The Roman stoic Epictetus wrote "Everything
has two handles: one by which it can be borne; the other,
by which it cannot."
This applies to Nature, too. The handle
by which Nature can be borne, and celebrated by humanity,
is her pervasively variegated beauty. As you know, I have
been admiring this beauty, and capturing little slices of
it with my camera, for several years now. But the handle
by which Nature cannot be borne, and by which she devastates
humanity, is her savagely destructive fury -- earthquakes,
tsunamis, volcanoes, tornadoes, typhoons.
Japanese philosophy and poetry are replete
with expressions of love for Nature -- that is, love of
the handle by which she can be borne. But Japanese people
are painfully aware of the other handle too. Now Japan is
obliged to grasp that handle, the one by which Nature cannot
be borne: the handle of severe earthquake and towering tsunami,
and the catastrophic loss of life and incalculable devastation
in their wake, including the threat of radioactivity emitted
by damaged nuclear power plants.
My thoughts and prayers go out to many
dear friends and colleagues in Japan, and to the Japanese
people in their hour of trial and tribulation. But thoughts
and prayers are not enough. Water, food, blankets, shelters,
medical supplies, and infrastructure are desperately needed.
I have made a donation toward Japan's relief, through reputable
channels, and I urge you to do the same.
Having just returned from Costa Rica, a
photographer's paradise, I have been blessed to bear Nature
by her exquisitely beautiful handle. I cordially invite
you view some treasures of Costa Rica's beauty at http://loumarinoff.zenfolio.com/f194601501
To further assist the Japanese people in
bearing Nature by her unbearable handle, I am donating 100%
of all proceeds from sales of my photos, until further notice,
to World Vision's Japan
Quake and Tsunami Relief Fund.
Nature's two handles are manifestations
of yin and yang: They comprise an indivisible whole. So
please join me in celebrating the beauty of nature on the
one hand(le), and at the same time in helping to alleviate
her devastation on the other.
Thank you,
Lou
