01/01/2021
Ok so here we are 2021 and it’s time for that inspirational post that we all are just scrolling through as we avoid reflecting on our own year. I don't know what to say to y’all but a happy new year and new you (though you should have done that during lockdown). This is your year to go get that new job or promotion. Whatever it is you need, go for it.
With that out of the way, I want to have some echo chamber talk AKA “straight off the dome talk”. My buddy shot this photos a few months back. I've been sitting on it for a while and I have and have not known why. What I do know is this photo sums up the emotional and spiritual battle that has been waging in my body through 2019 and 2020.
In 2019 it rained so much in the south and , my guiding company, took some major hits. Honestly, I didn’t know if we were going to survive. I know no one can control the skies but damn! Then 2020 happened. Remember the rule of Zombieland ( #2 Double Tap - In those moments when you're not sure the undead are really dead dead, don't get all stingy with your bullets.) Well, we got professionally double tapped by 2020. But 2020 was not done with me yet. With the height of the George Floyd outrage around the world I finally and unwantedly felt seen. I was always able to be the fun black guy that you have joyful interactions with and forget about later. I got to live in a world with preset dangers that had clear rules of engagement that had been passed down from generation to generation. All that s**t is out the window now because so many of you have become woke to the KNOWN reality of many black, brown, and LBGTQ+ people in this world.
Now that my truths and your shame have been brought to the light, both of us are having some major growing pains. I'm reminded of something my mentor Mark said, “Mario, there is nothing new under the sun”. When I coach my youth team and we are picking a route to project I ask them “Kids, is it more true or less true that you can send every 5.11 in the gym”. Mark is right, it’s more true there is nothing new. These problems and struggles have been around since the dawn of time and they're not going away fast enough. Yet, for me, the statement is becoming less true because we live in a time where we are so connected and you can choose to see or believe the reality of myself and so many others. This ability to see and learn is new and we must connect with open minds in order to move forward.
I want to remind you that just like this photo we are climbing out of the darkness and into the light. Now that we are seen, and can see, we can’t lower off this route. We have finally been able to see each other in our entirety with loving arms and accept each other for who we are. In my eyes, all our flaws and imperfections make us perfect. We are never going to clip these chains in our lifetime but I’ll be damned if I let you lower back into the darkness and be unseen. We are partners, homies on this route, and every finger lock, hand jam, and crimp I pull on I’m doing it for you and me. Let’s try and send this thing called life together.
Happy new year!
#2021 .clothing
