When you go on the internet and scroll through the feed you would think that Armageddon is coming. The 24/7 news hyperbole is in full swing and it’s so easy to get caught up in this end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it mentality. Doom and gloom preachers all get their five minutes to spread falsehoods and innuendoes. The demand is massive.
Then I phone my best friend and find out two of his family members are sick, very sick but not with coronavirus. How about going out? As I get my coffee, I watch people leaving the local grocery store with bags full of emergency supplies. It really gets into your head. There is no question that people with a compromised immune system are at risk but wait a minute – I’m one of them!
I head home. Then I sit down and close my eyes for a few minutes. It all goes quiet. There’s no breaking news, nothing to analyse, share or repost. Then my beloved dog, Bailey, brings me her favourite toy – we call it Monkey. This ripped, slightly dirty piece of material in the shape of a monkey means a lot to my furry friend. Bailey puts it down at my feet and looks into my eyes with incredible excitement as if the world didn’t exist. I can hear her joyful plea: Come on, Olaf, why don’t you throw it for me! This trivial and banal act triggers something incredible – I feel good and alive again. Yes, my furry friend, you are right. This is no time to worry! This is time to throw Monkey. Could this dog be smarter than me? Go figure!
After playing with Bailey, I reach for my camera, raise it to my eyes and this magical, calming and entrancing act of seeing and arranging elements in the frame convinces me – what a beautiful way of being. Thank you, Bailey, and thank you photography.
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Thank you, Bailey, and thank you, Olaf, for reminding us to stay present. It is interesting to think about the different definitions of the word “present.” Maybe staying in the “present” moment is a “present” we can give to ourselves.
A very nice, timely commentary that should give us all pause to reflect on the good things in life.