Sometimes it can be tricky trying to do the “right thing.” At what point do you realize that following “the rules” is neither good for you or for others? And then, the gentle- sometimes not so gentle- whisper, “I don’t need permission to be who I am.” What others see, in truth, is only a reflection of their perceptions, their conditions, and views of right and wrong. Only I know the heat felt standing on the bridge, the texture of the steel railings and tethers, the sounds of the birds, the color of the water, the sweat on my body, the weight of my camera, and the total picture of the river that gently rolled beneath me. Only I know the real picture. And even I, at times, may not see clearly…how even more dimly and distorted would the views of others be? One simple pebble tossed into the river and the image would morph. The pebble could not change me.

I don’t need permission. If I don’t need permission, then, I don’t need external validation.

I need the permission of my heart. The agreement with integrity, truth, and compassion for others. I need the consent of love. And the consent must first be from and for myself; otherwise I have none to give to others.

A small manifesto for the week and months ahead. Fear and “how will you pull this off hobbit?” already nip and tug at the few words offered here. With grace, and sweet mercy, I look at the image. Nothing to “pull off.” Nothing “to do.” Just stand in the light of who you are.