Common Raven, © Photo by Steve Kaye

Choosing Success | Oct 2018


Choosing Success Is Easy


Common Raven, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post: Choosing Success

Common Raven, on a Cloudy Day


After a slow year, I hoped for a notable success on this trip.

In preparation, I planned a route that maximized photo opportunities.

Then I researched locations and times for optimum light.

And I bought a new lens.

So I expected to come home with a large collection of beautiful photos that I could use in presentations, blogs, and articles.

But Nature had other plans.

It rained – almost every day for eight days.

When it wasn’t raining, it was cloudy, with brief moments of sunlight.

As a result, I ended up with photos like the one shown above.

So you might judge that this trip was a dismal failure.

Instead however, it was a wonderful success.

Why?

Because I decided that it was a success.

You see, failure is actually a judgment that exists in your mind. This matters because people have a tendency to act in ways that convert their judgments into realities.

Thus, I chose to judge this trip as a success, and then I chose to take actions that would make it a success.

So I went out to take photos, even while it was raining.

As a result, I experimented with taking landscape photos under unfavorable conditions. And then I explored photo processing techniques that rescued potentially “bad” photos.


Arches National Park, (c) Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post: Choosing Success

The Fins in Arches National Park, UT


You  might note that by choosing success, I converted a potential disaster into a wonderful experience.

Then I met a wise raven.

Quoth the raven:

Clouds or sun,

success or

failure, both

start at home.

What you choose

depends on

how you think.

Keep going

Never quit

Evermore


Common Raven, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post: Choosing Success

Common Raven at Arches National Park (When It Wasn’t Raining)


Much success,

Steve Kaye

Find More at:

Ordinary Courage

Snowy Egret Story

You Always Have 3 Choices


Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation


You can help – Please share this blog with others.
Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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6 Comments
  • Rev. Eileen O. Brownell
    Posted at 15:31h, 16 October

    Steve….
    I so enjoy your photos and writing. Keep it up my friend. You are changing the world one e-mail at a time.
    Blessings….Eileen

  • Teri Rider
    Posted at 21:55h, 16 October

    Mr Kaye, I dearly love your photos and your short essays. You have much to say and I’m so glad I met you and receive your posts. Please continue and know that they are reaching an avid fan.

  • Steve Kaye
    Posted at 13:31h, 18 October

    Thank you for your wonderful comments. Your support inspires, and that leads to greater success for everyone.

  • Jan Tucker
    Posted at 17:01h, 19 October

    I love it! This outlook leads to so many good things, and the world would be a much calmer, more respectful place if more people believed this way!!

  • Daphne Radenhurst
    Posted at 11:35h, 21 October

    Loved your blog, it really cheered me up. I saw two ravens today, which is very unusual, now I have made the link.

  • Kathryn Grace
    Posted at 00:29h, 28 February

    Wonderful how you evoke Poe’s mournful dirge, then turn it on its tail. I welcome every raven I see with gratitude, and these in your photos no less.

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