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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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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Discover The Portrait

It was cold and my fingers were numb.  Though, the sunlight was beautiful.

I traced the light with my lens.

I heard the fall leaves crackle under my feet as I walked across the faded green lawn.  I would pause and let the sun kiss my face.

The American flag clapped and whirled as it hung proudly on the side of a darkly aged brown barn.  Remember.

I’m still in the beginnings of tracing light, molding and shaping shadows.  Though something in me is reflecting outward.  It causes pause.

The portrait is always a portrait.  I don’t create it.  The image has spoken and continues to speak, with or without me.

My eye does not see, it discovers.

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Portrait Shows Truth

Some things are not always what they seem.  Yet change is a direction worth understanding and light does not lie.

I came here to find an outlet and I discovered a reason.  No reason should be left uncovered because it can lead to deeper truth.

It dawned on me that I needed to shift to the left, but I didn’t understand the reason.  So I remained where I stood.  Who knew.

Reaching for knowledge isn’t like reaching for flower.  Or is it?  When’s the last time you went hunting for knowledge after being startled awake from your dream?

A poem does not press well in a book.  It needs breath.  A tongue shall release knowledge like a poem.  And a portrait will eventually show truth.

As my lens traces light . . . knowledge will become known.

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Her Portrait Stands

Hard work takes you to the moment you’ve been dreaming about.  Seek every opportunity, without hesitation and release any anchors.

She had purpose and her focus was set on her intentions.  The only thing she abandoned was her fear.

The day was over but the sun was still hot.  The smell of the dirt, as it settled to the ground, was familiar and soft.

She knew she was loved.

She knew she loved.

It wasn’t a physical strength that empowered her, it was the passion in her heart.

You can be captivated or you can capture.  Chin high, leading with your gut.

The portrait stands.  It’s forever.  Because I traced the light with my lens.

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Brutal Truth

truth noun ˈtrüth

Something which would probably upset a great many of people if it were known and made public . . . Truth.

Urban Dictionary ~

How would you define truth?  Brutal honesty:  You look fat in those jeans!

I’ve been processing the value of brutal honesty for awhile.  As a songwriter I always craved brutal honesty and I never found myself feeling offended by someone’s opinion.  I’d rather receive critical feedback over sympathetic lies. But that’s me.

People will ask my opinion about their looks or ideas, songs, blogs, photos or poems . . . and my typical reply is, “Do you want me to answer or answer honestly?”  Most respond with, “Just answer.”

My question is this:

Would more harm or good come from brutal honesty?

Would marriages last longer?  Would parents respect their children more?  Would prospective employers be more apt to hire you?  Would your grandmother disown you? (Thanks for the pink Snuggies, gammy!)

We don’t need to be cruel with our response, but we can practice respectful honesty.

I was approached last year by a team who wanted to collaborate on a song I wrote. I agreed, and when they submitted the production to me I shared my thoughts.  I felt they completely missed the essence of the song.  It was a very professional recording with brilliant musicianship . . . but there were aspects of the composition that did not sit nicely with the intention of the song.

The musicians seemed so upset at my remarks that they never continued corresponding. I even shared my encouragement to continue the collaborative journey.  They abandoned the project.

Do you value brutal honesty in your relationships? What would your knee-jerk reaction be and how would you process the answer?

I seek truth most of the time but sometimes the truth hurts me. The closer I draw to the light of truth in my life, the more I realize my lies, pains and spiritual distance. I need to force myself to take personal inventory and remove the negative aspects from my life. Truth removes the negative when you accept the pains of the lie.

Do the right thing and enjoy truth in Life’s Moments ~

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Color Me Portrait

Her joy led me in as her smile captivated my soul.  She was a colorful light and my lens discovered freedom once again.

Run with me again. Sprint to this finish line with zeal upon your heart for life’s race has many colors. Colors that you’ve never realized.

Not because your eyes were closed. Not because your heart was poor. You’re not bound unless you allow yourself to be bound.  So let light and color discover you.

She reached down and traced her finger in the dust before deciding to animate it. Her decision created life.  Motion is a good thing.

So I traced her light with my lens.  A portrait of motion.

Her action was not distracting, it was invigorating because of her smile, because of her heart’s intention.

My intention?  This day?  You.

The color of grace is boundless.

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Child Portrait

The child.

Resting humbly, not from exhaustion but from smiling, dreaming and living.

This pause is framed in poetic assurance that the playful past will repeat.  I sing.

I traced her with my lens.  I covered her in darkness, then in folded rest she brought forth light.

Her shadows are not dark; contrarily, her shadows are softened light.  Don’t judge.

A portrait?

Did I take a photo or did I respond to her dream with a reverent click.

She whispered into the face of a dragon.  She drew her sword while standing on the back of a caterpillar.

This child.  This pose.  This resting place of light.

Come to this place without reaching and without action but with intention to be filled again in order to dream bigger.

A prayer or a pose?  You choose.

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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

From Self Portrait Journal - 52 Project

The 12th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal. A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Twelve - Athletic: Stretch

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.

Sound Engineer

i love you i hate you

A love–hate relationship is an interpersonal relationship involving simultaneous or alternating emotions of love and hate – something particularly common when emotions are intense.

The term is used frequently in psychology, popular writing and journalism.  It can be applied to relationships with inanimate objects, or even concepts, as well as those of a romantic nature or between siblings and parents/children.

Wikipedia ~

The 11th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal.  A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Eleven - Sound Engineer

I love writing songs.  I hate recording.  The sound engineer hat fits uncomfortably on my head and so I don't enjoy wearing it.  It means that I have to sit for long periods of time, listening to my voice, guitar and recording mistakes over and over and over and over . . . I have to learn about mixing, mastering and monitoring sound.  I hate it.

I just want to write songs . . . I'm a songwriter . . . (fine!) and a sound engineer (sometimes).

From Self Portrait Journal - 52 Project

Listen to my "Take One Project" @ www.jamesolmos.com where I simply hit record and sing, then with minimal editing, post to Soundcloud.

Responsible

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  I Corinthians 13:11 - God

The 9th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal.  A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Nine - Responsible

I have failed miserably at setting my childhood ways behind me.  I guess that makes me a huge sinner in God's eyes according to this Bible verse.  I focus on doing what's right and I teach my children to do the right thing as I offer them the "space" to make their own decisions and to either fail or succeed.

I'm a responsible father and I mirror my own father's examples.  He's been caring for my mother who's been recently challenged with health issues.  Dad still finds the space for childlike humor.  Smiles and laughter heal.  And childhood ways should be embraced.

Adulthood does not mean that you need to surrender your gifts.  It does not mean that you allow yourself to become wound so fucking tight that you push out the joys and healing aspects of simplicity.

I encourage you to become five years old again.  Buy a stuffed animal; give it name; and smile.

I love my parents.

From Self Portrait Journal - 52 Project

www.jamesolmos.com

Guitarist

"And when my mind is free You know a melody can move me And when I'm feelin' blue The guitar's comin' through to soothe me

Thanks for the joy that you've given me I want you to know I believe in your song And rhythm and rhyme and harmony You've helped me along Makin' me strong"

~ Dobie Gray

The 8th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal.  A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Eight - Guitarist

"The guitar's comn' through to soothe me . . ." is a lyrical line that I can identify with. I've been playing guitar for over 30 years.  Unfortunately, I'm not much better at playing than I was 20 years ago.  I don't play guitar to improve; I play cause it brings me into a moment. And I don't reside on planet earth to impress; I live to love.

I love playing guitar.

From Self Portrait Journal - 52 Project

To hear my songs please visit my website.  www.jamesolmos.com

Humorous

"Dude, sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something."  ~ Jake The Dog

The 7th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal.  A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Seven - Humorous

I love the cartoon comedy, Adventure Time!  "What time is it . . . Adventure Time!"

We all need a break from the monotony of life and humor can bring relief.  My dad continues to make me laugh, even in his 70's.  And I've been the silliest dad I know to my three boys.  There's something about the kind of laughter that throws you to your knees and buckles you into fetal position, that's healing.

Do you take time to heal . . . I mean, laugh?

From Self Portrait Journal - 52 Project

Here's an uplifting song I wrote a long time ago titled, 'I Don't Fight It'

Adventurer

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, HELL YEAH what a ride!" ~Author Unknown

The 6th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal.  A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Six - Adventurer

My oldest son went skydiving for his 18th birthday . . . I joined him.  I constantly take risks.  Sometimes they're well thought out and highly calculated and other times I simply step off the edge.

I fail daily . . . but I rise to succeed.

From Self Portrait Journal - 52 Project

Casual

“Relax. Refresh. Renew. Play. Sing. Laugh. Enjoy. Forgive. Dance. Love. Hug. Share. Kiss. Create. Explore. Hope. Listen. Dare. Trust. Dream. Learn. TODAY!” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

The 4th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal.  A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Four - Casual

Living in Southern California, I'm a pretty casual guy.  You'll usually find me outside of anything stylish in regards to fashion . . . jeans and t-shirts . . . shorts and tank tops.  I'm far from lazy though; I'll give 110% to things I'm passionate about and you could never pull me away from things I've set my mind to accomplish.

In contrast, I'm extremely distracted.  (ADD)

P.S. I absolutely love my red chair.

From Self Portrait Journal - 52 Project

Listener

“The word 'listen' contains the same letters as the word 'silent'.” ― Alfred Brendel

The 3rd photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal. A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Three - Listener

I've always considered myself a good listener. I've never been one to talk a lot so listening came natural. I can drive for hours, with the radio turned off, and just be with my thoughts. I can lay down, my back to the earth, close my eyes or stare into the sky and just "listen".

I've always been this way.

When I write the lyrics to my songs, or when I write poetry, I sometimes just listen to the melody or rhythm in my head, then write a few words . . . pause and listen . . . then write a few more words.

Silence is the breakthrough to listening.

Perceptive

Week Two - Perceptive

People speak volumes about themselves in the simplicity of being; we only need "eyes" to acknowledge it and process it.

The 2nd photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal. A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

I see. Sometimes I sit in silence with my eyes closed. There is so much that we can learn about ourselves with our eyes wide shut.

Have you ever "just known" something about someone? Maybe you've never met before, yet you have a sense about them. I don't consider this judging or profiling; it's intuitive perception of the soul, mind and spirit.

Do you allow yourself to be perceptive beyond what you know?