Worth a Thousand Words

Having my picture taken has never been one of my favorite things. I'm not sure why exactly, but it probably has something to do with the fact that I end up hating most of the pictures that are taken of me...regardless of how many people think otherwise.

I'm dogsitting for my best friends this weekend (the ones I used to live with) and I was perusing, as I do time and time again, their "wall of memories." Early during my stay, my BF decided that she wanted to frame some of her treasured photos and display them along her staircase wall...photos of family and friends, traditions and travels. Loving a decorating project, I offered my assistance. And, I'm glad that I did because that ended up being one of my fondest and most memorable times during my stay with them.

A picture is truly worth a thousand words...and laughs...memories...and sometimes tears.

As I studied the photographs, specifically the two in which I appear, I made the decision that I need to start taking more pictures. Based on the opening of this entry, it's obviously not that I'm a narcissist. Rather, what brought about this decision was the emotion that the pictures evoked. Joy.

With life being as wonderful as it is for me right now - coupled with the fact that as I get older, life gets shorter - I think it would be such a shame if I didn't capture these special moments in my life. Because, today, I truly realized that it's not about how cute or not so cute your clothes are...it's not about how overweight or underweight you may be...it's not about whether you posed or it was candid - it's about the moment. Moments that cause you to stop...to want to remember THIS time. Or, for that matter,cause others to want to remember the time...realizing that although it may not be a special moment for you, it just might be for the person with whom it is being shared.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths that we take, but by the moments that take our breath away" - that's what the plaque on my desk at work reads.

Be they because of love or laughter, serenity or surprise, awe or admiration...I want to capture the moments that take my breath away.

Now understandably, some discretion will be used...I'm not going to be all willy-nilly about it thanks to PhotoShop and the World Wide Web. However, I have made the decision to be more willing to seize life's moments and say.........CHEESE! (preferably Brie...or feta, thanks)