RAW30: PART 1

​30 Years. 30 Photos. 30 Introspections. In 2018 I turned 30 years old; an age I never thought I would reach. I decided to document this moment from the vantage point of the middle of my 30th year. What I did not want to do is conduct a stereotypical vanity based disillusioned showcase masquerading as my reality. Instead I wanted to, for better or worse, be real and raw. My current state at that moment in my life. This photo series and these introspective thoughts were all captured with that notion in mind. This is that RAW. This is 30. This is RAW30. 
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I have been hard on other people because I believe that's how God has been with me. I’m now realizing, I had that reversed.

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High tolerance to pain had me miss the first few times God broke me. Learning to recognize the pain and embracing it has been a whole new level of humility. I say that with no pride. I say that as a man who has fallen short and fallen behind. 

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I've made exhaustive attempts to justify my sins when I was too prideful to admit I was committing them. I finally have enough humility to face this honestly

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I’m old enough to have overcome addiction... and relapse. Every day without a cigarette is a day I crave one. 

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I've lied to a lot of people as a teen claiming I've smoked weed to either fit in or get people off my back. I've even purchased it. To this day, I've never smoked weed, just cigarettes.

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Most of my adulthood has been as a single man. Of course, I've struggled with adultery. I believe my struggle with murder has been even more difficult to address.

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Many of the people who have asked me for help to figure something out are usually the ones who were first to criticize me for being too analytical. Same skill genius. You're welcome. 

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I have had more failures as an entrepreneur than I've had successes. I have yet to have a better teacher on resilience. 

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 I have forgiven all who have offended me in any way with hopes they have done the same. Forgiveness is not an instant fix, nor is forgiveness continued fellowship.

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raw30 part 2

raw30 part 3

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Photographs © 2018 Shaun Garcia. All Rights Reserved.
​Introspections © 2018 Matthew Garcia. All Rights Reserved.