I took this picture last year while I was in Thailand. I was sitting in a temple with my camera in my lap, watching as this ageless monk put together some sort of rosary in front of me. He seemed completely at peace. I was completely at peace. I lifted my camera and without looking through the viewfinder, I took the picture. I don't think he ever noticed, but if he did he would have never let on. It was as close to a perfect moment as I've had in my young life.
It didn't make me any money. It wasn't a thrill of victory or a moment of gloating over my fallen opponent. It wasn't a conquest or a high or even the sort of life changing epiphanies that you are supposed to get in Buddhist temples in Thailand. Hell, the picture didn't even make me any money. It was just a little moment where life nudges you in the ribs and says, "Wow. Appreciate this. This is the most amazing thing that can possibly happen to you."
Thats exactly what it said. It wasn't a shout, it was a whisper. Like a friend offering a compliment that you know is genuine. It was amazing. It was just that one little whisper that inspired a massive change in my life, and took me down a completely different path, spiritually and professionally.
Why mention this? Why in my first blog post? I've been thinking a lot today about responsibility. My natural state is, unfortunately enough, off in the clouds. I don't say this with any kind of malice to myself, it's just a statement of fact. If you know me, you'd probably agree. This isn't to say that I can't work, and work hard, when the time comes, but a whole lot gets lost in the day to day shuffle. So if you wonder why I left my keys lying around again for the 100th time, that probably why. Sorry to everyone I've worked with at day jobs over the years. My family as well. Consider this a blanket apology.
Is this kind of world view a particularly responsible one? Probably not. Does it make more work for other people, who don't deserve it? A lot of the time, yes. Is it something that I probably have to fight on a day-to-day basis. Again, I'd say that it probably is. I'd like to think I'm getting better at it. Sometimes I think I want to change it altogether. Be the kind of person who would sit in that temple in front of that monk and know exactly where my motorcycle keys were, what time it was, and how I was going to use this photo to make myself a buck when I got home.
Probably more responsible. Probably less work for everyone else. Probably less work for myself. Less paying attention to the moment a little more to the future. How will I start my motorbike? How will I get home? Do I need to pick anything up? Remember not to get distracted. Focus.
It's a lot of voices to listen too. I probably would have been better to listen to them, to be honest. I lost my motorcycle keys and had to hunt over the temples grounds to find them. By the time I got back to the city, I had missed my chance to rendezvous with a friend, because I had stayed too late. The rest of the day was a write-off. I ended up with a photo that didn't at all fit into what I was trying to shoot (Buddhist architecture). I really would have been better to pay more attention to these things and let them drown out that simple moment.
Actually, I just looked at the photo again. I take it all back. It was all worth it. The photo is one of my all time favorites. I wouldn't change anything that had happened for all the world. Hearing that little voice from the universe was the best thing that possibly could have happened to me
I sincerely hope from the bottom of my heart that you can find a time in your life when life speaks to you in the same way. I hope you are taking the time to listen, even if it is irresponsible.
"Wow. Appreciate this. This is the most amazing thing that can possibly happen to you."
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