“Rules are meant to be broken Jen,” said one smart 9 year-old and in this photo, it certainly is. The rule of thirds helps create balance and interesting, captivating images. Follow this “rule of thirds” and create New York Times worthy compositions. Well you’d hope so. The rule is in place as a guideline you learn.  The rule is something you think about in the back of your mind, but maybe is skipped over a few times. That’s okay because as the 9 year-old said, “rules are meant to be broken.”

Now that 2016 is here, there are three “thirds” I hope will become my guidelines for 2016. Last year I started with a few ideas that focus put me on a path for the rest of the year. With my admiration for alliteration (ironic because I thought it was a joke in middle school English), these three categories are labeled with the 3L’s–location, love, and learn.

Location, location, location. It’s all about where you are because that should be where you want to be. If you’re not where you want to be, or where you think you should be, go there. Now. You won’t regret it and the people who care about you will respect it. That’s why I’m here again, on Maui for the love and life of someone I care about very much, G-Flo. New York is not going anywhere, but who knows about G-Flo. Her walker rolls where she goes and as quickly as life comes, it can also go. I need to be here before I regret not being here. I look forward to surrounding myself with the people I love and who love me. The second third, love, encompasses many things but an important one is that I figured out I truly love what I do. The artist life might not be easy but there is alway something to learn–that’s the final third. In 2016 I look forward to learning how to do better and be my best self. Last year I allowed myself to do things and try things I would have questioned the year before. I still question some of that now, but that’s how you learn. Right? All I can say it can only go up from here. *Raising both hands in celebration emoji*

These thirds–location, love, and learn–will serve as my guidelines for 2016. I’ll remember what my favorite 9 year-old said about breaking the rules as I try to make the most intriguing compositions of my life possible. This year will be very different from last and I welcome that with open arms. Change is good, and so is alliteration. ;)