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‘Always do what you are afraid to do.’
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
When I was a child, I would love to say that I was fearless, but that would be a lie. Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s I was blessed with a childhood blanketed with adventure in a region teaming with kids who were always looking for something to throw a rock at or poke with a stick. Our proximity to the Ohio River provided immeasurable shenanigans and adventures. Being chased by snakes, muskrats and in a few cases angry old guys, I may well have come off as just another fearless, dirt covered kid of the day. That certainly was not the case as I was scared to death of heights and truly hated that about myself.
When God places your soul in the last generation that lived to climb trees and build really crappy, OSHA nightmare style treehouses and you are afraid of heights, you learn to joke, hide and adapt. There was a reason that I was always the “ground crew” in charge of finding dropped nails and handing up boards. I would always suck up the fear enough to climb up to the rickety newly constructed platform, look around and exclaim how great it was, then climb down as quickly as possible…never to return.
When I was about 11-12 years old my parents decided to build a large room addition on the back of our house. My father was a wonderful father in every aspect of the word. He did all the work himself as he was a jack of all trades. I can still see him with a hammer in his hand, a cigarette in this mouth and a pencil behind his ear working away. I can only remember him asking for help one time…the worse possible time for me…when it was time to shingle the roof.
As I watched my father and brother scurry up the ladder and onto the boarded roof like direct descendants of Tarzan, I stood below petrified. When dad asked me to start bringing up shingles, soiling myself became an option!
I only made it about 2/3rds of the way up the ladder before I froze in place and started shaking. I can still shut my eyes right now and see my father’s face, a mere 52 years later. The look of disappointment as he truly needed our help, was matched in his voice as he released me from my curse with the words “Just go inside and help your mother!” Just for reference, his look and tone perfectly matched the father (Darren McGavin) in “A Christmas Story” when Ralphie spills the lug nuts on the side of the road. Unlike Ralphie, I did not drop the F-bomb. However, when dad said to go help my mother, what I heard in my heart was “Get the hell off my ladder you little female sex organ!”
Isn’t it funny how what seems to be unkind words at the time can become THE most impactful, life changing words…a blessing of truth from a loved one to another. Never wanting to see his face in that light again coupled with just being tired of the fear lead me to start working on my problem that day. After dinner that evening when everyone was inside, I went out and climbed atop the small coral behind our garage. It was probably only 7-8 feet up, but it was my start. Within a week or so, I had graduated to the garage roof. Later that summer when no one was home, I conquered my Everest, the roof that started it all. As any corrective therapy goes, it took time, but when embarrassment outweighs fear, great things can happen!
Over the years that followed, I was blessed with hundreds of instances that never could have happened if I had allowed the fear to rule. From climbing our high school football field light poles in a thunderstorm to hang inappropriate sheet banners our senior year to countless high-altitude opportunities in my 20 years in the Navy. In the summer of 1992 (best guess) for Father’s Day, I asked my bride for a lone skydiving trip. She thought I was nuts, but a big part of my request was to put the final nail in the coffin of my fear of heights. When my jump master told me to “Exit the aircraft” for my jump, I did so without hesitation.
When my shoot popped open at 3000 ft, I had been instructed to immediately take the toggles and start to maneuver the parashoot. I decided it was much more important to take a few seconds to throw my arms in the air, Rocky style as the fear became that thing who would never be allowed to return.
Today, I seek out encounters that provide a fraction, maybe 1/100th of what was my fear of heights. I never feel more alive than when I am in the presence of something that can kill me. I long for the thrill of danger coupled with the blessing of being in the presence of might. Whether it is in the company of bears, bison, snakes or in this case a medium sized (8-9’) alligator, I love it!
Adventure before dementia includes the thrill of being in harm’s way.
And yes, I have Ralph Waldo Emerson and Ralphie from 'A Christmas Story' in the same tale!
This shot is from the archives and taken on the Juniper River, Florida on 09 October 2023.
He is not here: for He is risen,
as He said. Mathew 28:6a
And this is the promise that
He hath promised us, even
eternal life. 1John 2:25
Do Not be Afraid, by Philip Stopford
I took a little vacation last month and photographed in the everglades (FL) this gorg crocodile. it was so cool to me to see how relaxed they were regarding of tourism around them. having said that, this is what inspired this creation.
My life in constantly changing and soon major changes are happening!!! this photo represents my feelings. The unknown is what we as humans fear the most. I am not afraid, just excited about the future.
Afraid that the background was too dark, I thought of retaking this photo. But by then, I'd already eaten a few of the clementines, and somehow an emptier bowl just seemed...sad.
...Me doy cuenta que estoy muy emocionado, apenas puedo vaciar la mente. Creo que es la emoción que sólo un hombre libre puede sentir y que ha recobrado la esperanza, un hombre libre al principio de un largo viaje cuyo final es incierto...
Scarecrow's hood has been upgraded to reddish brown, but more importantly... I finally found some Batman CMF's. Catman's cowl and belt go splendidly with the suit from the Ra's set, and I threw in the gas mask head for good measure.
I am afraid cannot think of any catchy titles for these Lake Martin images. They are all just a combination of trees water and reflections. So # 2 will have to do
THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT AND FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE A COMMENT IT’S MUCH APPRECIATED.
IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW MY STREAM I SUGGEST YOU OUGHT TO READ MY PROFILE FIRST
As featured on The App Whisperer Weekly Showcase 19th May 2013
theappwhisperer.com/2013/05/19/the-app-whisperer-flickr-g...
London Lives Series
Hipstamatic only.
“Есть свет. Надежда есть. Христос призвал: «Не бойтесь!», и я призываю вместе с ним. Потому что страх очень плохое руководство. Господь с нами. Мы пережили не одно бедствие, и это переживем с Божьей помощью. Механизмы гибридной войны, которая против нас ведется, направлены на то, чтобы устрашить человека. Парализовать его волю, способность ясно мыслить, действовать, добро делать. Я уверен, что когда мы делаем добро, мы становимся очень сильными. Поэтому такой мой совет: хотите почувствовать собственную силу — творите добро! И тогда вы увидите, что мы способны быть очень сильными.” Блаженнейший Святослав Шевчук
“There is light. There is hope. Christ called: "Do not be afraid!", and I call with him. Because fear is a very bad guide. The Lord is with us. We have experienced more than one disaster, and we will survive this with God's help. The mechanisms of the hybrid war that is being waged against us are aimed to frighten a person. To paralyze his will, the ability to think clearly, act, do good. I am sure that when we do good, we become very strong. Therefore, this is my advice: if you want to feel your own strength, do good! And then you will see that we are capable of being very strong.”
His Beatitude Svyatoslav Shevchuk
Domes of St Volodymyr's Cathedral. Kyiv.. A view from the western side.
This change was a bit unintended... I bought the wig so I could try it on Momoe. But it made her look somehow sad and dark. Then still thought to try it on Nanami and I must say that I love the result <3
Funny thing... this wig was my first choise when searching a new wig for veritas but I didn't know how monique wigs would be like and was afraid to try.. And now she still got the wig :D
a (color) outtake of a series of black and white self portraits I'm taking for the cooper union hometest, that's entitled "descent into madness"
once it's complete, I'll upload the actual series in its entirety
I shot this through plastic
This is my 80 year old grandfather known to friends and family as "Papa Hank". He is one of the most influential people in my life. The life lessons this man has taught me have shaped me into the man I've become. Aways with a quick wit and one liners that scorch, he's never afraid to call it like he sees it! I LOVE this man!
press L to see large on black!
Camera info:
Canon T2i
EF-S 15-85mm IS USM
53mm ISO 400 f/ 5.6 1/25 sec
Strobist info:
430 EXII in Orbis Ring Flash
Lightroom 3
CS5