Your Turn...

You know how you are afraid to put something on paper or say it out loud because if you put it “out there”, then satan knows your plans and tries to squash them? Throws monkey wrenches in your way so you quit or give up? Well, that is where I am. I have something HUGE to tell you, however, I am cautious because I have had satan after me before…and I did not like it. In fact, I won’t even capitalize satan’s name. Yes, I know. What grade am I in?

Moving on…

Well, here is where we can separate those with faith and those with fear, I guess. I prefer to think of myself full of faith, although, I must confess, I operate out of fear sometimes, too. Being somewhat of a control freak, when I am not the one in control, I become fearful. For example, when our children were little and wanted to spend the night away from home, I would become fearful of what they may get into…because no one will ever look after my children like I do. Ever thought that way? Same thing in life…I want to know how things are going to turn out before I commit to them, especially high risk or “out of my comfort zone” choices…

God’s sense of humor. Allowing us to think we are in control. Hysterical.

Now, we make choices and decisions…and I dare say, a lot of times we make these decisions without prayerful thought, consideration, or the request for divine guidance. We just dive in, doing what we want, when we want, how we want, with whom we want. Then, like magic, things fall apart and we are left on our knees, begging God to take control and save us. Well, this decision to move forward with what I am about to tell you is new and different for me because I have sought Godly counsel and have prayed for His guidance. I am not in control but I am a servant to He who is.

(Seeking God before I jump into something…this is new and different for me!!!)

Let me build this up as much as possible…

I love photography.

I have played around with some photography the past couple of years. Had a nice camera but could not understand the user’s guide…so I just self-taught.

Big Daddy bought me the pièce de résistance of professional cameras, the Canon EOS 7D…with additional lenses!!!

As I cooed over my new camera, I knew my time to return to work was rapidly approaching, so I gave myself a deadline of one calendar year to make “X” number of dollars so that I can pursue photography as my primary source of income and leave the working world.

I was also given extensive classes on professional photography which I begin this month...

In the past two weeks since receiving my camera, I have been on two photo shoots. Through these photo shoots which I have not publicized on my photography website because I don’t have one ready yet, I have received requests to do 3 senior portraits, 1 dance costume portrait, 1 engagement shoot, and several family portraits.

I came back to work this past Monday, as in five days ago. On Day 2, I was told that the office I currently work for is being dissolved into positions at Ft. Bragg, NC within the next 18-24 months. Today, as in Day 5 back to work, I was told if I want to remain with this company, I need to begin applying for jobs within NOW or start packing up for Bragg.

I am not going to Ft. Bragg. Period. Our life with our children is here.

I ask Babs and Lucy if they feel I am being presumptuous in thinking that this is God’s way of guiding me down the right path, His path, and leading me to open my own photography studio and follow my passion.

And here I sit…contemplating what is real and true versus what I want to be real and true.

I have moved forward in so much as getting with a young artist and working on a logo. I have the name of my business. I have ideas galore. My mind races at the very thought of taking pictures, capturing moments, and living my dream. Not many people get to…but do many people try to?

So, let me hear from you. Based on the above information, what do YOU think? Now be careful because it is incredibly easy to encourage someone to follow their dreams when it does not interfere with paying your electric bill or buying your groceries, so please be honest with me. Is there room for another wannabe-photographer out there? Do you think it wise to even consider leaving the traditional, working-for-the-man job when you have teenagers heading toward college soon? Is it selfish and short-sighted to want to pursue this when I have a family to help care for? Is it a leap of faith or self-centered "me"-ness? Should my energy be spent in doing other things like saving the rainforests or going green or coming up with a way to stop global warming? (For the record, I am not that smart.) When you consider the economy and this proposition, do you feel compelled to run toward me screaming “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?!?!?!? CLOCK IN!!! CLOCK IN!!!”

Ok. You get the idea…now tell me your thoughts…and yes, without seeing any of my photos, which most of you have not, this is not easy...sorry, but let's just assume I am at least, pretty good. And thanks for the feedback.