"I have been journalizing my thoughts since my early teens. I don't think I would have survived if it wasn't for my camera, pen,  and paper. I thank God every day of my life for giving me this most precious gift, the ability to look inside my inner self and share my soul." "Picture My Word"  My Words, My Wisdom, My Life I dedicate to My Mom Elizabeth Vines RIP    When we lose loved ones to death it can often leave us at a loss for words as we try to reconcile the past. What we should have said, didn’t say cut slowly into our guilt. The loss often takes us back to happy times when innocence carried our hearts far away from the actual pain we try to push aside. I learned the other day an ex- died a tragic self-inflicted death. The finality of death fills me with uncertainty about where my mortal soul will rest. The nature of death can accidentally catch us by surprise like a ticking clock next to an hourglass.  When, where, and how d...

We may not directly control the politics in government; white corporate America, educational institutions, Hollywood, the judicial system, and financial institutions, but one thing we do have absolute control over is our own lives and choices that we make. I know choices can be influenced by our circumstances: the reality of police brutality, drugs, unemployment, poverty, broken families, poor education, and gang violence. Personal responsibility is a hard pill to swallow because it is easy to wallow in the misery of being a victim. “I have a felony conviction and can’t find a job so I’m going back to the streets” is an attitude too many young brothers commit to. Too often the fear of incarceration is no longer a deterrent for not going to prison. Lockdown has become a badge of honor rite of passage that some brothers proudly proclaim membership.  It’s difficult to have hope when your future is unclear, unpredictable and bleak because you have an arrest record that the job ma...

People ask me why aren't you married, you seem to be an honorable man?  Yes, every day I'm evolving and find being single a very challenging state that I'm certainly not content with. But I like to also see myself as much wiser now that I'm older and thus choose to make more intelligent choices. I never met what I can say was a bad woman but women who have not been compatible with my spirit. When I was younger relationships occupied my life while I made my life journey. I never gave incompatibility much thought for I figured I had a lifetime to figure out who and what I wanted in a woman. Through this process I'm sure, I fractured some hearts as well as I had my heart pierced by cupid arrow. I often reflect realizing if I had to do it all over there are few things I would change. I arrived at this juncture in my life for better or worse "What If" is no longer a part of my vocabulary. Crazy part I'm a product of two parents who loved each other...