Living, Thinking, forgiving
It all begins with an idea.
been thinking lately.. There’s something deeply off about the world we live in. You can feel it not just in the news or politics, but in the everyday things we’re told are normal. The systems we’re born into = school, work, the food we eat, even religion are designed to produce productivity, obedience, and consumption. They weren’t built for humans, they were built for control. I'm writing this to challenge your perspective. Maybe even enlighten, and motivate you. I'm not looking to change your mind or prove to you I know best. Simply discussing things that I've noticed about the world we live in.
This first topic is something I've loved to talk about and have been very fascinated by..
The point of school is to educate people,
Correct?
Sit in the classroom for eight hours a day being told what to think. The system made for factory workers, for people to prove they can recite and retain information. Perfect soldier for the modern world. School trains obedience, repetition, and conformity. Most kids under intense pressure to figure out who they are and what they wanna do for the rest of their life.
I hated school. Loved the social aspect of it. Didn't get the best grades mostly because I didn't give a shit. You could pretty much just blow through everything with minimal effort. I actually thought it was lazy at some points..
"You're not lazy, just don't love what you do."
Managed to graduate high school with everyone and move on. To real life or more school? idk. At some point, I thought I wanted to be a counselor, but I didn’t want to deal with people’s problems all day. I like video stuff I can make some money doing that.. Cut to almost 6 years later. Done everything from shooting wedding, music video, TV shows, commercials, acting, managing social. Never committed to one thing just taking opportunities and tried new things, followed what I was passionate about.
Point is I still don't know what I wanna "do".
How could you?
Food — The Quiet Addiction
Gonna change the subject on ya. Ready?
Walk into a grocery store and look around — it’s a blessing. You can get anything you could ever want. So much product. But look into it, 5 companies own 95% of the product. The organic versus non-organic sweet potatoes, one’s two dollars more, honestly what does that even mean? Factories on factories. Highly processed foods. Convenience has gotten so large that we’ve lost growing our own food and respecting the food being present. I’d rather go to a farmers market and support the local farmer and be around the community. That’s where you’re living. Instead, convenience is separating us and murdering community. Would much rather help out the guy in town then the comglomerate.
Without community,
who are you gonna learn from?
Connection — We’re Not Built to Do This Alone
This world has gotten grossly independent.
Haven’t done one thing on my own. I’d be a liar to say otherwise.
We
need
each
other.
\\ I deal with anxiety and I don’t fully understand it, but I know I need alone time sometimes. Still, the most motivational and inspirational times are with people. Being human is about collaboration. I see a big change already: people getting more aware, more studios, more activity-based community spaces. sure It’s capitalism, BUT there’s a craving for connection. //
Work — The Modern Pressure
Getting a “job” and the pressure of not being alone. It’s real. You need money to support your life, and your job gives you that, but there’s this pressure to “find love” or “Find your passion”.
Everyone’s like,
“You know what you wanna do? Go to college.”
I don’t know anything.
I was lucky to fall in love early with photo and video. I’m truly an passionate about photo/video and man the things have come my way as I lean in.
Spirituality — Human First
I don’t represent any religion properly..
I respect them all.
I’m human first.
My name’s Ian.
I grew up in Oklahoma, where religion was everywhere It’s woven into nearly everything around me. The expectations, the way people saw you.
I recently moved to California, it has been refreshing. It’s the first time I’ve really heard people talk about spirituality in a way that feels open, curious, and free. There’s something honest about it. People acknowledging that they’re still searching, that faith doesn’t have to come with performance or pressure.
It’s made me realize how different those two worlds are. One built around rules, the other around reflection.
And somewhere in between,
I think I’m starting to figure out what I actually believe, not just what I was taught to say.
Critical Forgiveness — The Real Work
choosing peace / Love over pride.
“Forgive” doesn’t mean “forget.”
It means refusing to let their wrong keep living through you.
The kind that sits with the outcasts, the addicts, the people everyone else ignores.
No stones.
Purpose, and the Small Life
I don’t know shit. That’s the fact. I’ve observed some things and I want to pass them along.
My mom told me you don’t have to have all the answers — you don’t have to say the perfect thing.
Use your wisdom, trust your heart.
I’m blessed with the mentors I have and the experiences I’ve had. None of them are perfect, but they showed me what it means to be human.
We all juggle this weird life.
Sometimes destiny is as simple as showing up for people in your life.
Lean in. Be present.
Act with your heart.
Build a garden. Cook your food. Spend time in nature. Stop feeling like you’re in a cage.
Hang out. Love on people.