This first entry serves as an introduction to myself as an author and journalist. From a very young age, I have always taken an interest in the beauty of the world around us. I was raised in a very mixed household that resulted in the blending of indigenous philosophies and morals with that of various cultures around the world. As a mixture of Taino, Scottish, East Asian, and others grew up learning about folklore, medicine, and a variety of traditions. Over time, I developed my own conclusions about the way the world works and our role as living things. My development was not without its struggles however as disabilities such as Autism, Lupus, and Multiple Sclerosis which went undiagnosed since my youth would also come to have an impact on the way in which I connected with other living things in our world. Through this entry I hope that my future audience, my readers, will come to find connection, entertainment, and perhaps a little something intangible. Come along with me, on this journey written in memory and perspective.
I have always had communication difficulties from a young age. I still do and as a result hold space for those difficulties in others. I found it easiest to connect not with other human beings, but with the animals, plants, and spiritual denizens of the natural world or as some elders in some communities would call them “the people” and within the space of an average social interaction between human beings I found loneliness , Isolation , and a feeling of being something otherworldly and abnormal to a neurotypical majority. Yet animals both wild and domestic would act as if I was one of their own and I found kindred spirits within living things both wild and domestic as overtime I came to find refuge in the natural world. My peace came from a world of mountains and meadows, of wildflowers and feral majesty that I perceived in everyday life. Over time I learned to embrace the more feral and instinctive side of myself and would come to journal and write about this. The feeling of safety amongst wolves and dogs and horses. The way animals who were injured or in need would come to me and the ways in which the trees and plants seemed to glow in my eyes as if surging with an energy that made me feel at ease. Because of these experiences I learned to survive in a world where it felt like the presence of human beings was another world entirely while learning that surviving wasn’t truly living. I needed to thrive and in order to do that I needed to be able to connect with the strangest animal of all, human beings.
Writing is how I connect to other human beings in words that they can understand. Joy, Sorrow, Love, Hate, and Passion. Along with all of the things that can only be said in between the lines of a page and exist to bring people together in often unexpected ways. Where the spoken word, human body language, and social expectations often elude me, people have found the innermost “me” through my writing. To this End, my writing for “The Red Eyed Media Group” will be categorized into different “Series” focusing on a variety of topics including but not limited to Mental Health, Spirituality, Philosophy, Disability and Accessibility, Nature, and reviews of businesses and organizations which have had an impact on me. Though all words, opinions, and ideals are my own, as a freelance journalist I hope to bring people a sense of connection through my writing. A common phrase I use is “ if a piece I have written has caused you to feel a strong emotion or rethink your way of looking at some aspect of our shared world then I have done my duty.” I look forward to writing for all of you.
