I am thankful for Project 77.
To be honest, a week before summer started I had no clue what I was going to do with my time, all I knew was that whatever I was going to do, it had to mean something to me. About two nights before summer, something clicked. For weeks I was looking for something but I had no clue what, I just knew that when an idea came to me, I would just know it was what I was looking for. So I kept thinking what was important to me. I made a list of several things and then I knew what I was going to do. Each day I planned on creating a photograph that depicted something I was thankful for. I was a little on edge of my idea because I wasn’t sure if I would be able to capture a photo every single day which manifested a certain topic. I am thankful that I have for my sister’s laugh, my brother’s presence, change, and emotions; but at the time I had no idea how to demonstrate these topics in a photograph. I wanted this summer to have a purpose. Instead of me just embracing life and showing my gratitude, I wanted to bring awareness to different issues that are evolving. A couple days before summer I watched a couple of videos that focused on issues which were not brought to my attention. I was simply amazed by how much I did not know. After that I thought, what other problems are occurring at this moment. If you just take five minutes and read articles or watch documentaries, you will be shocked about how much of the world we are not aware of. We think of little issues that are brought to our attention, like poverty, hunger, and child abuse, and then you start putting faces on these stories and read about how not just one person is effected but millions, the problem becomes more personal. Project 77 exhibits the reality of importance one must hold towards the appreciation of life. Be grateful for what you have and do not take anything for granted. Within these past 77 days I have learned more about myself than I have ever learned in my life.