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.
Currently walking around alongside these cliffs in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Today I’m thinking about something deeper: how to make a sublime photograph.
What Is the Sublime in Photography?
You know, what does it even mean to make a sublime photograph? Why sublime?
When I’m looking at the world around me, a lot of times, the most mundane things evoke emotional responses. I’ll look at dew drops on a leaf or the grandeur of nature, and something inside me says yes. I put four corners around it and create an image. But that visualization and creation of something sublime? That’s not easy.
“To evoke the sublime, one must go beyond beauty and elevate the mundane to an extraordinary height.”
It’s not just about seeing. It’s about feeling. It comes through a mental and emotional state of being — a response to the life right in front of you.
Practical Ways to Evoke the Sublime
There are some very simple, practical ways to begin:
Use light and shadow intentionally.
Find emotional resonance with what’s in front of you.
Shoot with childlike wonder.
Like this moment — I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, and this kid just runs right into my frame. Dramatic sky, light piercing through storm clouds, children playing underneath all of it. Spontaneous.Unscripted. Sublime.
“Despite returning to the same location daily, I feel something — every single time.”
Nature’s Grandeur and the Photographer’s Task
From this cliff, I see the Schuylkill River, the boathouses, Greek-inspired structures, trees, wind brushing my skin. I’m reminded:
“The goal of the photographer is to extract from the ordinary and uplift it to a transcendental height.”
Even if I’ve stood here a thousand times, I’m still struck by it. The water flows, the clouds shift, and I’m reminded of the vastness of life — and my tiny part in it. It humbles you.
The Interconnectedness of It All
To truly make a sublime image:
Stand on the edge of danger. Let it remind you you’re alive.
Look out towards the horizon. Let awe enter your bones.
Recognize the connection between everything — children running, stars above, cells within your body.
“There’s something powerful in realizing everything is connected — and flowing.”
Watching water rush reminds me that I too am always changing, always evolving. It’s not just visual — it’s spiritual.
Technical Aesthetic for the Sublime
We can uplift that feeling aesthetically, too. Through:
High contrast black and white
Crushed shadows
Exposing for highlights
Playing on that edge between order and chaos
By making those decisions with intention, the mundane becomes something far more. Something sacred.
“Through the use of a camera, we can visualize the sublime — an image that goes beyond beauty.”
Final Reflection
So yeah… how do you evoke the sublime?
You feel. You appreciate. You become aware.
Even the simplest things — birds chirping, gnats buzzing, kids laughing, light through clouds — everything can be lifted to a higher place through the act of noticing. And that’s what the photograph captures.
I’m currently reading Metamorphoses by Ovid. It’s a collection of ancient Roman poetry—some short, some long—but man, there are so many to dive into. It’s actually overwhelming, but so beautiful and elegant to read casually, and I’ve been taking my time with it.
The most recent story I recall is of King Midas. You’ve heard of that idea—the Midas touch? I’ve always known the saying: everything he touches turns to gold. But I never actually read the myth itself. It’s pretty powerful when you finally find the source of these modern-day sayings or archetypes that stand the test of time.
Don’t Follow Your Desire?
King Midas wished upon the god he worshipped, Bacchus (Dionysus), that everything he touched would turn to gold. He desired wealth and material treasures on this earthly plane. However, once his wish was granted, he realized its fatal flaw.
When he went to eat bread, it turned to gold dust. When he tried to drink wine, the glass shattered into gold. He could not even nourish himself. Now that his wish had been granted—now that he followed his desire—it became a curse. He then pleaded for it to be taken away and washed the curse away in a river.
The moral of the story: Be careful what you wish for.
Midas then despised wealth and luxury, and went to worship the simple, rustic god who played the pipes—Pan. However, in judging a music competition between Pan and Apollo, Midas said that the pipes were better. Because of this, Apollo punished him by giving him donkey ears.
Midas was simply being a contrarian, avoiding the true beauty of Apollo’s performance out of pride and arrogance.
The moral of the story: Foolish pride leads to disgrace.
Choose Wisdom
In Aladdin, there’s a scene where he enters the mouth of a snake—the Cave of Wonders. Inside, he’s surrounded by shining treasure and material riches. But there’s one rule: if you take anything but the chosen treasure, you’ll be trapped inside forever.
Despite the temptation, Aladdin chooses correctly. He doesn’t grab at the gold. He chooses the lamp—the vessel of the genie. And through the genie, he is granted a deeper kind of power: wisdom, transformation, freedom.
Choose the genie in the bottle. Choose wisdom over the illusion of wealth. Don’t be tricked by glittering surfaces. True treasure is the wisdom that sets you free.
Would You Rather Be a Docile Donkey or a Lion?
If you had to choose between being a docile donkey and a lion, wouldn’t you rather be the ferocious lion?
Think of a lion and the way it lives its life—chilling out on the hill, basking in the sunlight, using its physical powers. The lion is the king. The lion, full of vitality, goes for its hunt and then spends the rest of the day with its pack, its tribe. Lions don’t need to move too fast. They can chill out because of their grandeur, their excellence, their strength.
I remember riding a donkey in Jericho. They truly are a pain in the ass… ha ha. Every time you try to ride, it would knock you off. It’s almost like you had to put a carrot on a stick just to keep it moving. They don’t like being ridden. You have to butter them up, give them treats, and make them docile so they obey.
Now use this as a metaphor for modern-day man—living a mostly sedentary lifestyle, with comfortable environments, Uber Eats at our disposal, unlimited food options, and endless entertainment. It’s very easy to become a docile donkey. But it’s very difficult to become a lion.
The more difficult path—towards vitality—will ultimately lead to freedom. The easy path—towards mediocrity—leads to slavery.
While Jesus is often seen as the sacrificial lamb, when he’s mentioned as the Lion of Judah, it provides a powerful metaphor and blueprint to live by. Yes—sacrifice, suffering, and pain are necessary for growth. But one must also find vitality and thrive through chaos, becoming the lion.
Humans Are Like Wells
When I spent time in Zambia, Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer working in fish farming, I remember the center of the village had two things: a church, and a well.
Every morning, families gathered with buckets on their heads to bring home water for the day. Without the well, there would be no village. Without this source of vitality, there would be no nourishment for the tribe.
To dig these wells, you have to start in a very particular location. You can’t just plop a well down anywhere—you must dig with intention to tap into the source. A good well is always connected to the source. It takes work and effort to dig deep.
Not only does the well provide physical vitality, but the church at the center offers spiritual nourishment. By gathering at the church, the tribe strives upward, toward the divine.
What I’m still most blown away by, in comparing the United States to Zambia, is that the people are so much happier.
How are people in these rural villages happier than Americans—despite having to draw water from a well?
We have tap water at our fingertips, Uber rides, food delivery, and endless entertainment. Yet, I believe we lack spiritual vitality.
These villages gather in church, filling themselves with spiritual vitality through Christ, and they shine. You feel their energy. It’s palpable.
So, perhaps the church is the true source. And when I think of Jesus’s saying—“The kingdom of heaven is within you”—it really rings true.
Your perception shapes your reality.
If you’re full of anxiety, depression, or negative thoughts—you’re creating hell within. Physical and mental weakness leads to spiritual weakness.
But through digging—through suffering, strife, and struggle—you tap into the source. You tap into Christ.
Then you become nourished spiritually, which overflows as vitality. You become like a well full of love that pours out onto others.
Now that you’re tapped into the source—Christ—nothing can break your spirit or lust for life.
Your body becomes a cathedral, a temple, and a well—overflowing with abundance, for others to drink from.
A Goblin With Gold Is Still a Goblin With Gold
Let’s do a thought experiment.
There is a king sitting atop a castle, surrounded by infinite luxury, goods, and pleasures. Yet he is obese, ugly, and weak. He doesn’t go outside. He has everything the material world could offer—but he’s not truly happy.
He still clings to desire. Still wants more. All his treasure piles up, but he lacks joy and peace.
Meanwhile, a barefoot sage frolics in the garden outside the castle walls. He tends the land and gardens each day, cultivating crops for the king. The barefoot sage is joyful, full of vitality, basking in the sun, smiling at the sunrise. He doesn’t have much, but he’s alive and grateful.
Would you rather be the barefoot sage or the goblin with gold?
A goblin with gold is still just a goblin—with endless desire but no contentment, peace, or joy. So choose the source, not the surface—live like the lion, dig like the well, and let your spirit overflow.
Getting my morning started here in the Centennial Arboretum, flexin’ the Ricoh shirt. Shoutout to Samuel Lintaro — this is my favorite shirt.
Today I’m thinking about a powerful idea — something Nietzsche hinted at:
“For maximum flourishing, embrace maximum danger.”
Something about living on the edge of chaos. And as an artist, as a street photographer, I feel that in my bones.
The Photographer as Risk Taker
To me, the role of the artist is to embrace the unknown — to walk straight into chaos and try to make sense of it through the frame. It takes courage. And when I say courage, I mean literally:
“Courage — from the Latin cor, meaning heart.”
Photography is about that. It’s about your heart being on display. We say “wear your heart on your sleeve,” but when you’re out photographing, you’re wearing it in your hands — in your lens — in your eyes.
That Childlike Spirit
Think back to childhood.
Climbing trees to the canopy
Sharpening sticks into spears in the Wissahickon woods
Jumping off tables with a Superman cape
“That dangerous, joyous spirit — that’s the essence of a photographer’s heart.”
And now here I am, 28 years old, still that same kid. Still wandering the woods. Still taking risks.
The Best Photos Require Maximum Risk
I’ll say it again with 100% certainty:
“The best photos are the ones that require maximum risk.”
Not necessarily physical danger — although yeah, I’ve been on the front lines in Israel and Palestine — but more often it’s about emotional risk.
Climbing that mountain in Mexico to find the cross
Going somewhere unfamiliar
Walking into chaos
Making a frame where most people wouldn’t
Even catching a fly mid-sentence like Mr. Miyagi — reflexes, intuition. It’s all the same spirit.
Embrace the Unknown (Literally)
So the gate’s closed at work. What do I do?
Do I go back?
Do I wait?
Or do I crawl through a hole in the fence?
“You find the crack in the wall and move through it. You adapt. You embrace the unknown.”
And just like that, we’re through. Little morning adventure.
Don’t Get Attached
When I say detach, I don’t mean become cold or emotionless. I mean:
“Don’t be attached to the outcome. Let go of fear. Let go of results.”
Whether someone gets mad you made a photo. Whether you miss a shot. Whether it’s perfect or not.
Move forward with courage. Let grace guide your movement through chaos. And you’ll float through it all.
Risk, Fall, Get Back Up
So my coworker Cory shows up. I tell him about the hole. He decides to hop the fence instead.
Guess what?
He falls.
But then — he gets back up.
“You fall, you get back up. You miss a shot, you frame another. You get rejected, you still go out and photograph the next stranger.”
That’s life. That’s photography. That’s risk.
Final Reflection
Photography isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about:
Courage
Curiosity
Embracing the unknown
Floating through chaos with grace
“Maximum flourishing lies on the brink of disaster — in the tension between risk and reward.”
And if you crawl through the fence, or climb the tree, or leap into the crowd — with heart — you might just make something real.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Photography isn’t just happy accidents. With intention, anything is possible. I’m living proof-
Example 1: Rainbow in Logan Square
I’m gonna photograph the rainbow, I’m gonna photograph the rainbow. I’m speaking it into existence. Somebody is going to leap in front of it in a glorious position, and I’m going to photograph it right now. I’m going to be patient and I’m going to wait here, because I believe I’m going to capture this image with all of my heart. I’m going to sit inside this water until it happens.
The best photographers are able to manifest their vision in reality. Street photography isn’t all lucky or happy accidents. Street photography requires consistency, discipline, courage, and curiosity. Through your intuition, your god-like ability to put order to chaos, you can create a photograph of anything you can dream of.
Example 2: Jesus in Mexico City
If you get the guy in the right spot, you can get Jesus and the guy.”
A photograph is a reflection of your courage, your heart.
Am I the first person in history to fully document a spiritual awakening and modern day pilgrimage across three countries with video, narration, and symbolic synchronicities unfolding in real time?
After COVID ended, I looked out my window on Easter Sunday, and the world felt like a prison. Stark, gloomy, and honestly—scary.
I began confronting uncomfortable truths: suffering, despair, and a deep loss of hope.
On Easter Sunday 2022, I returned to church in Philadelphia and joined a bike pilgrimage to the Miraculous Medal Shrine.
I started praying regularly and reconnecting with my faith.
The world began to feel like a playground again. I felt like a child—reawakening my Catholic roots.
I spent nearly two years in solitude, hiking in the woods and walking nature paths in silence almost every day.
My conscience (Christ) told me to go to Rome—to quit my meaningless job and return to my roots.
I listened. I left everything behind and went to Rome.
In Rome, I prayed daily at Chiesa Santa Maria dei Miracoli, a church dedicated to a Marian miracle.
I also drank from the miracle well at Chiesa di Santa Maria in Via.
The only reason I found this church was because it was in the best location for street photography.
My intuition guided me there—without preconception or plan.
I visited Castel Sant’Angelo every day and tried to memorize the Prayer of Saint Michael the Archangel, which I had first learned in Philly when I started going back to church because I never learned this prayer as a kid in Catholic School.
I took a day trip to Paris, and that night, I had a dream:
A clouded dragon chased me.
It transformed into a rainbow in the sky.
The next day, I stumbled upon a sculpture of Saint Michael the Archangel in Paris:
He stood above two dragons.
A real rainbow appeared in the sky above the sculpture.
I returned to the church in Rome and told the priest what had happened.
He gave me a Miraculous Medal—a symbol of protection, grace, and Mary’s intercession.
Ever since that trip, I have been overflowing with joy, love, and abundance.
I found a job that I absolutely love, filled with purpose and meaning.
I’ve made creative breakthroughs in photography and art.
I am now at eternal peace. I no longer subscribe to the Church’s dogma or tradition— I simply consider myself a disciple of Christ.
The exact quote where Friedrich Nietzsche says “live dangerously” comes from his book The Gay Science (German: Die fröhliche Wissenschaft), published in 1882. In Book IV, section 283, Nietzsche writes:
“For believe me! — the secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is: to live dangerously! Build your cities on the slopes of Vesuvius! Send your ships into uncharted seas! Live at war with your peers and yourselves! Be robbers and conquerors as long as you cannot be rulers and possessors, you seekers of knowledge! Soon the age will be past when you could be content to live hidden in forests like shy deer! At long last the search for knowledge will reach out for its due: — it will want to rule and possess, and you with it!”
This passage encapsulates Nietzsche’s exhortation to embrace risk and challenge as a means to achieve the fullest experience of life.
