Paul Kilmon: A Life Illustrated in Words & Photos: Joy and Inspiration

Welcome!

Through my writing, photography, career, and personal challenges, you will discover I am just like you, a person on a journey. My goals are simple, to be healthy and happy. You will learn I have many interests. The driving force for all I do is communication, the sharing of ideas and my passion for laughter. It really is the best medicine and a great stress reducer.

I consider myself a down-to-earth guy, who is just making it up as I travel through life, adding a virtual laugh track here and there to amuse others and myself. I have a friendly personality, which is expressive, warm, upbeat, fun, and positive. I love meeting new people. I thrive on communication, organization, diversity, creativity, and laughter. – Paul Eric Kilmon (paerki)

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Joy and Inspiration

A walk through the city, stopping at… The Enoch Pratt Free Library (Central Branch) to return videos and books… Baltimore Basilica for 15 minutes of meditation… Emmanuel Episcopal Church for their Wednesday "A Joyful Noise" concert series (Bach: Prelude and Fugue in G major, BWV 541, and Aria from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068, Carvalho: Allegro in D major, Hollins: A Trumpet Minuet, Rawsthorne: Aria, and Dubois: Toccata in G). Thank you, Douglas Bruce, for sublime organ playing… The Walters Art Museum for their new exhibit, Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe, and finally, a walk home via the Jones Falls Trail and Johns Hopkins University – Homewood Campus to explore autumn’s grandeur.

It seems like it takes one good rain to move fall along, and that happened a few days ago. The leaves are changing quickly, falling poetically to the ground, and the crunch under foot is a simple reminder of youth. It really does make me smile.

It was a joyful Wednesday, finding inspiration in old buildings, books, art, music and people, and one person in particular. Thank you!

I can’t say it enough – find your joy in the easy and familiar. So many of us expect joy to come in a much bigger package. We’re so busy looking for what’s often right in front of us, coming in a steady flow of small beautiful pleasures. Many fail to see it because they aren’t fully present in the moment.

I implore you to embrace the little things in life. It’s not the experience that gives you the pleasure, but the willingness to focus on the simplicity. Remember to share your joy with others. I share this with you. Cheers! – paerki

What would life be like without memories? It’s fair to say, there would be no life at all. Memory is our communication, reason, coherence, our action and more importantly, our feeling. Memories create our path in life, developing our psychology and leading us emotionally.

One of the best ways to create and store memories is with video. These simple effortless little snippets of time create diaries and become perpetual time capsules, which justify our walk on earth, telling all with great enthusiasm… I was here! I mattered! I lived! Please, don’t forget me.

Share your views, thoughts and opinions in the written word. Snap photographs so your eyes can travel back in time, remembering the happy and sad moments that made you the person you were, are and became in life. But, whenever possible, capture video to enhance the memories you leave behind, so that others may pass the essence of your life on to future generations. – paerki

I love photographs! They have this amazing ability to tell stories of fun places, special moments, memorable events, and exciting places. They give us reason to pause and remember friends, family, coworkers and so many others. One photograph can conjure up a flood of memories taking us on a journey. They help us remember the past, enjoy the present and ponder the future.

On a cold and rainy day I love sitting in my living room with a roaring fire, a glass of wine, classical music playing in the background and my many photographs scattered about me. I love sifting through what I call my special collection, which refers to my favorites. They remind me of the saddest and happiest moments of my life. They remind me of challenges and overcoming.

My large collection of images are a testament to a life lived. Life happens all around us so it’s important to collect special memories, and what better way than with a photograph. – paerki

It’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging for more than 12 years. This art form has allowed me to showcase and express my creativity. It has bolstered my confidence (not that is was lacking). At times it has been therapeutic, but more than anything it has given me a much deeper view of the world and how I see myself in it.

I use my insights as a barometer for self-change, which helps me reconcile the past, adapt to the present and navigate carefully into the future. I have enjoyed the roller coaster ride of thought as my hands write it and my eyes see it. As always, I hope you can relate to my stories, appreciate my views, savor the wisdom, reflect on the concepts and, more than anything, respect my friendly and genuine interest in connecting with others.

Find you own voice. Think about writing your own blog. Learn your style, share your views and open a whole new world of possibilities for you and your readers-to-be.. – paerki