Be Present: Live Each Day as if It Were Your Last
“Praise” May 2024 - Captured with Minolta X-700 on 35mm FujiFilm 200 Color Negative; Color Graded with Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop
“I will live this day as if it is my last.…I will waste not a moment mourning yesterday’s misfortunes, Yesterday’s defeats, yesterday’s aches of the heart, for why should I throw good after bad? I will live this day as if it is my last. This day is all I have and these hours are now my eternity. I greet this sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is reprieved from death. I lift mine arms with thanks for this priceless gift of a new day. So too, I will beat upon my heart with gratitude as I consider all who greeted yesterday’s sunrise who are no longer with the living today. I am indeed a fortunate man and today’s hours are but a bonus, undeserved. Why have I been allowed to live this extra day when others, far better than I, have departed? Is it that they have accomplished their purpose while mine is yet to be achieved? Is this another opportunity for me to become the man I know I can be?”
-Og Mandino
In modern times, we all now possess the ability to freeze time, capturing fleeting moments that would otherwise slip away. Yet, amidst the pursuit of taking a picture that will last a lifetime in order to share with our family and friends, we sometimes forget to live in the present and appreciate the beauty unfolding before our eyes. The mantra "Live each day as if it were your last" is not just an inspirational quote but a reminder to immerse ourselves fully in the now, both as artists and as individuals.
Embracing the Present
When I live each day as if it were my last, I bring a heightened sense of awareness and appreciation not only to my craft but also to my life. Every sunrise becomes a masterpiece, every smile a treasure, and every shadow a story waiting to be told. There is no other time like the present. The past I cannot change and the future is yet to be. They are both beyond my control and power. However, by embracing the present and my mindset transforms my approach to any given moment and makes me more attuned to the subtleties and nuances of the world around me.
Finding Beauty in the Mundane
Living in the present encourages me to find beauty in the ordinary. As a photographer, I often seek out the extraordinary, the visually stunning, the rare. But when I embrace the present moment, I find beauty in the seemingly most mundane settings – the soft glow of morning light on a kitchen table, the texture of rain-soaked pavement, the quiet intensity of a loved one's gaze. These moments, though simple, are profound in their authenticity, and if I have my camera with me, produce some of the most moving and relatable photographs.
The Power of Spontaneity
When I live each day with the awareness of its fleeting nature, I become more spontaneous and open to opportunities. This spontaneity is my most powerful tool and has led me to my best shots. The unplanned moments, captured in the spur of the moment, create a sense of synchronicity—a feeling that I am exactly where I need to be—which brings a deeply satisfying sense of fulfillment. By staying present and ready to embrace the unexpected, I open myself to a world of possibilities that I might otherwise overlook and miss.
Connecting with My Subjects
Living fully in the present allows me to connect more deeply with my subjects. Whether photographing people, animals, landscapes, or plants this connection brings a level of intimacy and emotion to my work. When I am genuinely engaged with my subject, it shows. They come alive and perform for me. The resulting images tend to resonate with viewers because they evoke a sense of presence and connection that transcends the two-dimensional plane on which they are imprinted on.
The Therapeutic Aspect of Photography
For me, photography is not just about creating images and freezing moments in time and space; it's about the process. The act of observing, composing, and capturing is meditative and grounds me in the present moment. Photography is my therapy. It helps alleviate my stress and brings clarity to the here and now. I find solace and joy in the simple act of creating a photograph.
Legacy
When I live each day as if it were my last, I add another brick to the foundation of my legacy. By being present today, I preserve a moment that may be cherished by those who see it in the future and perhaps inspire and provide a lasting impression. Each photograph becomes a testament to my presence, my vision, and my unique perspective on the world. This is one way I live on; through my art, I transfer a piece of myself to every image I create. When I share, I yell out to the world with the excitement that can be found in a child, “Hey! Look what I found!”
Call to Action
I encourage you to be present today, open your eyes and your heart and find the beauty around you. Embrace spontaneity and connect with someone or something. By doing so, we not only enrich our lives but also create meaningful, authentic, and enduring moments that fill our well of creativity. So, grab your camera, your easel, canvas, and paints, and step outside, and capture the world with the awareness and appreciation it deserves. Each moment is precious, and each image is a testament to the beauty of living fully in the present.