There’s peaceful pleasure in taking a camera and going for a walk. Having camera in hand shifts my perspective and the walking allows me to slow down my every day thoughts. Through the camera I’m seeing with “new eyes,” more aware of the small and larger “scapes” around me.
In a recent post on his site, Paul Butzi also reflected on this:
Thereâs a lot of peace of mind to be found on my driveway if you happen to have a camera in your hands. Equally important, I suspect thereâs a lot of peace of mind to be found in an awful lot of places if you happen to have a camera in your hand.
And later he expanded more on the thought:
I havenât said that I need a camera in my hand to find peace of mind. What Iâve said is that these days, when I head out with the camera in my hand for a short stroll down my lengthy driveway, what Iâm looking for is peace of mind. Are there other ways to find peace of mind? Sure.
But this one works for me with a high degree of certainty. Iâm a big believer in what works.
A camera works for me as well and like Paul I tend to stick with what works. It seems to focus (no pun intended) my thoughts, change my perspective and give me clarity and keener awareness. I also relax and become attuned to things I might not notice at other times.
Walking and taking photo’s also serves as a respite from the world and depressing news we’re each bombarded with.
âWhatever we are waiting for – peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance – it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart.â – Sara Ban Breathnach
I don’t have that long driveway I can walk out my door and stroll down, I mostly drive to my walks, but it works all the same. With camera in hand I lose my schedule aware self, only realizing later a large measure of time has passed.
For those moments my priorities are changed and I bask in the simple abundance.
Photo One: Nikon D300, ISO200 20mm f/11 1/160sec
Photo Two: Nikon D300, ISO200 18mm f/9 1/200sec