The utility of suffering, then, is the opportunity it affords us to become better human beings. It is the engine of our redemption. —Nick Cave

There are many realizations these days. Self-awareness. Curiosity. Understanding and compassion.

I read Nick Cave’s The Red Hand Files, Issue #147, and I was blown away by his insight, at once simple and profound. What is the value of suffering? Nick’s reply wasn’t some Pollyanna version of silver linings or optimism fueled be denial or ignorance.

No, his response was about how we might transform pain into beauty by not transmitting our pain to others in any one of a hundred ways - abuse, blaming, shaming, hatred . . . the list goes on. Left untreated and unresolved, we pass our suffering on to others. But when we seek help, we have the opportunity to break these unhealthy cycles.

On the surface, these musings have little to do with photography. But really, they do.

By acting compassionately we reduce the world’s net suffering,
and defiantly rehabilitate the world.
It is an alchemical act that transforms pain into beauty.
This is good. This is beautiful.

What is the act of taking a picture with a camera if not a transformation of looking to seeing.? A way of making meaning. Photography is one of the ways I transform my pain to beauty.

I am grateful to Janice Falls who introduces me to heart poems. It’s easy, in this world, to lose sight of what matters most. To feel as though we do not measure up. It’s hard to remain faithful to those values, decisions and people we hold dear in the face of difficulties. Like Janice, I believe that art has the power to heal and and that poetry gives voice to our deepest longings.

stop asking: Am I good enough?
Ask only
Am I showing up
with love?

Life is not a straight line
it’s a downpour of gifts, please—
hold out your hand

—Julia Fehrenbacher