Beyond The Face X David
I met David recently at at Sub Culture Coffee in Jupiter, I tend to go there a lot to edit and get work done when I need a little change of scenery. He’s always been friendly but seemed kind of quiet and maybe a bit shy. I think the more reserved you seem to be, the more I want to get to know you. Truth is, I never really know who I’m going to ask to do this project, I leave it all to feeling and intuition. We had already talked a few times when I felt inclined to ask him about it. I asked if he'd ever been in front of the camera, he said no but I think it sparked his interest a bit. I’ve started the process of peeling the layers and I guess because this is very new, I don't expect two experiences to be the same, I don’t think he is aware that I’m still peeling the layers even as I type this. I had no idea what David had just gone through when I asked him about the project, but he shared something with me that I did not see coming.
Outwardly he has it all together, always happy, smiling, charming and friendly. In his words “every day is a great day” you wouldn't really think by knowing him even a little bit that he spent more than half of his 20’s in prison. He is 30 years old now and when he was 24, actually on his 24th birthday he was arrested for a drug related charge that landed him in prison for the next 6 years. He was released on December 2017 and has had to start over, quite literally has to build a whole new life from scratch. You’d think that maybe someone in his shoes would be even a bit bitter, specially at such a young age but not David. He lives each day knowing how precious time is, allowing himself to enjoy every moment and re building his new life, one day at a time. Let’s continue to look Beyond The Face and connect with David, more on the next installment of this story.
David’s story continues, as I shared with you guys on the last post, the guy is a happy, positive, look on the bright side type of person which I totally admire given his current circumstances. He has a different outlook on his situation and why it happened, different than most would have, I think. During our interview he shared that he has already gone through the very worst, that he has nothing left, his friends all scattered and disappeared after his conviction and he was stripped of every possession. This is why he is so positive, he’s got nothing left to lose. While he keeps a positive attitude, David mentioned that things are still difficult, mostly the feeling of being left with nothing and having to start over at 30 years old. I tried to dig a bit deeper into how he feels about the whole thing and what I found is that he ultimately believes it all happened for a greater purpose, he was on a path of total self destruction. Also, very selflessly he mentions how his ordeal prevented some of his friends from following his footsteps, he counts this as a blessing. That little part right there, shows us his character.
Yes, he's always been a bit of a mischief master, you can tell after talking to him for a bit or even by taking a glance but he can recognize the value in the consequences, there is no blame being passed around and takes full responsibility. He has some regrets, mostly putting his family through a very difficult situation, missing important dates in his sibling’s lives, I know he tries to make up for that now. One of the hardest things for him while in prison was to watch his family leave during visitation. Funny how perspective works, for me, someone that has never been through a situation like this I wondered why people close to him did not visit him more but he explained that the goodbyes become very hard, not just for him, for both parties involved, I get it now, I have a new perspective. If we balance this whole ordeal in his life, it is clear that the balance is heavy with optimism and acceptance. More on the final installment of David’s story.
I think its hard for someone that is starting over to be able to pinpoint exactly where they are going, it makes sense to want to ease into those thoughts right? I think most importantly, having a great outlook will more often than not create great opportunities along the way. I have gathered from my conversations with David that he is very much living a day at a time, at least for now. We did talk about some things he wants to do with his new found freedom but I think he holds back a little. He shared that he feels he is out of time for certain things he wants to accomplish, like opening his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym, he is certain that ship has sailed, I’m not so sure but time will tell. He is dedicating his days mostly to work and his family, family is the most important thing in his life, it’s what kept him sane and hopeful while he was away.
He wasn't completely this way before but his experience made him realize not only the things that matter most but that family comes first. The things he longs for now are rather simple, he wants to take a trip with his family to Italy and to be able to go snowboarding in Colorado. Things you and I take for granted, like being able to go to the beach or simply go outside for a walk. Fears and aspirations come in all shapes and sizes, for him there is nothing to fear now, the worst of it all is in the past and the things he wants at this moment are simple, to live life each day as a happy person, doing the best he can in all aspects and of course, to have some fun while he's at it. I believe as the months roll in, David will focus a bit more into his passions and what his ultimate purpose is, all in due time. Let’s continue to look Beyond The Face, where more often than not, the greatest surprises are there, just waiting to be discovered.