Experience: It's Something You Do

I was just thinking about all of the photographs I have taken over the last 6 months. I no longer have many
photographs of a night out on the town, or a girl’s trip to the beach. My photographs consist of beautiful, happy children; surrounded by their elements that make them the most comfortable.


A 14 year old playing football, a 7 year old playing softball, or a 15 year old playing with the kitties in the yard. These are the memories that make my photographs unforgettable. These are the burning embers that are etched in my soul, but more importantly in my heart.

There have been days when I would stare longingly at someone else's photos and wish I was in that time or that place, laughing, enjoying life, experiencing. That last word is the most important one. EXPERIENCING!!!! Such a huge word, with an even bigger definition.

Experience: Practical contact with; and observation of facts or events.

When you think of experience do you think practical? Oh yeah I enjoyed watching that Bama game, it was "practical' or I loved our trip to the beach it was "practical".....I don't know what is going through your mind right now, but thinking about things I have experienced in my life do not bring up the definition of practical.


I know, I know, you are sitting here thinking well technically that’s not what the definition says…it says practical contact with…well again I repeat….there is nothing practical about the contact in life, or the things we experience in life. Experience is what makes our lives worth living; experience is what makes you smile in remembrance of a happy memory, or tear up when remembering a sad one. Let’s take a look at the second part of the definition, and observation of facts or events. I have never just observed anything and continued to classify it as an experience. Observing isn’t any fun, you have to get out and DO! Experience is the KEY to life in my opinion. Not necessarily THAT you experience everything…..but HOW you experience everything. The things and memories that I have experienced in the past year, have helped to mold me into the person I am, and they have also opened my eyes to a whole new world; a world of love, happiness, and enjoyment. They have also opened my eyes to the fact that there is more to life than I thought there was 10 years ago, 5 years ago, heck…even 1 year ago. Life is what you make it….Don’t be a benchwarmer and “practically” come in contact with observations in life….get in the game, experience everything, and play your heart out….


I believe that everything in life happens for a reason, we may not always understand that reason at the time it happens, but later on down the road we can look back and say “Oh yeah…..” In saying this I want all of you to try and EXPERIENCE life in the best way possible; no fear, no regrets, and learning from every second of it!!!!


Friends I leave you with this….


"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO - what a ride!" - Unknown