My Christmas Wish For You

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope this note finds you well, and surrounded by people you love this holiday season. It seems to be a crazy time of year, with us occasionally focused on perhaps some of the wrong things, and I have spent quite a bit of time this past week reminding myself of what is important, at least to me, and I hope you'll allow me to share. And know that everything is great with me. I'm one of the luckiest people I know.

I'm sure we are all familiar with the Christmas story, and the tale of Mr. Scrooge. In that story, he was visited by 3 ghosts. I was given the amazing gift of being visited by one myself this week, the ghost of Christmas future. To say I was upset by the vision would be an understatement. I have spent much of the last few days thinking about what truly is important to me, and that, perhaps, wasn't what I have actually been focused on. Until now. So my wish to you is this. That you cherish what you have. The friends. The family. The relationships. The talents. And that you share them with the world. Not everyone is nearly as lucky as we are, and fewer still as lucky as me. These last few years have been rough for many, with lost jobs, lost homes, lost medical benefits, lost relationships, lost lives. If you are suffering from any, or all of those things, my heart goes out to you. If I can in any way, shape, or form help, do not hesitate to call me. And if you are suffering from none of those things, be thankful, and then smile. And spread that smile. Share. Talk. Hug. Tell someone that you love them. That you are happy they are in your lives. That you cherish time spent with them. And then do this little thing for yourself. Become an active participant in your own life. Put down the cell phone. Step away from the computer. Instead of shooting the next gathering you go to, leave the camera at home and be involved. Engaged. A participant. Make sure people know your there. And that they enjoyed your presence. Help your kids with their homework. Help your wife with dinner. Help a friend in need. Bring a bottle of wine over to a friends house and just chat. Better yet, chat with your spouse. Your kids. Your mom. Your dad. Your sister. But damn it, above all else, participate. 

2011 will be a very transitional year for me. I left some things behind, and I'm searching for something new. It will involve photography, of course. It will involve sharing. It will involve the transfer of knowledge. And it will involve my giving of myself, my talent, my time, my work. We photographers create a lot of work. Much of it never get's seen. I want to change that. I really wish I would just give more of my work away. To people that would enjoy it. Cherish it. Embrace it. And I think you would to. Stay tuned...

I love you all. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Now stop reading this, turn off the computer, and go make someone's day.Tell them you love them. Tell them you cherish them. Don't spend any more money. Spend more time. Tell them they are important to you. Make sure they know it. And don't you forget it. 

Happy Holidays, from my heart to yours.