve embraced my life’s journey and I’ve found that it’s truly about the walk. The end result “is what it is” but the brilliance of lessons learned is what shapes the heart.  I can write a song or paint acrylic on canvass; I can write one-hundred poems, photograph light in the darkness and bake a million cupcakes.  The fruit of my labor is not what defines me.  It’s the journey.

This self portrait is serious.  I take life and my journey seriously.  My passions consume the essence of surrender.  I’m defined by love.  And in love I find no boundaries . . . in contrast, I find a complete surrendering to now . . . to the journey.

http://ift.tt/1XySo6Q

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Athletic: Stretch

Stretching his hand up to reach the stars, too often man forgets the flowers at his feet. ~ Jeremy Bentham

Week Twelve – Athletic:  StretchThe 12th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal.  A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

There’s a few sub attributes in my Athletic category.  I thought it would be appropriate to begin with “Stretch”.

To lay our bodies close to the ground – upon the earth, cement, dirt, carpet or gym floor creates a connection to basics.  We find ourselves humbled as we bow, bend and find belief in the basics of presence.

As for me, I find myself, eyes closed, breath calmed and concentration focused on the moment . . . the stretch.

Rant and Side Note:
This photo should post under my “humor” category” since it looks like I have midget legs!  This is the result of my creative process as I learn how to enjoy the different pixel abusing techniques.  Don’t judge – I’ll get there soon enough

Life isn’t about reaching goals it’s about finding peace during the journey.  I put my shit out there whether it’s good or bad because I’m at peace with my creative moments.  Let it all go and love yourself today.

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And this is love . . .

 

At the end of the day all that really maters is love.

We come and go. We dine and cheer. We give and receive.

Did we love? This is what carries over . . . love.

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The Dissonant Key

At times we can feel dissonant like a single, out-of-tune piano key.  We struggle to resonate in brilliance and to bring a presence of value back into our lives.

Maybe we’ve been played too hard or have been abused by a hand that once moved gently but has since turned harsh.  Or maybe the maestro has passed, leaving only the coldness of ivory as we long for his passionate touch to dance over us again.

Regardless, even being slightly out-of-focus or mildly out-of-tune is enough to make us mute our melody,  because we hear the false perfection of the other piano keys dancing and bouncing rhythmically.  We judge ourselves in the light of their song.

While our song sounds sad . . . always.

What if we embraced our dissonant sound?  What if we turned up the volume of what we perceive as imperfect?

Our song is valuable and the dissonant key resonates regardless of judgment.  Be differently beautiful . . . be your own song.

This is a photo I took of an old piano that was bound by a chain in a park in Washington State.  You can view more of my photography on Flickr.

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Workout Athlean WK Zero

The Athlean-X workout routine seems legit!

They have a lot of workout programs designed for your specific training goal.  And I’m excited to get started.

I’m starting with the AX-1 routine and then will graduate to the AX-2 routine.  If you want to learn more about the workouts they offer then visit Athlean Online.

This blog post is about my introduction to getting back into working out and getting back into shape.  I’ve taken a year off from any form of resistance training and now I’m ready to get back into the game!  (I tried coming back earlier this year, cause I was getting antsy, but I injured myself.)

I will try and post weekly updates with photos and video to update you on my journey.  I’ll include meal prep and share how the workout went for that week.  Just cataloging the journey for myself as you peek in.

You can watch a short video I made that briefly shares my reasoning for the break and how I plan to get back in shape.

Follow my health journey as I lose fat and gain muscle during this program.

5AM isn’t too early if passion drives your goals!

Current – Oct. 2016 (150 lbs.)

Previous – Oct. 2015 (Body Goal)

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Let Love Reign

You “think” you’re doing the right thing. But the heart is deceiving. You think that you’re supporting a cause and that you’ve chosen a side . . . but you were chosen before the beginning of time. Love is confused because it’s undefined by the counter punch of the lie. Death is a phantom – a movie – because love has been overshadowed.

 

There is an answer. Humility. Let love reign.

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Judgemental Portrait

The cool air carried the smell of alcohol over the crowded sidewalks.  Laughter, release and the midday breeze embraced the streets like a song from an 80’s sitcom . . . where everybody knows your name.

I can judge the moment or  . . . trace the light with my lens.

We choose to surrender to this earth and to our inhibitions when it’s convenient and when it’s politically correct.  We think we are our own, unique and set apart.  Fool.

Adam wore skin.

Eve reached.

Movement speaks in every direction and there is nothing you can do to stop the momentum of your life.  Nothing.

Have your opinions.  Wear your skin. Move in a direction.

Don’t judge the portrait.

He wore a bandana and he smiled . . . sometimes.

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