Ted.aily: I am the world's worst reader.

I am the world’s worst reader.

Don’t let that fool you into thinking that I hate reading, because I love reading. The issue is me; 100% me.

Reading takes me back to elementary school, where science fiction and fantasy were my reality. Sometimes I found it hard to bring myself back from vanquishing enemies within my home. With sword in hand, I kept my enemies from advancing, constantly muttering under my breath, swiping hard enough to hear the whoosh of my sword. It never occurred to me that I might look silly, prancing up the stairs with a wooden dowel in hand, swiping and lunging at nothingness.

Today, I find myself eventually sneaking back to the YA section, browsing the latest series, pretending to keep up with my students, when in reality a little part of me wishes I was still in their shoes. It’s not that I enjoy the books any less as an adult, but the complexity of “adulting” has become a stronger excuse than my motivation to read the latest adventure.

Beyond the complexities of adulthood, the larger problem is the time commitment of reading. While reading the latest 100 book series sounds intriguing, I find myself prioritizing the rest of my life. There always seems to be more to do, and never a moment to slow down. The books I might have scarfed down as a child, now take me months to read, sometimes years. I pick up a book with good intentions, and six months later, find myself having read the first chapter a dozen times.

I know the easy fix to my reading dilemma, but the culture of my life has yet to accept that solution. And until that happens, my sword fighting days are all but a distant memory.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… the man who never reads lives only one.”

- George R.R. Martin

Ted.aily: Coffee_1

coffee_1

clean cup, complex taste

forty hands from bean to cup

simple morning joys

Ted.aily: Discovering photography pt. 2

continued.

I wanted to visualize more than just memories.

My ideal goal revolved around the concept of being able to capture the essence of a person’s passion and emotion through photography, and that alone drew me deeper and deeper. I spent the next year chasing moments with Hipcamp, continuing to practice and fuel my desire to become a better photographer. I learned so much in that year from how to take photos in bright, sunny days, to capturing moving objects while maintaining focus. The more I practiced, the more comfortable I became.

lesson 5: always shoot in manual mode.

My true growth as a photographer came from taking so many terrible photos. From missing the focus of my subjects, countless blurry images, to only capturing two out of five subjects in a frame, I truly messed up a lot. However, the more I messed up, the more I learned about what I needed to adjust. My understanding of light and how to use the available light grew, and of course, my understanding of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed also deepened. Coincidentally, my passion for photography also connected closely with my career in education.

lesson 6: make photography your own.

There were so many times, where I wondered whether I wanted to pursue photography as a full-time career. I saw so many people thriving as photographers, and felt inspired daily to dive in headfirst. I saw all the potential for growth as a creative, and all the opportunities for networking and traveling and couldn’t help but wonder. It was a tempting lifestyle, but while being constantly inspired to grow from a technical and creative standpoint, I knew that my true calling was in education. The stories my students carried daily and the maturation and development of those stories continually inspires me as a creative and as an educator. My desire to capture stories, stems from the variety of stories my students live. Sometimes full of joy, and sometimes sad - I am inspired by their continual efforts to be present.

Even though I often feel as if the art of storytelling has been somewhat lost, I am reminded by the community of people around me that stories are the foundation of culture, and to always find my role in it all, whether it be through photography or teaching.

lesson 7: never stop learning.

The most important lesson I have learned from discovering photography, is that learning never ceases. Whether it is a hobby, passion, career, or anything else - find ways to continue to learn, because learning inspires, and learning creates stories.

Ted.aily: The importance of routine

Routine is my sanity.

Working with students has been the most rewarding decision of my life, but has also added, in the best way possibly (most of the time), a layer of craziness. Each and every day is different and my students are the variable - like most people are. And this is one of the reasons why I love teaching (blog foreshadowing)!

With all of the lunacy, I have come to realize just how important routine is to my life and the stability it adds to my sometimes not-so-stable schedule and lifestyle. In addition, having routine has also taught me to be a source of stability and normalcy for my students within all the madness that is the field of education.

When I think of the word “routine,” it isn’t that my life is planned out hour by hour, which sometimes it can be, but more so the expectancy of certain tasks that I know and can do without having to engage deep thought, which can often be exhausting. This I know about myself:

1. Every single morning, upon waking up, I take Rux (my sweet dog) out for walk.

2. Following my leisurely stroll with Rux, I shower and get ready… every single morning; even the mornings I know I don’t have plans.

3. Coffee.

Through the years I have learned that my life doesn’t need to be routine, but doing little things that bring me joy, order, and consistency, make me an overall calmer individual. As an early riser, morning routines have become my place of joy and happiness, but I am sure the same is possible for the night owls of the world. So start with something small, and bring a little routine into your everyday life.

Here’s to a year of craziness with a sprinkle of order.

Cheers!

Ted

@ted.venture

Ted.aily: A letter to me, from me.

Dear Ted,

Most years you never make New Years’ Resolutions… and the years that you do, they are lame. So this year, I thought I would do you the favor of coming up with 6 simple goals:

1. Do less.

   As a “yes” person, you constantly take on projects and tasks that make you extremely busy - and for your own sanity and mental health, this year you should do less. Hopefully by doing less, you can focus on some of the other goals I have set for you. BUT, while you are doing less to stretch yourself thin, continue to grow in the areas that bring you joy - true joy.

2. Write weekly.

   This past year, you remembered and rediscovered how much you love to write. So continue to do that weekly - even if it is just a short post or journal entry. And… to add on to that, share it.

3. Take more pictures.

   2018 was a year of growth as a photographer. You found your own style, and worked with brands that you love. Take more pictures and continue to grow - keep reaching out to companies that you love, even if you think you aren’t good enough. The worst they can say is no… which isn’t all that bad!

4. Mental health.

   Mental health is KEY this year. Less stress, more happiness. And even though it seems like taking a break is unproductive, it is productive for your mind to sometimes take a day off. This is the year that you ask for more help from those around you and also the year that you sometimes take care of yourself before others.

5. Learn more. Read more.

   As an educator, sometimes you are so caught up in teaching, that you forget how to be a student. Continue to learn, whether it is about biology, photography, or even coffee, do all that you can to continue to study, because learning should never stop. Teach better by being better.

6. Build community.

   As someone who loves people, surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good is extremely important. Sometimes, it takes being uncomfortable to really grow relationships, so go outside your comfort zone and meet people. And most of all, cherish those closest to you and continue to foster those relationships that you place value in. Ditch the negativity.

2019 has a lot of promise - so keep it simple. And as always, do you boo boo.

Sincerely,

Ted

@ted.venture