Finding Delight in Who You Are

Sometimes the best part of a sunset is away from the sun! LUMIX FZ1000 f3.9 @ 1/80 ISO 200

I started writing Sunday Morning Reflections as a way to step away from the business of photography and remind myself I have a life outside of imaging. It's a way to recharge my battery and touch base with the challenges of finding balance and the multiple hats we all wear.

Now and then, when I have a hard time stepping away from the business, I read Melody Beattie. This morning was one of those days, and she never lets me down. Her July 15 inspiration is called "Delight in Yourself," and I pulled a paragraph to share: 

Be yourself and accept yourself--warts, waistline, and all. You don't have to sit up that straight, be that proper, or fear what others may see. Let your imperfections show...Relax and be who you are! When you do that, your life will be fun and a joyful gift to others. People who comfortably accept who they are - both their flaws and their good points - are healing, delightful, and fun to be around...Relax. Lighten up. Let go of shame and fear. The whole picture is perfect, and perfectly okay.

This past week was pretty remarkable as we launched Excire Inc. a new company involved in developing search software for photographers. In the process, I talked to a lot of photographers I've never met before. One of them introduced herself with, "I'm an amateur and I know my work isn't very good yet, but I love photography so much!" But when I looked at her work, it was stunning!
 
Photography, as my buddy Scott Bourne once wrote, is the great equalizer. Scott's point was that it doesn't matter what your pedigree is, you're going to be judged on the quality of your images. It doesn't matter what you look like, your education, your age, financial status or often, even your gear. The key is going to be the impact of the photographs you share.

And that brings me full circle to my point. Why is it so hard for some of you to just accept who you are? Why do many of you start out with introductions that sound like apologies instead of proclamations of pride for the choices you've made and are making? Isn't today the perfect time to give yourself a big pat on the back and stop wasting time on things that don't matter?

A few years back I did a podcast with Sandy Puc, and we started talking about our definitions of success. By the end of the podcast we had defined success as waking up with a smile every morning. And, that's what loving yourself is all about - accepting and appreciating the choices you've made.

"For me, success is inner peace. That's a good day for me."
Denzel Washington

Wishing all of you the perfect day, whether it's Sunday where you are or Monday morning on the other side of the planet. Make it a day of inner peace, time with the people who matter most in your life and don't forget to cherish that face looking back at you in the mirror. As Melody Beattie started things off this morning - be yourself and accept yourself!

​Happy Sunday everybody!