Bold. Brave. Believer. Wise. Worldly. Withstanding. Strong. Sensual. Spiritual. Daring. Defying. Defining. Determined. Dedicated. Dreamer. Passionate. Proactive. Peaceful. Evolving. Empathetic. Empowered. Enlightened. Fearless. Focused. Forthright. Free. Compassionate. Curious. Creative. Cultured. Outspoken. Optimist. Able. Aware. Artist. Activist. Thinker. Thankful. Grateful. Grounded. Laughter. Lover. Happy. Honest. Healthy. Humanitarian.
So who exactly am I? For starters, I am a healthy man. I am on a journey, one that began in a small town outside of Manhattan. A journey that has taken me all around North America and the world. A journey that has lay witness to great peaks and solitary valleys. A quest that has been nothing short of beautiful....
I am a writer, an artist, a public relations professional, an advocate, an ally, a voice. My memoir is near completion. It's many pages each represent the colorful mosaic of my life--the challenges, the triumph, the heartache, the many lessons, and also, the growth, the fortitude, the perseverance of our human spirit and the silver lining of grace that can be found in our darkest moments. It's brutally honest. It's shocking. It's deep and at times hilarious. It's not A Million Little Pieces, for there is no need to fabricate--I lived it. It's the journal entries from 8th grade, it's the poetry through my self-induced war with addiction, and it's a look at those who have touched my life in more ways they can imagine. My writing is my heart on paper.
You might question why someone in their twenties has written a memoir? Well, my life was the fast lane, AKA--self will run riot. In 8 years I had lived in every corner of North America (including Hawaii), traveled extensively abroad, been through college, experienced a loveless marriage, immigrated to Canada, gone through a painful divorce (one of the first international same-sex) and now find myself on an odyssey of awareness and self discipline that is the handmaiden of a decision to live a complete, rather abundant and always authentic life.
And so here I am, in this cosmopolitan metropolis of Buenos Aires completing my dream. The safety net of Manhattan proved internally uncomfortable. To achieve great things you must take great risk. In my eyes it's worth taking....
Confident, insightful, balanced, sober and stronger than ever--I am looking ahead, never back. 2008 is full of infinite possibilities. Here's to everyone who dares to dream, to teach, to learn, to inspire and be inspired.
People enter your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Their footprints may forever enlighten you. I have the most incredible friends in the world, a great (neurotic) family, and an amazing future ahead. Always looking for an honest, intriguing man, but hey, you can't have it all! (or can you?) God has truly blessed me. May I never forget and always remain grateful.
