Dawn

Seeing the world in new ways is literally what happens in photography. Pressing a button on a camera can capture images. Because there isn't much effort in the actual creation of the art, some dismiss it as trivial. For who can't take a picture? While many people like to take selfies and the like for memories sake, I was always looking for the new view points that light up my attention and seems new each time I look.

Good art is like that, no matter what the expression, they fit what is happening and inspires us to see life in a new way. They frame the discussion. They capture a moment in time making it observable and open to reflection. Much can be learned by looking at life from many angles. For the different points of view make things interesting and help us focus on the most important.

Although we may all prefer a certain view at anytime, this will change with our mood and our circumstance. For me the interaction between who I am and what happens in life is magical. We can't change much in life except ourselves. 

Many allow what is imposed on us to be standards of tradition, of value and of our future: one point of view for life. We all begin life in prefabricated conditions. It is easy to feel a victim when you have to be held, or fed, or cared for in order to live. At the same time, you can feel safe and enjoy the care. Our relationships is the key frame of reference in life. Not how much, or how luxurious all that matters is who loves us and whom we love. 

This frame can be changed regardless of your CV, your circumstance and definitely not finances. To understand and experience how we can re-frame our lives begins within. We can realign our relationships through forgiveness and understanding. The problem is that few are really interested in knowing themselves, let alone another. 

Seeing yourself is hard because there is no comparison or too much comparison. We are used to seeing other people who are all different from us. Even if you find your twin, they will not be you. If you see life as a mystery to be discovered and created, then the joy is endless.

But if life is just a matter of making do with the framework allotted us, then the limits are there until we die. None of us are forced to live a certain way forever. Those resigned to fate should think about how a jailed person can still change what he thinks about and his world view. It may not be easy but our minds change all the time. How about using it to understand the mystery that is me?

This understanding is the only frame of reference that matters personally. Society will change maybe in ways that you like, or hate. But you really should have a feeling about it. Working through all of that is the key to enjoying life.

When I left my 18 days of Chinese prison behind nearly 10 years ago, I felt like exiting a cinema after a very bad fearful movie. There was relief what made me give up on defining my life. I decided to just go with it which was fine for a time. But I was burying my creativity, my passion, my love.

Despite the many unfortunate things that happened since, financial, relational, work, health, faith, emotional..., knowing myself through feeling helpless, rejected, disappointed, abandoned and alone actually brought me back to the life I love.

I cried for those who choose to resign to making do instead of conquering the fear of oneself. For it does boil down to fear. If you are afraid of the person you dream about becoming, yearn to express and makes you fidgety, then the whole world is untenable. It will be like the horror flick was not the bad movie but the images that play out in your head. In that case, leaving bad situations or even prison do not set you free.

For freedom is a state of mind, a frame of reference, a viewpoint, a passion, a love, hope, faith. Like the picture of mount Fuji at the moment of dawn that bathes the world in blue, it is magical and can only come from me, myself and I. Unless you know who you are, the magic will evade us.

If you believe in God who is the creator, embodiment of all existence, the source of life in the Universe and who cares enough to create a life so beautiful including oneself, discovery of God begins and ends: the moment of birth and death. The beginning and end of our personal life is the only frame of reference we cannot change. 

I feel the magic of dawn after a long dark night.