Letting My Mind Rest

I heard my son say that his mind is always thinking, and it never stops. I feel like young people (and some older people as well) suffer from a kind of continuous connectedness, a continuous mental engagement, and it’s not uncommon to hear people say their brain is always going.

I remember when I was in college, and I was away from home for the first time in my life. I remember how calm things were at times – I was truly alone. I remember the feeling of peace that I had, and even how lonely I was at times – but it’s not a bad thing, to experience loneliness.

At the University of New Mexico, as a photography major, I traveled quite a bit around the state. Some of my favorite times were going into the Sandia Mountains, just outside of Albuquerque, to have some time to pray and meditate, and just enjoy the mountains. Being outside, in nature, has always helped me to relax. It’s a little more difficult to do now that I have a family and a job, but it’s still good to find time to let your mind rest.

Here’s some photos from my walk today with Holly, my energetic Fox Hound. I think this was good for both of us.

Taken with my Nikon F and Kodak Tri-X film.

I hope younger generations of people will try unplugging from all their devices and take time to let their minds and bodies rest. Here’s encouragement to everyone to get outdoors, enjoy fresh air, get some exercise and unwind a little. And, by the way, photography is a good reason to get out there. And film photography is a great, retro, way to relax!

Happy New Year!