Pic n Mix Post: Second, Photograph, Bridge.

In A Split Second

Life-changing moments happen in a split second. A yes or no decision, a left or right path, to do or not to do something, to go for that seemingly small opportunity and it turns out to be something greater. It could be the moment you are accepted to your dream job or school or the moment you get your degree. All these things happen in a second. It takes ages to work up to something but it's the second you have it that is the life-changing, heart-stopping and magical moment. Just one second, and it's terrifying, what if I've missed my mark or made a wrong decision? It's a scary thought but I like to believe that what's meant to happen will.

You can attend drama school and audition for months until you're completely run dry, but it's the phone call announcing you've got the part that is the life-changing moment. The moment one's book is approved and then its publication date, not the writing process. The moment a script is going to be produced and then its premiere, not the rehearsal process. These middle parts are gruelling (and if you love what you do, fun) but it's the acceptance and the end result that are those life-changing moments. These split-second moments and decisions on both yours and other peoples parts are the most important, they change lives and change history.

Take a moment to imagine a world where Conan-Doyle didn't decide to change his famous main characters names to Sherlock and John, history would change. Imagine if J.K Rowling didn't pursue the inkling in the back of her mind to explore the world of a boy wizard, history would change. The world is full of small moments, decisions and changes like this, so crucial yet so minuscule at the time, that develop into something greater. If only one could see the future they create by making these split-second decisions, because, in the grand scheme of things, these change the future and the world. It's why you're so important, it's why you're on this world, to make a difference. Build up your life with these moments, they'll keep you on your toes, turn your world in every direction, and can change the world entirely. A thunderstorm always has its last strike, the rain always has its final drop, these moments are small but part of a grander scheme.

Photography

I love photography. I love being able to capture and personify moments in the form of a picture that spreads over the four walls of a camera screen. I love the way a few adjustments and the tilt of a camera lens can create magic. It is an art form. Mastering that click of a button to frame such works of art. It is truly an underestimated form of creativity and beauty that can incarcerate such wonders.

Photographs capture the unknown and the unseen. They take on a new lease of life. Something so minuscule and unseemly can be transformed into this wonderfully exquisite form of art. It just takes the right person to capture it in such a way that it leaves one speechless at how something could appear so beautiful.

'We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.'

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it” is a phrase my mother tries and tries to drill into my head. While I’m bombarding her with questions and doubts about my future, this is all she will say. When I was worried about University:

“But what if I don’t get the grades and can’t get into University?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

“Ok, but what if it’s years before I get a break, or never even get one, what if I’m constantly rejected for work, be it writing or acting?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

I’ve noticed my catchphrase seems to be ‘what if’ while my mums is, ‘We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it’. I think that truly highlights our differences. I live in the future while my mum lives in the present. For me, I need to worry about these things now but for her, they have not happened yet and so are out of reach to be meddled with.

There’s that old saying, “The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is now, live in it”. I’m not preparing for my future I’m trying to dive-bomb straight ahead in the story, thankfully I have my mum to remind me that there is no point in fretting about the days ahead and forgetting to live in the days present. I need to make the days count instead of counting the days.