Amy Wenzel Photography

THE HEART OF LIFE

I’m currently listening to John Mayer’s new cd Continuum. His lyrics are real and honest. In his song Stop this Train he says, “So scared of getting older I’m only good at being young. So I play the numbers game to find a way to say that life has just begun.” I can really relate to that!!

Something that has been on my heart lately is honesty. Appearances. Success. What makes for a truly full and balanced life? What is true success? How do I balance a career, relationships, my spiritual being, exercising, eating organic, cleaning the house, giving back to the community staying attractive and finding creative outlets? I’d like to think there are millions of women out there who know just what I’m speaking of. The perfect picture to describe this feeling would be me standing on a treadmill in high heels with a camera around my neck, while talking to my mom on the cell phone with a “whole foods” grocery bag in one arm, a bible, a mop, and a salvation army bell in the other hand. If I had kids they would be lined up along a rope while I drag them in tow. Unfortunately in the culture we live in this is a woman’s reality. At least for the Type A’s, perfectionists and people pleasers. I know I fit in there somewhere. With every birthday I celebrate I feel a little less invincible and a little more concerned and humble. What if life passes me by while I am trying to do and be all of these things?

When I saw this Johnny Cash video it really affected me. Suprisingly, its a cover of a nine inch nails song. Its worth watching if you have some time. I learned to really respect him after reading his autobiography. He’s painstakingly honest about his life- the struggle he went through for his soul and faith. I find him to be a man of great depth and I thought this music video was extremely moving. Check it out on YouTube: HURT

When I find myself wrapped in a cocoon of my own selfishness I fall into bed at night and begin thanking God for all of the blessings in my life. I’ve come so very far in such a short time of being alive. What is at the heart of life? I believe the heart of life is relationships and people. The heart of life is the truth. I pray to be a seeker and a lover of the truth at all costs. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in ourselves and our own little worlds that we fail to see the bigger picture. Here is a 96 minute cure for this problem- watch the documentary Baraka. Its AMAZING! It really cut through the fog for me. The cinematography is stunning- scenes and cultures all over the world. There are no words, only music. Words are not even necessary. It definitely rendered me speechless.

These photos warm my heart. I can’t take the credit for the snow- that was their mom’s idea! Thanks Lisa!! You guys were such a joy.

I love textured backgrounds! You’ll be seeing more and more of this as I expand my background collection. I’m also currently working on a new website with tons of fresh pictures. It will probably launch at the new year.

Here’s something fun I’m doing to thank you guys for reading! I’m waiving the session fee ($100 value) on one studio session in January for the first NEW client to contact me after reading this post. All you have to do to claim your prize is email me at info@amywenzel.com or call me and say you read this offer on my blog and tell me the title of this blog entry. If you are the first person to call or email the session is yours!

Look at this Mom to be! Isn’t she wonderful? She’s tough too! The elevator was being serviced when she arrived from Detroit for her session. Of all the timing in the world for the elevator to be serviced- the day a pregnant woman arrives at the studio. Isn’t that just life for you though? So she took on the stairs. And I’m glad she did because we had a great time.