Here Now

Yesterday on my walk at Lake Camelot Park I noticed a dragonfly gliding through the air near me. I stopped and waited, watching. And I felt that I was totally present in the moment,

as I gazed at the beautiful insect. As I saw the dragonfly alight on a bare branch nearby I gave a gasp of delight. And I paused to admire it for a short time. Then I slowly removed my camera from around my neck, took off my backpack, opening the pack slowly. Finally I carefully switched my camera lens, removing my 24 – 105 mm lens, and replacing it with my 100-400 mm telephoto lens with 1.4 extender, all while admiring and watching the beautiful dragonfly. I moved slowly and gently hoping that I might have the opportunity to photograph this remarkably beautiful dragonfly up close. As I raised the camera (with telephoto lens attached), focused and pressed the shutter release button I felt at one with the beautiful creature. Then I exhaled slowly. One more time I focused and pressed the shutter release.

The only way to live is by accepting each minute as an unrepeatable miracle.
― Tara Brach, Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha

It felt as if we were engaging in a slow dance of mutual admiration. I paused to admire the dragonfly a little longer through the telephoto lens. Then, as if the dragonfly knew that I was finished photographing, it quickly fluttered off the branch and flew away.

My entire morning walk at Lake Camelot yesterday was a reminder to slow down and

Pay Attention

to the beauty of each moment. At the beginning of my walk I felt like I was a little disconnected and not totally present. I was focused on seeing if the Trumpeter Swan family was still on the lake (they were). And because of that focus I missed so much that was happening around me. Seeing the dragonfly and slowing down to closely observe it brought me into the present moment.

Afterwards, with continuing presence, I gazed at the water lily covered lake and wondered what beauty I might find in the sea of leaves and blossoms. So I began by slowing down and looking closely. In a sea of water lilies all around me I found one blossom almost hidden under huge water lily leaves.

The leaves framed the gorgeous blossom like a picture frame, but with curves and edges, texture, color gradations, and smoothness.

Attention is the most basic form of love. By paying attention we let ourselves be touched by life , and our hearts naturally become more open and engaged.
― Tara Brach, Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha

This!

This is why I make photographs, this feeling of connection and transcendence that I experience, and of seeing hidden beauty no matter where I go. I believe that you can find beauty in every landscape, even the most barren, if you look with eyes of love and gratitude.

We’re a nation hungry for more joy: Because we’re starving from a lack of gratitude.
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

My practice of photography has brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined. And choosing joy on a daily basis is now the way that I live my life. I’m not always filled with joy and gratitude (I’m human after all) but my life has changed so much since I picked up my camera more than 15 years ago. If I were to give any advice (and I usually refrain from doing so) I would suggest that you look for beauty and things to be grateful for in life no matter what else is happening.

What helps you feel a sense of connection and transcendence?

May you walk in beauty.