Tired - worn out - sick! Caught a cold in Russia and it has progressed to a fun cough and head cold. Perhaps it was that Pigeon that I ate for dinner? :) Glad to be home. Mid-terms this weekend. THEN UNPACKING! Watching a BIG storm for the Sunday through Tuesday time frame. Could there be some snow in the air? Will have to keep an eye on it.
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I had an interesting conversation with a friend yesterday. In the middle of that conversation it struck me that what is truly important in life is that we not only find our passion but that we must also find our inspiration. Perhaps they go hand in hand. Perhaps you can never be inspired if you don’t have a passion. Perhaps yout can’t find passion if you are not inspired. No matter which comes first they are both important. They both play a role in our daily lives.
I have watched my friend Sue henry take up photography over the past year. At first, I thought she was simply interested in the hobby itself, but soon I found that she was inspiring me with her creative works. She was serious about learning how to take photographs. Her photographs told a story. Her photographs showed me what inspires her. Each one was carefully picked by her - she took the time to snap a shot of ice dripping from a tree. She took the time to photograph the fall leaves that had gently landed on the rocks near a spring. She stood outside in the cold and photographed the eclipse of the moon. One of her more striking photographs was one of her grandson - sitting by a windowsill, at Fort Massac State Park, daydreaming, no doubt about cowboys and Indians.
Inspiration is a funny thing. That which inspires one person may not inspire another. That which speaks to my heart is unique. That which speaks to Sue’s heart is unique to her. But in sharing our inspiration we inspire others in ways we may never know. Those sparks of inspiration may influence many others, some whom we may never meet. Perhaps a reminder of the little miracles that surround each one of us. The beauty of a winter mornings icicle, the color of the fall leaves, the eclipse of the moon. The eyes of a child gazing out a window.
Share that which inspires you. Inspiration was never meant to be kept a secret or hidden from the world. Art was meant to be shared. Imagine the world with no paintings. No songs. No story tellers. No photographs. No musicians.
Earlier this year, I said that my motto for 2008 was "Inspire to be Inspired". In order to inspire others WE must first be inspired. In order to be inspired we must first share that which inspires us. Inspiration comes from sharing. If Sue never shared her photographs then I would never have felt those sparks of inspiration that could only come from her. If a great speech writer had never shared his written words then perhaps we would have never been inspired by the person who delivered those words. If a singer we love, had never shared their voice with the world, then think of all the people that would have never been touched by their music. Their voice. Share your inspirations with others so that they may be inspired
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YAY - we have made it back to Canada. It is always nice to return to the Americas. It was a nice trip overseas and I am always sad to leave. I guess we will be heading by to the United States on Wednesday/Thursday. Should be home on Friday. I have two stops along the way.
Gail Stubblefield sent me this photograph - she lives near the Massac County/Pulaski
County line (Illinois). GREAT photograph and beautiful snow! (Sunday photo)
It is snowing here in Waterloo. Light snow started falling at 7:30 a.m. It looks like we might pick up a few inches. Nothing major though!
Some amazing news out of North Korea. The New York Philharmonic has performed in North Korea. They gave a historic performance to a crowd of thousands. State run television also showed it to everyone else within the country. I believe that this is a great moment in the history of their country. It is the cultural exchanges, such as this, that will bring about cracks in this communist nations walls. Bravo for all involved!
I have finally finished my "day to day" list links on the web page. You can view them here (I sort of got behind).
Kristy sent me this photograph of Lucy! She is looking gooooood!
NEW KIVA MEMBER
Farruh Nizomov is 23 years old. He runs a small shop where he produces small carts, which are used by his customers to transport food and other goods they purchase at the market to their homes. In general, the families in Tajikistan are large and, in preparation for family celebrations, individual family members purchase all of the necessary goods at the market for such celebrations. Thus, Farruh produces small hand carts and leases them to customers so they can transport their purchased goods to their vehicles or to the public transportation stops. Farruh is seeking a loan of $600 to purchase additional raw materials (e.g., wheels) required to make the carts. This would be Farruh’s first loan and he is confident that he can repay it on time.
| Name: | Farruh Nizomov |
|---|---|
| Business Name: | Services - Services |
| Location: |
Khujand, Tajikistan |
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Here are some photographs I took while in Moscow! I always enjoy bringing a statue to life. Enjoy!
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Here are some black and white photographs that I took while in Moscow. Enjoy!
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The hardship of freedom
What I once thought I knew…I know no more. What I once believed was real is now but a daydream. Perception is torn into reality.
As a child I was taught that the Soviet Union was the enemy. That these people would one day bring us great harm. That missiles might rain down on our cities – destroying our families. There was a fear of the Soviet people, these strangers. Everything I knew about them came from my history books. The teachings from those who taught me, from our politicians, from our media. There was no internet. There was no MySpace or Yahoo. I knew that that they were the bad guys and we were the good guys. They were the communists and we were the Americans. They were wrong and we were right.
What I once thought I knew…I know no more. What I once believed was real is now but a daydream. Perception is torn into reality.
My beliefs as an American, have been shaped by the policies of my government. By the news media. By my fantasies. Always thinking that freedom was not a privilege but a right. Believing that if we could just force freedom upon people then we, as Americans, would be doing the world a favor. We would be giving them something that they needed – our gift would make them a better people. Never realizing the true price of freedom. And that the price of freedom comes not only to the people of today, who it was given to, or who obtained it, but also to their children and their children’s children.
When the Soviet Union fell apart I only saw flashes of what was really going on inside each country that declared their independence. When the news video stopped and the cameras shutters stopped clicking – when the headlines no longer filled our minds with victory - the people of the Soviet Empire were left with a struggle that continues today. A struggle that will continue tomorrow. A struggle that will continue next year and the year after that.
Although it may be true that freedom is what every man, woman and child wants, we should never think that it can be delivered overnight. We should never think that true independence and freedom can happen in a year…a decade…or even a generation. It is a process. An evolution of ideas. That which took America two centuries to accept and embrace is no different here in Russia. They are but an infant – just learning to walk. Still unsure as to where tomorrow might take them. Still haunted by their own past – the demons of communism. Not quite sure who to trust. Not quite sure if their freedom is real or permanent.
The more I travel the more I realize that freedom cannot be forced upon people. It must be something that they desire. That they bring about themselves. The Soviet Union did not fall because of America. The Soviet Union fell because their people wanted their independence. Their people wanted to be free. They desired something that nobody could give them. It was always inside of them. It was always within their reach. They only needed to release their hopes…their dreams. To stand up against those who oppressed them. They only needed to believe in themselves as a people.
I have seen much while in Russia. I have seen very little while in Russia. A snapshot in time. A frame of a movie that has yet to finish. Although we may be worlds apart from this country we are and always have been neighbors. Our houses join together on this spinning globe. Russia could learn a lot from America – America could learn a lot from Russia.
Beau Dodson Photography
Some of the things I have learned since I arrived here
The older generation still does not trust their government. Their freedom is measured in something that exists today with no promise of tomorrow.
Many of the subway tunnels were dug by hand. Dug by men, women, and children who “volunteered” their time to better their country. Dug by shovels and not machines. Dirt carried out by wheelbarrows.
When you ride the subway you see the faces of the people of Russia. You see the old with hand written books – reading from the worn pages, as they pass through the underground tunnels. You see the young with their cell phones reading a book that they downloaded from an on-line store – texting their friends – reading their emails. You see the old with the heads bowed and their eyes closed – listening to the clickity clack of the rail line. Perhaps dreaming of being home in their beds. You see the young with their IPods listening to the songs of today and the hopes of tomorrow.
I have learned that you can see hardship on a face. True hardship. Not just wrinkles but stories. You can see the past by looking into the eyes of another person. When you watch those around you, here in Russia, you can see just a glimpse of what they have been through. It is different than anything I have ever seen before. I have met many older people, in many countries, but none like those of Russia. There is something different about these faces. There are lines that are deeper. There are eyes that express something that I cannot understand – I cannot relate to. These people have seen much. These people have been through much. They have stories that need to be told. So that we will not forget. So that we will not allow history to repeat itself.
I have learned to respect history. To learn from history and to be a part of history.
I have learned that fear in itself is nothing more than a fantasy of thoughts joined together to keep people apart.
I have learned that giving someone freedom does not end when the gift has been unwrapped. That freedom must evolve and sometimes it must evolve slowly. Americans are drive by givers. We believe, that once the gift has been forced on someone, that they will somehow by able to magically turn themselves into what took us 200 years to become.
I have learned that it is hard to find Maple Syrup and Peanut Butter in Russia.
I have learned that they take snow removal VERY seriously in the City of Moscow. That day and night they shovel the snow into piles to be hauled away by dirty old trucks.
I have learned that communism in itself is not necessarily bad but rather it is the power that corrupts people within the communist party – socialist party – democracies.
I have learned that the people of Russia do not hate Americans. They believe we live in a fairy tale world and many would give up everything to land on our shores.
That many people, in Russia, would like to see their country rejoin some of the ex-soviet countries. Once again forming a larger nation. A more powerful nation.
I have learned that Red Square is smaller than I envisioned and that St Basil’s is not as big as it looks in photographs!
I have learned that there are many great artists in Russia.
I have learned that the subway system is one large art museum. That each stop is a creation in and of itself. That one must take the time to see back in time – to imagine a former day – another era to truly appreciate these works.
I have learned that there are many churches in Russia. Many of them are dramatic works of madness – some rebuilt to show that the depth of a stolen spirituality.
I have been reminded that if you believe in hope that one day hope will arrive. That one day the white horse known only in fairy tales will deliver a sword of peace and prosperity.
I have been reminded that most people simply want peace for their children. They don’t hate anyone. They don’t want war with anyone.
I have been reminded that those who have freedom have a great responsibility to not take it for granted. To share it with other people. To never force it on anyone. To be patient with those whom we do not understand. That freedom will come – in time – to everyone who desires it.
I have been reminded that peace and prosperity comes at a great price. A price that cannot be measured in dollars and cents. I price that cannot be written in words. A price that can be expressed in art – in photographs – in talking with those who were there.
I have been reminded that we are a blessed people.
I have been reminded that a good photograph is part art – part skill – part chance – and part opportunity.
What I once thought I knew…I know no more. What I once believed was real is now but a daydream. Perception is torn into reality.
Beau
Beau Dodson Photography
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So if you didn’t like the pigeon 
perhaps you will like the fish???
Mikhail our guide in Russia - eating his fish. I will give this a YUCK factor of 10!
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OK, so occasionally in life you have to try something new! SOOOOO how about Pigeon! (sorry not the best picture…I was trying to sneak a photo). It actually tasted pretty good!
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Welcome to my journal. I call it a journal because I started this before "blogs" existed. Within this site you will find pages and pages and pages of my journey over the last 10 years. An incredible story of triumph, sadness, happiness, and intense battles. I run several web-sites. Most of them dealing with weather and photography - my passion. You can visit the sites through the links below. If you would like to know more about me then please visit my biography page by clicking Here.
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