Overshadowed
I have recently started to get back to the creative aspects of photography after a health issue. It came as a bit of a surprise to me at how I really did not have the inclination or long term desire to work. I had several projects that needed attention and no matter how hard I worked I could only manage a few minutes of concerted effort until I was no longer interesting or I was taken away from the task by the physical needs required attention.
Once the procedure was completed and I was released from the constraints of my issue, I finally had the motivation and perhaps more importantly the enthusiasm to work. It was like I was two different people going from one consumed with attempting to get their health back and the other finally freed from the constraints of the ailment that consumed all my energy on several levels.
I have had broken bones and other issues from my physical activities and sports but none that caused me to be unable to really focus creatively or on photography. And while I am on the mend and doing much much better, it was also very disconcerting that I was unable to work at what I loved. I had imagined myself as being able to work regardless of the health issue, as I have worked through so many injuries in the past with minimal disruption to my creative life. But this was a different malady and the effect was more disruptive. I found it interesting how it affected me ,mentally, emotionally and physically.
So now that I am back to almost 100% I thought I would share this little experience and just say work while you can and don’t waste the time you have. We do not have control over the issues that may arise and keep us from what we love regardless of how strong or prepared we may feel we are. And the recovery time can have a significant impact on what we can do.
For me the art of photography is a gift I have at times taken for granted, but as my time in this life grows longer and my time here shorter, I have felt an urgency to work while I can. I’ve learned firsthand time is a precious commodity and to spent it on what I love and with people I care about it to waste what I have been given.
I’ll leave you with a quote from Steve Prefontaine. And while he was referring perhaps more to running, I feel it applies to all creative endeavors –
“To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift”