Purpose - a nonsense-babbling blog post

1) What is your purpose in life?
2) Whose lives will you interact with and influence today?

3) Do the little nagging things really matter in the grand scheme of things?

^After a storm - Prairie Du Sac, WI: 2009

These are some of the questions that go thru my head most days. Being a husband, father, photographer, and an IT person with not much time for myself (aside from the 35 minute drive to work and and another 35 minute drive back home), I find these questions help get me thru the muck that gets tossed around. Let's face it, everyone has bad days and there are some people who like to share their bad days by tossing some your way. You have to be quick to avoid these traps, cause if you don't and get caught - then you can bring others with you (I'm totally thinking of that old 80's game Pit Fall while I write this : ). It isn't easy to stay on top and take a positive route, and it definitely wears you out if enough bad attitude is tossed your way. But the outcome if you succeed, is tremendous and uplifting - and that positiveness can also spread to others around you.

What is my purpose in life?

Honestly, I have no idea. It seems to change every so often. If I try to plan it out, then I lose focus on the magic that happens around me that I didn't expect to occur. If I had a plan, I probably wouldn't have met my wife, Nicole. So I try to live my life by enjoying the journey of life itself. I think my purpose is to learn, enjoy and teach all that I know - especially to my own kids.

^Memorial Day Celebration - Cottage Grove, WI: 2010

Whose lives do you interact with and influence today?

I feel like my life is more influenced more by others than me influencing them. I can tell you the number one person who inspires me to be a better person is Nicole. She has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. (Example: While dating we were at the grocery store in check out lane. There was a young teenager in front of us with a baby who wanted to buy some baby food and cereal, but was using food stamps. The cashier said if she used the food stamp, then the rest of the money on it would be forfeit. The young mom said to never mind as she couldn't afford to give up the extra funds. That is until Nicole stepped up and offered to pay for her groceries. This is just one tiny example of the good nature my wife has.)

^At Nicole's parents house - Merril, WI: 2008

My daughter is also a huge inspiration in my life. I believe almost everything I do these days is for her and her soon to be sister Ella. And I hope I influence some positivity in her as she grows into her own independant person.

I also try to influence anyone I photograph. 99% of people who get in front of the camera do not know what to do so they sit there stiff and not themselves. It is my job to break them out of it and have fun. This is actually the number one thing people tell Nicole and I, is that they actually had fun doing photos with us. And this makes me happy and is the reason I continue taking photographs of others. I love capturing who they are.

Do the little nagging things really matter in the grand scheme of things?

No. It can bug you, and if you get enough nagging, it can build and drive you nuts! I always try not to let it. I try to stay positive and let the little things slide off. Usually something happened to a person to make them grumpy. If you can think of that while they sling mud at you, then you know the attitude isn't directed at you personally. Try staying on the up and up, find the reasoning behind someone being grumpy and ask them about it. Typically it will help put them in a better mood cause then they have an outlet.

^Self-Family shot - State Capitol: 2009

Sorry for the long post. With the birth of our second child coming next week, I am feeling a lot of 'what is the meaning of life' and wanted to get some stuff out there. Not sure how many folks even read our posts or if this one even makes sense : ) If you are reading this, then go out and make it a great day!

^Fun with sparklers and slow shutter - Our Back Yard, 2009