Photography is a hobby, an interest, an art form that lets an individual capture details or images which might be missed completely by another.  A talented photographer uses his lenses wisely. Zoom in too closely and one loses the image altogether; too far out and significant detail cannot be seen.  The same can be true of our view on our everyday lives. Too often we are either mired in detail or too zoomed out to understand the complexity of the picture.  A good photographer will assess and review the desired image and adjust the focus to capture exactly what she wants the viewer to see and understand.

Lately I have been too focused on the details of my work life and am losing the balance and continuity of the rest of my existence to have a clear picture of what my world truly is.  Zooming out is not always easy – we think we will lose the image but zooming out is called for to make our picture clear. How do we zoom out? Stop talking about the details. Pay attention to the other aspects of our lives that will make the image clear and complete.  When I get home at five o’clock, I can share the details for 15 minutes with my husband and ask him to comment and reflect on what I have told him. And then I must move away and see the other components of my life – my relationships, my health, my home, my interests those things which will keep my life balanced and in perspective.  

The details of our work life,our relationships, our interests are the accents and the embellishments that give our life color and accent but they do not define us.  We are a composite of all that we do and clarity arises when we zoom out when necessary, and zoom in when needed. It takes wisdom and awareness, it takes mindfulness to know how to operate the camera and lenses through which we view our world and our lives.  

What are you too focused  on? Are you too zoomed out in other areas?  What helps you balance your world?