Falling Backwards Into Joy

Yes, I did it again, I found someone who shifted gears from years of loathing, to days of joy.

I stood, camera in hand, at the boardwalk rail of Long Beach's New York Ave—looking out to sea. Then a voice came to me, “See any whales?”

You might recall I suggested to you those very words to start a conversation with strangers—and now I was hearing them.

That began a conversation that led to a Long Beach library oral history recording and another photo essay. This time the man was a west ender. But yet another man who suit-and -tied it for many years—hating every one of them—until he got laid off.

Covid hit America and he was one of the casualties in the economy. He didn’t know what to do. He was a talented man with many interests and capabilities. He tried volunteering in worthy causes of conservancy and the environment that he cared deeply about.

But while doing so he also had some fun—baking bread.

And it was that, dear readers, the fun part, that changed his life. His story, like my previous essay on Pete Sengenberger might resonate with some of you. You too may have switched gears for happiness.

Or maybe you’ll see in their stories a way to change your own life for the better or share it with someone you know is in rut.

A recurring theme I keep coming upon is trying something new, volunteering, looking for new plateaus with new doors to find—then walk through.

Check out my essay on the guy who found himself Falling Backwards Into Joy

Be well,

Leebythesea