“Do what you can, with all you have, wherever you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt⁣

This quote speaks to me. I’ve mulled it over a lot. I’ve used it in talks. I’ve shared it with friends. As someone who for a long time felt lost and ill-equipped to follow dreams that seemed out of reach, unattainable and honestly just unseen for the fog of uncertainty of what they even were – this quote grounds me. It reminds me that if I had waited to be an “expert” before I dared to call myself a photographer…writer…speaker…vlogger…I’d still be waiting. ⁣

First steps are always the hardest, but they are the only way forward. I still don’t consider myself an expert at anything and I never will, but I do consider myself a student. And a dreamer. And more and more a doer and a tryer. (That should be a word.) Because only by doing and trying do we grow. And learn. And fail. And succeed.⁣

I had the opportunity to be interviewed by YouTube this last winter while attending Commodity Classic. They wrote up a blog post and created a short video about my channel and looking back through the footage and listening to my own words, I’m reminded why I love sharing in this way so much. I’m reminded how important our own “why” is and how important our own try is. ⁣

Do you want to be a photographer? Start taking photos. Learn the light. It will teach you. ⁣

Do you want to vlog? Turn your phone around, hit record and upload. ⁣

Do you want to blog? Download a free WordPress site and start sharing. ⁣

Do you have a book in you the world needs to read? Start writing. ⁣

Is it all easy? Nope. Does it take time? Yep. If it’s your passion, is it worth the effort? I say so. ⁣

Stop comparing your start to someone else’s place further along in their journey. Stop making excuses for why you can’t and do what you can – with all you have – where you are. Just start. ⁣