Light and Shadow

Shadows that hunt you

Lights that blind you

Shadows that shape you

Lights that mend you

Shadows that like you

Lights that love you

Shadows that are you

Lights that are you.

I think that there has always been and will always be an eternal balance of light and darkness. What I see, what you see, and what we all see and feel on a daily basis. Without a doubt, there is a strong connection between it. In this scenario, one or the other large group can only focus on one with the restricted goal of killing the other. They are unaware that they can live together. Without one, the other perishes. The strong urge to investigate "the other side," as well as the reality that it is frightening and challenging owing to our general unfamiliarity, but vital to learn, grow, and understand.

"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being."

Carl Jung

It's a necessary take for what I'm doing with photos in certain ways. Even now, I'm not sure which fascinates me more. Darkness or light, or the dynamic combination of the two at times.

From my experience, one may purposely or inadvertently drift to either side for a period of time to become more mindful of what it truly is. Ultimately what you are looking for on the outside and within yourself.

My images almost always tell a story about me, they blend my thoughts, feelings, and current state of being. For me, it must be this way. There must be a reason to capture an image. It is not for an audience, but ultimately for me. Of course, acknowledgment is important and I value it all.

In a way it is is my own method for dealing with what I think about and go through. What I feel within myself, what I want to express and what I need to get out in order to keep moving, learning and flourishing. It's a never-ending adventure of never being sure where it will go or how it will evolve. But when I started to love and accept it, the ups and downs became my favourite part. Kind of darkness and light itself.

"I am certain that if I have any merit, it is knowing how to make good use of my eyes, to guide the camera in its task of capturing not only colors, lights and shadows, but the movement of life itself."

Gabriel Figueroa

Our visions and stories are all unique and beautiful in their own way. I suppose we just need to share it more and talk about it. Vulnerability and sincerity is the key to letting it out. Surely everyone finds comprehending from someone somewhere. It doesn't matter who it is, someone just needs to listen and show understanding and if asked, give or share their own experience and guidance.

See, everyone has a story to tell, it may not be the most fascinating one, but it may mean the world to someone and you don't know that until you do it. Simply throw it out there and allow what it does to the listener.

If you don't dare, you'll never find out. You might never let go of some things in yourself. We all need tales to be free and totally present in the moment. A way to find calm through releasing. That is why I try to connect and create. It benefits others and also me. That is all that matters in the end.

„Existence precedes essence.“

Sartre

I don't agree with Sartre on everything, but this phrase got my interest and seemed plausible. This, I feel, is where we should begin when considering our state of being.

Improve connections with one another in order to obtain the insight we require to make this world a better place. It all depends on where you look, what you see, and how you interpret what you see. Basically strip away one's ego. Become free and open minded to everything without judgement in the first place.

I believe the more you grasp darkness and light within yourself, the more you will be able to sense and understand it in the world around you!

Every experience, every season of our lives, whether painful or joyful, has a meaning and ultimately defines you as yourself for the rest of your life. We need to discover a reason for our existence, and what could be better than helping others by sharing parts of our lives?

Is it really that easy? I guess it is.

Finally we need to collaborate to create the world we want with less suffering and more understanding to assist one another’s journey. I realise it might be an unreasonable ideal that may never come true, but why not strive for something?

And it is, was, and always will be this way...

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”

Greek Proverb

Peace & Love