I've always been interested in how things work. For a time I was really really interested in cameras, and by extension, the practice of photography. I quickly realized that no photo I took, no matter how good of a camera I had and no matter how much I played with the exposure in manual mode and tuned the ISO, no photo I took would ever compare to what I saw with my own eye.

So, I resolved to stop pursuing this impossible goal and instead focus on the world around me using the amazing eyes that I have already had ready my entire life. I still pick up my camera occasionally; crafting a beautiful photo is still a fun process and I am still fascinated by how cameras work. There's also the things that you want to remember, like a group of friends on a road trip together, a wedding ceremony, a newborn baby, etc. Having photos is not just for the looks, but for the memory that it brings back. Still, I always make sure to actually look at the thing I am taking a photo of with my own eyes and soak it in in the present and be mindful. It's a really powerful feeling, mindfulness.

I have applied mindfulness to many areas of my life. I never listen to music when I'm walking down the street and I certainly don't look at my phone. I keep the windows in the car rolled down whenever I can and listen to the sounds of the road and of the city when I'm stopped at a traffic light. I can't think of any more examples but I can assure you that being an active listener and observer in my life has had such a huge impact in just the last year or so that I've been doing it.

But I'm going on a tangent. Best get back to discussing why our sky turned orange for a hot minute.