Live to Learn, Learn to Live

We all have those moments when we think about bringing a raincoat, packing an extra set of clothes, or double-checking to be sure we have our keys. When reality sets in, we wish we had listened to that inner voice. Everyone makes mistakes, but those “Oh, I knew it!” ones usually leave me laughing at myself after all is said and done. I’ve never been one to get upset over a problem. Chances are, I could’ve prevented the consequences from raining down on me; I probably knew better in the first place.Last month, I was at a photo shoot for one of our cover stories. It was a beautiful sunny day, with comfortable temperatures and a gentle breeze. As I set up my fill flash on a stand with an umbrella to soften and reflect the strobe, I knew I had to keep an eye on it. Umbrellas, like kites, tend to catch wind. A small tent stake that I keep with my gear would typically hold it down; however, I was set up on the pavement, so that wasn’t an option. As I peered through the lens, a short breeze flowed toward me. My subject gasped, as she saw the stand and strobe slamming to the ground. I said to myself, “I told you so” and set it back up with a smile. Fortunately, the umbrella saved the flash, and the bulb did not break. So, an Amazon order for a replacement umbrella and a new sandbag to add to my gear is on the way. Lesson learned.

The only thing we know about the future is the mere fact that, most likely, it is coming. Our path leading up to this point has been filled with hints and clues as to what may lie ahead, but nothing is certain. The best we can hope to achieve is a readiness toward our expectations. Little thoughts, near solutions that didn’t work, and mental connections that we reuse precede what we do next. We have a growing familiarity with our life and the circumstances within it that set us up for our next steps. We pool our insight and leverage what is already there to make things happen. By remembering both, consciously and subconsciously, we can do better next time.

We live to learn, and we learn to live. Chances are, your past is telling you something. That little voice you’ve been blessed with is your own. Trust it.