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In a world so full of beauty, why are people seemingly so obsessed with ugliness. We spend our time watching, reading and listening to media that largely consists of the tragedies and misdeeds of others. Murders, corruption, violence and theft of every variety are just a few of the morsels that our minds dine upon daily. Is there any wonder that crime and mean spirited acts not only seem to abound today but are increasing at an ever astounding rate? We are continuously poisoned with a steady diet of the worst acts of humanity. Health experts have told us, regarding our physical condition, that "we are what we eat". Perhaps that is not only true of our physical body but also of the well being of our minds, emotions and spirits. I am not suggesting that we should live in an ignorant vacuum devoid of the things that are happening around us. I am suggesting that many have lost their balance when it comes to what they are feeding their minds and spirits. I think we need to make an overt effort to seek out the beauty and kindness that so often remains invisibly hidden behind the more sensational news of crime and tragedy. I know that I am especially in need of this balance. During my life, I have seen the extreme cruelty that people inflict upon each other. Sometimes I feel as if I am over saturated with these ghastly images and memories. I truly need to maintain an abundance of beauty and good in my life to try and keep my scale in some semblance of balance. But what about you? Do you need to regain your balance also? I suspect most people, some of us more than others, at least from time to time, also need to tip their internal scale back towards the goodness in our world. My photography is my effort to seek out beauty and intentionally appreciate it. Through my photos I can accentuate in my life the presence of that beauty and make it available for others who may hopefully enjoy it also. It helps me to try and maintain that balance in my life. If it helps others do so also, I am both pleased and honored. So let's all make an overt effort to seek out the good around us to help balance the bad we are exposed to. When we can, let's help others by pointing out to them the beauty and goodness around them also. Perhaps through this sharing we can positively affect them and help perpetuate a change that in time will help bring beauty to the forefront again instead of the ugliness that is too often dwelt upon today. Ron Becker