Jet Mariano

Tag: Motivation

  • MIT8 — “Roses, Stone, and Sky”

    Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland framed by morning roses and a still moat. Low-angle composition, layered foreground-to-background for color, structure, and reflection.

    Intro

    The castle is storybook stone, but the roses are living color. Faith is like that—rooted, seasonal, and bright against whatever feels immovable.

    Excerpt

    I framed this low in the rose bed to stack three layers: blooms, castle, and reflection. The flowers pull you in, the bridge and turrets anchor the middle, and the sky opens the scene. The castle gets most of the attention, but the roses do the inviting.

    Notes from the Devotional

    “Make Jesus the light of your life. And then by his light, see everything else.” — Elder Neal A. Maxwell
    When the Light is first, everything else makes sense.

    Perspective

    “Sometimes it is better to be left out than to be taken in… It is better for you to be alienated from the gang than to be alienated from God.” — Elder Maxwell
    Beauty is not popularity; it’s alignment. Choose the view that keeps you closest to the Light.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    “Obeying is one of the best ways of exploring.” — Elder Maxwell
    Honor park rules and guests. Work within limits: arrive early, stay off the beds, wait for gaps in foot traffic, and compose from the edge.

    Final Reflection

    “Trust the Lord for he sees your possibilities even when you do not.” — Elder Maxwell
    The bloom you notice is rarely the only one ready to open. In time, a whole garden appears.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “Be very careful about what you let come inside your storehouse of memories. Those memories will be there for a very long time.” — Elder Maxwell
    I want a storehouse full of color and peace—moments of quiet light with people I love.

    Behind the Shot

    • location: Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland
    • approach: arrive early; look for still water in the moat for a clean reflection; use flowers as a foreground frame
    • composition: very low angle, flowers as leading foreground, bridge arches and turrets for structure, negative space in the sky
    • settings (starting point): 16–24 mm, f/8–f/11, base ISO, shutter as needed; confirm nearest bloom focus; keep verticals natural
    • etiquette: stay out of the beds; don’t block paths; be quick and kind with guests and cast

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • MIT8 — “The Dog With the Keys”

    Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland — the dog with the keys. Captured from a moving boat, manual exposure, 24mm at f/2.8, high ISO, no flash allowed.

    Intro

    The pirates beg; the dog holds the keys. It’s funny—and it’s a mirror. The way out is often right in front of us, but we still have to earn it: patience, timing, and steady hands in the dark.

    Excerpt

    No flash, no tripod, no second chances—just a drifting boat, dim lantern light, and the moment you either catch or miss. I rode the attraction several times, dialed in manual settings, and waited for the boat to line up with the dog and the bars. The frame finally clicked when the scene, the motion, and my breathing all settled together.

    Notes from the Devotional

    “Righteousness has to become a matter of reflex.” — Elder Neal A. Maxwell
    When the light is low and everything moves, you don’t have time to analyze; you respond because you’ve practiced. That’s true for cameras and character.

    Perspective

    “Don’t be discouraged if, in your lifetime, you seem surrounded and outnumbered.” — Elder Maxwell
    Surrounded by bars? Sometimes the key is closer than it feels. Keep your eye on it—and keep reaching.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    “Obeying is one of the best ways of exploring.” — Elder Maxwell
    Honor the rules of the ride—no flash photography is allowed—then explore within those limits: open your aperture, raise ISO, steady your body, and work the timing on each pass.

    Final Reflection

    “Believe in yourself not only for what you now are but for what you have the power to become.” — Elder Maxwell
    Low light doesn’t mean no light. There’s enough light to grow if you learn how to see it.

    Pocket I’m keeping

    “Be very careful about what you let come inside your storehouse of memories.” — Elder Maxwell
    This frame reminds me to stock my mind with moments earned by patience and restraint, not shortcuts.

    Behind the Shot

    • location: Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland
    • camera: full-frame body, 24mm f/1.4G
    • settings: manual, f/2.8, high ISO, shutter fast enough to freeze boat bobble
    • constraints: moving boat, dim practicals, absolutely no flash allowed
    • approach: rode multiple times, pre-focused, timed shutter as boat paralleled the dog

    Tips if you want this shot

    1. flash is not allowed on this ride—respect the rules, the show, and other guests
    2. use manual exposure; start around f/2.8, 1/125s, ISO 6400–12800 and adjust
    3. stabilize with breath control and elbows tucked; shoot short bursts as the boat glides parallel
    4. ride again; patience is part of the art

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Keep Going When the Odds Say “Not Today”

    Monsoon rain, no guarantee, and a low chance of lightning. I framed Mokoliʻi between the bougainvillea, promised myself “ten more minutes,” and waited. The sky answered with a single crack of light. Most breakthroughs arrive between patience and presence. Keep going.

    Intro

    Hawaiʻi is famous for warm trade winds and sudden monsoon rain—but not for lightning. That’s why I stayed anyway. Between gray bands of rain, a single bolt cracked over Mokoliʻi, and the island lit up like a punctuation mark on the horizon. Some shots don’t happen until you’ve already decided to keep waiting.

    Excerpt

    “We cannot expect life to be a first-class experience unless we face some first-class challenges.” – Elder Neal A Maxwell

    Notes from the Moment (BTS)

    • Place: Windward Oʻahu, looking toward Mokoliʻi.
    • Weather: Fast-moving cells; rain/sun/rain cadence.
    • Approach: Pre-framed the island between bougainvillea and palms; stayed sheltered and watched the cloud build. Shot short bursts when thunder rolled; reviewed only after the storm passed.
    • Tip: On days when odds look low, decide ahead of time how long you’ll stay. The decision to wait removes the temptation to quit early.

    Perspective

    Lightning over Mokoliʻi is a reminder that rarity isn’t impossibility. Breakthroughs often arrive in the minutes after most people pack up. The skill isn’t just technical; it’s endurance plus attention—staying present long enough for grace to show.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    • The “Ten More Minutes” rule: when you feel like leaving—stay ten more.
    • Pre-frame & wait: set one composition and guard it. Let the moment walk into your frame.
    • Write one sentence: “I’m still here because ______.” (Name your why.)

    Final Reflection

    Storms don’t always bring danger; sometimes they bring definition. Keep going. The bolt you’re waiting for may be one cloud away.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “Rarity is not a reason to quit—only a reason to stay.”

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • I’m Able: Climbing for Light, Capturing the Moon

    After hiking over 2,000 feet to my favorite mountain ridge, I waited in silence with my 1000mm + TC 2x lens—watching the Supermoon rise in full glory. It reminded me that some things are only visible to those willing to climb.
    From this 2K-foot summit, I waited with my 1000mm lens and 2x teleconverter. The shot was worth it. My eyes soaked in the rising Supermoon, but I wanted to remember the experience forever. It took patience, precise camera settings, and above all, an ‘I’m able’ attitude that brought me the stillness I needed. Here’s the result.

    That simple phrase didn’t just motivate me. It rejuvenated me. It reminded me that every setback I’ve endured, every delay, and every heartbreak was not the end—but a test of endurance. Like Edison, like Tesla, and like countless others who stood firm when things fell apart, I now carry this quiet fire inside me.
    No matter what the odds say—I’m able.
    And that means everything.

    I’m Able
    Poem by Jet Mariano

    I’m able—not because I’ve won,
    But because I choose to rise with the sun.
    I’m able—not from praise or might,
    But by standing up when wrong feels right.

    I’m able—through the tear-stained night,
    To cradle hope and guard the light.
    I’m able—though I walk alone,
    To make the climb and call it home.

    I’ve come to realize—I don’t need titles to prove my worth. I don’t measure myself by applause or position.
    What I carry is truth. Lived truth. Quiet truth. Hard-earned truth.
    And in those silent battles when no one’s watching, I remind myself:
    I’m able.
    And that means everything.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Above It All

    No roar, no rush. Just resolve in motion—above it all.

    I walked the fire and bore the weight,
    Yet silence taught me not to break.
    Beyond the noise, beyond the call—
    I stood my ground above it all.
    That’s resolution, not hesitation.

    “Remember, success is a journey, not a destination. Have faith in your ability. You will do just fine.”
    — Bruce Lee

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

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