Mercy

At the time of editing this image and working through this series (you can see more images and read about that project here) this quote spoke to me . . . and spoke better than I was able to: "I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy." -Og Mandino

Mercy- see the tears in her eyes? That speaks to me.

Today I see these images a little differently. I see mercy a little differently too. Sometimes when I can't articulate what I feel I asked myself questions to try to get to the root sentence of what I feel, even if the sentence is not pretty or poetic . . . at least I know its real. And I always want to be real- in what I photograph, who I photograph, the story I tell, the people I showcase, the job I do for clients, for you. All of what I do, I want it to be real. . . . because, honestly, I don't have the energy for anything fabricated. So I asked myself what mercy meant to me and this was my root sentence: "When I have given all I can give, endured as much as I can endure, walked as far as I can walk, but there is still more to go and I know I cannot continue without aid."

Strength and Courage meet when there is mercy.

For me, asking for mercy is not about quitting- its asking for more strength so that I can keep moving forward. I know life is about growth. I also know growth is hard and, at times, very painful. But I believe that a big part of growing is being able to recognize that we are not always strong enough to go through life alone. There is wisdom is knowing our limits and only pushing past them when we are strong and ready enough to do so. We ask for mercy when we need a hand, when we need someone to carry some of the weight, or just someone to walk beside us in silence, to be there with us in the dark. Asking for mercy will never be a sign to weakness, only incredible proof of real strength.

Love, Melinda

Studio in Athens PA.

Serving Athens Pennsylvania, Towanda Pennsylvania, Corning New York, and Twin Tiers area.