This is an point of self-reflection. However, it feels very stream of consciousness so im going to just go with it. I think for most of my life, ive gone through different stages of self identity. Quiet and insecure, outspoken and loud, cancer patient, gay guy, surf photographer, irresponsible and (heavily) drug dependent college student, mild mannered, hot-headed,etc. Its like this desire that we all have to find a deeper meaning into who we are. I think that we do it because it helps us find purpose in society, a sense of ego-based comfort maybe? Im not quite sure. Ive realized thought that what I tend to believe about myself, I tend to bring into my reality. This phenomenon, while powerful, can also pigeon hole me. If I identify as “shy” for instance, it might keep me from acting “brave” or being outspoken in a crowd. What if we just identified as all that we are, instead of pigeon-holing ourselves in one “thing”?

Another example has been my affinity for the ocean and coastal areas. As someone who operated as a surf photographer on an island for two years, I came back to my hometown of Texas feeling out of place and confused. I put my art practice on hold because “Texas didn’t match my aesthetic”. But at the same time, why would I limit myself based on geography? I mean, how glass half empty is that? And as you could imagine, I had to learn the hard way that it was never “Texas” that was the problem…. It was me. Once I embraced my current reality, my environment rapidly transformed around me. I met incredible people in my hometown I never even knew existed. For so long in my life, I identified as someone who hated where I was from. And although I was justified in some of that hate… I didn’t realize how much I was contributing to that experience with my lack mindset.

Im not saying that i dont identify with my life experience, what ive been into, who ive been. But the difference is that i now identify with ALL parts of myself for my highest good, and one doesnt overshadow the other. They all work in-sync like this beautiful well-oiled machine. If anything, I choose to embrace all parts of myself, especially as someone who is kind to himself and others, adaptable, artistic, brave, and happy to be alive and existing in this lifetime. I embrace all that makes me who I am, and all that I want to be. I hope you found solace in reading this.

I love you,

Blake C