Accepting a Smile / by Nick Burrows

I miss the warm summer sun and cool morning light that Australia brought into life. It’s a picturesque memory filled with strife of the times, 6 months 6 different jobs and two different houses. However I cannot forget waking up under that thin blanket surrounded by people who smile. That’s a good way to live. Make no mistake there are always people in your life who smile with you. There is a difference between casual friends and those who smile when you walk into a room or arrive somewhere. Those who are simply happy to see you can really set your face free with its own smile. During the last month of my stay Down Under life boiled down to a very simple syrup.

I had saved enough money to make the trip to Japan possible and after 6 months of hunting for jobs I had had enough. I paid my rent, bought my ticket and that was that. From there I could be free to wake up and take days to myself with no work, I dove into a few books and spent time with everyone in the house and of course on the beach. That smiling was infectious it’s something i’ve missed as of late but the memory of it remains strong in my mind. I know I will be able to find it again soon I just need to keep looking for those people who love to smile. As the Australian summer was drawing to a close in 2017 the heat was taking its time leaving, we went to the desert for a festival called blazing swan. It was there I got to spend 5 days with the people I had grown to know best. We had long days and late nights. Tents filled with dust, illuminated with a car battery sparked into a string of led lights. For those 5 days I took video and photos of all the wild humans there for the same purpose as I, to express their happiness and excitement for each moment of life. That time was almost a year ago and I reflect upon it fondly. When we returned from the desert it became a reality that I would be leaving… soon and my return date to Perth Western Australia is still unknown. It’s truly an oasis on the bottom of the world filled with wonders you can find only there. It’s the smiles you can share with people. Those smiles you share with those you love and without talking about it you both know the reason that makes you feel that way. Those moments are special, chasing them is only occasionally possible but being open to them is absolutely necessary.