Dear Inner Artist,

I so believe in you. I so believe that you have something important to say and much more to discover.

The photography you do is good–sometimes amazingly, remarkably good. It comes from a place of authenticity, deep within you, an experience of and expression of your spirit. If you're wondering who you are (and who you are to become), if you're asking "What do I feel? What do I want?", let the lens reveal it to you.

Make room for this in your life. Schedule time. Commit to doing what God calls you to do–to becoming what God wants you to be.

There is power in the images you create. There is power that comes from uncovering truth—from capturing beauty (which is itself truth). There is power in saying: Here is a glimpse into my soul. Here is a metaphor for my life–or something in my life—or something missing from my life–or something calling to me. Here is blessing. Here is longing. Here is curiosity and surprise and wonder. Here is awe. Here is mystery. Here is a bit more of my identity. Here is what I seek…or do not know I seek.

You can, with a photograph, give someone else a boost on their journey, a moment of connection with themselves, with the divine, with something they may have lost or overlooked. This is a gift. You have many, but this one, right now, resonates for you. This one, right now, wants to be captured.

It's what wants to be captured.

What wants to be captured, here, in this place, at this moment? What wants to be revealed, here, in this place, at this moment? Let this guide you. That's your job, to look, listen, be silent, open your heart…and let the things be revealed to you…to preserve it.

So come back to me when you feel discouraged or stuck, and I'll tell you again what is true–that you have a knack for doing something both uniquely yours and needed in the world. Keep taking pictures. Keep putting them out there.

Sincerely,
Your biggest fan,
Me

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.