There’s a good chance that, as you’re reading this, the sun is shining down on you or the temperature is somewhere in the moderate range. There might even be a song playing from an open car window or a deck speaker. Most of us start to come out of our (really) long hibernation and perk up with the May flowers. But, every so often I am reminded that it takes more than a little sunshine to battle some of the internal struggles that some of us face.
A good friend of mine spent many years as a soldier defending our country, and often finds himself in throes of depression. There are many factors that contribute to his state of mind, but the one thing he always finds comfort in is his camera. Being a photographer myself, I also find solace and serenity in a photographic expedition, but his love for photography has saved his life and given him reason to live.
For myself, I am fortunate to have a family, as well as music and photography, that consistently feeds my heart. I often wonder what life would be like without my family or my camera, or without all of the music that enriches my life each and every day. I’ve come to find that true light and warmth is not generated by the sun, but by those things in life that make your heart smile. It is my hope that everyone reading this might find those things in life that feed their souls and keep their hearts smiling. Sometimes it’s as simple as a song.
