SUCCESS

 SUCCESS.

What is success? Success looks different to different people. 

Throughout my life and travels I was privileged to meet, be in the company of and work with and for folks from all walks of life who would describe success differently.

I for a number of years now have worked in the seasonal world. After spending the better part of a quarter century living in Los Angeles to pursue the dream of making it in Hollywood.

It 2009 I was just DONE. I was ready for something NEW & DIFFERENT.

I knew that I took the leap of faith that I would be opening myself up to what exactly I was not sure. Saying that though I knew that there was a big and beautiful World that I wanted to EXPLORE.

Since leaving Los Angeles in 2009 my life has been quite an ADVENTURE.

Good, Bad, Beautiful, Ugly and everything in between. OBSTACLES,CHALLENGES,LOSS lots of LOSS  and TRIUMPHS 

It has been a life. MY LIFE. 

I have been a NOMAD now for almost twelve years. In 2015 I was introduced to WORK/TRAVEL.

I bounced across the country more times than I can count. I have just entered my sixth year. Just this week in three days I am wrapping up another gig. 

ANYONE WHO KNOW ME KNOWS THAT I LOVE TO TRAVEL. Well I found a way to both WORK AND TRAVEL. 

If only I had found this way of living when I was younger. 

I am BLESSED. I basically travel and work all of the country in places where people go for vacation. 

Me being a photographer. This has afforded me the time and resources to see and photograph the ABUNDANT BEAUTY that we as humans are so lucky to be able to visit for the short visit that we are here for. 

What a GIFT.

As I continue on my journey and age, my life has taken on a whole new way of BEING & EXISTING.

I never was one who was motivated by financial wealth that affords people the ability to have THINGS.

I am not a thing guy.

One of the places that I landed was a private club in Florida. EXTREME WEALTH.

HOMES,YACHTS,PRIVATE JETS, PRIVATE BEACHES.

I was there for less than a week. IT WAS NOT FOR ME. 

PRIVATE COMMUNITY - WE ARE SPECIAL.

That type of wealth is very off-putting to me.  Folks oblivious to what is going on outside of THEIR WORLD.

I personally was beyond disturbed by ALL OF IT.  To many who live in this PRIVATE COMMUNITY this is how they define SUCCESS. 

By definition this is SUCCESS. 

There are so many people in the world SUFFERING. I personally would not feel good about living in such LUXURY and with such EXCESS.

That is just me. TO EACH IS OWN.

I through the years have defined SUCCESS FOR ME. 

I happily feel like I have achieved SUCCESS IN MY LIFE. 

I never wanted a title after my name. I find SUCCESS IN THE FREEDOM MY LIFE ALLOWS ME TO HAVE AS I CONTINUE ON THIS JOURNEY.

Life is a beautiful journey we are here to be of service to SELF & OTHERS.

YOU DECIDE WHAT SUCCESS IS TO YOU. IT IS A PROCESS. 

Peace and Blessings to you as you DISCOVER and WALK YOUR PATH TO YOUR SUCCESS.

FOLLOW YOUR PATH.

A NEW JOURNEY BEGINS......WELCOME HOME GABBY

 WELCOME HOME. 

So this month all over the news was the search for GABBY PETITO.

Gabby was on a cross country road trip with her boyfriend seeing the beautiful country that so many never take the time to see. 

She was reported missing after regular communication and social media update with her family stopped after August 25th.  

The next few texts that the received, they said did not sound like they had come from Gabby.  

The family filed a missing person's report on September 11th. A search began and there were many, many tips coming in through social media which wound up be a great help in the search. 

Gabby's boyfriend returned to Florida without her, but with her van. So left her somewhere along the trip. For awhile he was not a person of interest. I NEVER UNDERSTOOD THE REASONING BEHIND THAT. 

He has refused to speak with the authorities and his family has secured an attorney. WHY????

I am just going to say INNOCENT PEOPLE DO NOT WORK SO HARD TO PROVE THEIR INNOCENCE. 

As of yesterday September 19th due to the numerous tips remains have been located which have been confirmed to be those of GABBY. 

THIS IS VERY SAD AND TRAGIC.

Everyone was holding out hope for a HAPPY HOMECOMING. 

Her boyfriend is now not only a PERSON OF INTEREST, but is now also a MISSING PERSON. 

This story has been in the news for the past few weeks and has grabbed the attention of so many hoping and praying she would be found and return home SAFE.

We collectively mourn with Gabby's family, friends and loved ones whose lives will never be the same as they process their loss and mourn their loved one. My heart goes out to everyone as they may be asking Why?

I hope in time they find peace as the heal. Although Gabby has embarked on what I believe to be the most epic travel adventures. 

I hope the family in time will be comforted by the fact Gabby was out there LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST. She was courageous enough to step outside the box and say YES to a LIFE OF ADVENTURE. Because of her COURAGE she was GIFTED these beautiful memories and a life of JOY and FREEDOM she was living. 

She was seeing the most beautiful scenery and locations that the United States has to offer. Witnessing sunrises and sunsets. . 

She was making LIVING  & MAKING MEMORIES with her boyfriend. 

They truly were living life and seemingly looked happy until what we all witnessed during the search for her.

If you scroll their instagram posts they were LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST. Plus they were very conscious and protective of this BEAUTIFUL & FRAGILE PLANET WE ALL LIVE ON.

All of those beautiful images and memories she was creating for herself.  My wish for her loved ones are now while you process this horrible loss they all have suffered. I hope they will in time find comfort in the GIFTS she has left for you all. SHE WAS OUT THERE LIVING.

That was a gift that she obviously understood at such a young age. GABBY HAD AN UNDERSTANDING & COURAGE that so many lack in life and never realize.  She stepped outside of her comfort zone and was witness to so many beautiful gifts in life. 

Peace to all of those who loved GABBY. 

Celebrate Gabby's Life & her ZEST FOR LIVING. 

FLY HIGH GABBY. PEACE.

I know your road forward is going to be difficult and filled with sadness. I am so sorry Gabby was taken from you well before her time and the FULL LIFE THAT SHE WAS BOUND TO HAVE. 

This morning on was on my morning walk and these are the images that I was able to capture. It was the most beautiful beginning of another day. I am a big believer in signs and signals so these images are titled. 

WELCOME HOME GABBY.  These are pretty spectacular ANGEL WINGS. Your beautiful baby girl is now your forever ANGEL.

TREASURE YOUR MEMORIES. 

20 YEARS.

 20 Years ago TODAY. 

September 11, 2001. 

The United States and the WORLD was shook to its core as the United States was under ATTACK. In the DEADLIEST, TERRORIST in WORLD HISTORY.

If you are of a certain age we all could remember where we were on this  DARK, DARK DAY. The irony is that if you speak with anyone who witnessed this attack on humanity and our freedom. 

Most describe it as being a crystal clear day in NYC with the most beautiful blue skies. Not a cloud in the sky. A very calm and peaceful beautiful September Day.

UNTIL IT WAS NOT.

I like so many were going about our day when someone alerted us to turn our televisions on WE WERE UNDER ATTACK. I rushed to turn on the TV and like millions around the world were in utter shock at what we were seeing trying to understand just what we were looking at. NOt really understanding what was going on until I sat HORRIFIED watching another plane hit the other tower. 

Sitting here writing this the tears are flowing 20 YEARS LATER.

Heartbreaking does not even describe the pain I was feeling collectively as a citizen of the world.

I was having such a hard time wrapping my head around this type of EVIL exists in the World. 

Globally we were mourning for a way of life that was stripped away, and would NEVER BE THE SAME.

To all of those BEAUTIFUL LIVES who woke for for the very LAST TIME to go to work , kiss their loved ones to have their lives snuffed out to to HATE. Globally our heart was SHATTERED INTO A MILLION LITTLE PIECES. Allies from around the World mourned with us. 

Although we did see images from around the world of those who were responsible, they could be seen dancing and celebrating in the streets. SICK, SICK, SICK!

Everyone was glued to their tv sets as things were unfolding. We were witnessing in REAL TIME unspeakable horror, as well as bravery as loved ones who were trapped knowing they were not going to be rescued call their loved ones to SAY GOODBYE. 

Some choose to leap to their deaths rather than burn. Many groups made that choice. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE.

Firefighters and rescue works rushed into the building risking their lives to save others. Many paid with their lives.

HEREO, HEREO, HEREO

My heart still hurts. THAT DAY CHANGED THE WORLD FOREVER. 

After being witness to ULTIMATE HATE. We as citizens came together in LOVE to mourn and honor what was lost. WE GOT TO SEE THE WORST AND BEST IN HUMANITY IN THE WAKE OF THIS TRAGEDY.

The love that we were shown from all over the world was so beautiful to witness and be a part of.  The statistics from that day, like the day itself is important to REMEMBER & NEVER FORGET.

2977 PEOPLE KILLED. 6000 INJURED

19 HIJACKERS COMMITTED MURDER-SUICIDE 

IMMEDIATE DEATH 265 on the planes including terrorist.

2606 in the World Trade Center and surrounding areas

125 at the Pentagon.

2605 US CITIZENS 372 NON US CITIZENS 90 COUNTRIES LOST CITIZENS

344 FIREFIGHTERS 71 LAW OFFICERS

The death toll continues to RISE.

1140 PEOPLE WHO WORKED OR WENT TO SCHOOL WERE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER.

1400 PLUS RESCUE WORKERS HAVE DIED.

20 YEARS LATER 1100 STILL UNIDENTIFIED THAT IS 40% of the CASUALTIES from the DAY.

DOROTHY MORGAN WAS THE LATEST PERSON IDENTIFIED JUST LAST MONTH. Dorothy's family twenty years later FINALLY GET SOME CLOSURE.  WOW. 

As we are all aware just shy of the 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THIS DARK DAY IN WORLD HISTORY we have ended the war in AFGHANISTAN. 

So with the number of those lost due to this war the PRICE HAS BEEN SO HIGH. The loss of life has been enormous. We were in war for 20 years,

4096 AMERICANS CIVILIANS AND SOLDIERS KILLED

2461 SOLDIERS KILLED 

47,245 CIVILIANS 69,000 AFGHAN MILITARY 51,000 TALIBAN FIGHTERS

NEEDLESS TO SAY THE LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE HAS BEEN HUGE.

My thoughts are with all of us as we REMEM

BER & NEVER FORGET THIS DAY IN WORLD HISTORY. 

My hometown was directly affected by 9/11 with my high school principal losing his son John Armand Reo and his son in law. 

Also the Aversano family losing their dad Louis f. Aversano Jr. 

SENDING LOVE TO ALL. WE CAN DO BETTER. WE MUST DO BETTER. 

LOVE WINS OVER HATE. 

ALL THOSE LOST ON 9/11 LISTED HERE. WE MOURN STILL FOR WHAT WAS LOST.

A NEW WAVE.

 A NEW WAVE. 

So here we are 18 months into a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. We are on our third or fourth WAVE with the Delta Variant now sweeping across the World. 

The number of cases and deaths in some states are the HIGHEST they have been throughout the whole pandemic.

I am completely perplexed at the incompetence and misinformation in handling this pandemic with last administration.

We are now heading into the fall season with these numbers.

217  MILLION CASES WORLDWIDE

4.51 MILLION DEATHS

40 MILLION CASES HERE IN THE UNITED STATES

650 THOUSAND DEATHS

These numbers are on the rise. 

The numbers that I heard yesterday that we are now around 150,000 NEW CASES A DAY.

Many hospitals have no ICU Beds available..........This pandemic has spread like wildfire due to all of the lies from the last administration.

What makes no sense to me is the administration is killing off it's base. Does not sound very smart to me. 

I am really hoping more people wake up to the fact that so many have lost their lives unnecessarily. 

I was watching a news story regarding a healthcare worker who is an Anti-Vaxxer who lost their own child who still is refusing to be vaccinated.  High price to pay for IGNORANCE. 

I am a spiritual person. I was raised Catholic. I do not believe in any organized religion which was written by man and each and every religion is biased. Just my thoughts and beliefs. 

I really hope more people WAKE UP AND START TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES. 

People are placing their trust in all the wrong people and ideals. 

Realize that you are here for a very short period of time in the big scheme of things. 

LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR YOU. SEEK WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY. BE OF SERVICE. 

LIFE IS VERY SHORT. 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THIS EARTH 18 MONTHS AGAIN ARE GONE. 

THEIR STORY HAS ENDED. 

You are still here. Continue to create and live your story while you have time. 

BE SMART, BE CONSIDERATE,BE LOVING, BE KIND. Don't trust those you may think care about you.

THEY DON'T. 

TAKE BACK YOUR POWER. DO NOT LIVE IN FEAR. 

I WISH YOU ALL JOY AND HAPPINESS. 

SPENCER FLY HIGH BUDDY. I HOPE YOU JOURNEY IS FILLED ONLY WITH LIGHT.