Change is something that we are either terrified by and reject at all costs or fascinated by and welcome eagerly. 
The seasons, a new hair cut, a new friend, a new school, a new job, a new home; change happens every day - both spontaneously and well-planned.  It happens for various reasons, sometimes they are obvious and sometimes they aren't - for good or maybe for worse.
Maybe the line between being afraid and being fascinated  isn't so clear, or maybe there is no line at all; perhaps our openness to change is all about timing. Are we more apt to welcome change when we are happy, or when we are at a low?
Sometimes change doesn't refer to one thing, sometimes we are looking for a change more extreme and more absolute. We read stories, surf the internet, and watch the people as they walk by; we tend to fill in the gaps with our own wishes, constructing our own stories and how we wish they applied to our lives - simultaneously we are constructing our ideal self.
Why does the concept of 'ideal self' feel so far away and so unattainable, much like the common dream of being able to fly? The image of who we want to be is so clear despite it's distance. Perhaps our ideal self is not something that is unattainable, but something that is constantly changing without obvious recognition - masking itself as something we can only dream of.

It is okay to fear change and it is okay to encourage its presence. Continue to read and continue to dream; the person you wish to be is not so far away.

I have been busy with school work and trying to remain inspired for my photo project. Words have clouded my brain in a way that I could not decipher them. 
I need a change of scenery to clear the clouds, I think.
The days have been moving so slowly - each day feels like three.
I am blessed to have a friend visiting for the next few days to help the hours go by, and to keep me inspired.  

As far as my photography goes, I have created a watermark to add to my images for the sake of the internet (somewhat visible below - moreso on my flickr). 
Also, I have joined tumblr -- However, not all of the images posted on my tumblr are mine, another reason for my watermark. You can check out my tumblr here: http://www.aspiration-inspiration-photo.tumblr.com  

I am very torn, and have been for quite some time; photography is the one way I know how to live positively. I am attending university, but a very huge part of me does not feel passionate about it in my heart. My passion lies behind the camera.

I suppose time will be the cure. 

Maybe there are answers everywhere and anywhere and we simply cannot see or notice them. Or perhaps they are tucked away, in a space that if we were paying attention we would surely see them. Maybe they are in the actions that we take, showing us answers through ourselves and yet we still wander, unaware that we are guided.
Take your steps in faith - trust that your feet will not land on glass; be careful in your decisions and be careful to not over-think. Trust that there will be answers in all moments if your eyes are keen, and hope is never lost.
Trust your mind and trust your heart and allow them to work in unison, never in competition.

This morning was the coldest of fall. The plants from summer were introduced to a straight-jacket of frost,
As cold and brittle as frost is, it truly is beautiful. The intricate designs it creates on the windows on the coldest mornings of winter are but a fading masterpiece. 

Though there are signs of winter, the sun is now beaming and reflecting off of the vibrant colours of autumn. Before the white blanket falls, I am determined to capture the beauty of fall.

The 365 day project involves taking a photo each day for an entire year in order to show both events that occurred in your life over the year, and your growth as a photographer.
This project is dreaded by many, labeled as being far too daunting each day to ever finish while remaining sane. 
Although I do agree that this project can certainly feel overwhelming at times when you realize how far you have yet to go, it has truly been a growing experience for me thus far.
This project will never be easy for anybody - life happens to everyone and you are guaranteed to have a few cheat days along the way.

If you decide to attempt this project, I don't promise that you will love it every day. I do promise, though, that you will grow an exponential amount as a photographer, your creativity will reach beyond what you ever would have imagined, and you will grow  increasingly proud of yourself as the days move on.

It is important to remember that life's greatest accomplishments never come wrapped neatly. They will encounter a few rips and tears along the way, but inside they will be as wonderful as ever.

What does it mean to be you?
-
Wake up from your dreams and open your eyes 
Only to be surrounded by what was here 
yesterday.

Living in each moment of each day
Each second dragging their heels on the ground
You are only holding on.

Cars fly on the overpass through your window
Taking the possibilities with them
ever so subtly.

The little green plant
On the table by the window
Reaches for the sun
-
What does it mean to be you?

Today is the international Mental Health Awareness day. 
1/5 of the people in the world live their lives with mental health disorders and most of them will not reach out for help.
It is important for us, as people, to get to learn the signs of these disabling disorders so that we can come together to help those who need it. 
Take a moment to consider the 1/5 ratio and all of the people in your life that could be suffering.
Awareness is the first step to accomplishments.

As much as this blog is a place for me to unwind at the end of the day and carelessly post my photos, I also am looking to get my work out there. 
A great website for both getting your website known in cyber space, and finding other interesting blogs to follow is Bloglovin. Because of this, I have decided to join the team.

If you hadn't heard of Bloglovin before now, I hope you take the time to check it out and keep my blog in mind when you're there!

Today was really beautiful. 
The kind of beautiful that you feel guilty if you don't immerse yourself in it, because perhaps you will never experience it again.
Taking things for granted is something people do far too often. I am trying to change this part of me; trying to be aware of all of the beautiful things in my daily life.

Where I live, autumn is the time of year that you can't help but notice the beauty - trees are changing daily.
This morning as I walked to class, there was a tree that was completely full of the most vibrant yellow leaves. Just two hours later, the majority of these leaves were lying on the ground, lifeless.

Beauty is a matter of perception and moments captured in time.