Morning, Betsy.
I often feel forced into an adulting role by the nature of my work. Can't say I'm all that fond of that particular aspect of it. I have a lot of decor with pithy sayings and phrases, as much for myself as for my clients. "It is what it is...but it will become what you make it." "You never know how far you can fly until you spread your wings." "Stars shine brightest in darkness." "Big things come from small ones" (with a photo of hands holding a sprouted sapling in a clump of dirt, forest in the background). A number of favorite lines from tv shows and movies, on magnets and small posters or decorative tiles.
As I sit up in bed each morning, I see - directly in front of me - a smallish wooden plaque hanging on my wall. "Life is like a camera," it proclaims. "Focus on what's important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives. And if things don't work out, take another shot."
You said, "This is one moment." Reminiscent of the old saying - yet still so very true - that "this, too, shall pass."
In keeping with the photographic theme (I went to photography school and was a pro photographer for a time), I think of your statement, "this is one moment" in the context of my contemplative photography practice and regular photography as well. There are moments, fleeting moments, which come and go sometimes without notice. Things like the golden hour are predictable; only the weather conditions call an early morning shoot into question. Other times, it's as simple as turning around to see an amazing, perhaps once in a lifetime sight. You have a split second to decide if you want to try to capture that moment in a photograph, or simply enjoy the gift of the moment with your senses, committing the scene to memory instead of film/digital image.
"This is one moment." Every moment brings this same choice. Choose to be an outsider, recording but not participating, or be a fully integrated part of the scene playing out. I think it both healthy and wise to find your own personal balance of these options. Step in, or step back. Adult, or engage in conscious non-adulting.
Another saying mentions that you must have darkness to recognize and appreciate the light. So it is with adulting. Too much adulting is detrimental to one's general happiness, I feel. Far better to select your adulting "shots" and step into them with purpose, where you can best put your skills and self to use for the betterment of all involved.
That's not to say that NOT adulting is the same thing as throwing a temper tantrum or acting like a spoiled brat. No, I think of adulting as more of a leadership-oriented descriptor, combined with clear thinking and rational analysis and decent decision-making skills. Or at least, that's a large chunk of my ideal description. (I've had so many clients defying this ideal over the years that at times I wonder if I my expectations in this regard are far too high.)
So yes, this is one moment. One moment, just like all other moments, when we make the conscious decision to "adult" and step into the frame, or allow someone else to assume that role, while we stand behind the lens, ready to step in and adult, or preferring instead NOT to adult and simply capture the scene from behind the camera.
And if the situation is a bit confusing, zoom in on the most important part to exclude the other "noise." Refocus. Then make your decision - shoot or don't shoot. Adult or choose not to adult. This is, after all, just one moment. There will be many, many more moments, but none as specifically unique as THIS one, right now. Will you be a part of it, and if so, in what capacity?
This is one moment. You decide.
(And I just decided that yes, I do need to adult and get ready for work so I can keep my nice electricity, water, etc on, have food to eat, and so on. So I'm going to adult for this moment. We'll see what the next moment brings. 🤔😊)
Thanks for sharing this HoH, Betsy. Thought-provoking as usual. Much appreciated! Have a beautiful day. I see the light within you. 🤲🏻❤️🤲🏻