Comfort and consolation are in high demand, but no higher today than any day in the entire collection of days. Living will take the life right out of us. Bringing forth the question, “Where do we turn when we have nowhere to turn?” When it is just us and the circumstances of our life where do we find our help in times of trouble? Acceptance? How do we accept the unacceptable? The atrocious? The obscene?
How do we co-exist with the intolerable? I look out the window. No drugs. No alcohol. Just me and the reality I detest, can’t stand, can’t ignore, can’t forget, day after day. It is just me and the window. And my writing. And my photography, though I don’t take photographs any longer, and spend my time with creating images on the computer with Photoshop, and relishing the old images for their wonder and their ability to connect me with life and being, anyway, nevertheless, even so.
Looking out the window is a magical escape mechanism reminding me that there is the way things are, and there is the way things also are, and that is the way things are. And I can embrace that because that is the way things are and I cannot do anything about it, and that is the way things are.
The Window brings it home. Brings it to life. Asks me if I can take it, and I smile and wink and say, “With your help I can.” We all need help remembering this is the way things are. Remembering this is the deal. How it is with us and with all living things.
Life is horrible. Obscene. Life eats life. And we can never square ourselves up with that. Whose idea is that? And yet. We have to be able to look at that straight in the eye without looking away. And say YES! to that. Anyway. Nevertheless. Even so. Life on life’s terms. YES! And be who we are. And do what is ours to do. In each situation as it arises. No matter what! Why? Because that is what life requires of us. Every living thing knows death awaits. And lives on. As well as possible for as long as life is possible. Because life as it is is all there is. And we are to live all the way with all that is within us. Shouting. Declaring. Proclaiming. YES! All the way. Because LIFE is a precious honor bestowed upon the living and it is to be LIVED! Not spurned. Not rejected. Not renounced. Because LIFE is our one fleeting chance to be alive. And we are here to do all we can with it for as long as we can. Anyway! Nevertheless! Even so!
Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 