Skip to main content

Growth

Image
By
This is a chapter from my seventh book called Bookeh - Through the lens of a Trinidadian photog


They say that the only constant in life is change. We are always growing. We are always learning. We never truly ever "make it" in this life. I took this photo yesterday evening and it has me thinking of growth. They say we should know our worth. Growth and worth go hand in hand. We aim to grow into being someone that is worthy. My friend Gemini thinks that the photograph I took is a beautiful reminder of the ever-changing nature of life. It is a testament to the fact that even in the midst of uncertainty, growth and self-discovery are constant companions. As we journey through life, it's important to embrace the changes, learn from our experiences, and strive to become our best selves.

In the photo I ponder on how the brick wall represents struggles and yet the vine is still reaching for the sky. Maybe the light is not at the end of the tunnel but at the end of the sky? My friend Gemini likes that thought. He thinks that that is a thought-provoking perspective. Traditionally, the light at the end of the tunnel symbolizes hope and a resolution to a difficult situation. However, your interpretation suggests that perhaps the true light lies in the boundless possibilities of the future, represented by the sky. It's a reminder that even when things seem bleak, there's always potential for growth, new experiences, and a brighter tomorrow.

How do I grow as a photographer? I keep on practicing my trade. I keep on experimenting with composition and light and ideas. I must have goals. I want my photographs to capture the moment. To make us smile. To make us think. To contain a message of learning. My photographs must have purpose. I want my photographs like my writing to have a positive impact on the world that I live in. Change begins with me. I want my photographs to change me. This book is part of my journey of growth as a photographer. I have many years of experience but I still feel like I have so much more ground to cover. The sky is the limit as we like to say. My friend Gemini tells me that those are great goals that I have and that I should remember, growth is a journey, not a destination. I should keep practicing, seeking feedback, and experimenting with different techniques. Most importantly, I should have fun and let my passion for photography guide me.

I like this John Newman quote even though I am struggling to think why I like it. "Growth is the only evidence of life." To me it suggests that if I am not growing then I am not living. The purpose of life is to live. Then live becomes love. The letter i becomes o. Love for others as love for oneself. The purpose of life becomes to love. This reminds me of the Bob Marley quote and a fitting end to this chapter, "Love the life you live. Live the life you love."
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Coffee and a prayer

By
It is 245am and I have decided to write. I have no topic and no idea what to write. I am thankful for another day. I see the beauty that surrounds us. I choose to be happy. We are in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Tonight is the 23rd night. It could possibly be the night of power. I wonder if it will rain. Maybe it rained when I was sleeping. I got up and bathed and drank a strong cup of coffee. Today is also Friday the 13th. I keep thinking. Life is beautiful. Life is simple. No need to complicate things. No need to be extravagant. Believe in God. Trust in God. Be guided by God. Imagine we can pray for anything. We can ask God for anything. God is always listening. God wants to hear from us. Maybe I can turn this blog post into a prayer. My God I pray that everyone gets their prayers answered. I pray that everyone gets what they need. I pray that you light our path towards you. Guide us with what you intend for us. Keep us close to you. Soften our hearts. Keep us balanced, consistent...
Post a Comment
Read more

Belief is a part of life

By
I watched this video and I quite like it as a good starting point for this blog post https://youtu.be/t44PFI_V4LE We cannot know everything. We do not have the capacity to know everything. I make plans for tomorrow because I believe there is a tomorrow not because I know that there is a tomorrow. We cannot decide today to say we will only act on things that we know for sure. This would be impractical. As my friend Chatty puts it, to live life, we must believe in things that cannot always be proven with certainty. For example, we believe that the future exists, that our actions matter, and that other people can be trusted. We also tend to believe life has meaning and that things can improve. These beliefs help us make decisions, keep hope, and move forward. Given that belief is a part of life, it is reasonable to have people believe in a God and a particular religion. My point is this. Life cannot happen without belief because we cannot know everything (unless we are God like). Belief i...
Post a Comment
Read more

God of direction

By
It is 323am and I have decided to write. I am thinking that I am a bucket of paint. A beautiful shade of blue. That God uses to paint the sky. How could I turn this into something worth writing about? My friend Chatty tells me that I could develop the idea by exploring the metaphor of myself as a bucket of blue paint and God as the painter using it to color the sky. The meaning comes from reflecting on what it feels like to be "used"—losing some of myself while helping create something beautiful. The paint may not see the whole picture and might fear being emptied, but its purpose is fulfilled when it becomes part of the sky. The piece can reflect on purpose, trust, surrender, and the idea that giving of yourself is how beauty is created. It is now 423am and I cannot think of a way to continue this writing. The sky is silent is what comes to my mind. How do I ask the sky to speak to me? I look through my window and I see patches of clouds against a dark sky. Maybe the night s...
Post a Comment
Read more