Today I have spent my time surfing the internet, looking for work, looking for a new home… basically pondering starting my life over, again.

It has been interesting to think about.  My past relationship has taught me alot… If you love someone soo much you can’t stand to be away from them, how much do you love yourself??  Do you love yourself just as much?  Do you respect yourself as much?  Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in and who you are?

With thinking about these questions… the answers have been no.  I have not loved myself enough, respected my self enough, stood up for myself and my beliefs enough, nor have I stood up for who I am.  Going forward, I announce to the world who I am, without shame, without remorse, without fear of rejection.  

I am a photographer… I capture life, beauty, insanity, the wondrous colors and shades that fill our emotional cup.  I capture everything as it is… naked, raw, pure.  I capture people in all stages of covering… fully clothed and naked.  I am a veteran, I have been across the world doing my job, coming home warped, scarred, distant in ways my brothers and sisters of arms only know.  I am a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a nephew… I have a large family and they mean the world to me.  I am who I am and I will not apologize or compromise myself for it.  I will love anyone who comes into my life for who they are at that moment and not for who I want them to be.  I accept them for their perfections and imperfections, the things I like and dislike, their light and their darkness.  To accept someone wholly at that level is what loving them for who they are means.  To love someone, to be with someone, there is no compromise.

That is the lesson I have learned.  That is the lesson I will take with me each and every day.  That is the lesson we all have to learn as compassionate human beings.  That is the lesson that can change the world as you see it.

Learn it, Love it, Be it.