Oh Big Ben, the man of the hour {see what I did there}.
Such an iconic piece of architechure in London and one of the most photographed buildings in the world. I was lucky enough to have another beautiful, brisk afternoon when I wandered over to Westminster. You cannot photograph this area enough. I ended up with some pretty amazing shots that I continue to gaze at on the cloudier days here in the UK.
There is a lot to be said about time.
It can be a blessing and a curse. A blessing when you need those few extra minutes in the morning before your alarm fires off and a curse when you are running late for work and stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. A blessing when you think of all the things you want to accomplish in your lifetime and a curse when it means a matter of months before the next time you see the love of your life. It is all relative. But like stated in a previous post, a privilege not granted to all.
I believe you must trust that things happen at the time they are meant to. There have been more occasions than not that time has been on my side without my knowledge. I have had devastating things happen to me only to find out that with patience, I would understand the meaning of these things. Time has brought to light so many moments of brutal honesty and overwhelming happiness.
There was a moment last year, previous to arriving in the UK, that I was rejected the opportunity to travel at a time I had already planned out. I had to wait to begin my journey of a lifetime. Months. I was devastated. Until my eventual arrival, when I realized that my circumstances were much more ideal now. Had I left on my previous departure date, I would experience awful weather, an uncomfortable living arrangement, and have a much smaller budget to work with.
Given the choice now, I would choose my current situation, hands down.
Another instance of trusting the timing of my life has included my current relationship. Without getting into too much detail, the presence of time {and absence of one another} has been one of the best things to happen to it. Allowing time to run its course, though being separated in all forms, allowed the two of us to reconnect in a revived place. Time was necessary to allow for the happiness that came along after.
Sometimes it’s unknown to you in the present just how brilliantly time is shaping your future. But looking back on the past will help you reflect on why things need to happen at the time they do.
You can never go back in time to find out how things would have unfolded otherwise.
But if you are lucky enough, you will make sense of why they happened when they did.
Big Ben is easily the first image that comes to mind when one ponders about time.
I imagine all of the workings that happen behind the scenes of the stunning face of the clock. I trust that time will get me where I need to be, in every exact moment. Now I view moments of despair as blessings in disguise. There is always something better coming along.
If you ever get the chance to visit London, strolling along the bridge and gazing at the House of Parliament is an absolute must. After previously visiting the massive buildings ten years prior, I did not expect to be blown away like I was when I emerged from the Westminster tube station. Big Ben was really, really big. Even ten years later, being ten years older. Unlike my experience in Disneyland {all rides, characters, and kingdoms seemed just a tad bit smaller and less significant than when I was 6}, everything seemed more grand.
The difference was my appreciation for it now.
London has been such a treat thus far. I cannot express my love for this city. I can officially bump the big apple to the number two spot behind this magical place. Though the day will inevitably arrive, I cannot imagine leaving. As always, there is not a moment of this adventure that I take for granted. I am constantly aware of how lucky I am for the opportunity I was given. And will always be grateful of the beauty surrounding me down every cobblestone street and around every round about.
Goodnight London.
