Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 7200, ƒ/5.6, 1/250

Ernest Hemingway used this long quotation from Ephesians in his book The Sun Also Rises:

“What profit hath a man of all his labour which he takes under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goes down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.”

Hemingway thought the characters in The Sun Also Rises may have been “battered” but were not lost.

Do you feel “Battered”?

For many reasons, you, too, may feel frustrated and even depressed with your plot in life.

Are you suffering from any of these:

• Loss of a client
• Not sure what potential clients want or need
• Camera gear is old and not financially able to upgrade
• Feeling betrayed by another photographer
• Losing clients to younger photographers
• Feeling old

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm, ISO 500, ƒ/4, 1/500

“I have told you these things so you may have peace in me. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

– John 16:33 I cannot tell you to read or take something; it will all be better. However, I can say from my life experiences that it can suck all you are dealing with. One of the best things when feeling this way is having someone there with you who listens and doesn’t give advice but is willing to be with you during this time.

Nikon D2X, Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX, 100, ƒ/7.1, 1/640

Psalms 23:4 is a Bible verse that reminds me that I am not alone:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and staff comfort me.

– Psalm 23:4

You may feel like Joseph and Mary are on their way to Bethlehem. You are going there to pay your taxes, and you arrive, and you have nowhere to stay. It is the end of the year, and you also have a child on the way.

I doubt they were excited about this trip and all they were dealing with.

Nikon D3S, Nikon 24-120mm ƒ/3.5-5.6, ISO 200, ƒ/8, 1/500

Carry one another’s burdens.

Galatians 6:2 – Help carry each other’s burdens. In this way, you will follow Christ’s teachings.

Now, I highly recommend helping others when you are down. However, if you cannot do so, this is a clear sign that you must see a doctor.

It will help you to get your attention off of your problems. Sometimes, we get into such a hole that we can’t see anything else or find the way out. Helping others works to break this cycle and opens our vision. It gives perspective and shows that your problems are not insurmountable.

When I started giving my time and talents to others, things finally turned around for me. Now let me tell you, just because you start helping someone doesn’t mean there is instant gratification for the work you are doing.

Like the mule here helping carry the farmer’s burden, you, too, will feel the weight of your work. Helping others will once again reveal you’re true self-worth. It will show you that you have value and can make a difference.

While helping with other people’s burdens, which sometimes are wounds, you will help heal yourself.

You will find that you aren’t the only one with problems. We know this intellectually, but seeing it firsthand is healing. Sometimes, we feel like we have been singled out for pain. We are not that special. It comes to all. Receive healing as you work to heal others. Do something; get out.