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The moment you wake up, right away, you can smile.
That’s a smile of enlightenment.
You are aware that life is offering you 24 brand-new hours to live, and that’s the most precious of gifts.
Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay)
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The past couple of weeks have been so peaceful. Coming back to the desert brings lots of solitude, relaxation and time to ponder. Sitting out at night in front of a fire…glasses of wine…lit candles…the scent of the desert…all precious gifts. As we head into a new year…I love the thought of thinking about days being 24 brand-new hours…don’t you? So simple, yet so profound.
Upon returning from Vietnam, I went out to update my “countries visited” on my about page of this blog. I also revisited what I wrote about myself a couple of years ago and it’s interesting…no big change! My life continues to swirl around photography and as I mentioned in my description…I may not be able to “change the world” but it all starts with “one person at a time…” But…the one person at a time has become much more meaningful due to my experiences this past year. You see I used to think making a difference had to be on a grander scale to be impactful…but I’ve learned otherwise…perhaps enlightened as Thay says in his quote?
Whether it was in the remote villages of Nicaragua, in the highlands of Peru, or in the countryside of northern Vietnam…it was touching one person at a time that brought such joy this past year. I’ll never forget the woman on the Rio Coco washing her pots and pans in the river and her huge smile when I handed her a tube of pink lip gloss…or the children in the Tan Dan village when they ran home from school to show off their new gloves and pencils…or the excitement in the faces of both young and old when they held a copy of their very own dress photo of themselves…often the first one ever.
Recently I came across this vision for Scorpios…(who doesn’t love a good horoscope!)…There is going to be so much spiritual growth for you during the ending of 2015 and moving into 2016. This will be a time that you really learn how to trust the life process. You may be tested and guided to the edge of cliffs, but from the strength of those moments will come a totally brand new way to learn about life and how to manifest with energy. You are becoming wiser to the ways that deal with bringing in more stability and they come from your focus on giving back and making a difference in this world. The more you do for others, the more you will receive.
Well…I say that pretty much sums it up! Here’s to 2016!
So stay tuned! Got a giveaway coming up and I’ve already picked the winner! gg
Happy New Year!
(p.s… Made this image in the village of Pa Co…an hour or so outside of Mai Chau in northern Vietnam…fortunate to partake in a little corn-based spirits with these two! Can’t wait to tell you all about that…soon! And btw…if you enjoy traveling…consider adding a polaroid camera or pocket sized printer and some film to your packing list…you’d be amazed at what wonderful moments you’ll enjoy with others!)
Yes Yes Yes to all of this! The wonderful quote, the lovely image, the perfect horoscope for you and the pink lip gloss for the lady on the Rio Coco and the great advice of having a polaroid camera on our travels. You are one smart cookie, I hope the evening fires and calm scents of the desert continue to bring you peace and happiness.
Wishing a joyful New Year for you both xoxo
Thanks sweetie! I wish you all the joy, peace and happiness too! 2016 has plans for us!!! xo
You inspire me so!
I love your travels and that you take me along for the ride:)
SOOOOOOO much thanks for stretching my world,
Jennifer
Oh…thank you Jennifer! That’s what I so love about blogging and sharing…we all learn from each other! Happy New Year!
First of all, Robin, I love the image that accompanies your post…and you know how much I love quotes, especially when they fit “the occasion” perfectly. I know these past two years have been shaping you in new ways. It makes me want to spend time with you again to see how much I can “see” the change. 🙂 Let’s make that happen sooner than later.
Thanks so much Ginnie…we must figure it out for 2016! So love all of your support! xoxo
You are a smile maker and your light shines bright in the world. Bro and I are blessed to have you in our lives. Many blessings throughout the New Year! xoxo
So sweet…thank you!!!! Love you two so much! xoxo
Happy New Year Robin! Well if that horoscope wasn’t the perfect one for you! Can’t wait to see where 2016 takes you and your camera! So happy I wandered into your blog (thanks to donna @ http://www.patchworkphotos.com). Let’s hope we can all meet this year!
Happy New Year Cathy!! Isn’t that horoscope just the best? So happy our paths crossed too! You’ve inspired me with all your travel postings, as well as your willingness to share so much information with trip planning. Yep, we’ll have to buy Donna a glass of wine (or tea…coffee…) for being the conduit! Yes, here’s to meeting in 2016…we can do it!!
Robin, I always love your pictures, and I’ve certainly seen a photo within a photo before, but this image that you made in Pa Co feels as though it will stay with me forever! I’m not sure if this is because I know you and can imagine the interaction that led to the picture-making or if it is simply the warmness of the image that hints at the story to be revealed. But either way, this is a meaningful picture. What a wonderful quote and horoscope for the year. I do believe that once we set our sights and minds to a certain way of living, there are “signs” everywhere we turn – that we are on the right path, that our life is significant, and that we truly can make a difference to one to another. One is actually my favorite number (not as in “we’re number one, or ME first) but as in the number of importance, for each of us matter, each of us are useful and contribute, and each one of us count on another ONE. Yes, to meeting you and Cathy in person in 2016!
Thanks so much Donna…I love that image too. It puts me right back to sitting on this old couch…in a dark musky room…with just a little light coming from the window. The steam from the tea…and then the slow burn of this corn liquor not knowing if I would be sick for days to follow! (but I wasn’t!) Ha! Couldn’t agree with you more about “signs.” I truly believe that too and I love how you express about the number “ONE.” I know you love to photograph and you are one great photographer…but I hope 2016 will also steer you to writing more. Seriously. You have such a gift. And YES to a meet-up in 2016 with Cathy! Let’s make it happen!! xo
Happiness is to make someone smile , to bring warmth and meaning to another persons life. All of that is reflected in the beautiful way you photograph people , the way they open up to you , the way they smile at you.
We cannot change the whole world but pink lip gloss is a great start! Love and have a wonderful year ahead.
I love your first sentence…so much in those few words. Thank you…so agree! Always so appreciate your ongoing support…and just can’t wait to see you in June and hopefully in your neck of the woods later in the year! Yes, here’s to one pink lip gloss at a time to create change in the world!!! xoxo
It is always a joy to visit your blog and be inspired. Your pictures are of high quality, showing the real world.
We all change, we all grow if we want to let that happen.
Once you told me, when you approach people with a smile they will be kind to you too.
Thank you for sharing your life with us, we hope to meet up again one day soon.
Love and hugs.
Thank you so very much. You sure know how to make a gal feel good!
I’m touched by your words and ethos… the concept of one person at a time is a beautiful one… funny thing when I come here it always sparks a memory of my own, this time when I was collecting from a Chinese takeaway, with my meal the young girl assistant handed me a simple handmade bracelet. I will never forget this simple act of kindness. Yes, “Trusting life’s process and giving back”, lessons for us all… Thank you and Happy New Year. x
Thanks Susan for your visit and thoughts. I’ve always strived to live under the wise words of Mary Angelou…”I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” It’s always those small acts that are remembered the most…I think. love your story about the bracelet. Here’s to “starting anew…just twenty four hours a day…one day at a time.” I’m looking forward to following along…
Beautiful photo and a great quote, Robin, what a life changing attitude! And I love your “one person at a time” idea, so much to think about… Happy New Year!
Thanks so much Petra! Happy New Year to you too! I’m looking forward to watching your still life photography grow this year!
The universal law of tenfold, – when it comes from he heart, a smile, a kind word, or an unexpected show of kindness is multiplied tenfold. Lovely quote and so true.
Yes! Love that! Thank you! xo
In college I was overwhelmed with the state of the world and how to help. I asked my prof in Contemporary World Affairs about it, and he said, “one person at a time.” Although that has stuck with me, I forget, and still I get anxious about it all. So thank you for writing about it, and showing me in very real ways. You inspire me TO NO END. xoxoxo
That’s wonderful!! I have seen my father focus on “one person at a time” my entire life…it’s funny how some things you just have to learn and it takes years, ha ha! Thank you ever so much!! xoxo!
Dear Robin,
I absolutely love your photography. Also love your writing, and what you are sharing in this post.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2016.
EmCi
Thank you so much!! Wishing you one as well!
Robin I adore your adventures and these wonderful people who you impact and who impact you….I can’t wait to read more of these inspirational stories. Here’s to a fabulous New Year!
Thanks Donna! Love sharing them and love that you enjoy them! Thanks so much and Happy New Year to you as well!
I so admire your spirt of adventure and the love you spread all around you as you go. I so enjoy the bounty of your fantastic wanderlust.