Never Give Up, Never Give In!

Never give up, and never give in, because you are designed to win!

-Anita R. Sneed-Carter

Never, Never, Never Give Up!

Not to give up under any circumstances should be the motto of our life: we shall try again and again, and we are bound to succeed. There will be obstacles, but we have to defy them. So do not give up, do not give up! Continue, continue! The goal is ahead of you. If you do not give up, you are bound to reach your destined goal.

-Sri Chinmoy

Dr. Who/Vincent

There’s so much more to the world than anyone really knows or acknowledges, and that mostly escapes the average eye. The other day there was a Doctor Who marathon on the BBC America channel here on the east coast. One of the shows featured, of all people and much to my delight, the life of Vincent Van Gogh! The entire episode focused on him. It was great! I felt I had envisioned the proverbial pot of gold. Forever a fan of sci-fi and art, this episode really elicited my interest. Van Gogh, or should I say the actor portraying the world-renowned artist, stated he saw, felt, and heard colors. Colors shouted to him! I am super grateful to realize I share those exact feelings with Van Gogh as they relate to art. Definitely, as a highly sensitive visual person, I see and feel colors, shades, shapes (in other words, graphics), and variances thereof in everything I do–daily. I don’t use the word “see” loosely.

In the natural world, “graphics” follow me wherever I go. They’re everywhere in everything, and especially where I live. Since my college days, I have become even more deliberate in my awareness. I suppose, in the scheme of all things universe, it is no coincidence that I live very close to a lake. In the winter once the leaves have fallen off the trees, I can actually see the lake. I absolutely LOVE that. In closer surroundings I hear the sound of every little twig being stomped by chipmunks, deer, birds, and other animals. I notice every shrub whose leaves are being ruffled and downright shaken by overactive, agile squirrels scurrying through them. (And why, Universe, must they move about so quickly all the time?)  I have captured photos of those bushy-tailed creatures playfully commiserating in the park. I have also captured the beautiful blue birds that greet my doorstep. They sweep down to grab the nuggets of food I leave on my doorstep for neighborhood cats. Yes, they, um, share (and by “share” I mean birds, deer, and squirrels wind up getting most of the food). Indeed, I look at nature; I look hard.

I know I can discover something new, interesting, and beautiful that I might have missed another day. (Missed something? Did I say that?)  Obviously, I find great wonder in, and have much respect for nature; in things that others might merely take for granted or not think about in terms of beauty, to any certain degree. Some things shout out to me visually compelling me to investigate their existence more thoroughly. Under similar circumstances, I’ve noticed other people passing by going about their business. It is from that specific point I become aware of my gripping desire to further investigate those elements is extremely important. Why? Because I want to draw out in others the curiosity and wonder about the world beyond their own little corner of it through my photography.

The universe has given us a tremendous amount in terms of its vast and infinite splendor and wonder. And we, as its inhabitants, need to both enjoy and respect it.