Just say what you mean

This is a situation that I have been dealing with this month.  I do not understand why people just don't
SAY WHAT THEY MEAN. Why play games? I posted this on my face book page to ask anyone to answer the question for me if they felt inclined to do so.

FEAR was the word that came back over and over.

FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL

It just is so uncalled for playing games with people. WHY?
I have always been intrigued by the human mind, and why people do what they do.  I am still trying to figure it out.

I have struggled my whole life with the issue of having expectations......I know that if one has no expectations one cannot be disappointed. This is a theme that has recurred throughout my whole life.
My mother would always say " Actions speak louder than words"  Which is the TRUTH.

Still naively I listen to what people say and am constantly disappointed and hurt.  One of these days I will get it. I HOPE.

Wishing everyone HONEST Relationships in their lives.

JUST SAY WHAT YOU MEAN. COMMUNICATE.

PEACE

Reflections of 9/11 A dark day in American History.

Ten year Anniversary of 9/11.
 An attack on America and the World. It is hard to believe that ten years have gone by.  I sat here in my home Sunday September 11, 2011 and watched all of the coverage. I sat and listened to every single name being read. I figured that is the least I could do to show my respect. I sat and cried for 5 hours.

It seems like the events of 9/11 just happened when you see the images and the amount of pain that people are still in.  Seeing all of the images and hearing the stories so painful. Nearly 3000 lives lost in a senseless act of violence. It is still hard to wrap my mind around that the World Trade Center is no longer a symbol of strength and freedom standing tall in the NYC skyline.
Ground Zero is the final resting place for so many lives lost. Nearly 1000 families still have no closure seeing their loved ones remains have never been recovered. Death toll rising everyday as we are ten years into fighting a war in retaliation for the events or 9/11.  We are losing young innocent children everyday in foreign lands.  Also the number of first responders that have fallen ill and died. So tragic.

Watching the ceremony as sad as it was. The Memorial is a sign of HOPE.
They have planted the Survivor Tree which survived the attack as well as a storm last year. Seeing life return to the area is a beautiful testament to the strength of human beings and especially New Yorkers.

God Bless America.

Ask yourselves how you can make someones day better.  Help those in need. It is our responsibility.

PEACE PEACE PEACE PEACE

joeburnsphotography - Wedding Photographer - Ocean Grove, New Jersey

joeburnsphotography - Wedding Photographer - Ocean Grove, New Jersey

After the Storm

It truly is amazing the wonder of the world. We just experienced Hurricane Irene.
My FIRST Hurricane.
A many of you know, I live in Ocean Grove @ The Jersey Shore. My place is four houses from the ocean. I just returned after a mandatory evacuation luckily to find my home in tact  and the town relatively untouched.
These are a few of the photos that I took walking around town today to checkout the aftermath.

We dodged what possibly could have been catastrophic findings to find that Mother Nature continues to share her beauty.  The photo of the benches reminds me that I must remember to be sure to take the time to appreciate everything that is so freely given to us, that could be taken away in an instant.

Irene was a reminder to me to not forget to show my gratitude at the gifts that show up in my life everyday.

Just to be THANKFUL.

Thinking of all of those suffering.

Peace.

Mother Nature @ Work

This is what feeds my soul.

I feel very blessed to have taken my life into my own hands and follow my passions which are TRAVEL and PHOTOGRAPHY.  I love capturing all of the beauty that Mother Nature so precisely creates.

What is your soul food? If you do not know, or are  afraid to go in search of. DON'T.

It is so worth your investigation.  We are all here to live the life we dream of. Sometimes life take us on a long detour.   That is okay.

Remember to find the joy in the journey. It really is the best part.

I am so grateful for my journey.

Be kind to you and be kind to others.    We are here to contribute.
Find out what your gift is and GIVE.

Peace.

Mother's Day

Today is not actually mother's day, but it is my mother's day. Today she celebrates 69 years of life.
I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I know that you are on vacation with the family and I hope you are having a wonderful day.

I do not say it enough but wanted to say thank you, for all of your love and support throughout the years.

Just wanted to say I LOVE YOU

This picture represents for me the ROCK and ANCHOR that you are.

Precious Life

I am sitting here processing the loss of yet another friend/former co-worker, who suddenly last week passed away shortly after celebrating his 50th birthday. I was shocked and saddened to get the news of Steve's passing. 50 IS SO YOUNG.

I am less than five years away from that magical number myself.

Steve was such a kind and loving human being who worked tirelessly to create a better world for the many men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS. We worked together in the early 90's when there was not a lot of hope and people were losing loved ones practically weekly.

The loss of Steve has me reflecting on my life.  I missed so many moments due to fear.
I am trying to live my life now with passion and no regrets. I am human so mistakes have been and will be made along the way.

One of the many memories that I will remember Steve for was his kindness.

Please remember to be kind to people. Remember to include yourself as well.

LIFE IS PRECIOUS-LIFE IS FLEETING

REMEMBER THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF A TOMORROW.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE.


PEACE & HAPPINESS AS YOU MOVE FORWARD.

TAKE CARE STEVE.

YOU WERE A GIFT.

LOVE IS LOVE

With New York's historical decision to allow gay marriage.  I say congratulations on a hard fought battle.
In celebration of the decision I am offering my services to help create beautiful memories on your special day.  Please get in touch for details. Call 323-394-6022

I at Joe Burns Photography will be running specials through all of 2011 and till the end of 2012

Just ask for the FREEDOM SPECIAL/CELEBRATING LOVE.

I am with every booking making a $100 donation to FREEDOM TO MARRY or whatever organization the couple would like.

I am also with every referral that turns into a booking I am  paying a $100 finder's fee.

So while building my business, I am also trying to help stimulate the economy as well as giving back to the community.

Please be on the lookout for my ad, that will be running for a full year in Metro Source Magazine.

Please also ask for specials on all weddings.  I am also available for destination weddings.

Thank you.

Peace.

Remember..................LOVE IS LOVE.

Passion & Gratitude

Yesterday, Oprah after twenty -five years had her final show.
Her show was a love letter to her viewers.
She like Mitch Albom the author of" Tuesday with Morrie" was imparting more words of wisdom to her viewers in the hopes that each and everyone of us realize we are worthy of having an amazing life and need not look to anyone to complete us or give us permission. She expressed that each of us, if we do not shine our light, we are denying ourselves of living our best life.

I have been an Oprah viewer and fan for years. I even had the good pleasure of meeting and working for her on a television movie that she was producing. She is an amazing spirit on this earth.

Her message yesterday was truly a gift. I also think it should have been viewed by everyone.

The life that I decided to start living is directly because of Oprah's influence.  She always said do what you love, live with passion and be of service and God's good will, will be abundant in your life.

I feel as if I am just beginning my life. I am so grateful that I was open to setting myself FREE.

Thank you Oprah Winfrey for helping me free myself of a life I was not happy living.

Wishing you all a life of joy and happiness.

Peace,
Joe

Remember to SHINE YOUR LIGHT.

AMAZING

I just returned from fufilling a long time dream of traveling to Africa and seeing animals in their natural environment. The trip exceeded my wildest expectations.
My travels took me from South Africa,Namibia,Botswana,Zambia,Zimbabwe,Malawi,
Dar es Salaam,Zanzibar,Tanzania and Kenya

Prior to this trip I like most Westerners are only aware of the poverty and place ravaged by HIV and AIDS.
This is not the Africa that I experienced.

The Africa I experienced was one of absolute beauty and rich in ways that I have come to realize our the ways that matter. 
It was so beautiful to see the people of Africa living their lives with such grace and dignity.

I was so moved by the beauty and simplicity of living in Africa. I have decided to return and spend more time there........I am putting feelers out for some jobs and hope if things work out to spend one or two years there.
I live in GRATITUDE everyday for making the choices and living the life that I am passionate about.

I encourage all of you our there to start living the lives that you want to live, rather than living the live you think that you are suppose to live.

Find the courage to live your DREAMS.

Trust that if you do, you will be successful in your efforts.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE............SHINE YOUR LIGHT.

PEACE.

On the Road Again.

AFRICA
Living my bucket list NOW.
I decided to live my life seeking out my passions.
For many years I lived in Los Angeles pursuing a life that was depleting my energy source. I was in Los Angeles pursuing an acting career with a very small amout of success. Not enough to sustain a life. I am grateful for what I was able to achieve but knew I wanted more for my life.
It is funny how I went to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the arts and was so unmotivated and uninspired to make it all happen. Since leaving I got back in touch with my creative side with becoming very passionate about photography. I also began to draw again as well as to start writing a book.

I have taken the LEAP OF FAITH that if I removed the fear that I would be supported in my efforts to find my way, or make a way to nourish my soul by doing what mattered to me.

I am yet again trusting, as I embark on more food for my soul that I will be nourished.

Wishing you all a life filled with everything your soul needs to feel alive and supported always.

Peace & Happiness