Stack the Odds in your Favor
It’s tough out there – the economy, the wars, the politics. Seems like everyone is busy disagreeing and blaming and fighting, obsessed with winning or losing or making ends meet. Encouraging words are hard to come by when all you see and hear and consume is human-made. I did make note, though, that this morning the early robins were joined by iridescent starlings and cheerful flickers. Soon the finches will come around, like clockwork. Not a thing will change based on the Dow Jones. Earlier this afternoon the mountains glowed a faint pink, same as they have for ages, since before this recession, since before the Great Depression, since before the national debt, since before the nation itself. The real world knows no recession. The tulips are budding, unaware of unemployment, Canada geese holler in flight en route to their nesting sites oblivious to the foreclosures far below.
It’s easy to lose sight of the majesty and beauty around us when we are obsessed with sustaining a way of life, when we measure our welfare in titles and possessions. Not to be misunderstood – these are all important and worthwhile, but one should always sustain a portion of one’s soul on the offerings of beauty available freely to each of us. The mountains loom defiant to be admired by all who see them, regardless of their earnings. Forests and wildlife and celestial light cost nothing but attention, and wildness is there to inspire all who but take the time to open their hearts to it.
On any day one may be discouraged by any number of things. Worries about the future, known or unknown may chase away sleep and comfort and peace of mind. Time may be consumed by earning a living, raising a family, or wasted away in wait. But, the bare essentials of life are there to behold. Always.
If you can’t take a week or a weekend or a day – take an hour, take a few minutes, outdoors or just looking out the window, or even just paying attention to the scenery you drive by. A tiny dose of real beauty is all you need to stack the odds in your favor of having a good day. Put enough of them together and make it a good life. Don’t waste the wealth available to you for free. Anywhere.
Guy
Category: Thoughts and Musings
Very inspirational read. I was thinking similar thoughts today as I was out and about running some errands. No time for photography, but certainly time to pay attention and gain a bit of “perspective”. Although I didn’t see any of those pink mountains you speak of here in Minnesota. Pity.
Thanks Guy.
Very, very well written.
Thanks
Just beautiful writing, Guy.
The mockingbirds began serenading me early this morning. What politics and war?
What a beautiful essay Guy. A nice reminder of what really matters in life.
Hey Guy
You get better and better, brother. Thanks for this post, man.
Cheers
Carl
Thanks for the inspiration. I needed it this morning
-d
Excellent, as always, and incredibly powerful. I drove to work that day and saw many many things I had never seen, even though they were always there..
Paul
Thank you for the kind words, everyone!
Just now, moments ago, the first finches of the season appeared in my yard – 2 males and 2 females.
Guy
I heard somewhere that a scientific study confirmed that regularly going for a short walk outside improves memory and awareness.. I’m not at all surprised, just more proof that it’s important to take some time to be out in the world, and away from all the manmade troubles.
- Floris
I read your words about the coming spring with mixed feelings. As summer leaves us we go into our best weather of the year and then nature sleeps for a short while. But she is still there if you care to go and look.
Enjoy the wakening.
Jake.
Many thanks for this Guy. You certainly know the words to get inspiration flowing in anyone.
I am so glad to have discovered this site, and with this post. Your words are just the motivation I needed to flip into my Equinox promise to self: Start my day drinking coffee with the birds’ serenade.
Wonderful post.
how easily we can loose sight of what really matters.. and what truly feels our spirits. A very poignant reminder my friend. Happy Vernal Equinox
I think I have just discovered a true gem of humanity that knows where to find the real treasures of life. These words reverberate through my soul.
Guy, this writting belongs right beside the visual beauties of life.
Thanks for the little slice of beauty.
Guy,
In these tough times, thanks for reminding us of what is really important. Inspiration can be found all around us. We need only take the time to look. Best Regards.
Beautifully written Guy. I’ve been thinking the same thing for sometime now. Your eloquence with words never ceases to amaze.
I noticed the Cedar Waxwings have returned to Southeastern Nebraska. I was talking business with a friend, when I paused for 3o seconds to watch the Waxwings make a swooping collaborated and perfectly instinctive landing into the top branches of his tree. I resumed the business discussion, the Waxwings paid no mind.
Your writing really touched me. At the end of March, I was laid off after 12 years with a major US corporation where individual importance is indeed measured by “titles and possessions”. Thanks so much for the eloquently written reminder, of what is truly important in life.
I just recently came across your blog and am finding not only beautiful photographs, but beautiful writing and insight as well. I especially like this post and what it says. I keep finding interesting bits of nature even when I have only a few minutes time during my lunch break for a walk. Nature is everywhere; you just have to look to see it. (I’m sure somebody else said that way before I did.)
[...] photographer and writer living in Utah. He has a post on his web journal site entitled “Stack the Odds in Your Favor” that everyone, not only photographers, should read. All of us need to discover the good that [...]
[...] of stacking the odds in your favor, I strongly suggest this post by fellow photographer Guy Tal. A truly inspiring [...]
[...] of stacking the odds in your favor, I strongly suggest this post by fellow photographer Guy Tal. A truly inspiring essay. Posted on April 21st, 2009 in [...]
Very well written, Guy. I live in countryside surrounded by nature and still it’s sometimes really hard to leave worries of the world we all live in behind. But photography helps in it, indeed.