Though our Towers did FALL, Our COLORS still Stand!

I have felt many things, but nothing as profound, then at this moment.

Location: South Beach/Miami
In the midst of 22,000 people about to run a a marathon, I was set in my task to photograph the event. One's senses are overwhemled by the enormity and excitement around you, getting lost in this crowd is effortless. It's 5:30 in the morning and the energy and adrenaline surging through the air is incredible.

Through all this there was a presence felt behind me, hairs standing on end now at the back of my neck. What the hell??... The flood of emotions that fell over me was so intense and now felt as enormous as the flag that was draping from a crane before me. AS I questioned my emotions and reaction, a voice stormed over the crowd...speakers crackling...The host of the race begins to speak..." Let us all take a moment on this beautiful morning to remember 9/11, let us remeber all the victims and all the men of service, who died that day, in the line of duty..."Let us never forget"...Here before you stands the FLAG that was raised during the rescue and recovery of the 911 tragedy."...

My mind started to race.....This was the flag that stood it's ground on GROUND ZERO. When all felt lost. when tragedy consumed our hearts and souls... this flag STOOD IT'S GROUND. Letting the world know WE WOULD NOT GO DOWN!...That we would FIGHT! Though we would mourn our losses, we would RECOVER, we would OVERCOME! As I started to take inventory of what I had experienced prior and what I felt initially, I started to recognized the attributes of that intense feeling more clearly: LOSS, DEATH, STRENGTH, SADNESS, ANGER, FEAR, ANXIETY and finally, thank GOD, INSPIRATION... In that moment, that emotion felt...was my 1st experience of what GLORY truly feels like.

Collectively, 22,000 people from all over the world found SILENCE... We bowed our heads and moments later began to lift them in a voice of CHEER, that exploded throughout BISCAYNE Blvd, as the gun went off and the race was started.

GLORY...what a truly rare and unique emotion... Though I was not anywhere near 9/11, I was able to feel the TORMENT and TRAGEDY and perhaps for a moment the spirits of those lost that day. More incredible is the fact that it is all present, forever sewn into, that particular flag. Now I understand the meaning of it's name sake "OLD GLORY"... For it has stood when we felt unable,embracing us through triumph, tragedy and tribulation. It has comforted and inspired us for generations. This FLAG stood proudly over GROUND ZERO when there was VERY LITTLE HOPE, then WHEN ALL HOPE WAS LOST..... and NOW.... STILL WAVING giving us HOPE for brighter days.

In all my days I will never forget that PRESENCE I felt at that moment, nor the MAGNIFICENCE and PRIDE that followed, knowing I was in the presence of GLORY...I humbled myself, remembering the lost and fallen...Thanked GOD for giving me the abilities/talent that brought me to that moment on that day....and found new meaning in the rising of the sun and coming of a new day, as the sun's light began to break over the horizon. The race was off and I was on my way to fulfilling my obligations of this new day... What a moment, what a life!


LINK on details of Race.......... http://www.ingmiamimarathon.com/

LIFE.................

Life is filled with wonders, wishes, expectations, doubts, obstacles, miracles and beauty.

No one day is ever the same. One never knows what to expect nor what is meant to be.

So live your life honestly, pick your battles carefully and choose your path and direction wisely. In doing so, you will be ready for whatever each new day brings and the unknown that follows.

With those philosophies set in place, you set yourself apart allowing you to stand out, stand up and stand strong. It is there that you will find the success you seek, happiness desired and dreams fulfilled.

DPomales: A glimpse into my MIND

Personally, life is a matter of choices... Live for today for tomorrow may never come!... All that means is appreciate what you have, love the one your with, and support those who matter most to you. I've been in business for myself for a few years now and it's difficult to separate work from home, but perhaps the sacrifice will soon be worth the wait and all the efforts made.

The most important thing of all is that I am surrounded by people that love me...my family, my firends... as well as those who love me because they see my passion, focus and belief that what I am doing will be successful...why?.... because I know that it will!!... It's all about the confidence, determination and COMMITTMENT!... I am a man of committment and it shows. What I desire and what I wish for may not always come true, but what I work at daily can only improve. I have chosen to committ to my success and my gift of creativity... What I strive to perfect can only be acheived through trial and error, but as long as I surpass my goals, it's irrelevant how many times I fail as long as I learn from each mistake. That's not to say it's OK to make the same mistake, because it's not.

AS long as each mistake made is followed by progression and improvement, than the next mistake to come can only be judged solely on it's own factors and reasons. It is not then viewed as carelessness or repetition, but recognized as a learning process. I am committed to what I do...I am committed to PASSION, CREATIVITY and SUCCESS in the world of business. I am comitted to PASSION, LOVE and DEDICATION in my personal life. My consistency between the two though is apparent and is the PASSION that binds who I am and the work I do...

It is that matter alone that is my personal choice in life. It is that matter alone that brings balance and a focus to mind in matters of business. It is how I live each day, should tomorrow never come...:)