Selfie

I was asked the following question by one of my Facebook friends… "I have to ask you this Paul, do you have a personal photographer who is with you constantly?"  This question is worthy of a blog post, so here it goes.  Enjoy! – paerki

Good question, and one I am asked often enough and don’t mind answering here.  It would appear I do have a personal photographer with me all times.  God knows I have enough photographs of myself and post no less than a handful each week.

Truth be told, no personal photographer, but I do have an extraordinary group of friends, who are like me, with a camera in hand ready to snap a photo at a moment’s notice (the camera/phone – a wonderful invention).  We like to record life as it happens.

Many people are uncomfortable being photographed.  Needless to say, I’m not one of them.  I encourage photography for so many reasons.  We live in a day and age where we can be our own historians.  Each of us has the ability to tell our own unique story through words, which can be quite difficult for some – so the next best thing, a photograph.

I am happy to report the number of photos I take of myself  (my selfies) are less than one would imagine.  The latter almost sounds like a justification because of the stigma surrounding them.

Self-photographs are the best. Again, you are the one in control.  You get to tell your own story.  There is so much you can teach yourself when you take a selfie, but one must stop to study the photographs as a collection.

I’m sorry to use the Kardashians as an example, but most of what they post are sexy and provocative, often leaving little to the imagination.  I don’t see well-rounded individuals, but narcissistic waifs.  I see a shallow disposition and a greedy mentality.

The perfect selfies are those that celebrate your style, wisdom, favorite hobbies and interests, your love of life and self, etc.  I hope I’ve achieved that much.  Sure, like the next person, I want to look my best.  I want people to know I care about my body, eat well and exercise, and that my confidence is high, but not to the point where I’m considered obnoxious and arrogant.  (I don’t necessarily have a problem with these particular characteristics and it pays to have a tad of each in your system, but there is a fine line, which can easily be crossed – so beware).

I’m an admitted self-promoter, but I don’t have the traits of a bragger or a self-centered narcissist (I actually don’t find those traits all that bad either). First and foremost, what I write and the photographs I share with the world, are for my eyes and heart first.  Everyone else comes second.

I see my Facebook and Twitter time, blog and photographs simply for what they are, a collection of diary and journal entries of a life lived and still in progress, and of what I strive to become, a stronger and wiser individual.

When I’m old and gray and sitting in my assisted living retirement community (considering the way the economy is going, it might just be me with an old laptop in a cardboard box under a bridge), I can look back at those wonderful photographs my friends were kind enough to snap of me, and at my selfies too, and recall what it was like to be young, vibrant, curious and thinking I knew it all.  And as much as I value my online friends – because all of you are dear to my heart and there is no way I could ever express just how much you mean to me – what I will cherish most of all are those face-to-face moments, conversations that lasted for hours that might have included a cocktail or two and ended with a loving smile and a warm hug because that’s what makes life worth living, and don’t be fooled into thinking anything different.

When I trace the steps of time, looking back on carefully constructed events that help to create my future and nurture me along, I refamiliarize myself with the bigger picture, looking at what really matters in my life. My first priority – me! My second – you! My third – us! Many need to learn that we are not good to others unless we are good to ourselves first. Take time to carefully map out a plan that includes yourself. I’m here to tell you, put yourself on the list, for this is the best way to make everyone happy and how you’ll achieve grace, and by all means, take some selfies along the way because babe, you look fabulous! – paerki