One thing airline passengers struggle with is letting go of their portable electronic devices. The attachment to these devices can prevent them from being present to the moment at hand. On every flight we see passengers come on board the aircraft attempting to get in as much airtime before we get in the air. Or, maybe they have ear plugs stuck in their ears or multi-colored headsets that prevent them from hearing you welcome them on board. Or, maybe they are so intent with text messaging they stumble when stepping on board or run into the person in front of them. These antics are so symbolic of our unhealthy attachments to our things.
We all have attachments. Some are essential such as oxygen, food, water, chocolate and our cameras. On a personal note I find I’m attached to my quiet times, my dreams, my walks, my laptop, my lattes, my journals, my pen, my iphone, chocolate, my camera and now a Kindle. I am also attached to my spiritual journey and hopefully that is a positive attachment. If you don’t think I’m attached to things just read back over this paragraph and see how many times I wrote “my.” That suggests a pretty tight grip on things!
Hopefully, I’m learning to “let go” of some of my attachments. As I’ve grown older, my list of attachments has decreased. A quick list would include the following: I’ve attached myself in relationships with hopes of not loosing them when in reality I only strangled them. I attached myself to a career until I realized I was far more than an engineer trapped in an 8×8 cube. I attached myself with alcohol until I accepted the fact it had attached itself to me. I clung to my opinions with the assumptions they were right rather than accepting them as only one view in life. I attached myself to my fears which immobilized me. I attached myself to religion, a church and dogma until I realized I had allowed them had become an obstacle rather than a tool on a spiritual path. I’m working on all of these to release the attachment I have with them. We are so much freer to fly, create, live life when we do. When I’m honest with myself, I am always seem unfulfilled when clinging tightly  to these attachments?
I venture to say my primary attachment is my “camera.” It has for the past 7-8 years always been at my side. In fact I’ve purchased at least a half dozen camera bags in an effort to find a comfortable way to keep my camera attached to me. I’m always looking for a bag that fits my camera with a second lens, my journal, a book to read and chocolate.
As a final note, with the small bonus I received this past year I bought another camera bag, just to make sure I have one of my attachments attached with a new attachment. 🙂
14 Comments
Ove
You seem to do well, on your path liberating yourself from attachments and keeping a firm grip of those that are life essential. A weakness for bags is easy to live with. I think of the many others, that need far more expensive envelopes for their precious attachments, such as a fantastic villa.
Monte Stevens
Glad to know others look for bags also. and, the villa is not something I’m interested in. 🙂
Earl
Monte, Wonderful post and statement to your journey of self discovery.
I’ve come to believe it’s not so much about having attachments but the role they play. As you’ve indicated there can be healthy ones and unhealthy ones. IMO, healthy attachments can be good for us but we must own them, not the other way around.
By the way, is that a Think Tank bag in the background of this image? 😉
I hope your having a great weekend.
Monte Stevens
Yes, Earl. It is the Retrospective 10. I really like the looks of it but not all that happy with the insides. For my travels I also have the newer Retrospective 10 and like how the my smaller gear fits in it.
Earl
I have a Retrospective 10 but have only used it on occasion but then I don’t travel like you do. You’d probably be a great one to review camera bags. 🙂
Monte Stevens
So far I enjoy the 10 better than the 20. The 10 will hold my D300 with a 17-50mm f2.8, 35mm f1.8, spare battery, lens cleaner, my moleskin journal, my kindle and some chocolate. 🙂 I have thought about doing that especially the Retrospective 20. There were a couple of things about it I think could be addressed.
pj
Well said Monte. Good post. Much there to think about.
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Paul!
Mark
Terrific post Monte. Well stated throughout. I think the attachments are fine, as long as we consciously acknowledge what they can or cannot do for us. Some things genuinely make our life easier or simply a tool for obtaining enjoyment.
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Mark! I do like how you stated it, “as long as we consciously acknowledge what they can or cannot do for us.” Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Anita Jesse
I am just relieved that you included chocolate and cameras in the list of true essentials. 🙂
It is painfully easy to slip into that place where we think conveniences have become essentials. Balance is never easy, it seems.
I would eagerly read your reviews of camera bags. As a travelin’ man, you must have some valuable tips.
Monte Stevens
Oh, definitely chocolate. I will have to think about this camera bag review stuff.
Paul
Great post, Monte. I’m right there with you about the attachments. I’m trying to let go of more and more stuff and lighten my load so that I can get out of this 8×8 cubicle. 🙂 It’s happening, gradually.
Regarding bags, I found some Domke bags that I really liked. Now, just to find the right one …, which is no easy task since bags vary with the task at hand, I think.
Monte Stevens
I wonder if we just need to have a closet with a few bags for different situations and a complete set of camera equipment for each situation. 🙂