FRESH START

FRESH START.

The timing is perfect.
The begining of a new year is a great time to start over or begin again.
Actually the begining of a new year can be overwhelming because we promise ourselves things are going to be differnent this year.  We set very high expectations. At least I do.

RESOLUTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes we are successful and sometimes we are not.

This year I have many, many things that I want to accomplish. What I realize is that sometimes we stumble into the new year.

I wrapped up 2012 not feeling great and entered 2013 excited for the promise of a new year but still not feeling well.

I am hoping by next week to get back on track.

I have broken it down for myself to a very simple formula.

What I came up with that I have adopted is that yes a new year is a great time to make a
FRESH START TO BEGIN AGAIN.

But we get that opportunity every day, every hour and every moment to do things differently.

LIVING THE LIFE THAT I WANT TO LIVE. THAT IS WHERE MY ENERGIES WILL BE FOCUSED IN 2013.

If I get sidetracked. I will just begin again.

I have never been able to do life the way others do life.

LIFE IS ABOUT FREEDOM.

You design the life that you want, and it does not come with an instruction manual or a set of how to rules.

The most important bit of wisdom I can give to you is DO NOT WAIT TO LIVE YOUR LIFE.

We are not here to just merely exist. FIND WHAT YOU ARE MEANT TO DO, AND DO IT.

You will be so happy you took the risk.

I wish each and everyone one of you a wonderful and well LIVED LIFE.

Thanks for your support.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Remember it is never to late to BEGIN AGAIN.
Enjoy the journey.

IT'S A WRAP

GOODBYE 2012

Well we are just a few days of yet another year gone by. WAY TOO FAST. WOW.

Another year coming to a close and a new year begining.
What does this mean?

For me a new year is a great time to begin again, focus, and to become the person that I want to be by doing the things I want to do.

2012 was a very challenging year for me for a number of reasons.
One of the main reasons was that I wasted valuable time and energies doing things that I did not want to such as looking for work an jobs that I had no interest in having. For a very big part of the year I was spinning my wheels letting fear rear it's ugly head and dictate my actions.

What I realized was that if I just really FOCUSED my energies and set my intentions on what I want to do than that is what would happen.

This year as every year reminds me how fragile and precious life is, and also it goes by really quickly.

It is very important that whatever you do with your life and who you spend it with  you are able to find happiness and joy.

I learned a huge lesson this fall after going through and surviving Hurricane Sandy.

What I learned is that the saying KINDNESS OF STRANGERS IS THE TRUTH.
My heart was so moved by the out pouring of concern and love from around the globe while going through the storm and being displaced. Some of these messages from people I have never met.

It was nice to know that I crossed their thoughts and they found the time to send a message to let me know. It was much appreciated.

Than on the other hand there were the people that I thought for sure I would have heard from expressing their concern. NOT A WORD FROM.

Disappointing. ABSOLUTELY.

What I realized with these people is if you can't cross their minds in the middle of a disaster which was named The Storm of the Century, than these would be the last people that you would be able to call upon if your car was broken down or if you just needed someone to speak with.

I know that we as people are not suppose to take anything personal and to have no expectations because by taking things personal you wind up with many disappointments.

But what going through this storm was like for me was a message that I hold on to people and place alot of value on what they mean in my life.

I need to learn to let go. And it is ok. NOTHING IN LIFE IS FOREVER.

I need to let go so I have room for people to find their way into  my life that want to be a part of my life in all of its forms.

LETTING GO IS IMPORTANT.

So for me the new year is going to be all about FOCUSING AND LETTING GO.

HERE IS TO NEW BEGINNINGS AND ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE RECIPROCAL AND WORTH MY/OUR TIME AND ENERGIES.

Wishing all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.
MAY 2013 BE A BLESSED YEAR FOR ALL.

Also I wish you all a journey guided by the beauty and power of LIGHT.
SOAR. Why? BECAUSE YOU WERE MEANT TO.

Thank you all for reading my WORDS.

Peace,

Joe

HEAVY HEART

12/14/12 SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL SHOOTING.

SO SO SO TRAGIC.

My heart is broken.

I have been so emotionally raw and crying since the news broke.

I was at the gym when the news broke, but really was not paying attention and just went about my workout. It was not until I returned home and logged back onto my computer that I REALIZED what had just went down.

As I was reading and listening to the news I was left with the same overwhelming sadness that I had after learning the news of Columbine. HORRIFYING.

I really try not to watch the news or read the paper because rarely is anything uplifting and positive reported.

The target of this crime was BABIES. WTF.

I just three weeks ago began working as a school photographer, photographing children the same age as these innocent babies that were just taken from this earth.

I am so emotionally drained by having to witness such hatred and metal illness in the world. WHY?
WE ASK WHY????????????????????????????????

How is it that a troubled young boy gets to the point where he not only plans a mass murder and suicide but is able to execute it with NO ONE SEEING WARNING SIGNS. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

WHAT WENT WRONG?

While I was at school photographying these babies, because that is what they are. I witnessed all types of children, well behaved,bold,outgoing,shy,joyful,sad,insecure,confidant. Every child is different.
The one thing all these kids had in common was they are all at the beginning of their journey and were INNOCENT BABIES
So learning that 20 children the same age as these beautiful little kids were just wiped out along with their caregivers who died trying to protect these children and shield them from the evil that was going on is beyond comprehension.

THESE BABIES NEVER EVEN GOT A CHANCE. HOW IS THIS FAIR?

GOD BLESS THE NEWEST ANGELS IN HEAVEN.

Charlotte Bacon,Daniel Barden,Olivia Engel,Josephine Gay,Ana Marquez-Greene,Dylan Hockley,Madeline Hsu,Catherine Hubbard,Chase Kowalski,Jesse Lewis,JamesMattioli,Grace McDonnell,Emilie Parker,Jack Pinto,Noah Pozner,Caroline Previdi,Jessica Rekos,Avielle Richman,Benjamin Wheeler,Allison Wyatt,Rachel Davino,Anna Marie Murphy,Lauren Russeau,Mary Sherlach,Victoria Soto, Dawn Hocksprung and Nancy Lanza















Charlotte Bacon,Daniel Barden,Olivia Engel,Josephine Gay,Ana Marquez-Greene,Dylan Hockley,Madeline Hsu,Catherine Hubbard,Chase Kowalski,Jesse Lewis,JamesMattioli,Grace McDonnell,Emilie Parker,Jack Pinto,Noah Pozner,Caroline Previdi,Jessica Rekos,Avielle Richman,Benjamin Wheeler,Allison Wyatt,Rachel Davino,Anna Marie Murphy,Lauren Russeau,Mary Sherlach,Victoria Soto, Dawn Hocksprung and Nancy Lanza

SETTING OURSELVES FREE

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE.

We can either change with the times or resist change. OUR CHOICE.

I can tell you from alot of experience, resisting change is not only exhausting it leaves one extremely frustrated.

LIFE IS ALL ABOUT CHANGE.

Change of season is one of my favorites. With the change of season you are forced to adapt to climate change. It dictates what you can and cannot do at different times of the year depending on where you live.

Some things are simply impossible.

That is not a bad thing. It is actually a good thing.

Change is wonderful and exciting and absolutely necessary.

Without change and growth life becomes stagnate and my opionion pointless.
Life is about finding our PURPOSE. We can not do that by remaining the same.

Life is about being lived. LIVED FULLY.

That means that we will have bumps,bruises, get beat up by life have heartache, joy, stress and triumph.

It all builds our character.

Some fall into the role of VICTIM. I know, I played that role for many years.
Where did it get me? Where will it get you?  NOWHERE.

 My suggestion to all is to fully EMBRACE Change. Allow yourselves all of the wonders that come with a life lived FREELY without fear.

FEAR IS OUR WORST ENEMY. Stops so many from living.

In life we must follow are heart and be guided by the light.

The new year is almost upon us and a great time to decided to do things differently.

Wishing freedom to all.

BEING THANKFUL

THANKSGIVING 2012

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS

THERE ARE MANY.

I really try and practice gratitude everyday. Not just for the big things in life, but for everything.

Sometimes I get sidetracked and caught up in distractions which keep me from reaching my goals.
I am a master of procrastination and self sabotage. I need to work on this more diligentally in the new year.

I NEED TO FOCUS.

I will get myself on a good path and really be making progress towards my goals and before I know it SELF DOUBT AND FEAR WILL START TO SHOW UP and sidetrack me and slow my progress.

I have really worked so hard at removing fear and the self doubt from my life.

Some days are better than others. I still have some work to do.

2012 HAS BEEN A REALLY CHALLENGING YEAR FOR ME.

The first three quarters of the year I was in a battle with myself which drove me away and depleted me of my creative energies.

I got out of rythm with my writing. I have only done half the amount of blog entries as last year. Without being to critical I believe my writitng were more from the heart and authentic last year.

This year they seemed forced and edited.

My drawings which I was also doing daily I got away from as well.

I split my focus and was drivin by fear most of the year.

I wasted hours and hours looking for survival jobs that I  had no interest in having. I would than get upset by not getting any of these jobs. I know CRAZY.

The lightbulb  went off at the end of September and i finally realized that the only way for me to live the life I want to live is to FOCUS ON WHAT I WANT.

ONLY WHAT I WANT.

I can no longer waste my time and energy on people and things that I do not want.

So what I am thankful for is THE LIGHTBULB FINALLY GOING OFF.

I need to rid myself of self doubt.

I AM A TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER WHO HAS A GIFT TO SHARE.

BELIEVE
FAITH
HOPE
TRUST.

What are you thankful for in your life?

Remember to be thankful everyday...Every day is a gift and opportunity to start over.
IT IS NEVER TO LATE.

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving.  SHINE YOUR LIGHT.

Peace

BEAUTY AFTER THE STORM

CAPTURING BEAUTY WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

I as a photographer and an adrenaline junky was right out there tracking, monotoring and recording the storm every step of the way.

For those of you who did not know already which storm I am talking about it was

HURRICANE SANDY.

I have been living here at the Jersey Shore for the past fifteen months photographing the ocean and the surrounding beach towns on a daily basis.

The amazing thing about shooting the beach and ocean daily is that evey single day it is different.

So when Sandy set her EYE on the Shore I was going to be out there capturing the beauty. I have said many times before there is beauty in everything if we just look for it.

I did not put myself in any unnecessary danger, but I did want to witness and feel the power and presence of Mother Nature at work.

To me it is fascinating that a storm could begin thousands of miles away and just continue to grow and build up the strength to wreak the havoc that it has along the Jersey Shore and NYC.

I am not here to tell you all what to believe in but the way the Universe works and does what it does is pretty AMAZING.

Right after the storm we as a community were out cleaning the beach and town, when one of the volunteers had asked me if I had noticed the ocean.

I said to him that I was out with my camera numerous times that whole day.

The Ocean this day reminded me of when I was in Thailand or in Africa specifically in Zanzibar.

The hurricane totally changed the colors of the ocean here even if it was just for the day.
IT WAS STUNNING.

Please enjoy some of what I have captured.

I also have an online gallery where the images will be uploaded and available for purchase by weeks end.

15% OF THE PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS
THIS INCLUDES ALL PHOTO SALES FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

 PLEASE SHARE WITH FRIEND AND FAMILY.

The Holidays are coming and this is a great way to get a great gift for someone and help someone in need.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

The link to my online gallery is http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/joeburnsimages.html.

AFTER THE STORM-IN THE DARK

October 29, 2012

HURRICANE SANDY

The Jersey Shore was bracing for Hurricane Sandy to arrive.
Atlantic City was where the eye of the storm was headed. Which meant all of the Jersey Shore as well as NYC would be hard hit.

We are now 15 days after Huricane Sandy has arrived dealing with the AFTERMATH.

For me personally it was 12 days and counting with no power. Even though my place was spared the street was very hard hit with every house being flooded. My block was one of the hardest hit because we have the ocean in front of us and the lake to the side of us.

FINALLY DAY 13 POWER WAS RESTORED. THANK YOU.

It was inconvient yes. I was over it yes. But I am thankful my place was spared.

I really can not complain because others have lost so much. Some lost everything, including LIFE.
I am finally seeing two plus weeks after the hurricane the aftermath left by the storm.

DEVASTATING.

What has been really crazy about this tragedy is  being the subject of the news and what is going on in the world and being IN THE DARK & DISCONNECTED.......SO STRANGE.

Last week the towns people of Ocean Grove rallied and had a few hundred people out on the boardwalk cleaning up the beach and removing the debris from the the town.

Ocean Grove and Asbury Park were hit and suffered a lot of damage but in comparison to some town along the Shore we did really well......Some towns were competely destroyed.

I still have seen so little coverage from the storm.

People were calling,emailing and texting saying how horrible it was down here and really concerned.

I just was able to get back online and thank people for their concern. It was much appreciated.

I was totally in the dark with no phone for a number of those days as well as no power.

REALLY IN THE DARK.

I had a mandatory evacuation and went to stay with friends in Asbury Park.

We played board games,had drinks and dinner parties by candle light.
IT ACTUALLY WAS QUITE NICE TO BE DISCONNECTED AND GET BACK TO THE BASICS.

Since returning to my place I have been doing a lot of reading and playing solitare by flashlight.
The nights have been very long since  the time change. It is pitch black for 14 hours.  Makes for very long nights.

Thank God the days have not been to bad, where I can spend eight hours outside before bundlin myself up for the long cold nights ahead.

Throughout this experience I realized that as a society we are so spoiled and do not know ho to deal with being incovienced.

For me the whole experience was a great way to clense,purge and get back to the basics of what life used to be.

A local newspaper asked people what they learned from this experience....Many folks said who their friends were.

 SO DID I.  Those of you who took the time to think of me during this most difficult time.
Your calls and messages meant a great deal. THANK YOU.

My heart goes out to all of those who have suffered, who are suffering and those that were lost in this storm.

WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT MOTHER NATURE DOES WHAT SHE NEEDS TO DO IN ORDER TO KEEP THE WORLD IN CHECK.

It is never wise to tempt Mother Nature.

As tragic as this experience has been there has been much beauty as well.

LOOK FOR BEAUTY IT IS EVERYWHERE.

WISHING EVERYONE A SPEEDY RECOVERY FROM THE STORM.

SECOND CHANCES

SECOND CHANCES, NEW BEGININGS.

How fortunate we are to be able to start over again EVERYDAY by just simply waking up.
Everyday we are given the opportunity to make things right, to do things different.

BE KIND, FIND JOY, FEEL LOVE, BE OF SERVICE.

The reason we are all HERE.

What I find to be unbelievable is to be given a do over and remaining the same wheather

SURVIVING CANCER
RETURNING HOME FROM WAR
BEING SPARED FROM A NATURAL DISASTER SUCH AS
FIRE,FLOOD,EARTHQUAKE,HURRICANE,TSUNAMI
ESCAPING BEING HIT BY A CAR
SURVIVING A SUICIDE ATTEMPT
BEING HELD UP AT GUNPOINT
DROWNING OR ANY NUMBER OF WAYS WE ARE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE DAILY.

And not realizing that we were spared for a reason. I believe that reason is for us to get in touch with our AUTHENTIC SELF. Also to seek out and to live our PASSIONS.

BE OF SERVICE AND SHARE OUR GIFTS.

I believe the lesson that we are suppose to take away from any of these situations is that we need to REFOCUS our attention on our husbands,wives,children,family,partners and friends.

IT IS NOT ABOUT ME, IT IS ABOUT WE.

The tragedy in all of this is to be given a second chance and throwing it away, and not doing the work to become the people we are meant to become.

So many people never get that SECOND CHANCE.
For those of us who are so privileged we need to show GRATITUDE.

OUR LIFE IS A GIFT. WE NEED TO CHERISH THE GIFT WE ARE GIVEN.

WE MUST LOVE OURSELVES. IF WE HAVE SELF LOVE WE ARE ALL GOOD.

BE KIND AND SHARE YOUR LOVE.
TRUST AND ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE LIGHT TO GUIDE YOU.

Peace.

ONE YEAR WITHOUT YOU

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

September 30, 2011 my friend Charlie's world was turned upside down.

It is the day that his wife Gia went into labor as they for the previous nine months anxiously awaited the birth of their third son.

Gia was a dulla and was preparing for a home birth which should have been a very exciting time for them. They were thrilled to be introducing a new son to their ever growing family.

During the delivery something went horribly wrong and their son was lost. Due to the complications and the loss of their son there was a very strong possibility that he would also be losing his wife. Unfortunately for my friend that is exactly what happened. VERY TRAGIC.

As new spread cross country everyone was in shock and total disbelief.

Every ones reaction was "What are you talking about women in 2011 do not die during childbirth."

We were all stunned and heartbroken for Charlie who was now mourning the loss of his son Samson and his wife Gia and left to be the sole caregiver for their twin boys Charlie and Nate who were just babies not even three years old.

Everyone was wondering how is Charlie going to do this.

I have been in pretty regular contact with Charlie over the course of this extremely difficult year.
I was able to go and visit he and the boys shortly after he losing part of his family to try and give his some help in whatever small way possible for a few days.

Than in July I was very happy to host he and the boys here at the beach for a couple of days.

What I have witnessed from my friend is compassion,love and patience all to the highest degree.

I have known Charlie for over ten years and always found him to be an amazing inspirational guy.

The strength he has is AMAZING.

I wish you continued STRENGTH,LIGHT & LOVE as you move forward and create a new normal for Charlie, Nate and yourself.

I know this has been probably the worst year of your life but know that you are and have done an amazing job.

GIA would be so PROUD of the AMAZING job you are doing with the boys.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND CONTINUE TO GUIDE YOU MY FRIEND AS YOU AND THE BOYS CONTINUE ON YOUR JOURNEY.

Thank you for teaching me what it means to have courage and strength.

I went out today to the spot that I went to last year when you told me about the tremendous loss you had just suffered. This is what the spot looked like.

I have a a tremendous amount of RESPECT for you my friend.

LOVE YOU MY FRIEND.

GOING W/THE FLOW

When one goes with the flow life tends to be in constant motion. MOVING.

I on the other hand for the better part of this whole year have been working against myself, and working against what I want.

It finally dawned on me the other day when I went into NYC yet again for and interview for a job I did not want. A SURVIVAL JOB.

I DON'T WANT A SURVIVAL JOB.

This day in particular I was wearing many hats.
I had an audition in the morning and than a few job interviews in the afternoon for bartending jobs.
That evening I got to actually work as a photographer shooting a fashion show.

It was a very long day with the commute but  a very good day.

I was telling myself that I was actually excited about the bartending job.
Who was I kidding?
The interview went very well and they were going to get back to me. They wanted to bring me in to train that week. They did not get back to me so I decided to not spite myself and check in to see what was going on. When I spoke with the manger they gave me the run around.

This was my FEAR creeping in.
FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL.

After getting the run around, in that moment I realized that it was the Universe coming to my aide and not delivering or allowing me to take a job that I did not want.

I have this past year submitted close to 3000 resume for jobs all over the world that i did not or do not want. I was than getting upset because I was not getting any responses from all of my efforts.

I realize that if the time and energy that I have wasted this year looking for that LIVE INSIDE THE BOX/SURVIVAL JOB was put to better use looking for what I do want, my life would be alot  different and I would be doing what I WANT.

Once I decided to surrender over the past few days and trust and believe in my talent as an artist and a photographer.  GUESS WHAT....THE UNIVERSE IS NOW OPEING UP DOORS AND I AM BOOKING JOBS.

It feels good having my talent recognized and being paid for my gift.

Our job on this earth to FIND & SHARE OUR GIFTS.

If you are unsure of what your gift is. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR TAKE THE TIME TO FIGURE IT OUT.

Once you do, SHARE IT.   SHINE YOUR LIGHT.

Peace and Blessing to all.

THE NUMBER 70

The number 70.

If you ask my mom about the number 70 she will say that it is just a number.
It is just a number, and also the age that she so fotunately turns this monday August 13th

She and all of her childhood friends all within the year are turning 70.

She and her friends have also have been battling health issues.

Who has had a stroke, who has c.o.p.d. Between all of them they have  had all sorts of different ailments which unfortunately comes with aging.

Mom herself has broken her hip, had mini strokes and had a battle with breast cancer.
None of which have kept her down for very long.

When she was going through her bout with breast cancer she did not want to worry us kids so she did not tell us until the very last min. I was not very happy with her decision to keep this from us. I said to the her "that it was not right that she had to deal with the stress of being told you have cancer all by yourself"

My mom is a very strong lady.  I watched her go through hell from having a nervous breakdown and bouce back.

I remember some thirty-five years ago when my parents were split up. Mom decided that she was going to have a new home built for us to live in..........Everyday we would go to the build site and watch the progress of the house.   SHE USED THIS AS PART OF HER THERAPY.

When we moved to the house she said that she was unsure how long we would be able to stay there. She said we may be there a few months a year or for many years..

Well mom has had the house now for 35 PLUS YEARS

What I have learned is if you are determined to have and maintain something in your life you will work to make it happen.

Thank you for all of the gifts you have shared and the love and support throughout the years.

WISHING YOU A MAGICAL BIRTHDAY.
You are right 70 is just a number.....WISHING YOU MANY MORE.
WISHING YOU  GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

I look forward to seeing you in NYC for your birthday dinner and show. EVITA it is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY....LOVE YOU