Beautiful things in life

So many beautiful things came my way last week! All done by the beautiful people in my life!

But let me start two weeks ago when I had a little accident. I am not going into details of how it happened, only the results: a dislocated collarbone (believe me, it hurts!!), concussion (yes, I have been 'off this world' as we say here), a bruised knee, fingers and face.

When it happened, my youngest dog was worried sick and tried to get me back on my feet. Even after two weeks I can't go anywhere or he walks or sits next to me, observing me with his beautiful brown eyes. He was the first beautiful 'thing'.
Next was a dear friend who told me the next morning: "If you don't phone your doctor, I will!!!" (knowing my stubbornness so well).

The third beautiful was my doctor who diagnosed what I mentioned above after a thorough examination including an ECG (which proved a healthy heart). He also removed a piece of suspicious tissue from under my eye but when the result came back from the pathologist, it was innocent. This was the 4th beautiful.

I had to postpone a meeting because driving a car with a dislocated collarbone is not only painful but dangerous as well; I can't take action if something is happening.
And from that moment on, the other beautiful things happened and beautiful people arrived on my doorstep!
My pedicure who is also a friend, took me out for a High Tea; we had a lovely afternoon and the food was more than excellent! Thank you so much Elizabeth, you made my day!!!

Another dear friend who also has the gift to keep my impossible hair in shape, arrived with a box full of goodies to enjoy during Christmas. How lovely and thoughtful is this! Big hug Douwina!!

A dear cousin treated me with an extra to spend to my own idea, thank you Hans!!

Another friend gave me a beautiful lantern with a Christmas decor and little lights "for the darker days". Again a hug from me Tineke!

My lovely neighbour being worried about my accident, gave me the biggest hug in the world and friends further away in kilometres, sent me hugs and kisses.

Photo: Helen Varras

Big beautiful things are not the ones you buy with money. Big beautiful things live in people's hearts and souls. An honest hug is not to value in money, only in love. And love my dear readers, is big, special, absolutely beautiful and ever, ever so precious!!

Thank you beautiful people who created little wonders in my life, you mean so much to me!! Sending you my love and may there lots of little lights shine in your life!

Helen

Let's talk about Instagram

   Instagram, a beautiful medium to share your (photo)hobby's with like minded people around the world.
I joined Insta - or IG - in 2015 with some photo's of my animals but soon learned that posting photo's of all destinations I have visited, was a greater joy.
   An even greater joy was following the people with beautiful photo's of items I am interested in or love to see. And if I like a photo I click the Like button and sometimes leave a positive comment and vice versa.
Like minded people interact and slowly  but surely you 'get to know' people; their sense of humour, their likes and dislikes, their hobby's and sometimes about their loved ones.
Occasionally there is a private chat, also known as DM (Direct Message).

   Friends from way before the digital era, were already on IG or joined so yes, true friends are also IG friends.
The word 'friends' developed into a different meaning thanks to media like Facebook and IG. To me the word friend is still the old fashioned name for someone who is close to you, one you can rely on, who laughs and cries with you. Above all, a friend who respects you. In that respect a friend is a rare phenomenon you have to treasure.  Other people I would like to call acquaintances who of course are also nice people but not so close.
Though the internet reveals feelings in between 'acquaintances' and 'friends' and sometimes it moves on to a real friend in real life and how special is this!

   Back to IG where my private account recently reached 1000 followers and I have to emphasize these are for 95% loyal followers, including the very few from day one and during my photo journey, the others.
My goal has never been to get as many followers as possible. I refuse to download Apps to gain them, I  refuse to buy them. To be honest, I find the followers that follow me just to be followed back, useless. Either they like my photo's or they don't.

    This 'follow to be followed' is lately becoming an issue on IG so I noticed. I ignore them and let them move on, but there are nice and kind people who are fed up (to put it nicely) with accounts of people who only exist expressing themselves through an iPhone, mirror and pumped up muscles, DD breasts or gigantic bums, or to be the focal point in every photo, spoiling the views of mountains, beaches etc. If you are on IG for commercial reasons, fine but leave us who enjoy sharing photo's of a totally different kind, alone.

   The positive side of IG is that I do not receive updates about what who says to who in a post I liked. If you are interested in other people's opinions on a post, return but I very rarely do that.

Photo: Helen Varras

It is thanks to all these beautiful photo's, positive comments, encouraging words and loyalty that I resuscitated my DSRL Camera and renewed my interest in Black & White photography. And not only that, the Urbex people with all their wonderful photo's of abandoned properties, are the base of my stories in 'Helen Varras' Story Book'! A life changing experience!

   When my private account reached the 1000 followers, it was time to express my feelings and to thank the true and loyal followers.
My Urbex account reached in a very short time 600 followers,  big thank you to those too!

   Is IG an addiction? No and it will not happen either. Is the combination of IG and photography an addiction? Well..... eeehhmmm.....
And is the combination of Urbex (Urban Exploration), photography, IG and writing an addiction?
Close... and I have to admit it became a way of life I feel extremely comfortable with!!

Helen