I love this time of year. I’m drinking hot-buttered rum while I write this. And on Monday we’re throwing our bags into the Jeep and heading to Whistler to quietly celebrate my birthday, and Christmas, next to a snow-covered lake under the shadow of mountains. It’s the perfect time of year to unplug from the matrix and connect, instead, with the people that matter most. Of course, that’s a tough line to draw in the snow because so many of the important people in our lives are those with whom we connect via the internet.
Thanks to all of you for being among those people. You’ve brought such good things into my life and the lives of the people who work with me. I hope this holiday, and the new year, brings beauty, love, and every truly good thing to you and the ones you love. I hope it brings you and I closer to doing the work we truly long for, and the freedom from last year’s fears, the ones that stopped us from fully hearing the muse, or taking the risks we knew in our hearts we needed to take. I hope it brings you the courage to say no to the things that suck your time and drain your soul. I hope it brings you surprise, wonder, laughter, and the strength to wipe the tears when things get harder than we ever imagine. I hope it brings you the capacity to be kind to yourself and to see yourself through the eyes and hearts of those who love you. And I hope it brings you wider eyes than you’ve ever had; new ways of seeing and experiencing this beautiful, too-short life.
Merry Christmas, friends.
Comments
Thank you David for always inspiring and echoing many of our inner thoughts. And thank you also for sharing so much of what you are learning and contributing to make our collective lives better. Wishing you a great 2013.
Arif
Thanks for the wonderful message, David. I’ve only just read it, so am too late for Xmas wishes, but may the New Year be a great one for you. Many blessings to you my friend. I appreciate all your teaching via blog and eBooks, and can’t thank you enough for helping me grow as a photographer.
Cheers!
Is it your birthday tommorow? Same as my mom’s have an awesome white and wonderful birthday celebration of both your birthday and His. Thanks for your writing and blogging and sharing.
Paul
David,
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday. Beautiful post! Beautiful comments. Sometimes these things just need to be said as a simple reminder. Thank you! Enjoy your holidays!
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, David.
thank you! enjoy the quiet.
Hey David,
Great image first of all! Fantastic! As always, the words weren’t bad either.
Maybe Santa will bring you a 5 pack of Acros for Christmas!
Best,
Craig
Happy holidays David. Thank you for another inspiring year of watching you do your thing. Every step you take challenges me to take another step as well.
My best to you in the coming year.
Dear David, have a great time celebrating your birthday and Christmas time. I’d like to wish very Merry Christmas to you, your family, readers and friends and have a better New Year as well.
Here is my Christmas card for you Guys – http://fotoland.net.pl/images/my_graphics/zyczenia_swieta_pl_en.jpg
Take care, M.
Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas, David. Thank-you for another year of breathtaking photos and insight into our world and the world of photography.
I heard you this morning on CKNW and I’m looking forward to getting my hands on your book.
A beautiful wish with an equally special image. Thank you Mr DuChemin for the incredible inspiration and advice i’ve benefitted from over the last year. For the pittance that i paid for it, it feels like you’ve truly gifted my life. Best regards & God bless from South Africa.
Happy birthday of course and Merry Christmas ! I wish all of you new inspirations and your muses never left you.
Wait, what? Buttered rum? That sounds awesome! I’ll be sure to google what that is 😉
Merry Christmas Mr. duChemin and a Happy New Year!
David Sir, Thank you so much your post & Awesome photograph.
Wishing you and your family Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Happy Birthday 🙂 Lots of Love
Thanks David. Merry Christmas to you and all the best for many wonderful adventures in 2013. And…. Happy Birthday as well!
Cheers!
Merry Christmas David!
Have a wonderful holiday David and Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year David. May the new year treat you as well as this year did.
I have you new book, but an not planning to crack it open till Christmas day when I’ll have some uninterrupted time to peruse it.
And a Merry Christmas to you, David, and only good things in the coming year.
Unwind and enjoy your time away for your birthday/Christmas celebration, David. I appreciate this community of kindred spirits so very much… and pray we all live courageously and creatively in the new year!
Thank you for all the words and images this year, David. Wishing you and yours the best.
Have a lovely Christmas and wonderful birthday, David!! Excited to see what 2013 will bring! 🙂
Thank you David.
I’m so very glad to have found you this year. Every single time I venture into your writings and art, my eyes are opened, my mind becomes active and I have such a drive to do better…in not just photography, but in every day life. Your words are inspirational and I very much appreciate the time you take to put them out there.
Happy Birthday and have a very Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas!
Andrea
David, Have a wonderful celebration for the holidays. As I reflect back on the past year, I am very grateful for meeting you and learning from you in Ethiopia. You are quite an inspiration – then & now. Happy Birthday!
Thanks Karen. I trust you and yours have a beautiful holiday. Travel plans for 2013? 🙂
Thanks for a wonderful Christmas message, David! Your list of hopes for all of us is inspiring and exactly right in terms of what’s needed. Wishing you a great holiday season and also a very happy birthday. Like you, I’m a Christmas baby: mine is today, the shortest day/longest night of the year – and fortunately, NOT the end of the world as some predicted! A toast to both of us!
Happy Birthday, Laurie. 🙂