What Makes Life Worth Living

West Forks, ME. ISO 100, 25mm, f5, 1/100 s.

This is a story. 

A story about what? I have contemplated this for a while. At first, I thought it was about my life, but looking closer I knew that couldn’t be entirely true, as many key pieces of my identity were missing from this story. It’s true that this story shows where I’ve been and who I have loved. But it is only a reflection of something bigger. It is about life, but not only mine. It is about what makes any life worth living. And I am showing you this story the only way that I can: through my eyes.

A beautiful world.

Figure 1. Cancun, Mexico. (Galaxy S21)

One thing that brings me immense joy in life is photography. Capturing shots of the world around me helps me to see it with more clarity. Oftentimes I don’t fully appreciate the world around me until I see it through the lens of my camera. Sometimes life doesn’t feel worth living anymore; it feels like I’m surrounded by dull and gray. But when I put my eye up to the viewfinder, it’s like a filter has been removed and I can see the world as it truly is. Even the most mundane things seem unique and interesting through photography. But it can also capture the natural beauty that already exists to the plain eye. Photography accentuates and sometimes creates beauty in the world.

Within each photo is a moment frozen in time. One that I can look back on and remember and feel. I can re-enter the scene for just a second. I can look at Figure 1 and feel the warmth of the Mexico sun as it rises over the ocean. I can feel the spray of the ocean on my cheek as the waves crash over the jagged, black, volcanic rocks. I can wonder, just as I did in that moment, how the sky can blend from deep blue to bright orange so suddenly and seamlessly; something that I wouldn’t be able to recreate with a paintbrush if I tried my entire life. I can marvel at how the horizon splits my view in half, separating the Earth from the sky. I can feel my heavy eyes growing wider with each minute that the sun pulls itself from sleep, dragging me up with it, just like it happened on that early morning.

I can take photos to remind myself of the beauty in the world, but I can share them with others too. Buddha said:

“We don’t see the world as it is, we see the world as we are.” 

I can show you the world as I am; show you how beautiful the world is through my lens. I can tell you a story about anything or anyone in just a picture or twenty. I can show you the thousand wonders of my world; one so beautiful that it makes life worth living.

Beautiful People.

Figure 2. Rachel. ISO 200, 27mm, f4, 1/400 s.

What makes a person beautiful? Conventionally attractive physical attributes? A sparkling personality? Namika Sagara, president of the Ipsos Behavioral Science Center, said: “When we report what makes a person beautiful, we – consciously or unconsciously – tend to align with what we think should make a person beautiful." I have never seen more beauty in a person than in someone who has a story to tell. 

But how do you show that kind of beauty through photos? There are many ways. Facial expressions, poses, action, clothing, and props. Anything that makes you wonder what they are thinking or feeling. Here in Figure 2 is an example of one of the many beautiful people I have captured. What beauty can be seen in this single photo? What is there to be told in the way that they look up at the sky, lips slightly parted? Strands of hair fall haphazardly over their face, but they don’t seem to care. They are focused on something else. What is it? Look closer and you can see a reflection in their heart-shaped glasses. Clouds and the trees. What is there that elicits this expression? They fan their skirt out in a twirl. The top half of their body seems to be frozen in awe, while the bottom half is in motion. Look at the clashing patterns of the clothing. It’s intriguing. What is their story? There is a special type of beauty in mystery. 

Having people I find beautiful, inside and out, in my life makes it more interesting. Watching them live out their stories inspires me to do more with mine. Every creation and success that these people produce motivates me to put effort into the things that I love. They make life worth living.

Exploration.

Figure 3. Acadia National Park. ISO 100, 43mm, f7.1, 1/125 s.

Like I said before, we live in a beautiful world. If you can’t see it from where you are now, go out and find it. Climb, wander, and get lost finding yourself and the world you live in. The world is gigantic and you are so small. That means there is plenty to be explored.

You don’t have to do it alone, though. Take someone with you. Someone who is beautiful to you. Travel the world together. Maybe everything has already been discovered, but not everything has been discovered by you. Maybe you will even make some friends along the way. 

According to Dr. Elizabeth Fedrick, “Exposure to entertaining and exciting experiences also leads to an increase in feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters, which is helpful for improving overall mood states and general life satisfaction." In other words, it can help make life worth living. Exploration is the cross between a beautiful world and beautiful people. By going out and finding the beauty in the world, you are finding the beauty in yourself as well. You are collecting stories and becoming beautiful.

Look at Figure 3, for example. Two people sitting at the top of a mountain. One of them drinking from a bottle of water and the other taking in the view. Green and yellow trees stand in front of them and beyond that land and lake stretch as far as the eye can see and fade away in the distance. The two sit together on a boulder, both in shades of green. The person on the right is wearing a shirt with prints of trees on it that reads “California Deserts, Forests, & Seashores.” A backpack sits beside them. 

This is a success story. This isn’t the end of their adventure, but it is a proud part of it. They have collected a new story together: the journey up the mountain to this spot. And judging by their clothes and equipment, this isn’t their first one. From exploring, they have gained beauty along with many other valuable and rewarding experiences. Ones that I too, have participated in.

There is so much to be seen out there. Take time to really see it. See it through your own eyes. Take photos to capture the memory, or just live in the moment. And though physical exploration has many benefits, there are other ways to explore as well. Explore cultures and relationships. Explore yourself and your identity. There are many ways to explore, literally and figuratively. Make your life worth living.

Love.

Figure 4. Karly and Jocelyn, Narrow Guage, Farmington, ME. ISO 100, 55mm, f7.1, 1/125 s.

To love and be loved is one of life’s greatest gifts. There is something so special about two people in love. They have a whole new kind of story to tell. Not only does each person have their own, but now they share a story as well. For love to be able to be captured on camera is its own kind of magic. 

What does it look like? Look at Figure 4. Of course the kiss, but what about the subtle brush of a thumb on a cheek? Gentle hands below the jaw or on the chest. You can almost feel their love as if it were your own. Two opposing forces, one dark, one light, coming together. You can feel the gentle urgency of dark and light pressing close together and then dark crossing the barrier into light. 

Dr. Sara Algoe has proven through her study that love is one of the most important factors in our mental and physical health. We have evolved to need love in our lives. It could actually be the one thing standing between you and an inflammatory disease. Not only does love make life worth living, but it also promotes healthy living.

Fun.

Figure 5. Farmington, ME. ISO 100, 24mm, f10, 1/200 s.

It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Isn’t that the saying? It’s a warning. Something bad might happen. Someone might get hurt. Well duh! Life is a gamble. There’s never a guarantee of anything. But it seems to me that the more risks you take, the better life is. 

In Figure 5, my friends wear white bedsheets over their heads, posing as ghosts in a cemetery. Was there a purpose for this other than our own enjoyment? No. We dressed up in the cold in a public setting, definitely earning some weird looks. I did not get paid with money or recognition for this project. So was it even worth it? Yes, absolutely. My friends and I had so much fun dressing up and I gained experience in my art.

In her article, Allison Dienstman says that taking risks and facing your fears leads to more confidence in stepping outside of your comfort zone. Do things that bring you joy even if there is a risk involved. Take opportunities that are given to you and make your own while you're at it. Have some fun! There’s always a chance that you might get hurt, but what is life without the fun and games? So get out there! Take a risk! Be as safe as you can while doing it, but live a little more! Don’t miss out by always playing it safe! Make life worth living instead.

Community.

Figure 6. Lewiston, ME. ISO 125, 49mm, f5.6, 1/640 s.

Riché C. Zamor, executive director of the Latin American Health Institute, says, “As human beings, we need a sense of belonging, and that sense of belonging is what connects us to the many relationships we develop." Life is so much better when you have a group of people you can relate to. People who have been or are currently going through what you are. Like-minded people who can fight your battles alongside you. Figure 6 shows one such community. This children’s football team stands together on the sideline. Look how familiar and comfortable they are with each other. You can see it in their casual stances. Loose and relaxed even though they are in the middle of a tense game.

Knowing that you have people right behind you who will always have your back is a truly amazing feeling. Whether it be a team, a family, or a shared culture or identity. They are the people who will tackle the negative forces in your life when you can’t. People who you can depend on and work together with. Who you can be there for and vice versa. People you can win with, and accept defeat with. Being right by each other's side through it all, no matter what. This kind of connection makes life worth living. This, and so much more. 

What makes your life worth living?