Simplicity of Nature

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” —Albert Einstein

In 2014 when I first started photography, my goal was to capture a physical piece of happy moments to refer to during dark times. In those moments of darkness instead of referring to the images of people, I found myself in peace with nature. From below the earth to beyond the sky.

The ground captures a piece of home that I’ve yearn for. A place to belong. A place of warmth and a place of peace. A home I can go to no matter where I’m at.

The seed is the imprint of existence. It taught me that I matter because I exist.

The roots lay the foundation of growth. It taught me that it doesn’t matter where I came from, what matters is where I’m going. The root taught me that I can reach as far and deep as I want or reach as far and high as I want.

The trunk taught me the hardship of life. One can start but in order to stand tall one must learn to let go of what doesn’t belong and learn to enjoy the journey alone. I’ve learned that being alone doesn’t mean I have to feel lonely. Instead I must learn to nourish myself and learn to enjoy myself for I am never alone.

The branches had shown me that it’s ok to not be okay. That one should reach out in times of need without feeling like a burden. That’s how we learn and grow. I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask questions, to be silly, to be selfish, and to be alive. I am learning after all, for growth is what life is about. I’ve learned that losing myself in the process of life is ok. It is necessary if one must learn to value its own existence that way.

The leaves had shown me that one must be flexible for nothing is promised. I’ve learned that change is a beautiful process. Through change I have the ability to make every moment count. Not so others can remember me but so that I have something to share. Something as simple as a smile.

The wind reminds me that I don’t have to be big and loud to be noticed. That I matter because I exist. Even if the world doesn’t notice me, at the very least the universe knows of me.

The rain reminds me that it’s ok to cry and wear my emotions on my sleeves. I am human after all.

The snow reminds me that one must learn to forgive and move on. That if the sun can melt the snow then my situations are temporary and I must move on.

From the smallest molecules to the biggest things alive I’ve learned that all life matters. Our differences are what made us unique. I’ve also learned that we mustn’t let our differences  get the best of life, for at the end of the day we’re all trying to survive in this journey of life. We aren’t really all that different?

From the depth of the sea to the heights of the universe I’ve learned that life is limitless and that we can only reach as far as we allow ourselves to.

From the transitions of seasons I’ve learned to value every single moment of life. Summer reminds me that better days are coming. Fall reminds me that change matters. Winter reminds me that life can still be beautiful during the most cold and blended season of life. Spring reminds me that growth is important. I’ve learned that there is a cycle to life and that all this matters because growth is a must for no one stays the same forever.

From capturing a piece of happiness to healing among nature I’ve learned to be one with nature and to see things in a different view. A view that had continuously inspired me to be better. That is, this world on its own is already beautiful but because of greed and the evilness of humanity we are blinded by what we don’t have. I’ve learned that in order for one to live life to the fullest we must learn to let go of things we can’t control and learn to enjoy the little things in life. The simple things. The things we have. It’s free, it’s real, and it’s among us. That is the people, place, and things around us. That is you and me, our existence.