Seize the Day: Crossing the line of my first half marathon was a symbolic affirmation that I could overcome

FInding your spark

I've found that one of the easiest ways to feel true joy is to create. Whether it's writing, or designing jewellery, or taking photos -  it doesn't matter.  If you give yourself the space to create -  you are able to share some part of yourself.  What started out as a hobby -  from these early images from a point and shoot camera of capturing moments - of solitude, joy, friendship, sheer beauty --- has turned into a full blown love affair with the lens.  I can't say that I'm professional - but I am passionate -  when I travel - I am never without my camera -  I am now more at ease behind it than in front of it.  When I travel, a great part of the experience is walking around to capture the light and frame fleeting moments and expressions.

I love waking up in cities, towns and wandering streets -  stealing shots - then sometimes, especially when I don't speak the language, sharing the shots with children as a way of communicating.    I love seeing eyes light up when they see their faces reflected back at them in the screen - shyness dissipates and laughter erupts.  Furrowed brows cease and laugh lines deepen.  

Selfishly,  I love it  for what it has given me:  New eyes.   Photography has shown me ways of  finding beauty in daily things, perspectives of looking at people that I may not have stolen a glance at previously. It also has given me a new identity - a mask. I hide behind a lens, becoming an observer, a recorder.  

And finally, I love the fact that when I take photos - it makes other people happy.  And I find joy in that - and it takes an edge off what might have been a rough day, week or month - when I see people enjoying my perspective.   What I hadn't realized was that in this passion I have been nurturing quietly, I've not only found a creative outlet, but I've also found a way to achieve some calm in the busy-ness of everyday. 

Which, if you think about it, is especially important for me, as someone who when fatigued or overly excited, can just spike up suddenly, and then just as suddenly, fade away.  

I recognize this tonight - having come back from a hectic transatlantic business trip - feeling nonetheless centered.  A large part of that comes from the fact that I spent a day walking around New York, observing the West Village waking up, traipsing through the High Line on a photo hunt and receiving critique and advice from a photographer.  I walked from 7 am to 4pm - and it was a great day.  Losing myself behind the lens let me forget for that day how tired and busy I had been - and let me focus myself on others.  And that is a great gift.