Layers of Life

Happily, I am able to head back to the deck to do some meandering today. Specifically, I headed to the hammock on the patio by my office to do some thinking. While taking in all the silence of humans and cacophony of nature, I heard one of my favorite sounds. There was a bird nearby by that was performing in its best voice, which is always enjoyable. But what really set it off was that great sound of a bird back in the woods, singing its heart out as well, but adding that element of a slight echo that filled the surrounding area in the woods. You know that sound? Listen for it the next time you're close to a woods. Fantastic. Nature's sound system. 


It's that layering effect that makes everything in life a little sweeter, a little softer, a little easier on the ears and eyes. It puts our lives into stereo. The aesthetic touch that makes a human a little more human.


I've been a parrothead for many year; for those of you who aren't familiar with that odd fellowship, it's the folks who enjoy Jimmy Buffett's songs and stories. I have very few collections since I'm not much on keeping on one subject, but I have amassed quite a bit of Jimmy's music. He's one of those artists that has created some iconic music throughout the years. However, one of my favorite songs he wrote and performs comes from a less than memorable attempt at a musical. This song speaks of those layers of life in a vernacular I can also easily identify with--cooking: "Layers and layers of spices and flavors are finding their way to my brain." When I first heard those words, it made perfect sense to me. It IS all about the layers.


As a lover of being behind the camera, I look at life in layers. It's the photographers' eye that is always looking for the layers through the lens. It's the layers that bring focus to the subject of the shot. Even the extensive void of white or black as a background creates a layering effect that envelopes a specific focal point.


Our lives are richer when we celebrate all the layers. Don't squander time picking and choosing single events; let it all be a part of the sounds, the smells, the sights.


Have a fine day.