Finding Hope

A sunflower welcomes the day in my own backyard.

My little garden~ Seeds of hope.

How did you do this past year? Life certainly has changed in so many ways. Many of us suffered from a range of consequences and emotions relating to our unique circumstances. This past 365 days has been kinder to some and more cruel to others. Regardless of our particular experiences, seeking hope and positivity in the midst of struggle has never been more challenging for most of us, and never been more important.

Early on, I saw a complete lockdown as a challenge to find the positives in this new situation that was beyond my control. Since the local home improvement store was deemed “essential” by our state’s governor, I took advantage of that designation to purchase planters, potting soil, and seeds. Inspired by my school’s garden, I got busy digging in the soil and planting seeds of hope for a harvest of fresh vegetables. I also took up baking bread, since that was a hot item at the grocery store that sold out immediately. I was working from home as a school administrator, but I learned to carve out mental health breaks that included tending my little fledgling garden, putting a batch of bread in the oven, and prayer.

I became more intentional and focused on my relationship with God during this time. Although work was more challenging due to the fact that we were “building the plane as we were flying it,” I found it important to look for inspiration to share with my staff, many of whom were feeling the stress of being separated from their students and missing that personal contact with these little people. The advice always provided by the airline attendant to “secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others” echoed in my mind. It made sense for me to take the time to recharge before trying to support others.

What does this have to do with photography? I looked for the extraordinary in the ordinary in my home environment. I took photos of sunflowers, roses, shade trees, and hummingbird nests, all in my own backyard. I studied the intricacy of a sunflower’s pattern of petals and seeds in the bloom. I looked for patterns in the flagstone patio and blossoms on the desert willow. I took pictures of a lunar eclipse. The gift of time enabled me to practice on what might have been considered mundane tasks before the quarantine.

Now that we are emerging from the shadows of this difficult time, these lessons stay with me. I am stronger from having gone through this challenging time, and I continue to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, knowing that it is there if I only pause long enough to see it. What extraordinary things do you see in your own backyard?