He was standing on the opposite train platform taking photos of the same trains that pass here a hundred times a day, every day, at exactly the same times, same speeds, and probably the same train engineers at the controls. He had to be in his 60′s or maybe 70′s. It was hard to tell exactly from that distance.
Why was he spending so much time and effort to capture yet another train photo? Didn’t he have better things to do? Wasn’t he old enough to know better than to waste precious time?
Then, I realized, I’m standing on this side of the tracks, in my 60′s, watching him, taking yet another photo of life in Japan. Aren’t I old enough to know better? Don’t I have better things to do? Don’t I know better than to waste precious time…?
No. He isn’t, and I’m not. And, I’m glad it’s that way.
Life is for living, experiencing, enjoying. If taking photos of trains, or observing and pondering day to day life, gives you satisfaction, if it improves your quality of life, if it keeps you active, engaged, and alive, then just do it without guilt or any twinge of regret.
Related posts: