Love The One You’re With...

A plethora of fresh fruit!  Right there in the grocery store.  You don't even have to pick it.
(click to enlarge)

Remember this song released in 1970 originally sung as a solo by Stephen Stills?  The most famous version was sung by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Love The One You’re With  

                        Written by Stephen Stills

If you're down and confused

And you don't remember who you're talking to

Concentration slips away

Because you're baby is so far away

Well there's a rose in a fisted glove

And the eagle flies with the dove

And if you can't be with the one you love honey

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Don't be angry - don't be sad

Don't sit crying over good times you've had

There's a girl right next to you

And she's just waiting for something to do

Well there's a rose in a fisted glove

And the eagle flies with the dove

And if you can't be with the one you love honey

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Turn your heartache right into joy

'Cause she's a girl and you're a boy

Get it together come on make it nice

You ain't gonna need anymore advice

Well there's a rose in a fisted glove

And the eagle flies with the dove

And if you can't be with the one you love honey

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

Love the one you're with

While out driving the other day I heard this song and thought about us, as human beings, seemingly always wanting ‘something else,’ something better, what the other guy has, the newest and best—rather than be happy with what we have.  You know what I'm talking about.

The experts tell us this is human nature, evolutionary biology, social psychology and cognitive biases.  They claim it is actually a deeply ingrained survival mechanism (more food, better location near water, maybe?, better weapons, etc.,  adds up to a better chance at survival, etc.) that has simply been hijacked by modern consumerism.  So, we kind of have an excuse, but…

I’m as guilty of this as anyone.  I have no excuses.  That said, I’ve worked hard over the years to adopt a personal attitude to not worry what someone else has, just be happy with what I have, whether it be about the amount of money, a bigger house, a nicer car, a newer and better camera or whatever other than what I have.  When I am able to do that, I do find more satisfaction.  I tried to teach my two children that same lesson as they were growing up.

So, what’s the message? Simple. Don’t worry about that new top-of-the-line camera or lenses you don’t have or the one your friend or favorite influencer says is like magic.  Love the gear you do have.  Fully understand and exploit all of its capabilities and you’ll probably be very happy with the photos you make.  

Most of all, get out and use your kit.  Go places you’ve not been.  Photograph different subjects.  Learn new techniques.  Wanting what you perceive is better and will allow you to make better photographs is not all in your mind, but a lot of it is.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.

Dennis A. Mook  

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