I Was Just Me…..

Great Salt Plains Crystal Dig

I don’t even know where to start this, but I wanted to do a follow up on Friday’s post. So I will start with Friday night. Friday night was beautiful. A clear sky and a cool breeze. I set my camera up for the first time to take pictures of the Milky Way. My back yard is pretty dark and I can see the Milky Way, though it is not the best viewing of it. I did try. I watched many videos on how to take night photos and then got to work. Wow this is not an easy feat. Especially if you are just an amateur photographer. I had to learn how to set my camera up and then fight the tripod and then take almost 200 shots and all but a few were blurry. I was so determined to figure this out. Finally at almost eleven o’clock, I got a good picture. Then another, and the next thing I know it is very late and though I didn’t want to throw in the towel It was time to pack it in. After reviewing the photos, I was excited. Most were blurry but I had finally understood what each setting did on my camera and how to adjust it the way I wanted it. Does it mean that I got that beautiful shot? No but I am a lot closer than I thought I would be, and I am just all that more determined to capture our beautiful universe.

My back yard photo of the Milky Way.

Saturday

Saturday came and I was full of nervous excited energy. I had that scattered brain feeling. I had a whole list of things to do but also just didn’t know where to start. This is I believe a part of maybe ADHD. So many people say that have that any more that I am not sure I actually do, but I do have moments of needing to remind myself that I was in the middle of something after walking into a different room and seeing that something needed done there. I feel like I have beat that problem because when I catch myself doing that I just stop what I am doing and go right back to where I started. Back to my point. (See I’m doing it here!)

Needless to say the cleaning helped me work out the nerves and boosted my mood and gave me self confidence. Once it was finally time to get ready, I just kept it simple. Nothing fancy or elaborate. Just simply me.

The time went by so quickly, we were both excited to get some pictures and while I struggled with my camera, totally forgot I had all my settings on manual focus, I finally got it right. And just as I thought she had an amazing camera set up. A telescope lens and all, and because this woman is so talented and kind I just didn’t feel like I had to have that stuff too. I was good with what I had. What she did do was inspire me! No I will not be as good as her but I just didn’t have to be. What I do have to be is brave like her and be willing to get out there and take pictures! That is all I have to do!

By the time we got to the salt flats there was a ton of people there!! An amazing turnout! Though we did get there a little later than we planned. So setting up our cameras was not easy but I had watched those videos so I didn’t let it bother me. I just felt relaxed and I was myself. The visit was really good. And I enjoyed every second of it. But the stars out there where you can truly see them was so amazing. The universe just feels so beautiful out there. While we did have to wait for clouds to pass, once they cleared the wait was worth it. We didn’t stay too late as she had a drive to get home, but the drive and the visit was good.

In the End

The big question is this, will I step out of my comfort zone again? Yes I believe I will. I know this for one simple reason, as we drove home we talked about letting fear steal our joy. Oh this is something that I have battled for many years. The fear of travel and something terrible happening while out on an adventure. We talked about how can we learn to let that fear go and just enjoy and be in the moment. I told her I finally just had to force myself to do it. Much like the ADHD thing. I had to tell myself to stop worrying and just enjoy. Yes it is easier said than done, but it can be done. What truly is amazing was I was simply myself. I didn’t think about the past, and who I was way back in school, I am not that person, and neither is she. We are complexed and unique individuals and she is so humble! I am telling you she is extremely talented and kind and I was very blessed to spend the evening with her. So in the end I am realizing the value of letting go and once again just found myself amazed by another human soul that God created.

-Dee