When I was a little girl and people would ask me ‘what do you want to do when you grow up?’ my responses always varied. The one constant though, was that I wanted to help people. I remember deciding to pursue a career in photography thinking to myself, ‘how the heck am I going to help anybody with this?’ Some serious disappointment surrounded that.
As I continue to grow up, I continue to learn that helping people doesn’t mean you have to be a teacher or a nurse or a shrink. You can help people every day doing every day things.
For example, my bike tire went flat and my friend came to pick me up. That helped. My hands were full and the dude in front of me held open the door. That helped. My heart was heavy and my roommate stopped just to listen. That really helped.
We all carry big loads. We all need extra hands. We all need help squeezing out some tears from time to time. Or composing a resume. Or picking up some Nyquil. Or even taking out the trash.
So let’s get on that. Let’s grow up and start helping people. Even if it’s just sitting in the shade for a moment to lend an ear, do it. Offer your ear, your hand, your heart…whenever however you can. I’m growing up and understanding more and more that that’s what it’s really all about…
image shot in Nicaragua, March 2011
sandra pg - great foto, love the colors! and the locale! is that the motherland?
Jackie - the motherland?