Well, my time in Iraq is drawing to a close. In less than a month, I will be back in the United States. In some ways I am happy. VERY HAPPY. I mean, I miss my family. I miss my dog.I miss my friends.
The things that I am aprehensive about are the commercialism and the rat race that I don't have to deal with right now. I am not trying to keep up with the Jones'. I am not telling my kids that they can't have that great new toy that is on the commercials during their favorite show on Nick, Jr. I am not wondering how many calories are in that large order of french fries I just ate from McDonald's. I have a simple life. A simple life leads one to think simply. Moving past all of the physical distractions can easily open one up to a spiritual awakening. In my case, having a Christian background, it likens itself to the 40 days and 40 nights that Christ spent in the wilderness. When a person returns from an experience similar to this, it seems that their perspective on life should be odd to those around that person.
I find it pervading my photographic expression. The simple things in life are what intrigue me. I am keeping a notebook of all the 'scenes' I want to shoot and I my mind wanders to things like my daughters in their spring dresses running across freshly cut grass or my son stomping in a mud puddle. I don't think my perspective will ever be the same after being to war twice in two different countries. My perspective will be that of a child and their simplistic views. Their genuine interest in everything in their environment. Always exploring and asking questions.
I don't know what the point of this rambling was. Maybe I hope that the world I come back to won't see me as strange because I don't value having more. I value relationships. I don't value being rich. I value a depth of character that is unwaiverable. I don't value being nice. I value being honest.
