30% Probability + a Mountain of Faith= 100% Awe

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I am an emotional creature. Take it as it is- the good, the bad & the ugly mess of tissues that comes with the territory. I feel deeply. Knowing that, then I imagine that you’re not surprised that I shed a few tears at the last shuttle launch.

As an artist, I have learned to really look at what message I want to convey, one that I can truly believe in. It’s not just about taking a pretty picture. Photography is still a relatively new medium to me, but I am finding it to be such a useful tool, being able to show others what it is like to see the world through my eyes. I hope to share with you the positive things that I see in this world, and my desire is to pass along a message of hope, faith and love. Take your cue from a manuel focus camera sometimes, and force yourself to focus on one thing at a time- letting the unnecessary melt away into the background, separately focusing on each and every component of the larger picture momentarily. Choose wisely what you focus on, because that will become your message.

Although I’ve shared with you these images of what I was blessed to experience at the NASAtweetup in a previous post, there was still so much to say about different parts of the two day event, and several messages that I wanted share.

Today’s focus: overcoming poor probability for a positive outcome.

It had been fairly early on during the first day that the rain began. The probability of the launch occurring as scheduled? 30%. That’s it. The rain was small beads of disappointment or worry- something that needed to be protected and covered up from. However, you can’t stop the rain from falling, and you can’t willfully move the darkness that blocks the sun… so in those moments, all you can do is stop and find the beauty. If you look, even then, you will find something to marvel at.

It was in the rain shower that I was struck by the beauty that was left behind; rings of varying sizes on the water before us. Perhaps it was because of where I was at the time (NASA’s Kennedy Space Center) but the way that the light reflected upon the rings of water when the rain fell, it reminded of the beautiful orbit around the sun that we are all rotating on.

At some point, in our lives, there are unavoidable dark clouds that block the warmth of the sun. You can take cover from them when they become dangerous, but do not dismiss these moments as ugliness- embrace them. For it is the coldness of the dark that makes the warmth of the sunshine even that much more comforting. (The word that I keep associating the actual launch with-warmth.) The uncertainty of the weather, and the constant echo of “30% Probability” of the launch taking place as scheduled was as heavy in the air as the humidity. I promised myself that I wouldn’t let it rob me of a wonderful experience. I kept hopeful that it would happen, and that I would witness the historical event. Searching for beautiful and wonderful moments in the meantime was actually quite easy, but it was the actual launch that we were all so desperate to experience in person.

The previous day’s rain had left a few puddles upon the ground, but as 11:26 am drew closer, and the countdown clock ticked away, and the sunshine started to peek through the clouds. A ray of sun cut straight through the clouds and right into our hearts.

…and then there was a break in the clouds.

Not too long after that, were we blessed with an experience of a lifetime- the actual launch. As impressive and amazing as the moment was, I honestly believe that it was appreciated even more so because so much of the data had pointed towards it not happening as planned. Sometimes a plan goes off without a hitch, and other times you’ll find challenges and difficulties along the path to your goal. Be open to making all components a part of the journey; do not let negativity and poor probability be the filter in which you see the world through. Choose to see lessons instead of obstacles. Choose faith, hope and perseverance.

A successful piece of artwork has a delicate balance of darkness and lightness, and life is the same way. The brightness seems brighter only when placed next to the darkest dark; without out the contrast you just have a blank canvas. The paintbrush is in your hand, so what mark will you leave behind? I learned that day that sometimes the most wondrous things are even brighter than you ever dreamed and it makes every bit of darkness well worth every ounce of perseverance.