LIVING with INTENTION.

This term, Living with Intention has been running through my head. Doing everything with a purpose. Consciously acknowledging what you are doing before you do it. Whether it's creating this blog, ailment cleaning the kitchen, driving to the studio, folding laundry even.  Taking a moment to mentally or verbally recognize that you are doing it - why you are doing it - and how it will affect those around you, what will it change?

For me, it makes me more aware and in the NOW of what I'm doing. Why am I writing this blog? I'm doing it for me. Feeding my soul. Bringing awareness to my day that every other day before, I wouldn't remember what I did because I was on autopilot.  Possibly the intention of what I'm doing now, is going to change me as a whole overall.  I don't know for sure, but I'd like to practice it, if only a few times each day.

I found this blog on this very subject -from zenhabits.net  Intentional Living - that explained Living with Intention much better than I can.

What does Living with Intention got to do with photography?  Attaining a dream. I feel I'm headed in a different direction in 2016 - in part because of the epiphany that I want to take back control of where my life is headed.  Be successful or not - it's up to me to make it happen.

I love these tips from the www.becomingminimalist.com on Living an Intentional Life:

• Realize that your life is made up of choices. Every morning is a new day full of decisions and opportunity. You get to pick your attitude and your decisions. You don’t have to let the circumstances of your past negatively determine the pattern of your life in the future. You have a choice in the matter. You do not need to be stuck in the same pattern of living that you have been for years… realize that every morning is a new opportunity.

• Examine yourself. Know who you are. Get a strong handle on your passions, talents, abilities, and weaknesses. Give precious time and energy to this endeavor. It is one of the most valuable things you can do.

Right now, I'm in the middle of examining myself- I know photography is more talent and all passion. So today is a new day and I'm ready to tackle it with full attention and intention. It's exciting to know this & I look forward to sharing more here about my journey in 2016.

Erin L. Clark, M.Photog., AFP, CPP

(Sunset photo is a favorite from our trip to Costa Rica in December - photographed at the beautiful Las Catalinas -on the Guanacaste coast in Playa Dante where their mission is "To build a delightful town that transforms the way the world thinks about "the good life" into something healthier, more connected, and more sustainable."  screaming live your life with intention! PURA VIDA! - where I would be happy to travel there anytime to photograph destination weddings and family portraits in this gorgeous paradise. This is just one image of many that I captured - be on the look out for more photographs from that adventure to share! ) Erin L. Clark, M.Photog., AFP, CPP