sindisiwe photography || the blog » bringing life into focus…

For every situation in life, good or bad, take it as an opportunity to be challenged, learn, and ultimately grow.

I think I am going to write that in big, bold letters and and hang it up in my room. I need to be reminded of that more often. Yesterday was one of those good days that had a not so good thing happen. During a long video shoot for a project in my Global and Urban Ministries class, I lost 4 of my 5 memory cards. We got back to the car afterward and they just simply weren’t in my bag, even though I know we started the shoot with them. After a few frantic searches through both of my bags and the car we were riding in, I gave in and admitted they were gone.

Let me be really transparent with you today, my lovely blog readers. To me, losing these memory cards was more than just losing $140 worth of equipment, it brought on insecurity about who I am and what I am doing. I did have a slight freak out at the idea of trying to find the money to replace everything. But mostly it made me question whether or not I’m really cut out for this. 18 and owning a business? I’ve had people ask me if I am crazy, and yesterday I actually asked that question myself. Seriously, what am I doing here?

But I am so thankful for my mom who did her best to calm me down. She said “it’s not the end of the world.” And although it was hard to admit, I knew she was right. All I lost was $140 and a few interviews for the documentary I am working on. The interviews can be filmed again and the memory cards can be replaced. It will be alright.

Through this whole experience, I’ve decided I need to take a more Pollyanna perspective on things. I should start playing “the glad game” more often and choose happiness and to focus on the good things. Yesterday, I realized how very thankful I am for the friends and family I have who support me. I got many hugs last night which was just what my heart needed. And a dear friend even brought me some soup and chocolate pudding with a sweet note attached. I’m so ridiculously blessed by the awesome people I have in my life.

As for those questions I asked myself, I’m going to continue to dream and run hard to make those things possible. I choose to learn in every situation, whether good or bad. I choose to grow and be challenged, and not let anything stand in my way. Happiness is a choice. So today I choose to be happy.

{Image taken in Clarens, South Africa}