Tam’s Trench Truth

As natural as breathing...

When I stop and think about some of the most natural things in life so much comes to mind. Take breathing for instance. Do we ever need to think about doing it? It's just built into our nature to inhale and get our fair share of the o2. It's quite hard to go against that nature and hold our breath beyond the point that is comfortable, and yet the more we practice holding our breath, the longer we can do it. It becomes a valuable tool if one ever needed to use it. So why don't we practice doing it? 

In this thought, I really started thinking about all the things in life I could start to practice more and more a will of getting into the mindset to do what is not natural. Like holding one's breath has to be a choice and an action. You can't make the choice without the action in doing so. For example, my photography, the images I aim to grab are not always natural. I have to sometimes create angles hard for my back to do. I have to experiment with exposure, ISO's, leveling, ever competing shadows and darkness vs. light vs. color. The list is endless. Taking thousands of images has only led me to learn that even holding my breath when shooting photos can even assist in not blurring a photo in the slightest when I zoom in. 

So what of the things that we do over and over again, the things it takes so much heart to stick to despite failing over and over again? They say practice makes perfect. I like to think it makes nature for our hearts and minds. Something we work incredibly hard for really, in a way, becomes part of who we are and our nature. For many years now I have been working on the ability to admit when I am wrong, to not let anger consume me, to not carry burdens, to listen to people with an open mind. I don't always find it in my nature, but it sure has become easier.

We are all works in motion; we are all just trying to breathe, but how many of us could work harder at holding our breath for the things our Father wants us to inhale... and then exhale to the world around us? 

I want the nature of projection, a nature of positive mindset, a nature of love, a nature of photography, and a nature to be the best of friends with people. I want a nature that trusts people despite how many times I am wronged. It's all a delicate balance of controlled breathing, and a practice of paused breathing. It is many tools that all wrap into one: God's instrument.

Might give new meaning to the saying, "I won't hold my breath" when perhaps we should at least give it a thought. ;)

Much love my friends,

  ~John Tam