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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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.

Dreamer

This thought I seed
In fertile matter
Though grey it lies
Endures the chatter

Speaking of hope
Romancing the day
A dreamers note
Soon will play

by James Olmos ~

The 10th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal. A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Ten - Dreamer

We march forward with thoughts and ambitions. We secure hope in the matter of truth while light frees our conscious. Allow your dreams to live in light

From Self Portrait Journal - 52 Project

Take action to your dreams, allowing forever to consume today.

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

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'

Singer

Stay with me
Hold me like you feel at home
With my soul

Cry with me
Scream your pain into my body
And shatter me

'Shatter Me' by James Olmos

The 5th photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal. A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week Five - Singer

I remember purposefully singing out of key when gathered with friends. In my teens, my friends and I would sing along with the radio while driving to a game or while hanging out at a party. I noticed that almost everyone sang out of key and I did not want to be the only one singing in key . . . so I purposefully bent my notes.

I'm not a vocalists . . . I'm a singer.

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?

Vulnerable

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

Week One - Vulnerable

I am fragile.  Yet, within fragility I am strong.  As I continue to express myself through songwriting, photography, painting and poetry . . . I offer myself up for criticism and judgment.  I also open myself to empowerment.  For there is strength and beauty found in abandonment when you release your passions in silent surrender.

Am I hiding behind this door or am I opening the door?  Do you have eyes to see beyond the shadows behind me?  Are you curious or do you even care about the passions beyond the threshold?

I do not want to be held captive by my fears.  I choose to open the door.  I know I will be broken . . . I know I will heal.

i love you.