Excellence Runs Deep

The "Let's Win" Competition

It was a calm and slightly cool afternoon today as I took great pride in returning after 14 years to a school where I had coached varsity soccer to see one of my former players coach her team in the CIF Playoffs. While I can't claim responsibility for her great knowledge of the game, I was just simply happy to see her success and hoped maybe one thing I said or did contributed to her being able to be there for her girls. At half-time, I checked my phone for any news, and there was - that my first football coach had passed away.

It has been a very fortunate blessing that San Bernardino, California has been the home of some excellent coaches in many sports. Who I am - and similarly true for countless others - is a reflection of what these good people have bestowed out of little more than the love of the game and love of other people. Gary Porter taught me discipline and dedication. John Hague taught me sportsmanship and professionalism. Robin Goodman taught me courage and toughness. Rich Imbriani taught me intensity and determination. Chuck Pettersen taught me motivation and how to be a champion.

One of our weekly "team books" given each Monday

Coach Pettersen, or "Coach P", only coached me for one season - his last at Cajon High School - during 1990, and as a kicker, the majority of practice time was spent away from the rest of the team. However, he made an impact on me as an athlete (and later as a coach) like no other. I was fifteen years-old, and for the first time in nine years playing sports, I learned how passion and excellence were two things that were uniquely integral in winning at a high level. What he delivered to his teams was not just a road map for victory or intense physical training. Coach P taught us to care for what we were doing and whom we relied upon as teammates. He created an atmosphere in which we could thrive and an expectation not only that winning was possible, but it was a necessary part of life. We did win a league championship that year, but perhaps more important to me, he taught me how to win.

The strange thing about coaching is that you never really know the impact that you make. You can count the wins and the losses. You can count the playoff appearances and league championships. However, the little things you strive to impart to the integrity of another human may always remain a mystery; one can only be proud of what we all managed to achieve together. At least, among other things, our coach can rest in peace knowing that there are scores of men who grew up knowing that "Better is Best", one should always strive to "Be Somebody", and "Excellence Runs Deep."

Oh yeah... Let's Win.

After my last game of my first season coaching - at Cajon

Love Actually Is All Around

Love has many faces. The following is my attempt to exhibit some of what I have found in my travels and in my own neighborhood.

All photographs Copyright J. Mark Porter Photography 2014

Baby Niece - 2009

Love helps us to survive. A mother's touch is one of the first proofs of love that most of us recognize and perhaps the most powerful. My twin nieces Elizabeth and Katharine were born early during the winter of 2009 and needed to be held in the NICU until they were stable and strong enough to face the big bad world. I was immediately taken with (right after the beauty of the babies) the soft pink and blue lighting that surrounded the girls and took a number of shots - all without flash, due to the fragile nature of the environment - and I am grateful this is how I was able to capture one of the first moments of this girl's life.

Blue Mass Procession - 2012

Love is often exhibited in how we honor our fellow man. Every year at my church, St. Patrick's, in Washington, DC, a "Blue Mass" is held to honor the previous year's fallen American law enforcement officers. The church is always filled with representatives from many states and various arms of the law, including Border Patrol, Secret Service, Sheriffs, local police, etc. Love is showing appreciation for those who earn it and showing solidarity for a shared purpose.

Family Surf - 2013

Family love is a unique natural bond that has no equal. There is a lot of talk about what in fact a "family" is, but there is something special about the gift from God that is a team of blood ties. Oftentimes, family love is the most unbreakable. I love the beach. Pictured here is a family of surfers at Huntington Beach checking out the surf before heading out. Obviously, the dad is sharing his passion with his kids and it's something they all will be able to enjoy and have in common for a lifetime.

Dominicana and Child - 2009

Two major components of love are protection and dedication. "To love" could also mean "to care for." When we watch over another life and take responsibility for their welfare or success, we love. On a trip south, I was honored to learn about two countries on one island - Haiti and Dominican Republic. Without going into too much detail, there is much poverty on this island. While not far from the United States, it seems a world away in some ways. While I meandered through the city of Santo Domingo on a very hot summer day, I came upon this woman and child, both sleeping on the side of the road. In the US, we might expect see this scene with shoes on feet and a hat seeking spare change. Here in the Dominican Republic, I think they truly had nothing... except each other. Scenes like this always make me nervous as a photographer, because I hate to intrude, however I think it is in instances such as this that we see the the raw humanity of being human. With nothing else, there is still love.

First-Time Mom - 2006

I find it hard to think that the love between a mother and her child can be overstated. Here is a candid moment of a woman who is taking in the realization that her life is forever changed by this new life in her arms. As a first-time parent there must be a million things that pass through the mind, from thinking of simply how to keep her alive through the next few moments to what she might look like in her wedding dress. Pictured is my favorite sister-in-law Jennifer and my niece Alexandra in the summer of 2006. I remember holding my niece in that very same chair and thinking about things in this world that she would eventually have to face - such as a crazy dictator in North Korea launching missiles. While love comes with its own kind of heavenly peace, it certainly gives you a compass for what is truly important in this world.

Family Fourth - 2011

Far from the only species of animal to do this, but when we love, we want to impress. When we love, we give reasons for why we ought to be together. Basically, love is why we try. This photograph was taken from a patio of one of the US House office buildings on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Fourth of July.

Grandma's Birthday - 2014

Love is in the moment. While we all hope that love lasts a lifetime, eventually we learn that all things change, and all things end. Love is not in a book or somewhere far away, but it is in the moments that can present themselves to us every day. Far from a grandparent's consciousness are the minute details of worry, and maybe even the frosting on the cake, but the simple joys of a life well lived during precious moments. Pictured is my godmother on her birthday with two of her grandchildren on her lap. Even with one child making a sour face and the other not even paying attention, in her eyes I see that everything is perfect.

Inaugural Pride - 2009

Speaking of moments, there are some that bind even strangers together. In love, you simply have to let down your guard and accept certain things. Some special moments allow us to come together in a way that we otherwise never would. Love is a powerful phenomenon, and when properly harnessed can do great things. While I had absolutely no desire to be a part of this crowd that day, because it was very cold and I did not feel like celebrating a symbolic and superficial election, the crowds that flooded the streets of Washington from before daylight to be a part of the first Inauguration of President Obama were a spectacle of joy, pride, and love of country. Love is about more than oneself.

Old Roses - 2013

Maverick and Goose -2010

It is hard to imagine much in this world that is perfect, but I do believe something that is is God's love for us. Why else would He allow us such beauty? I am by no means perfect, but I am often in awe of what I see before me. The philosophy that guides my art is not that I can create, but I only do my best to capture what has already been created. If you believe in a loving God, then you know that we only love because He has loved us. This image was captured in Miami on a simply gorgeous early morning. The sunrise was magical, and the providence that allowed me to be a witness was perfect.

"Dear friends, if God loved us that much, we also should love each other. No one has ever seen God, but if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is made perfect in us."                   - 1 John 4:11-12

Rest in Peace, Mr B - 2013

Love hurts. While love can never precisely be measured in units, it is felt in grief when we reach an end. While endings result in sadness, true love lasts beyond our earthly bodies... or why else would we have funerals and cemeteries? Yes, love hurts, but it also endures from man to man and memory to memory. This photo was the only one I took during the funeral and burial of the father of a friend I have known since first grade.

St Pancras Lovers - 2013

Last, but not least, love captures our hearts and gives us hope. You may be thinking that I have neglected romantic love, and you may be right. First of all, I didn't want to embarrass anyone by putting their romantic relationship on display for millions to see. Secondly, what I know about romantic love is that it must be sought and it must be cherished. It is its own piece of art that becomes a constant in a sea of variables. It is what we find when we dare to journey, and it takes on a life of its own. Love inspires us to dream of what could be and gives us the strength to get there. This photograph shows Paul Day's "The Meeting Place" statue at one end of London's St. Pancras International Rail Station which welcomes many a traveler whilst exuding the pride of many a Londoner.

How to Save a Life

I'm convinced that everybody will get some sort of cancer if they live long enough. You probably know someone who has already confronted the disease. It starts to hit home when that person is your mom, your dad, your uncle... your prom date. In many cases, this harsh reality leaves you with a feeling of impotence. It's hard to think of what to say, much less what to do. In many cases there is nothing you can do. In some cases there is.


I have given blood several times over the years in the hopes that someone else may live in return for some minimal discomfort on my part. It's hard to say, though, concretely that I have saved someone else's life. We usually reserve that accolade for firefighters, police officers, doctors, military service members, life guards, etc. If you're like me, you've seen the opportunity of bone marrow donation, and thought, "I'd do that... for sure," but put it off until maybe someone asks. The problem is that people need it every day, and the only match may be someone they have never met.

How bone marrow transplants work

Healthy marrow and blood cells are needed to live. When disease affects marrow so that it cannot function properly, a marrow or cord blood transplant could be the best treatment option, and for some patients, offers the only potential cure.
A bone marrow transplant takes a donor’s healthy blood-forming cells and puts them into the patient’s bloodstream, where they begin to grow and make healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Patients receive high doses of chemotherapy to prepare their body for the transplant. Then on transplant day, the patient receives the donated cells in a process that is like getting blood or medicine through an intravenous (IV) catheter, or tube.
Thousands of people with blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other life-threatening diseases, depend on a bone marrow or cord blood transplant (also called a BMT) to save their life. And there are millions of people on Be The Match Registry^® and registries throughout the world who stand ready to donate the cells needed for transplants for patients in need.

                                              - BE THE MATCH
                                                http://bethematch.org/




I have a friend who is fighting cancer and needs the miracle of a bone marrow match - my prom date, actually. She is a wonderful person who is young, and creative, and a good friend. Please consider as a favor to me to sign up for the registry. The more of us on there, the more opportunities we have to save lives.


Please visit http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/hope4pam for more information. Be a hero. Save a life.


Thank you.

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

As I count down the hours now to 2014, it's kind of fun to look at the time zones map of the world and think of all the celebrations going on across the globe - kind of a 24 hour party! As I write, Western Europe and parts of Africa have already welcomed the new year and are probably dancing and making calls and receiving text messages with big smiles. That makes me happy just thinking about it. England is next, where some of my friends are counting down to midnight. People, no doubt are at this very minute making sure they are where they want to be and with whom. This also makes me happy.

In fact, celebrations in general, are what help to make life special. Occasions to which we look forward and can fondly remember with wonderful people are the color on the canvas of life. Days and years go on, and things change, but the dried paint on the magnificent masterpiece we create will always remain. 2013 has roughly eight more hours for me, and I'm pretty okay with that. We can look back and be happy or sad, have regret or have pride, be moved or be apathetic, but what we need to remember is that this was all part of a journey. Every journey has it's ups and downs - its difficulties and its triumphs - yet, these were all necessary to make it through. Take it from a traveler: this is how we reach undiscovered territory - by stepping out and making the trip. For the people who don't see the big deal - who think it's just another day - I really don't get it. I'll take all the special days I can get... and the special people who come along with it.

Happy New Year, and I hope to see as many of you in 2014 as I can. Have a good journey.

To Honor

 

What a year it has been, and it has been no easy task thinking of a topic with which to close it out. Yesterday morning in mass, it hit me. One line struck me and rang a familiar tune - one of painful hilarity. In essence, we are to honor those around us. In fact, if we honor our fathers, our prayers will be answered. I had to chuckle for private reasons, and it made me think. Then, last night on television was the Kennedy Center Honors, an annual gala to highlight the lifetime achievements of individuals in the performing arts. Surely the two incidents were meant to coincide for some reason.

Washington Monument

When we honor, we exercise humility. We celebrate value in someone else by placing them above us and respecting something very distinct about them. However, honor is not simply a thought or a feeling, it is a decision and a course of action. Parents are special people who act on a duty that is to dedicate their lives to their children, but there are many people who have many different roles in the world and are also deserving of honor. Whom do we honor, and why... and how? These are important questions, and they should not be reserved for Mothers Day, Veterans Day, funerals, or birthdays. The example from the biblical message is important, because anyone, in theory, can fit into both the categories of parent and child in their lifetime. The point is that we all must have reverence and duty in order to be revered and distinguished. It is a cycle that continues for a lifetime.

Brother Shamus at the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center
http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/videos/?id=M4098&type=A

I have had the privilege to not only visit the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, but I had a private tour with my mom, my good friend Rich and his band played there, and I can be found dancing in the audience of a Creole band in the archives of the memorial. The Kennedy Center is the presidential monument that is a living showcase for the performing arts. It exists to elevate unknown talents and provide them a stage with free performances every day of the year as well as to bring in the well-established musicians, actors, and dancers to celebrate their accomplishments. This place is an ode to artistry, and it honors the nobody as well as the star.

First Meal in My Empty DC Apartment

We may think that we do not have the occasion to truly recognize with any effect the greatest among us, however we all have plenty of opportunities to elevate those around us, make good on our duties to our relationships, and live lives worthy of honor. Many times we achieve this through persistence, yet other times it is by letting go. We honor with our promises, our integrity, and by our own example for those who follow. It is not necessary to have a great ceremony or special occasion to honor others; we simply have to put forth the effort to fulfill our duties - to our parents, to our friends, to ourselves, and to the world. It may be a long-term dedication, or it may be a phone call or an invitation out to lunch. All it takes is to place others above ourselves - selfless giving - and we honor those who receive the kindness and indeed those who came before us. What if that was our resolution for the new year?

Goodbye 2013.

2012 Blue Mass Honoring Fallen Law Enforcement

"God sets a father in honor over his children; mother's authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother."

-Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 

Brother Shamus at Kennedy Center (Jan 16, 2010) 
http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/videos/?id=M4098&type=A

Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas at Kennedy Center (Oct 15, 2012)
http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/videos/?id=M5195&type=A
*I'm in the audience

Joy to the World

Think of the best of today. No matter what you have going on with your life, probably at some point you have at least one positive memory. Hopefully, you have plenty - gifts and family around the tree, no place to be but with the people you love, food and song and happiness... This is a day designed for joy.

I have many great Christmas memories: such as being with some great people who are no longer with us, the magical carols sung by a whole congregation in a huge Washington cathedral, going to Santa Barbara overnight to pick up my best friend who would otherwise be alone and bring him back to San Bernardino (5 hour round trip), having the best time with family-less friends in my apartment for a Christmas evening brunch, and just sitting with my nieces while they pounce around the living room from gift to gift. When done correctly, we use this day to both give of ourselves to ensure those around us feel joy, as well as open our hearts to the sometimes difficult task of receiving it. Imagine a single day specifically designed to create joy in this world.

Monsignor Sal, my pastor at Saint Patrick's in DC, likes to recommend that every day should be Christmas. Christmas is the model for our lives and our world. We should be giving every day. We should be trying to make people happy. We should seek peace in all that we do. We should allow love to flow into our hearts. We should be guided by the best of principles and hopes every day. There should be joy and it should be our mission to seek it on a regular basis. Take the best of today, and find a way to make the other 364 days not so ordinary. The original gift of Christmas was to save us from ourselves and the chaos that we make of an otherwise magnificent place. Hopefully, we can accept that... today, tomorrow, and the next.

May your Christmas be filled with peace, love, family, friends, and the joy that inspires your heart to persevere. God bless us all.

Keeping it Real

Controversy! We are not supposed to like heated conflict, but for some reason, we feed off of it... even at Christmas time. I've never seen the show Duck Dynasty, but I'm told it's quite good. Evidently, a guy on the show said something in an interview that got him suspended from his job. Liberals are bashing him and happy, conservatives are upset and defending his right to be free from religious persecution. Pretty much?

But, isn't this show a "reality" show? They're not actors playing roles, right? The thing about reality is that every once in a while you're going to hear and see things that you don't want to hear and see. Sometimes things get "a little too real." Aren't there times you wish you could just cut to commercial or call in the extra? You don't always get the girl in the end, there may not be a good punch line, and things don't look as beautiful as they should when the light of day shines brightly. I know I used to wish there was a mute button when I worked with Grace at Jaleo when she was in the singing mood - definitely not Julie Andrews. You don't get an applause sign, and the ending isn't always happy. (I'm still waiting for my soundtrack.) Unfortunately, in reality, you just have to deal with it. 

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be a downer. On the flip side, reality takes you outside of your living room. You can't feel the sea breeze with Bette Midler on the beach, nor can you smell the aromas of the spice market that James Bond rides through on a motorcycle, and you sure can't taste his martini in the movie theater. In life, a love story is very seldom confined to 110 minutes, and you don't always have to wait until Thursday night to see your favorite people. Reality, in a way, is boundless in that the story can take you in any direction, yet life is bound by a single take. Real life has conflict, and there is not always a naturally following resolution. 

What worries me is not so much this thirst for conflict, but the thirst for blood when thought is policed. Mr. Duck Dynasty Man apparently committed a hate-crime with his mouth and it is widely considered in this country worthy of penalization. We better be careful that we recognize the danger of failing to separate the concepts of a point of view and an action infringing on liberty. Furthermore, the forces that benefit from dividing us on every controversy have allowed us to do a great disservice to intelligent dialogue and rational civil debate. The opinion of one man who is not entrusted with a position of power has absolutely no power over you and your real life, but the societal branding that is going on is dangerous and truly needs a reality check. We need to get back to the value of an opinion being something sacred; absent that, this reality show called "America" is reduced to bullies and the shamed unpopular minority on the playground. For real.