I am not sure which love reaches back further in my life. The love of nature or the love of writing. In my youth, I loved to write as a challenge. It was always a great puzzle to me to figure out what line would come next. Looking back, I see all that writing I did was simply a warm-up. Without an audience, there was no reason to write, so I put the pen down.

I spent many years outdoors hiking, biking, and enjoying all this world has to offer. When troubled, there was nothing like a vigorous tour through nature. Whether it be through Philadelphia, Bucks County, or even Lancaster County, it didn't matter which one I was surrounded by. The one constant was beauty. I would start to notice things here and there.

It wasn't until I turned forty-one that a new dream began calling to me. When I began studying photography, I just wanted to capture the beauty I saw around me. As I grew, something else was brewing inside me, pounding louder and louder to be let out. I was not sure if it would work, but I tried accompanying my photos with messages of inspiration. The more we look at the world being fed to us through various media, the more we see how unkind and ugly this world can be. With this new experiment, I decided to change my Phocus™. Suddenly, I saw beauty in things I never knew were there. That is what I decided I wanted to remind my viewers of. Regardless of how ugly this world can get, we all need reminders of hope. Something that will give us what we need to hang on for another day.

When I began to see friends losing loved ones, I didn't know how to help them. I tried to help the only way I knew how, with my words. I would send them some of the work that I thought might help them out. The more I gave, the more people I saw who could use it. The one thing we all have in common is that everyone has issues they are dealing with. It could be mental health, it could be physical health, or financial. There is one thing I tell everyone.

Regardless of what you are going through, You Are Not Alone. You feel bad right now? You Are Not Alone. You feel angry? You Are Not Alone. Do you feel anxious? You Are Not Alone. Do you feel depressed? You Are Not Alone. You feel like you've lost all hope? You Are Not Alone.

Actor Tom Hanks once said, "Time is your Ally. And if nothing else, just wait it out."

"You Are Not Alone" is a concentrated selection from my catalog of work that not only reminds us of the beauty this world has to offer, but also reminds us that no matter what it is we are dealing with, someone out there has it worse. We can and will get through this.

Feel free to share this with anyone you think needs it. If you know someone who is having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). There is someone to talk to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In the meantime, sit back, grab your beverage of choice, enjoy this collection, and remember, You Are Not Alone!