New Year New Me or New Year Old Me Re-visited

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

So..one of my many New Year's Resolutions was brought about by a comment that Linda (and Toby) made to me in the photography group and it really got me thinking.  To paraphrase, Linda said to me, "If you don't love it, please don't do it."  So......for 2013, I am taking her advice and I am NOT photographing people just because they ask me to (even if they are paying me) because I don't like it, and mostly I hate it.  I LOVE photographing pets and that is what I want to concentrate on.

I also would like to get back to doing the things that I love that I used to do all the time before I became consumed with a job that I hate. Unfortunately right now I have to keep this job and I feel lucky to have a job but it does NOT have to consume me and I will not let it.  I will use it as a financial means to do the other things in my life that I truly enjoy and love.  Of course you all know about my love and passion for animals, animal rescue and photographing animals.  But I thought I would tell you all that I also make stuff :)  More specifically, I make jewelry and altered books.  Pretty obvious I don't know how to photograph them though..LOL.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Wow, that blog is a beautiful thing Linda, well said. We at DK know the real you : )

[Linda and "Toby"]

Aw, thank you Jane, Camilla and F! You have no idea how much that means to me. 

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Oh Linda, I am just now seeing this...I must not be getting notifications.  When I think of you Linda the first things that come to mind are ARTIST,Photographer, Friend, Mentor, MY website designer (www.ronnawoodphotography.com ) and all around brilliant woman...oh..and Toby's mom!  LOL.  You are an inspiration to many. YOU were the inspiration for this discussion!  Thank you my friend :)

[Linda and "Toby"]

Thank you, Ronna - I feel the same way about you! You inspire ME! :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

Wow Ronna, that is amazing! The jewelry is just beautiful! I just barely saw this thread and I am so glad I did! I think Linda's advice has such merit and I'm so glad that you will be doing what you love more. :-)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Fab Ronna. Why don't you go on Etsy and sell there? You can do it a little or as much as you want that way.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Ronna, you are very talented. Your jewelry, photos and the creative way you transformed the book is something to be very proud of. I love rings and that cabochon is just gorgeous.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Thank you everyone.  It is now January 23 and I have not made a single piece of jewelry.. Ugh..BUT Doris has made it her personal mission to get my stuff out there so all the way from Texas she is giving me a gentle push.  Thank you Doris!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I love your artwork and your photography. I also have a job that I hate, but it pays the bills. I would love to find something that would make me more fulfilled and allow me to do what I love....which is being with the dogs.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I'm with you (and Linda).  Do what you love.  Life is too short to keep doing things that you don't love.  When I retired, I decided that I needed something to do as a retirement hobby so I thought about what I loved.  I came up with dogs (doodles preferably), photography, and computers.  I bought a large printer that can print giclees as a retirement present to myself and have been happy with that.  But now it has been five years this summer since I retired and I am ready to move on to the next level.  I needed the hardware, software, and training.  I have them all now, so let's see what I can do with them.  Tomorrow, my first digital painting.  I am so excited.