Reading Rick Rubin’s masterpiece, The Creative Act: A Way of Being. Not just for artists, I recommend it for anyone whose work is more than just a paycheck. In the book, he articulates like no other I have read how being open to and paying attention to what is in the flow of the Aether is the secret sauce. Gotta admit, it feels good to have one’s creative practice echoed by such an admirable creative.

Being in that state is how I found this week’s companion video on YouTube entitled “A Reason To Stop Worrying – Watch This Whenever You’re Stressed Or Anxious”. At my lowest points with the inciting incident, I would watch and often times just listen to this video numerous times a day. It brought me much-needed comfort and stabilization.

Then I shared it with a couple of close friends. It repelled them. The strong reactions of my friends still make me chuckle. Being such close friends, one mustered up these kind words, “whatever helps you heal.” I chuckle because it is just another of many reminders why I’m not normal.

On a long road trip in high school, we stopped at a truck stop. There was a display of buttons one puts on their lapels, jackets, or backpacks. Each button espoused a variety of truck stop quotes of wisdom. I saw mine. It cost $1.00. I didn’t have one dollar. I walked to the bus dejected. I told a classmate about it. They took out a dollar, told me to run in and buy the button. It was one of the first acts of random kindness that has touched me so deeply and for which I have devoted my life to paying forward.

What did the button say? It said it all. “I was meant to be loved, not understood.”

In 2022, I didn’t have the need to play the companion video except for the time I was driving across the great salt flats. My mind was overflowing with worry for a loved one. I played the video again, saw this beautiful sunset, photographed it, and resumed my journey fortified.

And now… know the photograph.