From the Editor
November, to me, is always a gentle invitation to take a deep breath. In between the buzz of summer and the chaos of the holidays, there are a few weeks when the leaves are falling, the weather is slowly cooling down, and families are beginning to settle in for a few cold winter nights. With a warm cup of tea in my hand and a cozy blanket by the fireplace, I find myself in a deep sense of gratitude every November.
As 2022 winds down, I am making an intentional effort to be fully present in my life. Last month, I had the opportunity to participate in a four-week photography class led by professional photographer Dan Myers. The free class was sponsored by the Somers Point Arts Commission. For two hours every Wednesday night, I attended this incredibly inspirational class. While I learned so much about photography, lighting, and editing, my biggest takeaway was a personal one.
During one of Dan’s lessons, he mentioned something that caught my attention. He explained that cameras can capture approximately 17 colors, whereas our eyes capture around 1 million. He went on to explain that a photographer’s goal is to capture images as close to our visual perception as possible. This got my wheels spinning! I love the artistry behind photography and the ability to capture moments in a flash. I wonder, though, how often we miss out on the million other colors available to our senses while we are hidden behind our smartphones. Some moments are simply meant to be experienced and captured in the mind’s eye, stored forever in the memory banks.
I began to wonder how often I missed truly seeing something or someone because I was too busy trying to capture it with my phone. I think about how difficult it is to capture the true beauty of the moon or a breathtaking sunrise and am reminded that, how our eyes interpret the world around us is a miracle that can not be captured in a fleeting moment.
Since this personal epiphany, as meaningful moments have come up, I’ve paused before picking up my phone or camera. I sit in a moment of stillness and gratitude as I soak the moment into my heart. As we head into the holiday season, I encourage you to take the same pause. Find gratitude in the little moments and try to capture them in your heart before you bring your phone into the mix.
Speaking of gratitude, Veterans Day is November 11th. I can not think of a holiday more deserving of deep gratitude than Veterans Day. As the old saying goes, “freedom is not free.” Our veterans and their families have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we so often take for granted. This Veterans Day, and every day, I encourage you to go out of your way to thank a veteran in your life. Whether you support veteran-owned businesses, support a worthy cause, or send a hand-written note of gratitude to a veteran, there are countless ways to show love and appreciation this November.
Gratitude is the focus this month as we round out another beautiful year at Shore Local. We invite you to stay present, be thankful, and always shop local. As always, we are so thankful for our readers, advertisers, and supporters at Shore Local! It’s all possible because of YOU. Thank you!
Peace & Love,
Cindy
