Solar Eclipse - April 8, 2024

There are four components of human energy, according to The Energy Project and the authors of The Power of Full Engagement. Their breakdown of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy is a helpful way to frame and evaluate performance. An injury to my brain and body in 2021 has depleted all four.

And yet my sense of purpose has deepened. Spiritually, I believe that God participates in human suffering—but from my injury to war in Gaza, it’s still incredibly incoherent.

I think it’s up to us to create culture and ways of existing that support human life. While followers of Christ should explore motives for work—especially in American politics—the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 reminded me that we were created to reflect our Creator. Creativity and mastering a craft shouldn’t be stifled.

Ultimately, the eclipse as I saw it from Alexandria, Virginia was a chance to regroup and restore energy and hope that one day the chaos will end, and remember that until then there are natural forces beyond our control or ability to create.

Just after the moon reached its fullest coverage of the sun at 3:20 PM, someone walked over and handed me an extra pair of eclipse glasses. Kayakers rowed into view under the moon-like glow.

Earlier in the day, I accepted admission into GW’s graduate program in New Media Photojournalism. I’m eager to learn more and grateful to have placed another creative marker down—with a lot more to learn and create in the future—even while recovering and rebuilding.