Looking Back on New Years Eve

It’s hard to believe it was a year ago almost to the minute that I was walking through LAX international airport, headed to Ethiopia, very heavy footed with a heavy heart. It had only been months before when I had left for Kenya with plans to be in Africa for six months to a year, a dream I had worked towards for many years. And after just six short weeks I had to accept even with all the planning, the situation I was in was not good and I made the painful decision to return to the states feeling pretty defeated. I had been researching Ethiopia for several years and had planned this adventure prior to my departure to Kenya, so as defeated as I felt, I knew I had to get on that plane and try again. When I dropped into the Omo Valley it was magic, as all of Africa seems to be, and I knew in my heart I was doing exactly what I was born to do. My drive and passion returned stronger and deep than ever before. In the Omo a story, a long term project and a love for a culture came to life. Incredibly inspired upon my return I went to work with a new intensity determined to move forward despite the challenges of 1010.

I now get the joy of looking back and knowing that if at one of my most challenging moments of this journey I had quite, none of the following would have happened; Rangefinder featured my wildlife work, I had a beautiful article on the The Tribes of The Omo published in Nature photographer and Selamta ( Ethiopian airlines in flight magazine, I was invited to give several presentation on my work in Africa, I was invite to exhibit my work at the G2 Gallery in LA in May of 2012, Getty images sign me to their top collections, I have an image in this months National Geographic and these are just the highlights to 2011. With that said it was still an extremely challenging year, but what I have learned and what a few of those who have mentored me along the way have said, never give up, patients, passion, and perseverance will allow you to fail your way to success.

I know many of you have big dreams and I am sure there are times when it just seems so hard you are just ready to quit, but DON’T, what if it was all going to change just when you gave up? It will never happen on your time line in the way that you planned but it will happen if you just never ever give up. That’s it, that’s the big secret to successes. Try, fail, try again, fail again, try harder……….. and then one day you will realize “ Hey I am making this work and I made it happen”. I really recommend to anyone pursuing a passion with purpose  to read Seth Godin’s book “The dip”.  It is short, easy to read and a great tool. I think Amazon has some copies for $10, but better yet download it to your kindle, nook, ipad.. and then let me know what you think about it. I reread it a few times a year….

Have a wonderful 2012 everyone.