Jody: An Uplifting Buffalonian
A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing Jody Allsbrook. If you don't know Jody, you're seriously missing out! She is a local in Buffalo and one of the most positive and uplifting people I have had the honor of meeting. Over the past couple of years I have began to search out more and more successful, motivational, strong women.. Jody is this and more. Every time I have gotten the chance to converse with her not only do I learn something new but my eyes are shown other perspectives and insights. The way Jody thinks and speaks makes you look at life differently and with a clearer view. I'm always left thinking about ways to better my self and conquer my goals.
To go along with her photos I wanted to share a few responses Jody gave me.
Me: "Why did you start a sorority when you were attending Buffalo State College?"
Jody: "I started the sorority to empower young women to be part of the community in Buffalo. I had a dream where sorority and fraternity members could contribute beauty, strength and vitality to their community: instead of the typically seen party life style and all the destruction that comes with that life style. That is why there originally was the highest amount of volunteer work required, high standards for grades, and sobriety at all meetings."
Me: "Do you have advice for other females, especially young ones, on finding and loving yourself?"
Jody: "Yes, learn to a.s.a.p. You can only love others as much as you love yourself. And in my opinion this world needs as much love as it can get. We all have improvements to make, decisions we could have or should have made with more grace but didn't. Those can be reasons to invite hate, anger and negativity into our worlds. Or we can choose love, compassion and accepting others and ourselves for all that we/ they are and all that we/ they are not. Love is a choice, and a good one in my opinion."
Me: "Could you tell me some details on your forum and how it has helped you?"
Jody: "I have always searched for ways to create more space for love in my world. Last year I was introduced to Landmark Personal Development. It is the transformation of life and work that creates windows into the realm of possibilities when we move beyond what we know that we know... when we look into the blind spots in our lives. When I signed up for my Forum- I honestly didn't have a clue what I was signing up for. Since then, I have created breakthroughs and transformed my relationships with my grandmother, brother and father. In addition, to career, life style and self-love transformations, working with Landmark has given me the opportunity to be fully self-expressed and in love with life no matter what kind of nonsense the universe throws at me. The total transformation of these relationships has given me access to an unlimited amount of love in my life and for that I will always be grateful. I had thought that with the way life happened that I was just never going to have the relationships I wanted. I thought strained and tense relationships just happened with some people. Through my Forum and time working with Landmark- I learned I have a choice in my way of being, and who I am in every relationship and conversation; and who I am is the possibility of love, connection and communication."
Check out more photos (below) from our session together!
