“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~
Visions of Red - Valley Cottage, NY
Back in my college days at SUNY Buffalo, I use to bounce out of bed every morning as though I was shot out of a cannon. I was ready to hit the ground running and tackle the world. Safe to say, things are now a wee bit different. As a member of the 50+ club with an AARP membership, I somewhat roll out of bed, stumble to the bathroom and gather my thoughts along the way. One thing that’s worked its way into my morning routine is saying out loud, “It’s a brand new day!” I’ve never quite figured out if I’m thanking the good Lord for another day or accepting the fact a new day affords another chance at greatness; the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life or simply another day to put my best foot forward.
As we get older, days become weeks, weeks become months and months become years. Time accelerates and its hard to control the speed. It’s an uncontrollable fact of life.
For anyone in my age band, I’m sure you remember Little House on the Prairie and actor Michael Landon. One of his most famous quotes after being diagnosed with cancer was:
“Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit. Every minute of every day. Do it!”
In a strange and perhaps spiritual way, I’m reminded of this fact every fall in my region of New York. The pleasant days of summer give way to the crisp days of autumn as sure as the stars surrender to morning light. And like clock work, a potpourri of colors appear on cue every Sept/Oct/Nov. Sure enough, if you’re not in the moment, they fade into the abyss or the lack of color season (i.e. winter) before you can catch your breath.
As such, I try to stay in the moment and acknowledge the beauty of the season in all its glory. Sometimes I’m in the car and can only gaze at the beauty and smile. Other times, I make it a point to photograph the scenery from both a micro and macro point of view. The wide angle lens approach offers a spectacular ‘scene setter’ view of the landscape while a single leaf or reflection can capture the details of the moment. Also, don’t forget to look up & down as the glory of fall is everywhere (see below).
The abundance of color can sometimes be overwhelming. So much so, it can overwhelm your senses and make it difficult to focus on a theme or subject. Have no fear, as you relax and find your bearings, you’ll start living in the moment and everything will come into focus.
Harriman State Park, NY