[Mieke Boynton]

Thanks for sharing this, Joy! I always feel reluctant (and a bit embarrassed to be honest) to acknowledge that I “listen” to Nature, touch trees that inspire me, and often say “thank you” out loud when I’ve experience a special moment in Nature. I even have a song that I learned from Aboriginal people that is like an acknowledgement of the Spirit of the Land. Unfortunately, I think that talking about it always comes across to a lot of people as a bit kooky and weird and “touchy-feely”… but the truth is, I think we really under-estimate how connected we are to Nature. And I think lots of people do feel that special energy that Nature has… it’s just that it’s quite a personal and private thing, so I don’t necessarily think it’s easy to talk about. Having spent so long in the Kimberley and listening to Aboriginal people talk about their connection to Country, I know that there are cultures that foster this connection in a way that our Westernised culture doesn’t. But whenever I spend time in the bush, I always get filled-up with energy and peace. I don’t get the same feeling from anything else. I think we’re very lucky if we can feel and acknowledge that connection!! And I admire you for wanting to take it one step further and bring this connection to your photographic vision 🙂

[Mieke Boynton]

Although I don’t know that I can call photography a “hobby” anymore, I agree that photography fulfils all these benefits for me… apart from the social aspect, as I’m a bit of a hermit!! But I guess if you include the connections that social media fosters, then yes, there’s that aspect too 🙂 Before photography, my hobby was actually making cards (birthday cards, congratulations cards etc) and I find that I get the same sense of relaxation and achievement from both. The added bonuses with making cards were that I was able to send them to people afterwards and in that respect, there was actually a social connection aspect… and you can do it with a glass of wine and some music 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks for sharing this, Sarina!

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