a mission statement

Writing yesterday's post was sort of tough:  although I sort of vaguely had an idea of what I try to accomplish here on Chookooloonks, it was the first time that I actually tried to sit down and codify how I felt about the work that I want to accomplish.

As I drafted the post, I kept thinking about my friend Erin Loechner, who, not long ago, wrote her own "mission statement" on her blog.  As one of her commenters said, it's a really soulful one. While crafting yesterday's words, I kept wondering what my mission statement would look like, if I tried to write one.

And so I did.  Here are the words that I want to live by, but also create by, as Chookooloonks.com and all my related work evolves:

I will engage in the relentless pursuit of real, uncontrived beauty, in every form.  I will illustrate that beauty is everywhere, even (and sometimes especially) in the most unlikely places.  In so doing, I will work tirelessly to counter negativity, violence, sadness and desperation, and join forces with those who celebrate positivity, peace, kindness and joy.  I will convince the skeptical of their uncommon beauty, and I will create tools for helping the weary see the beauty in their own lives.  I will provide hard, irrefutable evidence that there is good in the world, and I will be fiercely dedicated to showing how beautiful our planet really is, one image at a time.

That oughta do it.

 So, question of the day, while I'm thinking about it:  what do you stand for? Inquiring minds, and all that.  And if you've actually created a mission statement, by golly, do share!

* * * * * * *

By the way, thanks much for all your comments yesterday!  According to Random.org, the winner of the signed copy of The Beauty of Different from yesterday's post is Dreadpiraterach, who said, "That was such a resonant post for me Karen. Thanks for sharing it & for the opportunity to win your lovely book!"  Congratulations!  Please keep a look-out for an email from me, requesting your snail mail address. And for everyone else, stay tuned: there'll be another book giveaway next week.

Images:  Photographed with my Nikon D300, 50mm lens.  Inspired by the images of Kari Herer, as recently shared on Design*Sponge.  You can buy prints of Kari's beautiful work here. aperture 1.4, shutter speed 1/320, ISO 500.

Song: Suddenly I see by KT Tunstall