STUFFED WITH STUFF

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 303

Have you ever looked for something—like, full-on tearing the house apart looking for it—and nada? Nothing. Zilch. It has completely vanished into the shadow realm.

Having just kicked off our new Revelation Bible Study a week ago, today I tasked myself with recording the virtual session for week two. Last week’s videos turned out fine, but honestly, the lighting was bugging me. I’m 99% sure my audience didn’t care (if you’re one of them, feel free to humble me in the comments), but I cared. To me, it looked flat, and I wanted the scene to have a bit more pizzazz. Or at least as much pizzazz as a Bible study video can realistically handle.

So, in my infinite genius—what, you didn’t know I was a genius? Hahaha—I decided to bring over my studio lighting. I figured I might as well use it since it was sitting at home literally collecting dust. So, I went home for lunch, inhaled a hot roast beef sammich (caramelized onions, provolone cheese, highly recommend), and went about gathering my gear.

Lighting stand—check. Westcott Solix kit—check. Westcott FJ400 strobe kit—check. Westcott modifiers (octagon and rectangular)—check and check. Modifier diffusers (octagon and rectangular)—check and… wait. Where in the heck is it?

I had everything I needed. Almost. Of all the things to go missing, it was my octagon-shaped diffuser. A simple, sheer white piece of nylon whose only job in life is to soften light. I looked here, there, and practically everywhere: every drawer, bin, bag, crevice, upstairs, downstairs—even in Emma’s room. Nope! It had officially entered the witness protection program.

I know I used the thing. I remember using it down in the basement! But much like that fifth pair of reading glasses you swore was on your head, it was gone.

I knew I could make do. I could easily work around it. But dang-nabbit, I was not feeling content. I wanted my octagon-shaped diffuser, gosh darn it. I mean, the rectangular modifier and diffuser do the exact same job, but… I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.

Whelp, after 40 minutes of hunting high and low, I threw in the towel. The day was ticking away, and I was wasting precious time mourning a piece of fabric. I tossed my gear in the car and zoomed back to the church.

Fast forward a bit: I had everything set up. But good golly, I couldn’t get that stinking diffuser out of my head. I went onto Westcott’s site to look into a replacement, but sheesh, those things aren't cheap. I was dangerously close to just buying a whole new lighting kit entirely. You know, just to get the slightly smaller modifier included. But as my mouse hovered over the checkout button, I had a realization. Jason, I said to myself, you don’t need more stuff. You’re stuffed with stuff. Make do with what you have.

So that’s what I did. And you know what? There’s actually something nice about just making do with the gear you already own instead of trying to buy your way out of a minor inconvenience.

The Apostle Paul talked about that a bit. He said he learned the secret to having peace in your heart is being content with what you have, whether it’s a little or a lot (Philippians 4:11-13).

When it comes to videography gear, I’m certainly stuffed with stuff, and for that, I can thank the good Lord. I have all that I need and more—which is just another reason to give thanks. So, on this 303rd day of Thanksliving, I’m thanking God for the stuff I already own. The stuff that’s perfectly good, even when it’s not exactly the stuff my inner gear-snob wants.

What are you thankful for today?