Living

Living in the NOW. Just simply ask yourself are YOU happy? 

Do you fell completing fulfilled? Are you truly open- hearted to love someone and let that person in? 

Can you wake up to get ready for work and are excited about your day?

Ask yourself these few yet complex questions. What is your written outcome? 

Novemeber

 Finding the souls that capture out HEARTS.

 Capturing the laughter of your BIG DAY.

 Showing the world that Women are Strong and Beautiful.

 Showing the World what you Work everyday for...Train, Thrive, Driven PASSION.

 Growing Moments to look back on.

 Even Corporate has creative life.

 Beauty and elegance of Natures rawness.

 Our next Generations Generation.

356 to Happiness

Its Career Day... " When i Grow up I want to be a little boy" --Joseph Heller--

Put your Inner Child to Work

As you've grown older, you may have forgotten what it was like to be a kid again. In your struggle and determination to be mature and be self-reliant, showing strength and high goals, you may have locked yourself into a box way of thinking. This mind-set precludes the " anything is possible" outlook found in all children which allows them to explore the world around them with such WONDER and JOY. When you were a kid, you probably had plenty of ideas, dreams, goals, about the kind of future you were going to have and " what you were going to be, and have when you grew up", Instead of dismissing those ideas & dreams, don't see them as  impractical or silly, consider that the younger you may have had some insight that the older you could use. 

Ask your Inner kid for a little help:

If you are currently unhappy or unfulfilled in your work situation perhaps its time to return to a child-like state of mind in which the SKY is the limit. No one is saying you have to quit your job tomorrow, but allow yourself to explore again and seek those dreams you held as a child and ask yourself some important questions....

* What is it i really wanted to do in my life?

* What are the step I would need to take?

* What is holding you back?

I answered the questions myself and came to some good realizations...here are a few notes.

* I wanted to show the world the Smiling faces in the most unusual places of the world through documentary photography. 

* I could help this perhaps by Networking and doing a project 5 year outline, find funding for it.

* $$$

A moment....

A moment to think...Breath...live..

 Can you shift your attention inward, ever-so-slightly as not to disturb the silence inside you? Become a curious observer. Look inside, feel the stillness, that is not still at all. Listen to the Inner silence, that is not silent at all. What do you feel? What do you hear? Your Breath, that is your purity & love and life.

365 to HAPPY!

Hello Everyone, Im starting some new research material as far happiness goes. I know happiness is purely a CHOICE. Your hectic morning of getting the kids feed and off to school, your hubby breakfast and off to work and then finally you taking a second to brush your own teeth and get the "super mom's" work day started. So many other things could happen during all of this, but does it make your already bad? Only if you choose for it be. 

I'm reading a book from the british book society, called Happiest you ever, by MD Meera Lester, Carolyn Deen. And i feel that for each day of the week there is an example to break up all the craziness to show and remind that there is more then just WORK, School, Family. Those are all very important but what about your relationship, friendships, community. 

So on top of my usual weekly blogging each day i will also be doing a 365 post to share with you. 

Mondays, you'll examine your career.

Tuesdays, you';; concentrate on making a strong connection to your community.

On Wednesdays, well focus on the friendships in your life. 

On Thursdays well create greater focus & awareness to your love life. 

On Fridays we'll spend time about your family.

Saturdays, you'll devote time to rest and relax, including outside hobbies and interests. 

Sundays we'll explore our spiritual journey. 

With it being already Hump Day well start the amazing insight and ideas on MONDAY. :-) 

So excited to share with you. 

Interesting Read

I was reading this article on INC.com which include these following questions for the ultimate success and happiness with pertaining to the business world. I had to share it because its very true and very interesting to THINK about...when you really dig deep inside and realize whats important in life and if your on the right road to what you want. 

Questions: 

1. Have I made certain that those I love feel loved?

2. Have I done something today that improved the world?

3. Have I conditioned my body to be more strong flexible and resilient?

4. Have I reviewed and honed my plans for the future?

5. Have I acted in private with the same integrity I exhibit in public?

6. Have I avoided unkind words and deeds?

7. Have I accomplished something worthwhile?

8. Have I helped someone less fortunate?

9. Have I collected some wonderful memories?

10. Have I felt grateful for the incredible gift of being alive?

Here's the thing.  The questions you ask yourself on a daily basis determine your focus, and your focus determines your results....> Inc.com_ 10questions that create success.html.

A reader wrote:

Money does not buy happiness. It is merely a tool. A means to make life easier. Relationships are the treasures of the heart and spirit. When we are gone from this world the memories we leave are our legacy. What kind of legacy do you want to leave for others to remember you by? True friends tell you what you need to hear. You may think to yourself "I am only one person, yet how many lives have I touched and inspired for the positive?" Have a Blessed Day!

This is SO true, the tools we are given at the KEYS that really open the doors. Not the money and not the stress we all endure every single day. Its the relationships we build and grow everyday to help our days a little less stressful. Helping others and just mainly creating a new day every day is the most important. Waking up everyday knowing that your EGO has not taken over is also a huge realization for most of us the ego has and thats why we have excuses, complaints, stress, problems, issues, mainly just unhappiness somewhere in our lives. 
An unfillfillment that needs to just relax and endure the goods of life and natural energy we all have, and were meant to have to GIVE. 

Keep smiling,

Samantha

BLOG Update and Addition.

                     So I have been on many assignments since i last blogged and have a few more sky miles then last, I am currently writing journalistic pieces for many publications and freelancing as usual.

                     But  throughout all the places and faces and living each day, I have realized there is a huge lack of True Happiness in our society.
 Don't get me wrong there are happy people everyday and everywhere i go,  And those who personally know me; know that i'm a Yoga Instructor and Practice physically and mentally daily. I'm a huge Philosophy individual, so just bare with me and i hope you enjoy the additions to the Blog.
                    I want to ask you a question! Are you truly happy when you wake up everyday? Not just the days your off work or its the weekend, but every single day?

                    I'm going to start blogging not only images and adventures  that I am so grateful to be apart of, but i'm also going to make this a little piece of Motivation & inspiration. I think it's SO important to have time in your day or evening where you can just be YOU.

THINK:  The Yogin or person who recognizes the essence of his/her own mind, realizes the True Nature is always happy. The practitioner who pursues delusion, only increases his/her misery and always suffers.

                    Happiness is a True Choice, even when you've had the worst day, vacation, Relationship fight,Family issues, The water main broke in your house, etc, finding that inner self of light is key to finding your True nature and realizing the essence is good. Not becoming overwhelmed and fogging the mind.
Everyone hears the saying " everything happens for a reason", this is the truest statement we have programed into our minds. This  makes us strong, it gives obstacles and hurdles to Jump over, you just got get into a really good deep squat and jump over it.


   Realizing the Truth about yourself is the most important, if you know who you are, in the mind-set since and you have a goal.  Enjoy the ride of the journey your supposed to embark on, try not rush to the end...because then what did you learn on getting there?


  Next post I want to chat a little about the Truth Self and how it pertains in our daily lives.




Keep Smiling,

Samantha

Summer Sunshine

  Starting off the week with some great traveling images, soaking in the Sunshine and Summer heat could not ask for a better time to be headed out for a road trip EAST.
 Shooting in Charlotte, Davidson, Ballantyne, and many more delightful areas of NC/SC. Keep a close eye, for postings daily and image updates.

Update...Enjoy...Share...Follow..

Colorado wrapped up with some amazing adventures, from snowy tundras to sunny gravel roads. Great local music while walking through the streets and a culture that is truly like no other. Its  a happy state for a reason and the people make it a place to be in.
Driving through Eldora to boulder, and everywhere around and in between is such a must if you visit, The smells well make you eat just about everything at every time..hungry or not. The beautiful sky scapes will make do crazy things in a car to grab that perfect "shot" and the hours in a day will pass so fast because there is just so much to see and do and meet.

So enjoy pictures from my adventure there here on the blog which will have new sets of images every other day and then on the website their will be stories and images. Www.cristalclearphotography.com.



Sammie

Blue Sky's

Just a few of TODAYS elegant views in the adventurous Colorado. All mostly shot just outside the downtown area of Boulder, Co as well as near Loveland Co. 

Many of these areas have been cleared by natural moments in history as told by locals and is no longer able to do anything with. So these old houses and buildings bring such character to the golden colorado lands. Along with the city locals and daily routine this time of year as you can see the sky's is just HUGE and beautiful, and the golden fields and random cleaning buses just add to your adventure. Lots more to come. 

Sammie

COLORADO Delights. 2012

Colorado is known today for many things such as its majestic Rockies and its abundant ski resorts and snowy inns; snow sports and the many would say its the happiest and healthiest state to move to or live in. But a few things that are not really known or covered,  is that the Denver, Boulder, Longmont, loveland, Mountains and foothills area is also part of the main Settleization and first home of the indians in the state ranging from the Southern Arapaho tribe who maintained a village near Haystack Mountains. Utes, Cheyennes, Comanches, and Sioux were occasional visitors to this area as well also known as Boulder Valley. 
  


            My journey here in these areas have been such a delight to tour and really get off the beaten path, dirt roads and twirling  mountain  streets really have taken its toll on my camera, in the BEST way of course. 
But to capture the bluest of sky's and the unforgiving mountain ranges it leaves such a peaceful minded footprint on myself. 
            Health is a huge part of colorado's  culture keeping active is key to most if not all locals, no matter your age. Which is just amazing in itself, growing up in the South of Tennessee we never had the greatest of diets and the level of activeness was just seen differently,  i cannot get enough of the amazing active, health first mindset they have  here, its a very appealing part of the culture as well as its free spirit and love of nature and friendliness. 
        Walking through downtown Boulder has been my absolute favorite place to visit during my stay here, Why? Its red-rock city streets and layout is so easy and carefree, tons  of delis, Coffee Stops,Pastry Shops, Sports Etc,  Top Fashions and local fashions also can be found here, Roasting pig smells... feel the air with just an enticing aroma as well as the sounds of classical violins, Rocking guitars and of course an opera harp player that feels the streets with amazing music, as you walk and enjoy the strangers smiles and hellos. 

   Boulder is unique in itself based on these things but also its climate is amazing, and colorfulness is addicting. Its a must to visit and i will for sure be back.  Here are just a few images shot from a day to and in the area, more will be coming this week. Keep checking in. 




Sammie 

Sunny Vail!

Hello readers and viewers,

For the next sunny eight days, you will get to travel with me through out the rolling hills and tundra of rugged Colorado. Vail, Boulder, Longmont, Denver, Winter Park, Eldora just to give you a idea for your visuals. Shooting the snow high mountains and the winding foothills of this wondering landscape.


The Bluest of blue skys and the white blowing snow you will see some of the most breath taking views and escapes. Smiles and laughs of the laid back culture and friendliest of people.

Stay tuned for images and more daily stories from CO.


Sammie.

PEACE

 It been a busy busy time in California this month, images are still coming in and will be be Blogged and added to the website very soon.
I am happy to show and tell you about some very wonderful places on the West Coast. The images above were shot this weekend in Venice Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach. Lots more to come from each place. Its been a great adventure that should never end...laughs...but i'm happy to share all the images and stories from this trip. This weekend is also the US OPEN SURF Competition in Huntington which i have lots of stories are pictures for you to see from that.
Had my first Paddle boarding lessen on crazy ocean, and that was an absolute trip...a must if you get a chance to try it out. And do watch out for the peace rallies and protests to legalize a very strong plant. :-)

ITs all in fun and laughs...but this area is a must to visit and really get to know the locals and see and do what you can. JUst sit and lay back --because everyone will be.



Samantha

Sun, SURF, and SANDS.

I have waiting to post lately, but here are just a few images from the past few days of here in Sunny California. The cultures here are just so amazing and wonderful to become a part of. The beaches are sunny and warm and a great activity for day/night. The cities and beach communities are just delightful to live in and the people here local or not, are extremely welcoming. I would diffidently live or visit often these areas. I'm currently working on projects in Costa Mesa, San Clemente, Huntington & Newport Beach, San Diego, and So many more. You will be getting to see some images from the Worlds Surf Competition here in just a few weeks. As well as cultural portraits and the california scenic highs.

Keep checking in for updates weekly.
:-)

Samantha Hillis

Hello.

Off to a great start this weekend...got some great Panoramic images. I will be adding more and brand NEW CA images this week. Check in everyday for new posts.

Open mind.

I am off to southern California for a month this time work like crazy. I will not only be conducting shoots for photo projects but also gaining my 200hour teacher certification for yoga. I am super excited and cannot wait see what I can get into.
Keep on checking in and ready the photo blogs as well as some random writings from my adventure. Photos will follow asap.

Write soon.
Samantha Hillis

Good Morning, GOOD MORNING!

Been In wonderful and enriched Lake Wales, Florida this week capturing and watching some amazing people and seeing some fun sights.  If i'm not dodging tropical storms then its running around with a shooting adventure. Above you will see the pretty Lake Wales as well as the start of the storm today. Also this sign has been so funny to me all week just because when i first saw it i read " Brand new Sofa & Free Love" In my mind thats what i saw. Too funny. Theres only so many places you can go and buy a sofa and grab some love with the deal. laughs...all for $399.00.  Anyways I Have two day left here in Lake Wales and will be in St. Petersburg and Orlando tomorrow all day.  Should be some great shooting.



Until next time,

Samantha Hillis