Many hats

I have been told I wear too many hats... both literally with the ones I put on my head, and with the many things I am involved in.

When it comes to the literal ones.... It's just my culture. I am not used to having my head bare.  As a kid, my father would always ask me "Where's your hat?" before leaving the house and as I matured into middle school and high school it became a sort of social statement I never have been able to leave completely from.  I know it may sound weird or cliche, however truly "wherever I lay my hat is home."  It is only in mass and in my literal home that you will commonly see me without some kind of head gear.... In fact something me and my wife have bumped heads on is how much closet space my many hats take up.

When it comes to my talents, gifts, and connections to various things I think they are rooted in teachings from my grandfather.  Everyone who knows him can attest to his seemingly endless stories, which contain time in the army as well as the marines; along with shining shoes and sweeping up candy stores as a kid.  They move forward to include teenage gang connections, working as a train operator, as well as a driving instructor, and detective... Not to mention fishing, working for a marketing company, and being a jeweler.   With all of these my Grandfather always taught me, "Not to be afraid to try anything new." (This is even goes with all of the foods we enjoy from all kinds of international cultures).

Both as an artist, and especially as a person of faith this philosophy has helped me to go where most won't go, and to get involved in whatever way I am able to serve.  Although many may use quotes like "A jack of all trades is a master at nothing" to describe me, I would prefer to look at it as St. Paul did saying:

"Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible.To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law—though I am not outside God’s law but within the law of Christ—to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it." - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

So yes - I am a father and husband... I am a youth minister and missionary... A rapper, producer, singer, worship leader, graphic designer, educator, catechist, writer, and film director.... Whatever it takes to bring souls to heaven.... I will be there.

- The Symbol
- All is Love