Good tidings and good vibrations to all those reading this.  As we close in on one of the most magical times of the year, I think it behooves us all to take a moment to reflect on a year gone by and what was contained in that year.  Maybe we should take a moment with each passing day to reflect on what we did during that day or even, what we didn't do.  Did we live life on our terms?  Did we fill our soul with what it needs?  Did we exemplify kindness to someone who may really need it?  

Somedays, I think we need to ask these questions more often than we do.  What if we paused at the conclusion, or even the beginning of, the day to whisper our hopes and dreams to the universe and send out positive energy to all beings with the hope they experience happiness and love to the fullest extent?  Could we become a kinder human race?  Maybe even a more thoughtful and conscious one?  

As the New Year draws ever closer, I ask each one of you who reads this to contemplate on what it means to be kind.  How can we help others smile, live life a little better and leave the world a brighter place than when we found it?  

2016 has brought this world so much in the way of negativity, especially with elections, wars on both foreign and domestic soil, families torn apart by tragedy and the endless bickering among differing political, religious and social viewpoints.  Again, I issue to anyone reading this, the challenge to go about your day seeking out how to extend kindness to others and showing them how to smile.  A simple, "You are a beautiful soul" or "You are important and special" could mean the difference between an average day and a day in which a fire is lit inside another soul.

Fire in the soul.  We all should seek to capture and share that emotion.  Light in the eyes.  How can we bring light to others eyes as we live our own lives?  For me, it's a combination of trying to become a better listener, writer and photographer.  The pursuit of learning the arts drives me.  The arts (photography and writing) drive this "Lost Soul".  They allow my soul to become aflame with creativity and join my conscious to the Divine.  They help soothe the rocky spots and challenges in everyday life.  In the most mundane moments of the day, I can turn my gaze from the windshield of my car or the window of my office and see beauty.  I can envision the story of the scene and the words t describe it.  Then it is up to me to capture it on film and etch into the fabric of the moment, words, to adequately convey the emotion.  That is my fire.  That stirs my soul.  That moves my being.  It drives me to be better.  So many of us may be driven by our "career", but does that fill your soul?  Answer honestly to yourself and not to those who you interact with everyday...  Ask yourself this question, "What sets my soul on fire?".  Answer it.  Then live the answer.  

As 2017 nears, I make this promise, this vow to be woven into the fabric of my life, to allow my soul to be on fire again.  To seek more time in the mountains, behind the glass of my camera and capturing everyday beauty with words befitting of it.  What is yours?

I wish the blessings of the universe to each of you, with positive energy to fill your heart, fire to move your soul and make you see to see the beauty in everyday life.  Live.  Be kind.  Be fierce.  Be free.  Be on fire...

"...Every summer sun
Every winter evening
Every spring to come
Every autumn leaving
You don't need a reason
Let it all go on and on..." -Enya "Wild Child"

"Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures and kill nothing but time" 

Namaste.