When I was a kid there was a picture in the house of snow melting that looked like the classic man-with-a-beard-must-be-Jesus image of a man. It was taken by a Chinese phởtographer looking for answers. What I liked to do was to not see Jesus in the picture. I wanted to just see the snow and the dirt. Never could. That man with the beard was branded in to me. Can I unsee what I have seen?
Also, when I was a kid I would try to not think of something I had thought of. It is something my brain can‘t do. Don‘t think of…
a giraffe. Can‘t do it. Of course, as a kid growing to a man, there were many things I was supposed to not think of. Swaying hips, pouting lips were taboo, off limits. At church I was taught the road to perdition was paved with these thoughts. I thought of them constantly. I was confused. I could not unthink of all these things I was told to avoid thinking about, and I was pretty pleased about that because I liked most of the no-think topics.
I guess I should not be thinking about hunger in the world. I should shut from my brain the idea of charity or compassion. I should actively avoid love as a thought. I won‘t think about you for sure today. By the way, who are you out there? Maybe leave a comment with a zip code. It has been a while since I found out who was isn‘t on my mind.
from Ontario, Canada.… Though I’m rarely commenting these days, I’m still loving every post and photograph that make their way out of your heart and mind. Opening the Bend Light mail is one of the best parts of my day. I am so very glad to have read the guest post you wrote that led me here. Someday I hope that some of your photographs grace my walls. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve even thought about what I should or shouldn’t be thinking.… I’d actually forgotten that I used to do that.… alot!
Thank you for helping me smile on a semi-regular basis.
Peac&Blessings~~ aka DragonTat2, 98225 aka Bellingham, Washington~ 20 miles south of BC Canada
I thought u had google analytics on this site? It should track my eyeballs on here almost weekly — comin in from 96793
78665
I do have Google analytics. I was just wanting to connect a little. Thanks for all the responses. The actual number of readers, including twitter, Facebook and the site is probably around 100/post I think. Seems that way. Someday maybe it will “explode” but really I am honored and kind of shocked that Bend Light gets as much traction as it does considering I have done no optimization, have only one referring site or maybe two. In any case, I write this for me and for the process of getting to know myself and all of you in as much as I can through a screen. Plus it’s fun.
add another Portland zip now.… Hope you are well, still think of your post on realizing choices (and making them). Thank you for that.
Fairfax, Virginia checking in.…(that would be 22030!)…
I love reading Bend Light and look forward to your thoughts as well as your photographs. I think what I like about it most is that it continues our relationship even though we are 2000 miles away; I continue to learn a little bit more about you with each new post, like a layer of an onion being pulled away. There are many posts that have touched my soul and I can’t thank you enough. I miss our days together and think of them often. I am honored to know the basis behind some of your posts — one in particular, but I think you know which one.
I miss you, Stephen! Hope Rose & Aidan are well.
XOXOXO,
Steph
Thanks Steph. Your photo is cooking…
Hmmm, not sure I know which one, but I have an idea. Thank you for writing. Really appreciate the comments.
s
thank you Brooke
Hopefully all your new adventures are working out.
Hmm, now you have made me think of you. I can remember moving back to Corpus from San Antonio in 8th grade and having you for some type of theater class. I can also remember you riding your bicycle to high school while I was walking to school. I also remember a wonderful slide presentation you put together for everyone to watch. You had me hooked with your photographs back then and now I find them captivating and enjoy looking at them every few days. Now I am going to try and put you out of my mind and think of something else. I wonder if it will work?