Human beings are social by nature. We, as a species, thrive when we work together as a society. By this logic, it makes sense we all crave acceptance from the group and feel compelled to fit in. It is a wonderful feeling to be celebrated by our peers and have your efforts acknowledged. But, all those pats on the back mean nothing if who you are and what you do isn’t authentic. Being true to yourself is where we find real accomplishment and contentment.
So, who are you? Who is the real you? I spent most of my early twenties “finding myself”, just to realize that’s not how it works. You don’t wake up one day and say, “Oh, here I am. I’ve figured me out. Now, I will show the world.” You never actually find yourself. Life is about the journey and the discover of oneself…and you are you the whole time whether you’ve got yourself figured out or not. It’s about finding the things that fulfill your soul and living a lifestyle that is in sync with what you believe in.
It takes courage to be the real you. What moves you might not always be the most popular thing. I love sharing my photos with my youngest. Sometimes I get high praises, and other times we scroll past a photo and he immediately tells me it’s terrible – not a good picture at all he’ll say. He’s a man that knows what he likes, that and young children are as authentic as they come. You get their real opinions and feelings whether you want them or not. As we grow older, we sometimes lose that. Society pressures us to be less genuine in order to fit into neat, little norms and popular trends. It can be a struggle to remain true to yourself.
In response to my son’s dislike of my photo, I simply say, “That’s okay, I like it.”
When I’m editing alone late at night, it doesn’t really matter what the rest of the world thinks of my work. In that moment, I love a photo because I love it. I love it because of the way it makes me feel, not because it meets the criteria for a “good” photograph. I love it because I brought an idea in my head to life. I know the reason I took the shot and I understand my purpose. This is where my photography journey has taken me. I’ve learned how to take satisfaction in my work – to truly love what I create (flaws and all). Life, in general, is much the same. Know your purpose and your reason why and you will find yourself.
Your true self shines brightest when you’re surrounded by the people you love. I look forward to every family vacation we take. This photo below, Gram and Gramps with their grands, this is what it’s all about.
Life Goals.
