May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder. 

John O’Donohue

One of the most popular Ted Talks Videos is about gratitude. Millions have seen it. You may have seen it. If you’d haven’t seen it, here it is, or you may like to see it again.

Louie Schwartzberg: Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.

Louie Shwartzberg is a cinematographer who has pioneered time-lapse photography. In this video he combines stunning images with the contemplative words of Brother David Steindl-Rast.

I love this video because it reminds me how photography can feed gratitude.

Making photos calls upon us to slow down and take the time to look deeply at the world we live in, to really see the beauty that surrounds us every day, and to let go for a time the cares and concerns that distract us from being truly present to life.

When we move into the moment to observe carefully with our camera — a bird in flight, a flower opening to the sun, a child cuddling a pet — how can we fail to be astounded by the wonder of it all? How can we fail to be grateful for the multitude of gifts we receive every day that come to us unbidden?

I believe the fact that there are more photos being taken now than ever before in history is not only because the technology for capturing images is much more available and easy to use, but also because there is a yearning on the part of many to really show up for our lives, and to pay more focused attention to the moments that make up our days.

Freezing them with a camera is one small way to be ever more aware of the magic, to share it, to connect with each other in our common humanity, and to be thankful.

“The root of joy is gratefulness…It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” ― David Steindl-Rast

Wishing our friends and family in the United States a joyous Thanksgiving.

Linking to Wordless Wednesday and This or That Thursday