“The dedicated life is the life worth living.”

-- Annie Dillard

I am a photographer, and in the past, I consistently “fought” to remain a “purist” with my photos. I did not want to use Photo programs for anything other than some minor cropping and occasional lightening. I also wanted to stay independent and not rely on any “assistance.” Pondering this, I noted how the need to be in control so often gets in my way. What might be possible by letting go?

Over time, I have become aware that in my commitment to provide others with the clearest images possible within my capabilities, I am investing the time to expand my knowledge and experience. Standing in a commitment makes all the difference between getting into action and not.

So often it’s the dread of the amount of time necessary to learn something new that stands in my way. Then, of course, once the new learning gets put into practice, it becomes “easy” or relatively so, and I wonder, “Why did I waste so much time in the worry about it, the fear of it?”

What WOULD we do with all the time that ultimately becomes available, out of simply getting into action?

~ Sheila Finkelstein

Sheila offers both her beautiful photos and her valuable insights in a lovely email series, ‘Pictures to Ponder.’ If you are interested in this, please visit her site.