It’s not that Funnie. At least it doesn’t have to be.

For years I used my camera as the key to open many doors into many people’s lives. I pointed my lens and watched communities gather in front of it. Secrets were poured into glasses taller than I’d ever known existed. All because I was the kid with the camera.

The kid with the camera and the floppy hair who wore white tees and jeans nearly every day. Black notebook in my back pocket and a carabiner of keys jangling the fuck out of everywhere I went.

It was a thing. It was my thing.

I had a uniform, only it extended beyond my clothing and onto my character. It became how people defined me and how I defined myself.

White tee, blue jeans, notebook, keys and a mop on top, never without a camera.

This other time, though, my camera was stolen. It’s a whole story which isn’t really important, but my camera was gone.

By this time I’d already ditched the white tees and floppy hair — the blue jeans stuck, what can I say? — so the removal of my camera from the equation sort of halted the rotation of my world.

I still existed! It was crazy. It felt like the Universe had staged an intervention and I responded with immense emotional gratitude.

“Oh my God, how did it happen?” “I’m so sorry.” “Well, let me know if there’s anything I can help with.”

People consoled me like I’d lost my only child in a terrible accident, but I was secretly overjoyed.

I had a clean slate and it fucking ruled.

It took me some time to realize it consciously, but I didn’t have to make pictures or films. I’d been telling myself for the longest time that I was a photographer. I was a filmmaker. I found my calling and I was killer at it and nobody could stop me. Mostly because I had this piece of equipment strapped to my body at all times.

It only took grand larceny and a parting piece of wisdom to shake me free of the confines I’d bestowed upon myself.

I realize now that it isn’t what I do that characterizes me and who I am, it’s why I do those things.

Now, though, without a lens, I aim my heart at cultivating trust within groups and learning how to empathize with my peers to better strengthen teams.

Whether it’s with a camera, a pen, a microphone, or Facebook; It’s the same thing I’ve been doing all along and will continue to do until the day I die.