the beginning of the end.

I've already elaborated on how this year is the start of something new, but conversely it's kind of the beginning of the end of for a lot of things also. But it's ok, I'm learning to embrace change. I used to be a person that was reluctant to let go of anything, good or bad. I've learned though that some things mean more when they they are left in a certain time and place in my heart instead of being dragged into something new. I guess this is part of the true meaning of ichi go, ichi e 一期一絵, a Japanese proverb meaning 'one chance, one opportunity.' Maybe this is why I've always been attracted to photography, even back in the day when it was with disposable cameras ones...

A picture captures a moment in time and everything about that moment holds true because regardless of where you are in life, when you look back at the photo, what was true to you then is still there looking back at you. In a seemingly paradoxical fashion, this is the reason why I delete photos that no longer hold meaning to me. Looking at those photographs might remind me of how naive I was or make me feel like the people in those photographs lied to me with things that I know now. It's all very strange to some people who can separate the photo from their current reality even if it has indeed changed. I don't like to dawdle on these things so I simply "alter my memories" and delete those moments of time that I once captured from sharing space with the truly special ones that dwell in my heart and mind. That's the idea anyway, because in reality I have an impeccable, photographic memory. Well, that was some insight into my logic. Twisted? Maybe. Wrong? Not so much. Sorry if that was confusing. I warned you that my random thoughts would be arbitrarily dispensed in here.

Speaking of ichi go ichi e, one of the reasons the Japanese love sakura and hanami is because the short window of time that they are in bloom reminds us of the impermanence of life. Believe it or not, we even have the smallest of hanami in Miami. Some of the fledgling sakura have bloomed at the Japanese Morikami museum and garden where I'm currently doing an internship. The window is short, but I was able to capture them for all time.

一期一絵

One Chance, One Opportunity