I’m Free!

I’m free! Yesterday was my last day of work after 15 years of working for the same employer. I celebrated it by taking a bike ride to Folly Beach. Despite the grey skies and stiff ocean breeze, it turned out to be a surprisingly inspirational experience which I hope is an auspicious sign for the start of our trip next week.

I ride my bike for its meditative and energizing effect which I desperately needed after the exciting and emotionally draining last day of work. I felt a long bike ride would help me to transition into my new life. So, I packed up my wallet, water bottle and fancy new smart phone and hit the road.

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Once at the beach I decided to experiment with the camera on my phone. I chose the phone mostly because the salesman said “it had the best camera of any phone available” but, I had not had a chance to test it out yet.

I am not technologically inclined which is to say that I am one of those people who could never program a VCR. I am still that way and the Hippygeek claims I am untrainable. The term “intuitive” is often used in conjunction with latest and greatest technology which up until today had no effect on me.

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Then, I got out my really smart phone, easily found and navigated the camera modes and started experimenting with the macro setting. I do not have a macro lens for my SLR camera and was curious to see what it would do.

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WOW! Even with the poor lighting and windy conditions, I was able to capture some really nice pictures. I have not taken pictures of flowers before because I have never had a macro lens(very expensive) and after today, I probably won’t be investing in one anytime soon. Although they are not National Geographic quality, they were taken with a PHONE!

The ride took quite a bit longer than usual as I had to stop every time I saw a flower but that was OK because I didn’t have anything else to do except, of course, pack. Maybe it was because I had nothing else weighing on my mind that freed me up to notice the things that were always there. But, I was inspired by the beautiful unexpected pictures and one must always give in to inspiration.

If there is anyone that is not inspired by these pictures of the beauty of nature, let me know so we can have a chat.

“Inspiration doesn’t really work like that – you’re not looking out for it. Inspiration is something that tends to capture you rather than you capture it.” Joan Armatrading