No "I" in Team!

I have been thinking lately about karate and how it is a team sport. . .now you may think to yourself that it is not like other typical team sports that we think about such as softball, basketball, football and even bowling. . .but think about this for a moment. . . . joining karate was a tough decision for me but having done so has really added something to my life.  I have met some wonderful people through karate and one in particular who started just about the same time as I did.  Somehow, we have stuck together through classes and our belt promotions and when I thanked him. . .he said “there is no I in TEAM”. . .and that is when I started looking at karate as a “TEAM” sport.  It is the encouragement to continue. . .to persevere through those days that are tough. . .the push to go forward towards the goal.  Without that, I am not sure I would have continued and I have become most thankful to my team members – especially Steve – who has really shown me the true meaning of “there is no I in TEAM”  Thanks – and onward and upward towards our goal of Black Belt!

Alex

Took this picture of Alex at one of her softball games. . .i just found it as i was looking for a picture to put on the Christmas cards i plan on making. . .i did not choose this one (although i really love it) i decided on one of her in the snow!  she has the most amazing eyes and i love any opportunity to try and capture them!

Beach Time

Getting back to my photography. . .we went to the beach one afternoon to have dinner on the beach.  Of course, i jumped at the chance to pull out my camera and take some photos!  i love being able to take many many pictures even if it only produces one or two that i like.  There are so many angles to look at something and many different lighting situations.   i also just enjoy being at the beach and listening to the sounds of the ocean as each wave crashes on to the shore - only to be followed by another one. . .the sound of the seagulls as they fly overhead and even the many smells of being at the beach.  It is the one of the most relaxing places to be.  Being from Colorado originally, i do miss the sight of the majestic mountains but there is something to be said for the sounds of the ocean!

I saw this piece of wood that had washed ashore and i was caught by the tiny shells that attached themselves to it.  It just struck me as interesting - so - of course - i needed to capture that on film!  (how funny that i say "film" when in reality, there really isn't much film anymore.  It is the world of digital images!  it makes me miss the days of the dark room and spending hours perfecting a picture. . .that to me was really being creative. . .taking a picture and changing it through light filters and shading and developing.

of course what photo shoot would be compete without a couple of shots of my beautiful daughter!  One of my favorite subjects!

The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

I found this story today in file on my computer that the previous woman at my job had used and i loved it.  i thought that i would share it with you all as a thought for the day.
Enjoy and Peace!!

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar… and the coffee…
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous “yes.”
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, ” I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else – the small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”