Last night was another failed attempt to catch lightning … there wasn’t even a single flash. I waited almost two hours, camera ready, but nothing.
I did get a couple of nice shots just before the sun disappeared though and that is what I am adding here. In fact, I have added two variations of the second shot as my point of discussion.
I almost never edit nature shots. There has to be something desperately wrong for me to do so, as I believe Mother Nature has far better photo-editing software than me.
But in this instance, I took out the high tension wires that cut across the setting sun, while I was having my first cup of morning coffee a few minutes ago.
Some us look at the shot with the wires still there and don’t even notice them. I mean, subconsciously we know they are there but they don’t affect our appreciation of the scene itself. It’s the colors and the cloud shapes, and the silhouetted structures and reflections that catch our attention.
And yet some of us focus on the wires and feel they dominate and take from the picture, even to the point of annoyance.
I have met many of the latter people over the years and it always amazes me how they go through life finding something wrong. We all know them, don’t deny it.
They could stand in the middle of the Grand Canyon and complain that there is dust on their shoes.
We have a wonderful opportunity in life to appreciate … beauty, people, good fortune. And yet so many people focus on what they don’t have or something that is spoiling what could be “perfect, if only”.
It is a sad way to go through life. The search for perfection is a fools errand, as it doesn’t exist. Nor should it. Happiness is not about finding the perfect person, the perfect situation, the perfect “thing” …. it is about being content with what we have, who we are, and those we are fortunate enough to have in our lives.
Last night could have been perfect if only there had been a lightning strike, or if the overhead wires weren’t in my way, or whatever. But truth is, I didn’t need perfection. I had a wonderful time and feel ever so lucky to have been able to witness such a lovely moment.
Here’s hoping you don’t let any wires spoil your almost-perfect weekend!
