The only life worth living is a life full of vitality.
Would you rather be locked away in an ivory tower for 8 hours per day making 1 million dollars per day—or spend 8 hours per day walking, exploring, and creating freely from a deep state of power and vitality?
When you’re overpowered and full of vitality, you cannot be tamed—you have to unleash and exert your will to power throughout the entirety of the day out of necessity, unbounded by modern societal expectations and validation.
Memento mori is a Latin phrase that means “Remember that you will die.”
It’s a philosophical reminder of mortality, urging people to live meaningfully, humbly, and with awareness of life’s impermanence. It was used by the Stoics, medieval monks, and artists to provoke reflection on the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures and the importance of virtue and spiritual preparation.
Currently photographing this beautiful— Excuse me— This beautiful sculpture on a rainy morning here in the Centennial Arboretum, surrounded by natural trees and peaceful surroundings. I’m in a garden right now.
This is paradise. Welcome to the Garden of Eden.
Stream of Consciousness
This is a difficult photo to make considering the lighting… but yeah.
Today’s thought is about stream of consciousness. What does that mean in photography?
Let’s see if the fig tree is going to bear fruit soon…
Wow, they’re already starting to bloom. The fig tree is growing.
As I watch these figs bear fruit, it reminds me that everything’s changing, that we too are growing. Physiologically, our cells replenish during sleep. Our muscles grow through:
Hypertrophy
Satiating food
Deep sleep
We tear the fibers and rebuild. We repeat. Everything is in flux. Just last week, this fig tree was barren—now it’s blooming.
Follow Your Curiosity
As I snapshot the figs, leaves, dew drops, and surroundings, I’m simply following my inner curiosity. I’m following my heart, actually.
Maybe to evoke your stream of consciousness… You must shut off your mind.
Even as I say these thoughts, I’m not thinking. My lips are just moving. I’m speaking from the heart.
When making pictures, the best and most authentic photos come from that irrational side of the brain— The gut. The intuition. The heart.
Photograph Through the Gut
Don’t shoot with your rational mind. Shoot with your irrational pull— That gravitational tug in your gut. That’s how you evoke stream of consciousness in an image.
It just rained. I took out the umbrella. Now it stopped.
Everything is changing. Weather. Seasons. Emotions.
No two days, no two moments will ever be the same.
This fleeting passage of time— It’s beautiful to capture in a photograph.
A Visual Diary
I’m not photographing with a theme. I’m not looking for anything in particular.
I’m creating a visual diary— A record of what my heart saw that day.
On display in my photographs is my spirit.
Photography becomes a spiritual act— Uplifting the ordinary to the extraordinary.
Snapshotting your way through life places you in the eternal now.
You move through the world outside of time— Not stuck in past or future. You may not live forever… But at least you can make a photograph.
Will to Power = Will to Create
Creation is play. Snapshot your day.
Then we can reveal the authentic voice of the artist.
This is my will to power. Nietzsche once wrote in Thus Spoke Zarathustra about the Übermensch.
To become the Übermensch is to become the ultimate creator.
It’s not just physical power. It’s creative power. It’s returning to Eden, picking up the flaming swords— And creating anew.
Photograph What Your Heart Desires
Let go of destination. Let go of outcome. Detachment = Freedom.
Don’t rationalize your shots.
Don’t hesitate at the crossroads.
Just walk forward.
Just shoot.
Photograph what your gut tells you to photograph.
Embrace the unknown. Embrace chaos— Then put order to it in your frame.
That’s the artist’s duty.
Go forward headfirst with courage. “Cor” — the Latin root of heart.
Wear your heart on your sleeve— That’s what shows up in the photo.
Life is Outside the Frame
A photograph isn’t confined to the four corners of the frame.
Life is outside the frame. Outside the box.
A photographer needs:
Courage
Curiosity
Intuition
Shut down your rational mind. Stop trying to depict the world as it is. Depict the world as it could be. As it feels.
Everything is in flux.
Now it’s raining again. Time to shield the Ricoh— Yo Samuel Lintaro, we need a Ricoh Rugged.
Imagine a Ricoh that’s indestructible like a GoPro.
That’d be wild.
Paradise is Within
I crossed the stream just in time. Maybe some of my thoughts made sense— Maybe some didn’t.
That’s okay. That’s stream of consciousness.
Embrace it in your photography. Stop overthinking. Snapshot your day like a visual diary.
Photograph what calls to you.
Photograph with courage. Photograph with heart. Photograph from your gut.
Photograph your soul—let that be what reflects in your images.
Don’t get stuck on decisions. Just move. Just flow.
A Walk to the Japanese House
Let’s go to the Japanese House real quick before I end the video. This is the Garden of Eden.
No flaming swords… but there’s a gate. And it’s closed.
Before I go— I’m starting a new book today.
Paradise Lost by John Milton.
Been reading a lot of poetry lately. And you know what?
Paradise has not been lost. You just have to pick up the flaming swords and destroy order to create anew.
Final Thought
Paradise is within. It’s in your heart.
The rain, the cold, the wet clothes— They could make me miserable.
But when paradise lives in your heart… Nothing can break your spirit.
You don’t have to travel far to make a photo. You just have to follow your stream of consciousness.
Dante Sisofo’s approach to health and fitness is rooted in vitality, discipline, and mastery—not aesthetics or ego. The body is not for show, but a sacred vessel for carrying out one’s creative and spiritual purpose. Every aspect of health—movement, nourishment, rest, and sunlight—is aligned with nature, not convenience.
He embraces a primal lifestyle, living in tune with the rhythms of the earth, the sun, and the body’s natural intelligence.
The ultimate goal: to have the vitality to never miss another sunrise again— to rise each day full of strength, presence, and power to create as an artist.
🧠 Mind-Body-Spirit Integration
Fitness is a discipline of the soul, not just the flesh.
Believes that physical health is mental health—and together, they produce spiritual health.
With a strong body and focused mind comes a resilient spirit, and from this, the artist thrives.
Strength, yoga, walking, and breath are tied to spiritual practices—rooted in asceticism and Christian mysticism.
☀️ Movement, Sun & Primal Rhythm
Maximizes sun exposure—outdoors from morning to evening, absorbing light for hormone balance and natural rhythm.
Walks constantly throughout the day—never sedentary, always in motion.
Follows OMAD (One Meal A Day)—fasting until sunset, then eating, recovering, and sleeping in full alignment with nature.
Lives outside all day, breathing fresh air, observing life, and embodying primal presence.
🥩 Carnivore-Based Diet + Ancestral Fuel
Eats only red meat, primarily beef, with occasional fermented kimchi for gut balance.
Drinks only black coffee and water—no sugars, no stimulants beyond what nature provides.
Supplements with beef liver, raw milk, raw honey, and raw cheese for strength and deep nourishment.
Buys two whole cows per year directly from a local Amish farmer in Lancaster, taking ownership of food and freedom.
Cooks exclusively with beef tallow, ghee, and butter—never seed oils or industrial fats.
No grains. No processed foods. No compromise.
🧘 Weekly Training Structure
Maintains a focused, efficient routine including:
Boxing for sharpness, reaction, and inner fire.
Ashtanga Yoga for breath control, mobility, and inner peace.
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) for explosiveness and time-efficient cardiovascular fitness.
🏋️ Minimalist Full-Body Training
Prefers short 10–15 minute full-body routines, centered on compound movements.
Trains with a 40 lb weighted vest, including during hikes and bodyweight workouts.
Uses gymnastic rings for outdoor strength training and control-based movement.
No machines, no fluff—just raw movement with barbell, breath, sweat, and soul.
👣 Barefoot & Functional Living
Wears barefoot shoes to strengthen posture, balance, and connection to the ground.
Chooses natural movement over artificial motion—pull-up bars, rings, dumbbells, and long trail walks.
Lives by this principle: sunlight, sweat, stillness, and solitude.
🌿 Recovery Through Nature, Solitude & Water
Walks in woods and natural spaces to center the nervous system.
Practices silence, stillness, and solitude—rituals of mental clarity and spiritual reset.
Recovers with hot Epsom salt baths followed by cold showers—to flush inflammation, regulate the nervous system, and renew the body.
🛌 Sleep Philosophy: Sacred Restoration
Prioritizes 8–12 hours of deep, high-quality sleep every night.
Goes to bed as early as possible, typically around 8-9PM and rising around 4-5AM.
Views sleep as non-negotiable—the base of clarity, energy, and creative vitality.
🧱 Core Foundations
Discipline over dopamine – Trains the will, not the ego.
Strength as virtue – Not just muscle, but moral and spiritual fortitude.
Minimalist, timeless methods – No gimmicks. Just presence, repetition, and devotion.
Sacrifice for purpose – Health is in service of art, legacy, and future family.
Rainy day in Philadelphia. What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante. Getting my morning started here in the Centennial Arboretum.
Rainy day. Check it out. It’s beautiful.
Today’s Thought: The Best Photos Remind Us We’re Bound by Gravity
What does that mean?
So we are flesh creatures. We cut, we bleed, we feel sorrow, pain, and greed. We lust for the flesh of others. And we are imperfect by design.
And that imperfection—I find it beautiful.
The fact that we have a timeline… We have an expiration date… And that we will—and must—die.
“When you’re photographing life, maybe it’s best to remind ourselves that we are finite.”
Maybe it’s best to remind the viewer of the photograph that they, too, will die. Which may sound morbid and morose—but it’s actually beautiful and uplifting to the spirit.
The Zest of Mortality
When I remind myself of this very fact, it fuels me with a love and zest and enthusiasm for life itself, where I recognize health as our ultimate sign of wealth.
It’s about championing the everyday, the mundane existence of our lives, and those small moments that otherwise go unnoticed.
Moments that remind us we are:
Imperfect
Emotional
Mortal
Moments of:
Anger
Frustration
Sorrow
Grief
And yes—even joy.
“The photographs that showcase the complexities of life—its ups and downs, smiles and frowns—those are the best photographs we can make. For that is what it means to be human.”
Snapshotting the Everyday
So through the process of snapshotting my way through life using a compact camera like the Ricoh GR— got the Ricoh shirt on, it’s my favorite shirt— I keep this idea in mind.
Today is my birthday. I turned 29 years old. And so I remind myself—I’m one year older now.
121 and Beyond?
I know about this physiological phenomenon called epigenetics. And I think: If I stay in this park for the rest of my life… Stay fasted all day… Eat satiating foods… Get good sleep…
Yeah—I might just make it to 121. Surpassing Moses.
Life, Death, and Trees
So we are here in the park.
The leaves have bloomed. The flowers are lush. The rain is falling. The trees are growing. And they, too, will fall. One day—they will die.
“A lot of the time, I spend my time in the park picking up dead trees.”
Branches break. Leaves wither. They wash away. They perish.
So I think that through photographing these things—the withering, dying, and decaying— Whether natural things or people…
We can evoke the philosophy of impermanence in our photography.
Final Thought: Make a Photograph
Think about how you can evoke the imperfection of life in your work.
Think about how you can remind the viewer—they are finite.
“For I believe that can light a spark in the viewer. That can elevate their spirit.”
And through that recognition, they’re looking at a photograph… A slice of time, immortalized.
Maybe… Maybe that can inspire.
Maybe that can motivate.
Maybe it can remind them to:
Be present
Enjoy the small things
Champion their everyday life
And yeah—
“Maybe you can’t live forever… but at least you can make a photograph.”
Paradise Lost is a 17th-century epic poem in blank verse that tells the story of the fall of man, inspired by the biblical narrative in Genesis. Written by John Milton after he had gone blind, the poem is a monumental work of English literature, aiming to “justify the ways of God to men.”
Major Themes
Free Will vs. Predestination Milton explores the tension between divine omniscience and human freedom, highlighting Adam and Eve’s ability to choose and Satan’s defiance of divine order.
The Nature of Evil Through Satan’s prideful rebellion, Milton examines the origin of evil—not as something created by God, but as the result of misuse of free will.
Disobedience and the Fall The central act—Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit—ushers in suffering and mortality, yet also sets the stage for eventual redemption.
Heroism and Redemption While Satan exhibits classical heroic traits, true heroism lies in obedience, humility, and perseverance, especially as seen in the Son of God.
Key Characters
Satan Once the most glorious of angels, Satan rebels against God and is cast into Hell. He is charismatic, complex, and rhetorically brilliant, often stealing the spotlight.
Adam & Eve The first humans, living in innocent harmony in the Garden of Eden before their fall. Their dynamic evolves from unity to blame and then reconciliation.
God the Father Omniscient and just, he foresees the fall but allows it to preserve human freedom.
The Son (Jesus Christ) Voluntarily offers himself as a future sacrifice to redeem humankind.
The Archangels (Michael & Raphael) Serve as messengers and guides to Adam, explaining the celestial war and warning him of temptation.
Structure
The poem is divided into 12 books, echoing Virgil’s Aeneid. The narrative moves fluidly between:
The aftermath of the heavenly war,
Satan’s journey to Earth,
The temptation and fall of man,
Prophecies of redemption.
Famous Lines
“Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.” — Satan, Book I
“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” — Satan, Book I
“Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.” — God, Book III
Conclusion
Paradise Lost is more than just a retelling of Genesis—it is a theological, political, and philosophical epic that reflects Milton’s deep engagement with scripture, rebellion, and the human condition. Despite Satan’s seductive rhetoric, the poem ultimately celebrates obedience, redemption, and the mysterious justice of God.
The word cherubim (plural of cherub) comes from the Hebrew word כְּרוּב (kerūv, singular) and כְּרוּבִים (kerūvîm, plural). Here’s a breakdown of its etymology and historical context:
Etymology:
Hebrew: kerūv (כְּרוּב) — a type of celestial being mentioned frequently in the Hebrew Bible.
Akkadian Origin: Likely derived from the Akkadian word karabu, meaning “to bless” or “to be great/mighty,” and related to kurību, a term used for intercessory beings (such as protective spirits or throne bearers).
Greek/Latin Transmission:
Greek: Χερουβίμ (cheroubím) — transliteration of the Hebrew plural.
Latin: cherubim — adopted directly from Greek for use in the Vulgate Bible.
Meaning and Role:
In the Bible, cherubim are not “baby angels” (as in Renaissance art), but rather powerful and majestic beings who:
Guard sacred spaces, such as the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).
Support the throne of God (Ezekiel’s vision).
Appear in the Ark of the Covenant, whose lid (the mercy seat) is flanked by golden cherubim.
So, the root idea is that cherubim are guardians and intermediaries, linked etymologically to blessing, protection, and divine majesty.
What’s poppin people? It’s Dante, currently out on the streets of Philadelphia—walking down Samson Street, observing angles, textures, and thinking about something important:
Why you should photograph more than just people in your street photography.
Infinite Novelty on Familiar Streets
When I’m out photographing, I don’t just look for people. I look at infrastructure, buildings, abandoned lots, and how things change. Like today—there’s the Blue Cross building in the background, and I’m using a fence to frame it in a new way.
It becomes a fun challenge: How can I frame the same thing over and over and still find novelty?
That’s what street photography is to me.
“Find infinite complexity in the street—even when it feels mundane.”
Perspective Is Everything
Sometimes photography feels like a chore. But that’s only if you walk the same lane every day without looking deeper. Hold your camera differently. Use:
High vantage points
Low angles
Frames within frames
Unlocking new visual perspectives unlocks mental ones too.
Go Slow. Feel the Ground.
I walk in Vibram FiveFingers ELX. Barefoot-style. Minimal. Intentional.
“When you walk barefoot, you slow down. You feel the ground. And when you feel the ground, you start to notice textures—on the walls, on the streets, everywhere.”
Photography becomes tactile. It’s not just light and shadow—it’s texture.
Black and White to Abstract Reality
When I shoot in black and white, I strip the world of color and:
“Achieve more novelty by abstracting reality.”
It forces me to pay closer attention—to texture, to form, to feeling.
Today’s thought is about photography and the relationship to joy—the feeling of bliss that you find through making pictures and living your everyday life.
Snapshots of Joy
My goal as a photographer is simple: to produce more photographs.
But not through force. I just want to live my everyday life and bring my camera for the ride—snapshotting my way through the world. That, to me, is the ultimate place to be as a photographer.
“It gives me this ability to find meaning in the mundane and find so much more joy in my everyday life.”
Joy is what I follow. What brings me joy, I photograph. That’s the rule.
Morning Light and Bliss
So when I follow the light—photographing in the early mornings, like right now in the park—when I’m simply following the sun rising, photographing all the things around me that are natural and beautiful, I feel this overwhelming sensation of bliss and happiness.
Is that such a bad thing?
“After all, you know how to be happy. It’s very simple.”
Remove the Noise
I’ve found that through removing all the noise and distractions of modern life and focusing on what truly matters, you can thrive—even in this chaotic world.
Walk the nature path.
Wander your favorite street.
Follow the rhythm of how you like to create.
That brings me more joy than forcing myself to go to a busy market or a packed event. Yesterday there was this art fair at Rittenhouse Square—but it was cramped. Tents everywhere. Like fish in a barrel. I didn’t even walk around. I just didn’t feel the pull.
So instead I:
Spent time in the park.
Walked along the outskirts of the city.
Photographed cliffs and rivers.
That’s what felt right.
The Rhythm of Everyday Life
If you follow the rhythm that brings you joy, everything else will fall into place photographically.
“If you go to the places that bring you that feeling of joy, I believe you’ll make your best photographs.”
You don’t need a plan. Let that inner curiosity lead you. That’s when the best photos come. Not from a preconceived idea, but from presence.
Let Go of the Result
So often, we have this idea in the back of our head of where we should go to get the “good shot.” But when you let go of the result—detach from expectations—you find more joy in how you make pictures.
“Life’s too short to live like it’s a bore or a chore.”
A lot of people treat photography like it’s a task. A duty. But when you allow the process to become seamless with your lifestyle and routine, everything starts to align. The photos begin to resonate.
Reveal Your Soul
The real goal of an artist?
“Not only to reveal the soul of the street as a photographer, but also the soul of you as an artist.”
Photograph where you feel sacred. Where you feel bliss. Where the process itself brings you meaning.
Photography is writing with light. It gives you a voice. It gives you a canvas. The world is your paper. The light is your ink.
A Full-Body Experience
Photography isn’t just visual.
It’s physical – walking endlessly, being present.
It’s mental – composing layers and elements.
It’s emotional and spiritual – entering the eternal now.
“Photography is about going out there and having an adventure each day.”
It’s play. It’s presence. It’s joy. It’s a lust for life.
Movement is My Meditation
Stillness matters sometimes, but I thrive through motion.
“When I enter a flow state, it’s through the act of moving my body, through the act of making a picture, through me actually being physical. For me, that is meditation.”
Stillness lets the mind shut down. And that’s when the best photos come—when you’re not thinking, but following your intuition.
The Thought of the Day
Embrace the physicality. Move around a scene. Photograph it. That’s where the meaning comes.
“Follow your joy and just find joy in everyday life experiences through photography.”
The world is full of infinite wonder. And with a camera in hand?
Night Routine Is More Important Than Morning Routine
Most people focus on their morning routine, but the truth is: your night sets the tone for everything that follows.
The Downward Spiral
If you’re up late at night scrolling through TikTok, X, YouTube, or watching TV in bed, your next morning is already compromised. You’ll wake up feeling drained. Your sleep will be shallow. And your mind will be foggy and restless. Even worse—you’ll be setting yourself up for another late night.
The Upward Spiral
But if you come home from boxing, break your fast with real nourishment—grass fed red meat, pasture raised organic eggs, raw milk, raw cheese, raw honey, and some fermented kimchi—then get in a hot bath, take a cold shower, and tuck yourself in bed as early as possible, you’ll wake up feeling unstoppable.
You might naturally wake up at 4:30 AM, without an alarm. Energy and creativity will flow through you effortlessly. Editing photos, making slideshows, recording video lectures—big tasks will feel light.
The Cycle of Mastery
Repeat the same process the next morning:
Hot bath
Cold shower
Strap on a 40 lb plate carrier
Hit the weights in your home gym
Don’t frame this as self-improvement or punishment. This is what self-mastery looks like. To become excellent is to build habits of excellence—and rise upward, day after day.
Morning Flow
Once you’ve finished deep work in the morning, go outside and enter into deep prayer and gratitude.
Thank God for the strength in your body. For your health as your wealth. And from that abundance—let joy flow through your day.
“Balance” is a song by Future Islands, released in 2011 as the lead single from their third studio album, On the Water. It’s one of their most emotionally resonant and lyrically optimistic tracks, carried by Samuel T. Herring’s raw, expressive vocals, Gerrit Welmers’ shimmering synths, and William Cashion’s melodic basslines.
Themes & Meaning:
The central message of “Balance” is about resilience and emotional perseverance. It acknowledges the weight of life’s struggles but insists that things get better if you keep moving forward. The chorus repeats:
“You can’t be strong all the time / Sometimes you just need to step away and think things through”
It’s a meditation on the emotional balancing act we all go through—between strength and vulnerability, movement and stillness, chaos and calm. The lyrics encourage us to take time to pause, reflect, and then continue onward, trusting that progress isn’t always linear, but it’s possible.
Sound & Style:
Musically, “Balance” features:
New wave/post-punk revival vibes
Pulsing synths and a warm bass groove
Herring’s signature growls and tender croons, blending passion with a kind of theatrical vulnerability
It’s melancholic but hopeful, a signature Future Islands blend—making it a fan favorite and an accessible entry point to their discography.
