The Journey Continues

Thanksgiving comes at a perfect time for me this year. Though there have been challenges and losses, which are part of life too, there have been many amazing miracles that I have experienced.  So much growth, connection and love and for that, I am eternally grateful.

It's so easy to get caught up in the "Doingness" of life and even though I absolutely love what I do, I also allow it to consume me sometimes and I forget about other important aspects in my life.  I wake up early and jump on my computer instead of meditating or taking a walk. I roll over and pick up my iPhone to see if I need to tend to anything right away.  I worry that I don't have a beautiful photograph to put on Instagram for that day... or a good quote.  If I'm not diligent in my daily practices, I will allow the technological neurosis of the times to set in and eat me up.  So Thanksgiving and Hanukkah come at a great time....   I get to stop for a little bit and give my energy and love to reconnecting with people and I get to be social.  I emerge from the bubble I've been in and I find myself really wanting to listen to others... hear about their stories, their lives.... as I have been so engulfed in my own.

It's a balance... one that I am sure I will always struggle with... but I am learning that that too, is a part of life.... not the struggle, but the quest for balance... and I am grateful that at some point, I can feel the need for realignment and as I sit here writing this from my office, listening to the much needed rain, I am reminded that blogging and writing in my journal, are also a part of my daily balance practice.

Wishing you all a day of internal peace and joy.

The Beauty and Wisdom Book has been released today!

After 4 years in the making, Beauty and Wisdom, the book has been released today on Amazon.com and Goodreads.  If it's something you would like to own or give as a gift, I would be happy to share this book and project with you.  If you do purchase a book and would like it signed, I am still offering that option. Just send me a note.

Meanwhile, thank you for sharing this journey with me thus far.  It has been very exciting and fulfilling living here in the country (Santa Ynez) where I continue to feel grateful every day.  The book launch at The Outpost Trading Company was wonderful, great people, delicious food and wine and a warm reception for me and the book.  Below are a few photos and a video of the reading I did of Diana Martha Clark's essay in the book.

Beauty and Wisdom will be featured in a magazine in January (Salon PS) and we'll be preparing for The Griffin Museum of Photography in Boston for March.  So lots to do and I am so grateful for that.

Sending you all wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you celebrate, and if you don't, I am sending wishes anyway for love and light on your journey.

Shine on!
Robbie

Book Launch Party and Artist Reception for Beauty and Wisdom - November 16th

I am so delighted to be having the book launch and art exhibit for Beauty and Wisdom right here in my new home town.  I am humbled by the welcoming I have experienced since moving here only four months ago.

The books will be available on Amazon.com starting November 20th and I am still taking pre-orders until then for signed books at Pre-order Book. 

It's been a wild and beautiful ride so far.... out here in the country... the irony is, I've never been so busy in my life!

I have so many people to thank for helping me along the way.  My friend and book designer Charles Guice, for one, gave the book  style and class.... and Marta Moran who walked me through the process of self-publishing, is truly an angel.... and Sarah Wilkinson who came with me to Barnes and Noble to research other photo books and who also came to my house to teach me InDesign after I told her I could never do it.... She was right.... I could.

As I consider this whole project a collaboration, so do I consider the production of this book a collaboration... I certainly did not do this all by myself and I know that without the help of my generous and caring friends.... I would be crying somewhere, very frustrated and despondent!  So.... thank you.... thank you, thank you, thank you , thank you.

And if you happen to be in the country this weekend... please!  come by and have a drink of wine, soda, and say hello!

The Most Beautiful Poem about Beauty and Wisdom

Weathering

My face catches the wind
from the snow line
and flushes with a flush
that will never wholly settle.
Well, that was a metropolitan vanity,
wanting to look young forever, to pass.
I was never a pre-Raphaelite beauty
and only pretty enough to be seen
with a man who wanted to be seen
with a passable woman.

But now that I am in love
with a place that doesn't care
how I look and if I am happy,
happy is how I look and that's all.
My hair will grow grey in any case,
my nails chip and flake,
my waist thicken, and the years
work all their usual changes.

If my face is to be weather beaten as well,
it's little enough lost
for a year among the lakes and vales
where simply to look out my window
at the high pass
makes me indifferent to mirrors
and to what my soul may wear
over its new complexion.

~ Fleur Adcock ~