Life Is Fleeting. I'll Live It
Esse — Beauty In The Simplest Things
You started this journey with me two years ago and have stayed with me ever since. No words are lovely enough to express my gratitude and love for you. "Growth is the only evidence of life," John Henry Newman stated emphatically. And, as I've realized over the last two years, "Being" is evolving in all aspects of our lives. So, this is the new chapter in the journey, and as always, I'm glad you're on board for the new adventure because I couldn't do it without you. Esse Series – Beauty in The Simple Things Poster Prints and Photo Book began as a simple idea that evolved into a fun little project designed to assist me in overcoming writer's block and reclaiming my creativity during a challenging and doubtful period this year. I hope the beautiful scenery, images, and short anecdotes inspire you “To Be and Insatiably Exist" in every moment of your life and to remind yourself that joy can be found in the simplest things.
Be in the moment and enjoy the little things
Losing your second book's first and second drafts does something to you, and you never recover. Sadness. Despair. You begin to doubt yourself and your sense of purpose as you feel strangely empty. You go through the five stages of grief while still trying to piece together the lost phrases, paragraphs, and sentences. Anger and denial. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. But it doesn’t compare to nearly losing your mother to a light stroke afterward, which leaves a stabbing wound in your soul and has a way of engulfing you in a sorrowful melancholy about the future. So, yeah, life has recently felt muddled.
The simplicity of things brings me comfort. But as I said, life has recently felt hazy, and there are those days when I feel burdened by the daily grind and the unnecessary, and there are days, when I look through my camera and a simple shot of a captured moment or something mundane, feels just right. I get hopeful, and then, a feel-good state swarms over me for a brief moment.
All aspects of Life are fleeting
and full of beauty
Whether it's the loss of a manuscript I worked hard on, the fear of losing my mother, starting over, or the world's happenings seeming too loud, one thing stands out. Everything is fleeting - Disappointment, anguish, fear, and uncertainty. Everything is fleeting, including joy. I am but a sojourner to this magnificent land, and my mother is also. Though I may be unable to accept reality, for the time being, it is always intended to be a brief visit, and I am surrounded by everything beautiful, with elements designed to bring the most joy.
Joy and small pleasures are still all around me. But so engrossed in the whirlwind of daily tasks and responsibilities. I forget to “be.” I'd forgotten the basics, let alone appreciate the beauty and simplicity of things that weren't broken, didn't need to be fixed, or brought me joy.
“That the little things in life are where you'll find the most happiness.”
Authenticity means showing you both the good and the bad. This is not a depressing journal entry, though I will admit that this is the first time I've been so open with you. Instead, this is me musing, recounting how something beautiful emerged amidst unquiet moments.
“To go through my film and find the moments that made me the happiest at times" was a fun little assignment I reluctantly agreed to, meant to help me overcome writer's block and reclaim my sense of purpose and creativity as I was drowning a bit. The fifteenth image sparked a tiny ember of hope within me, and it all went from there. Photographs of still moments inspired by nature and the randomness of it all were made into beautiful poster prints, and favorite moments became the pages of an elegant limited-edition photo book. A reminder of the simple things I overlook and that despite everything, I'm surrounded by things that can bring me joy.
Esse is a visual narrative and an art form that rouses inspiration to live in the moment and find joy in the smallest of things. It's a mindfulness "Kun Faya Kun" note. A reminder that we’re living a life worth living when we wake up and see the beautiful flowers on our window ledge or the sunlight streaming through the trees outside our window. It's the little things that we miss. And the little things we must savor while we can.
Again, I hope the beautiful scenery, images, and short anecdotes inspire you “To Be and Insatiably Exist" in every moment, reminding yourself that joy can be found in the simplest things.
Until next time, xoxo.
Sherdley S
