Pamela Velez Photography

Bo shares his birthday dinner with his brother, Jasper Kitty. ❤️ Happy 2nd birthday to my sweet, loving mini Bernadoodle, Bo Bear 💙

After a long absence from my photography, I finally got my website back up and running!

https://www.pamelavelez.com

In his groundbreaking 1952 book “Invisible Man,” Ralph Ellison introduces us to an unnamed African American narrator who relates his story from a basement dwelling lit with 1,369 light bulbs. This room filled with light represents the man’s choice to see his life more clearly, to seek truth through enlightenment. Although “Invisible Man” was Ellison’s only novel published in his lifetime, more manuscripts were discovered in the award-winning author’s home after his death in 1994. This discovery resulted in the posthumous publication of a second novel, 1999’s “Juneteenth.” Even today, Ellison’s work continues to point us toward finding our truth from a place of quietly defiant illumination.

Julia Alvarez is an award-winning Dominican American poet, novelist, and essayist who drew national attention with her popular 1991 novel “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents” and 1994’s “In the Time of the Butterflies,” in which this quote appears. These simple words encourage us not to undervalue spontaneity: While we’re busy grasping for control, our most meaningful experiences are often the result of life’s unexpected twists and turns.

Best known for his book “Walden,” a series of essays about his time living alone in nature, American writer Henry David Thoreau prioritized personal values above societal expectations. Following his transcendentalist belief in spirituality and simple virtues, Thoreau often advocated living life in a way that is both fulfilling and impactful. In these words from an 1848 letter to his friend Harrison Blake, the writer implores us to endeavor to find a reason to be good people beyond just knowing that we should be. Having some sort of solid motivation to back us up increases our chances of becoming the kind of people we’d be proud of.

Romain Rolland was a renowned French writer in the early 20th century, as well as an art professor with a deep passion for music. In 1915, he won the Nobel Prize in literature for his novel “Jean-Christophe,” which follows the life of the titular musical genius through all his trials and triumphs. Rolland was a lifelong pacifist who lived through World War I and most of World War II, and believed that peace was inexorably tied to humanity’s artistic instincts. His words here strengthen that connection: Artists make work that inspires and buoys us in difficult times, reminding us of the valuable things in life.

Kevin Kelly’s decades-long career as a writer, tech thinker, and founding executive editor of “Wired” magazine is living proof that there’s no age limit on curiosity or education. He summarizes this concept in a collection of advice he compiled in 2020 titled “Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier,” excerpted here. Too often, society equates aging with a decrease in progress, novelty, and innovation. Per Kelly’s advice, the best way to push back against this is to remain open to the possibilities of surprise, wonder, and astonishment. No matter how old we are, we’re never too old to improve ourselves, learn something new, or change our minds.

We got a little snow last night!

In a 2012 commencement speech at Oregon State University, Michelle Obama shared several unforgettable nuggets of wisdom, one of which was that true success is measured not by external appearances, but rather by our own internal sense of fulfillment. Of course, in a world of constant comparison, that’s easier said than done. But the then-First Lady offered a tip on how to find the “right” kind of success: by reflecting on what it is that truly sparks our joy and pursuing that authentically. “You will never be happy plodding through someone else’s idea of success,” she said. “Success is only meaningful — and enjoyable — if it feels like your own.”

Hindsight, it’s often said, is 20/20. In Daniel Defoe’s 18th-century literary classic “Robinson Crusoe,” the titular protagonist struggles to survive while shipwrecked on a deserted island. As Crusoe learns to adapt to his wild surroundings, he also experiences regret for the choices that led to the circumstances in which he finds himself. But the past, of course, is in the past and cannot be changed. So in the throes of isolation, Crusoe forges ahead, progressing mentally and physically and keeping himself alive for 28 long years. It’s a story of resilience, but, as this quote demonstrates, it’s also a testament to independence, personal accountability, and the capacity for change.

Beautiful day at the Grandview Golf Club

David Brooks is a professor, author, and longtime columnist for “The New York Times.” In his 2023 book, “How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen,” Brooks describes how we might heal as a society by learning how to fully recognize the sacred humanity in those around us. He coined the term “illuminator” to describe the kind of person who knows instinctively how to help others feel fully seen and known. In this quote, he reminds us that making these efforts to pay attention to our surroundings and our fellow humans will enhance not only the lives of others, but our own life as well. After all, attention is a form of love.

Sometimes called “the inventor of modern management,” prominent Austrian American business consultant Peter Drucker advised countless key figures of the American economy throughout the last half of the 20th century. His groundbreaking philosophy advanced the idea that business could be both profitable and socially responsible, and his teachings have helped revolutionize the landscape and practice of modern business management. At the forefront of Drucker’s principles was the understanding that the business world is driven by people — and that the key to success is understanding those people. In a 1989 interview with Bill Moyers, Drucker explained that communication is about more than just applying our own significance to someone else’s words; it’s about working to understand their unique perspective and priorities. Drucker’s belief is a reminder that the willingness to observe and appreciate our differences can go a long way toward fostering mutual understanding and support.

When essayist Laurence Hutton was a boy, he met British novelist William Makepeace Thackeray (author of “Vanity Fair” and other books) and had an encounter that profoundly impacted his life. Thackeray asked Hutton what he wanted to be when he grew up, and Hutton replied, “A farmer.” Thackeray’s apparent response was this piece of wisdom. Hutton tried his best to fulfill that advice, and we should, too. It doesn’t matter what you do in life; what matters is striving for excellence in any task, big or small, because the effort itself can be the greatest reward.

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard is considered one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. After an injury sidelined him in his junior college season, he came back stronger and was named Big Sky Conference MVP and NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013. His career has only grown since, with seven All-Star team selections and a 2020 Olympic gold medal to his name. Lillard embraces hard work off the court too, whether he’s embarking on a side career as a rapper or establishing his RESPECT Program (whose motto is “Show Up, Work Hard, and Be Kind”), which encourages attendance and kindness among high schoolers. Here, he reminds us that while our behind-the-scenes efforts may seem thankless now, they’re crucial to our future success.

Helen Keller knew more than her fair share of hardships. After a series of illnesses, she lost her sight and hearing before her second birthday. Instead of letting her struggles define her, Keller became famous for her unique ability to overcome. Her first teacher, Anne Sullivan, introduced her to language and taught Keller how to read and write. Keller later qualified for Radcliffe College of Harvard University, where she became the first deaf and blind person to receive a college diploma in the United States. As she often said, she found happiness in life by facing adversity with remarkable hope and optimism.

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Author and motivational speaker Mel Robbins offers an abundance of straightforward, transformative advice such as this in her book “The 5 Second Rule.” The titular rule is as follows: Whenever you feel inspired to act on a task, count backward from five, then act. Robbins argues that counting distracts our brains from letting anxiety take over, thereby making it easier to accomplish the goal at hand. Robbins has long been a proponent of practicing and cultivating courage, despite our propensity to focus on the what-ifs. This excerpt reminds us that we can’t always please everyone; therefore, we shouldn’t allow our paths forward to be hindered by what people think of us. We’re the only ones who can truly advocate for ourselves, and we owe it to ourselves to do so.

Fur babies soaking up the sun

Missing piece of the puzzle

Can’t see the forest for the trees

Red leaves on a tree

Best known for her roles in films such as "Still Alice" and "Boogie Nights," Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore has also authored bestselling children’s books about self-acceptance. The eight installments of her "Freckleface Strawberry" series were inspired by her girlhood as a conspicuous redhead. Like many young people, Freckleface Strawberry gets her ideas about who she wants to be and what she wants to do from looking outward. Moore wants to help kids learn a lesson she's realized with the passing decades. As she mentions in this quote, growing older brings clarity, and once you grasp what you like about yourself, determining your priorities becomes easier.

Sunning after a walk

In the opening scene of Shakespeare’s comedy “All’s Well That Ends Well,” a mother shares this quote with her son. It’s excellent advice for any child (or anyone) getting ready to face the world on their own. Shakespeare tells us that every single person, regardless of background, is worthy of love. But he also cautions to be wise about who we put our trust in, because trust is something to be earned. While we may not be able to control the actions of others, we can control how we treat people. If there’s one rule to live by, it’s to always show kindness and never do anything to hurt others.

American astronomer Carl Sagan was known and much beloved for his research on extraterrestrial life and the cosmos, which he shared with the public in his earnest, enthusiastic manner on his 1980 TV show “Cosmos,” the most widely watched series in the history of American public television. In his book "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark," Sagan noted that even the simplest scientific concept, fully grasped, can elicit a spiritual experience. “The very act of understanding is a celebration of joining, merging, even if on a modest scale, with the magnificence of the cosmos,” he wrote. “When we recognize our place in an immensity of light-years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual.”

Much of Flannery O’Connor’s Southern Gothic fiction explores complex themes of grace and redemption, and her characters often grapple with their own flaws and moral shortcomings. This is due in no small part to O’Connor’s Catholic upbringing: She described herself as “a Catholic peculiarly possessed of the modern consciousness.” In this quote from one of her personal letters, O’Connor acknowledges that self-acceptance is not one’s final destination, but should instead be a step on the path to realizing, and then addressing, one’s weaknesses and faults. There’s a lot of beauty to be found in humility, and it’s important to remember that we can remain humble and open to bettering ourselves while still loving who we are.

Some writers are capable of creating such a strong sense of tone and imagery that the mere mention of their name — Dickens, Lovecraft, Kafka — instantly conjures up a specific feeling. Edgar Allan Poe was one such writer. His poems and short stories, his tales of mystery and the macabre, are shrouded in dark atmospheres dripping with Gothic wonder. His imagery is often morbid and tinged with madness, but it’s always captivating. This quote comes from the 1842 short story “Eleonora” and explores the notion that those who allow their conscious minds and imaginations to wander can often gain more insights and ideas than those who only dream while asleep. Poe often pondered the concept of dreaming; as he wrote in a celebrated 1849 poem, “All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” One of Poe’s great powers was the ability to channel his dreams into such timeless literary works as “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

In his book “Striking Thoughts,” actor, martial artist, and philosopher Bruce Lee illustrates the boundless opportunities life presents us. It is never too late to learn something new, love something new, or become someone new. In fact, often the greatest impediments to creating the lives we desire most aren’t the speed bumps we hit along the way, but the limitations we put on ourselves before we even begin the journey.