Balance is not stillness (Cinematic Wedding Photography, SC)

I used to think that balance was stillness. I assumed if I could achieve balance, I'd be at peace, the eyes of my heart watching my circumstances, with me just outside the scene; a mere spectator in total stillness.

But I was wrong...

Balance is movement. The very fact that life is always moving, means if we stop at any point we are eventually moved along with life whether we like it or not. To respond to life as if we can stop it, by not moving with it or giving up, is absurd. What in life do we have control over?! There's only one thing. And that's how we respond to it. The art of balance is subtle movements back and forth, helping us stay centered. Too much one way or another is imbalance, and certainly staying on either side can be unhealthy. I confused the state of inner stillness with balance, because I was thinking of them as synonymous, when it fact they are complimentary.

In my movement, I can also be in stillness. And as I practice balance, I can also practice quieting my soul; remembering to be here now. I find that some of the most obvious things in life, are the hardest to be consistent at doing; and yet perseverance can yield amazing fruit that not only helps me, but mankind itself.

Will I ever achieve balance? I don't know, I'm too early in my journey to say. But I can guarantee this, if I choose to sit still, I will not be any closer to balance tomorrow, than I am today; in fact i may be farther away. The act of "doing" is powerful, not just for the sake of balance, but also for the sake of inner stillness. There seems to be a paradox at first glance with what I'm saying, but I find within paradox lies the truth. It's not that it's hard to find, we just keep ourselves too busy and full of noise, so that it's not easily accessible or seen. But if we seek it, we can find it.

Wishing you well on your journey, from one explorer to another.
learning to live better,

-TJ

The Art of Living Life Pt 0.2

I am not a wise person, I am simply a person willing to ask questions. I'm not sure I was always like this. My parents may believe I was, but somewhere along the lines, I started to fear the questions that mattered most. I assumed I knew the answers, or I told myself it didn't matter, but in fact it did.

One of the most important things we can do is ask. The power of the question has led to advances in medicine to discovering new frontiers. Albert Einstein reminds us that "the imagination is greater than reality", for he knew that reality is formed out of the imagination, not the other way around.

What we believe to be true today can be disproved tomorrow because of a question. New technology, better living, and current seeming conundrums can be solved if we first take the brave step of asking a question and answering it through our imagination.

One of the best ways to find the answers, is by creating space for it. By creating space, we open up ourselves to seeing the infinite possibilities that could be, rather than focusing on what we believe just is. How can creativity survive in a confined space? Creativity was meant to breathe and expand! Our imagination cannot fully be tapped if we don't allow space for it to grow.

I was once told we love to build an idea and then create an impenetrable wall around it, fearing its destruction. And by doing so, we limit future possibilities—greater possibilities. But we must remember that through every act of creation, there was an act of creating space to allow that creation to happen.

I don't have all the answers, and I'm okay with that. I am who I am, and I am where i am. I'm not standing still. And I hope you aren't either. I'm on a journey for an extraordinary life, one moment at a time…

learning to grow farther,
-TJ

The Art of Living Life: pt0.1

There are universal experiences mankind faces, no matter where he's from. We are all born, live for some time and die. It's in between life and death where we have a chance to write our story. Our story may be one of riches and glory, or one of pain and despair, but we all have one. We all have free will and the ability to decide each day, what we will do with what we've been given.

It is my desire to become a deeper and more eloquent lover of life. This blog is more than showcasing my latest art, it's for sharing art that is my life. And as I become inspired, I want you to know. When I'm facing something hard, I want to share. When I feel love, admiration, self-pity, or nothing at all, I want to write the experience of an artists life, discovering the possibilities of "what could be" at any given moment.

There is no success without failure, joy without pain, or resolve without a reason to perservere. I am simply a journeyman and these are my tales.

I've recently been introduced a a piece of work twice in one day, from two different sources. Finding this fortuitous and lovely, I wanted to share a quote from this work.

learning to love better,
-TJ

"I beg you, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."

- Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

Beauty in the Mist: The Lovely Miss A. (Just For Him, Boudoir Photography Greenville, SC)

The Beautiful Miss D: Just For Him (Boudoir, Greenville, SC)

Ladies,

You are unique, special and one of a kind. Each of you, like the sunrise, is equally beautiful and uniquely different. No one holds the beauty that is distinctly you, other than yourself. So be bold, take a leap and see yourself in a way that's truly you and very sexy! Our Just For Him session is designed to pamper and inspire. Whether you're a mom of six, celebrating an anniversary, or about to get married, let us give you a gift that only you can give.

Take the next step, come in and find out how we can work to inspire the one you love.
We can't wait to meet you!

much love,
-TJ

email: shootme@getzcreative.com
studio: 864-354-2548