Acclaimed Artist and Photographer, Aaron Siskind, once said this:
“We look at the world and see what we have learned to believe is there. We have been conditioned to expect… but, as photographers, we must learn to relax our beliefs.”
This reflection goes WAY beyond photography…..
If you take a moment, and consider it, there is a very powerful concept within.
We look at the world… and see what we have learned to believe is there. We have been conditioned to expect.
Just knock me off my chair… this is probably one of my all-time favorite quotations in that little Ziploc Baggie of observances I carry around.
One person who has a firm grasp on this concept is Andy Rooney. I like that guy. Whether one agrees with him or not, the man has made some amazing observations. He sets aside all else, and looks at things with a fresh and contemplative mind. Still. At 92 years of age. He has a keen sense of curiosity. I am betting it has gotten him in some trouble over the years.
Most of you have heard…..he’s scrunching up his fuzzy eyebrows for the last time. Yep, this Sunday, he is giving his final commentary on 60 Minutes. I’m going to miss that old curmudgeon and his elucidations.
He has offered so many outstanding and visionary thoughts.
“Nothing in fine print is ever good news.”
“I’ve learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.”
“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person”
“I’ve learned that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.”
“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.”
“If you smile when you are alone, then you really mean it.”
“People will generally accept facts as truth only if the facts agree with what they already believe.”
Funny. I think that last one is what Siskind was saying…..