In her blog post, Karen Hutton wrote, “Part of me is even a little horrified to discover how much art matters to me.”
That statement, right there, hit me in My tear ducts and throat, Sister.
And one could absolutely plug in almost anything in the place of “art” in her sentence. It seems when I have connected with something that matters most, it feels so much like a runaway train. I’ve just discovered, among other whacks, that I’ve been thinking I’m the engineer of this here loco-motive, and I’m just as much bound for its destination as any other passenger is; I’m the one being “trained”.
And, as I hear in what Karen is saying, “what a Ride! it’s Awesome!” is the only way to travel, when, as she says:
Again, from her blog post,
“If you’re like me, you may find you’ve been doing it all backwards. I’ve always chosen the logical direction and then charged at it like a battering ram, instead of turning myself into an Awesome Life magnet. Man, is it both harder and easier than I imagined! Easier, because instead of figuring out all the details and setting ‘appropriate goals’ (I now know I’m always disappointed by those results)… I’m letting things emerge in a more effortless way.”
And, it’s true.. as Unlimited as we are? Slowing down, in the way that I read it, might mean the same as Surrender, or Embrace, applied to the few loves that transform us in increments. The train is then no longer runaway.. . just on track.
You bring these things out of me, Karen; I’m victim to your honest heart.
Thank you
Oh.. Snap!! That’s what the train Really is, isn’t it!?!
LOVE! It’s how much we Love something that has all that power.
Published by
Wayne Upchurch
For years, as a “professional ogler” (a newspaper staff photographer), I simultaneously explored photography as craft/process/medium in its own right. The photojournalism work –credentials and mindset– got me into (and out of) places I would certainly never have had access to on my own. I was also practicing the discipline of getting a picture where there didn’t appear to be one and getting it Finished in a timely manner, to professional standards. I also learned to create imminently readable images despite poor reproduction in a small size. Though it took me several years to get this, the value of making photos that illustrated something already laid out in the story was suddenly Not Enough, and I began to make assignment pictures that added dimensions not already in the writing, or better Yet, raised questions so that the reader would go to the story for more answers.
Having gained more than dreamt of, when starting out, I left to pursue my own personal photography, mounting exhibits along the way. I also worked with commercial photographer friends doing studio product photography, and making headshots for actors.
Later, I also helmed a Public Radio “spacemusic” program, and acted in a Wilmington, NC drama company.
I put the cameras away for a few years, to finish shedding the habit of self-limiting my identity as just “Photographer”, and can now pursue personal pleasure and expression through the freedom that digital imaging offers.
Sharing photos on Flickr and participating locally in meetups and outings has renewed a passion for making new images and for sharing the process with others. For some time, I’ve found myself writing detailed comments on other people’s photos, as well as thoughts and pet ideas about photography, in general.
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Love your comments, Wayne! And how cool you shared them over here. ;)) Life, she is a journey – that’s for sure! Very cool to know others like yourself are on the train too. Woot!