Go out and inspire someone.

"Reach out and touch
Somebodys hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebodys hand
Make this world a better place
If you can."

When someone is in need, we have two options---we help or turn the other way. Hopefully deep down we want to help, but I am also sure we have turned and thought, "Do I really have time?"

You do.

Yesterday I started a project at our local YMCA; it was not something I had approached them about, they contacted me after I had let them know I was a photographer and if they needed my services just ask. When I heard the details of this project,  I knew there was a reason this happened---I was 100% honored by their request.

I am not going to go into details about the project because it's not out yet and that would not be right. But I will go into detail about someone who I photographed and he completely blew me away; his name is Bruce and he is a true inspiration in how to live our lives. 

Bruce is seen frequently at the Y, and it would be hard to miss him if you saw him. It has nothing to do with his having MS,  actually it has everything to do with his approach on life. I first saw him the other day when I was working out---if you call it that---and could not help but notice how he was talking with so many people no matter where he went. He was not avoiding his workout, he was being approached by people who really like him---"genuine like" and wanting to spend time with him. If he was hoping to work out, it was going to be a lot longer than he had thought it would be.

Since I knew what the photo session was going to be about, I had time to think about how I wanted to capture the time I had with him. No matter how I envisioned it would be, I was wrong. Bruce was fine when I described the photo I was wanting to take, but it was our commonalities that changed the entire shoot. I learned he grew up 28 miles to the West from where my family settled when they came to the U.S., went to the same college my sister attended, and we both, absolutely, love the Chicago Bulls. (When I heard this---I knew we would be friends well beyond the photo shoot.)

In this world we need more people like Bruce---sure some people might see him as someone who needs others, but it's actually vice-versa; it isn't until you talk with him that you know why he has trouble working out---with all of his friends who want to spend time with him, it's tough for him to find the time. (His passion about life is infectious---something we all need in ours.)

The photo above was taken yesterday at the Y; as I explained to Bruce when we met, "I want to capture how you have conquered this machine." He just smiled and I shot.

Thanks for stopping by.