The Ripples That Become the Crashing Waves

This is my first time working with the new blogger interface.  It feels...different.  These days I'm welcoming change, so I'll go with it.  Perhaps it's something to do with the autumn air but, I feel as though I have been catapulted into a state of positivity, that is very rarely hampered or marred by negative energy.  I'm finding that, with gentle persuasion, things are falling into place.  Although my social life is still present and pleasant, it has taken a back seat to home and work life.  I'm drinking lots of tea with friends and I'm quite happy about that.
While studying in college, I recall one particular psychologist, Abraham Maslow, and his Hierarchy of Needs.  I always felt I could relate to this theory, though at the time I was barely fulfilling the basic physiological needs that laid the foundations of the model.  The needs, with the basis that you couldn't reach a state of Self Actualisation until you fulfilled(at least) the bottom four on this pyramid, were as follows:

My favorite stage was always "Aesthetic Needs" - seeing beauty in the mundane, everywhere and anywhere is, I think, a good way to look at life.  Of course Self- Actualisation and Transcendence are the most exciting and challenging of all the stages.  Although we are all, theoretically, capable of self-actualizing, most of us will not do so, or only to a limited degree.  
Behavior leading to self-actualization:

• Experiencing life like a child, with full absorption and concentration;
• Trying new things instead of sticking to safe paths;
• Listening to your own feelings in evaluating experiences instead of the voice of tradition, authority or the majority;
• Avoiding pretence ('game playing') and being honest;
• Being prepared to be unpopular if your views do not coincide with those of the majority;
• Taking responsibility and working hard;
• Trying to identify your defences and having the courage to give them up.

Why the psychobabble? Because I am grateful :)
Things I am grateful for:

• My housemates!  I am so lucky to live with such creative, easy-going and friendly souls.   They make the dull days brighter and the cold evenings cosier.  The jigsaw puzzle pieces just fit. 

• My little projects! I appreciate all of the doors that have opened for me this past few months, and all of the wonderful people I've met along the way.  Be it through make-up, music, photography or fashion. I love dabbling in other people's art!

• Hot beverages!  I've always loved an ol' cuppa scald, but in this weather a hot bevvy is even more welcoming.  Tea, coffee or hot choc - get it inta ya!

• Good souls!  There are a lot of them out there.  You've just got to let go of the ones who don't make you happy and keep the ones who do.  And make them happy :)

• My family!  Always.

• Creativity and learning!  There is nothing more important than creativity, imagination and knowledge. It is boundless.  Creative people make my world. \m/

• The unknown! Bring it. 

Fair play to you if you read all of that.  Now for some home grown talent:

CLICK HERE for more photos from Raymond Jordon Photography