As our world is changing daily, the events shaping us as a country and as a world are a bit frightening, to say the least. In my corner of the world, it has been challenging for me personally. It has taken me a little over a week, with the help of anxiety medicine, to begin to feel clearer and less sad. I have been doing quite a bit of praying, reading and listening to sleep better meditation on Audible (Aaptiv) each night to help me relax and fall asleep.

Today, I heard a song on the radio for the first time, a song that directly addressed the world situation and how to look at it in a different way than I was looking at it.

To some degree, what we each do individually, makes a difference not only personally, but to those around us as well. I chose to use my photography to talk about how I viewed this virus and what it has done to my community as I knew it. I say “knew” because I believe in my heart, we will know a new normal, once we are past the curve. Not necessarily a bad “new normal” but a new normal nonetheless.

After reflecting inward, truly praying and thinking on this for the last 10 days or so, I have decided I have two choices. The first choice is to let the sadness consume me, the second choice, the better and healthier choice, is to use my photography to bring joy and happiness to me and to all those who view my photography.

So, in this blog, I have chosen to share happier photographs, photographs that show the life and world God has given us. Spring is now upon us and with that comes new life. Flowers blooming, trees becoming green and less barren, color is popping up everywhere. In spite of the devastation that is evident in so many places, life is blooming and life is evident too.

The song I opened this blog with is titled “Be A Light” by Thomas Rhett. It speaks about how there is no difference between me and you, that couldn’t be more true right now, we are all feeling the weight of the isolation equally. Don’t hide in the dark, be a light. I chose to hide in the dark and only show the loneliness and emptiness, but what was also shown in the photographs in my last blog, was the beauty where I live. The shoppes will one day soon be bustling with people and activity again. That is the community I choose to think about these days. Yes, it is still empty, but it won’t always be empty and will be in the light soon.

Don’t hide in the dark, you were born to SHINE. Whatever your passion is, go after it, share it, let everyone see what and who you are. We are all here for a reason, share your reason with anyone and everyone who will listen.

As I close this weeks blog, I pray you all stay well and hopefully soon we can resume a more normal existence together, not six feet apart.

As always, thank you for following along . . .