Perspective

The two photos below were taken just seconds apart but the second one [in my opinion] looks much better. I took both of these with my iPhone 4S and neither have been altered in any way.

I was walking my dog through some trails just outside of Mount Vernon and saw this cool looking hairy moss. Well I wanted to snap a picture and share it on Instagram.

The problem was that my first photo didn't capture the moss the way that I saw it with my eyes. So I shifted my position and took another shot. And honestly, it turned out better than I thought it would.

Why am I making such a big deal over all of this?

The situation and scene remained the same but I was able to alter my view of it by just changing my perspective. It's your choice on how you view things. Take time and find the good.

[Disclaimer: I don't claim to be a photographer but I do enjoy taking photos.]

A Reflection. A Thank You.

**2/12 Update: This post is not meant to depress you or even make you think I'm feeling depressed. Simply put, life is a roller coaster. There are ups and downs and that's ok. Don't be afraid to let people know you need help now and then. We are all in this world together and need to work as a team. **

I have moments... moments I'm not myself. I act unbreakable. I act confident. I act courageous. I act outgoing. But I am none of those things. I get weak, sad, lonely. I don't want to burden others with those things. That's not fair. 

But there's some of you out there that disregard my warnings. You refuse to stay away. You want to be there for me. I get emotional thinking about how someone would want to help me. I will become strong enough someday even though I am weak now. "This too shall pass."

I don't want to be weak. I don't like it. I can't stand it. I want to be strong, I want to be tough. I have to be. People rely on me. I'm supposed to be a man. I'm supposed to be striving for virtue, honor, and excellence in all areas of my life. I need to fulfill my potential as a man. To be the absolute best brother, friend, husband, father and citizen I can be. I may get down now and then but I will not fail.

The important thing is that I surround myself with quality individuals. People of integrity. Everyone needs a support team. I like to think I can go on alone but the truth is, I can't.

You all know who you are. Thank you for being there for me. 

I Play a Cool Kid on TV

I feel like a lot people look up to me. Well maybe not look up to but find me interesting. If we've met face to face for any amount of time, you probably thought I was a crazy kooky off the wall guy.

Here are the stages of knowing me:
Step 1: We meet and I'm as cool as I can be. Nothing explosive, just funny at times.
Step 2: Goofy & random but still smooth. Sometimes I'll come out of my shell but only if I've had a Red Bull.
Step 3: Full blown caffeinated tornado! I like to stay relevant and clever but a lot of times I just come off as random.

Those are the three stages to knowing me.

There are those that have asked me if I were one of the "cool kids" in school. I laugh when I hear that. Couldn't be farther from the truth!

While liked, I was never officially "cool." I'm just super shy at first and have no idea if I'm supposed to talk to people, nod at them, shake their hand, hug them, or fist bump! So in the past I just would gently avoid them. I wanted to say hi but didn't know what was the best way to do it!

So keep that in mind if we meet. I'm way cooler by our third date! I'm learning to relax and just be myself off the bat but it's taking some time.

Please don't think I have a low self esteem, I just don't want you to be put off because I act like I know what I'm doing all the time! Well, I mean, I'm 'always' right and I know more than most of you combined (fightin' words right there!) but that's no reason not to be friends.

I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you. Let's go grab a coffee some time! I promise I won't be crazy [at first]!