The Lens Within

September brings us Labor Day (9/1), Grandparents Day (9/7), Rosh Hashanah (9/23-24), and the much-anticipated first day of fall (9/22). It also kicks off the fall festival season, which ushers in such seasonal delights as decorative scarecrows, yummy food and beverage options, arts and crafts, and live music playing through the air on cooler breezes. Be sure to check out our Events Calendar on pages 6-10 for local festivals and other activities your family may enjoy.

Did you know that Cherokee County has its very own film festival? No need to travel to Cannes in France or Sundance in Park City, Utah, when you can take a short drive to charming downtown Canton's historic theatre to screen movies from national and international filmmakers at the Peaberry Film Fest (Oct 2-5). 
You can read more about that on page 20.

While it's wonderful to see the worlds created by filmmakers and artists in other genres, I think the most interesting aspect of any art form is how those who enjoy these creative expressions interpret them differently based on their own human experiences. One person may be moved to tears by a gallery painting, while others see it and are unaffected. Someone may find a movie scene hysterically funny, while the person next to them sits stoically without cracking a smile.

Personal growth author and lecturer Ken Keyes Jr. said, 
"You should always be aware that your head creates your world."

That's an awful lot of power we have. We can make or break our day just based on our perceptions or how we relate to the things we encounter. We can choose to see the positive or negative in almost anything, which dictates our reactions and overall mood. So, choose wisely when deciding which lens you see life through — it dictates your focus.

Happy fall, y'all!