A couple days ago I was leaving Bristol Farms in Corona Del Mar when I noticed a homeless woman on the sidewalk entrance to the plaza. She looked worn and sad; her hair was long, stringy and dirty. She was holding a ripped cardboard sign that simply read, “Appreciate Yours”. I had to take a second look, when in fact her sign read “Homeless. With kids.” A moment later I realized the mind is a powerful thing, did my eyes deceive me … or was that the point?
The point of this post dearest internet is not what I did, or even if I helped her out that day. The point is how she helped me and unfortunately, how she will never know.
Lately, I have been doing a bit of complaining. I am not exactly content with my current circumstances and although good things make be coming down the pike, it’s always hard to wait for the change and transformation. I have complained about my day job a few times and justifiably so- well I think it’s justified anyway! At the end of the day I am not 100% content, or happy for that matter. I have fleeting moments of complete joy but it not everyday all day. I want my photography career to be there not here and amidst all my wanting I am missing forgetting and sometimes oblivious to what is important.
The best part of that day was running head first into a brick wall of reality, such as this woman, helpless and homeless- who would probably give her left arm and right leg to be me and all my glory… and all I can ponder is being someone else. It seems silly to you I’m sure. But I tend to get envious of others in the industry and their ability to capture moments and document life in ways that I cannot at this point.
This woman, with her sign… was my sign. A sign that we all have our own abilities to rock and in due time it will surface. A sign for me to appreciate mine, and for you to appreciate yours and together we can appreciate ours.
I love when she kisses me so hard she smushes my face : )
