A Sacred Land

March 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A fiery Florida sun melts into the warm, tranquil waters of Boca Ciega Bay.  Red brick, aged and worn, line the oak canopied streets of the nearby quaint and charming neighborhood of Jungle Prada, which is steeped in rich history.  Shady, serene and secluded sits a tropical sanctuary; palm trees and exotic florals  gather together, lush and beautiful.  Sacred Lands, located in a historic section of St. Petersburg, Florida, is a site on top of an ancient Tocobaga Indian village and mound.

Sacred Lands is a hidden gem which prides itself in preserving Florida’s past and its raw, natural beauty.  Each month Sacred Lands plays host to various educational and recreational events.  Native American speakers are often invited to the site for speaking engagements regarding their culture and spirituality.  Archaeologists also visit the bayside property in hopes of educating others on what Florida was like back in the 1500 and 1600s.  In addition, there are a number of programs offered at Sacred Lands which promote the understanding and appreciation of ancient Florida, including the land and its people.

There were as many as a third of a million Indians populating Florida back when the Spaniards arrived in the early 1500s.  St. Petersburg, during this time, was merely a dense and wild land.  Jungles covered what are now paved streets and shopping plazas; a once tropical oasis, now an urban one.  Indians roamed the land over a thousand years ago.  With very little clothing to cover their bronzed skin, these warriors hunted, fished and gathered in order to survive.  When the Indians fished clams and oysters, they deposited their empty shells onto an eight foot ridge, along the shore near the Sacred Lands site.  Today, many homes stand atop of these ancient shell mounds.  In the 1500 and 1600s, the Indians constructed their homes on this very ridge line.  In addition, these Native American people gathered the bones of their dead and placed them onto a platform that once stood near the site.  These bone bundles were then buried in a circular mound.  Eventually the Indians built a large temple mound which was measured at 16 feet tall and 172 feet wide.  Chief Tocobaga lived on top of a 20 foot tall temple mound which overlooked Old Tampa Bay, currently known as Safety Harbor.  In the 1500s, over twenty mounds stood in the Tampa Bay area, but now only a mere seven remain.

The Tocobagans called Tampa Bay home.  These Indians mainly consisted of fishermen.  They gathered shellfish mostly, for their diets, and then used the leftover shells for tools, housewares and in their garments.  Each Indian village had its own chief.  Every morning the village nobles would meet with the chief at the temple for pipe smoking and to take a few sips of what was called by the natives, “the black drink.”  The village was also home to commoners and slaves.  Another class within the village was called the Berdache.  These were hermaphrodite men who sliced off their sexual organs and donned short tribal skirts made of moss.  The Berdache wore their hair long and flowing.  Their jobs included taking care of the ill, and they would also help take the injured off the fields during war.  In addition, the Berdache performed sexual favors on certain warrior men and assisted the village shaman with the preparation of dead bodies.

Tocobagan death rituals were quite unusual.  One practice in their tradition was to boil the body, pick off the meat, break the bones at the joints, bundle them in deerskin and then place them on the platform.  Burials were done with oyster shells or through some form of cremation.  Bones may also have been placed in an urn or flexed, meaning they were bent into a fetal-like position.  Effigy sacrifices were also used with burials.  This was when artifacts were laid out in the shape of a body, and bones were then scattered on the ground.  This practice was done in order to release the spirit of the artifacts to accompany the soul of the dead to wherever it may go in the afterlife.  And speaking of souls and the afterlife, some Indians believed we possessed three seperate souls; a shadow, an eye pupil and a pond reflection.  When an Indian died, two of the souls departed with the body and then traveled into the body of a lesser being, such as a fish.  The pupil soul would remain within the body.  This particular soul was what the living Indian would talk to at burial rites when advice was needed.  There is still much to learn about the Indian and that is one of the reasons Sacred Lands is so significant as an educator and preservationist.

Florida history is a huge part of who I am, but so is nature and the beauty of the land on which we live.  Finding peace and harmony with Mother Nature is a necessity in this day and age.  Sacred Lands strongly encourages this partnership between man and earth.

Under a night’s sky, with the haunting glow of a low set moon peeking out shyly from behind the ancient oaks, embers float up to the stars.  The tribal rhythm of Native American drumming penetrates the air.  It’s almost as if a magical spell has been cast among Sacred Land’s patrons.  The atmosphere is calming and happy; every worry and stress within the body has dissappaited.  Drum circles are very popular at Sacred Lands, as are mediation and the Native American flute circles.  Many of the peace promoting events are done around a sacred fire.  All gatherings are free to attend, and are open to all as long as there is respect and understanding.  Sweat Lodge ceremonies are also available on site.  Monthly, one may attend Sacred Lands’ Peruvian Altar, which is held for personal and planetary healing and is performed in the Pachakuti Mesa tradition.  According to Sacred Lands, the Altar is a way to appreciate and experience a unique way of life.  During this spiritual gathering, teaching, healing, mediation, and prayer are encouraged for ourselves and for our loved ones.

Sacred Lands is an appreciator of the arts and of music, but not just through drum and flute circles.  Concerts, given by various local singers and musicians, are conducted on the grounds regularly.

And with all this love, peace and musical harmony in a most beautiful setting, it is certainly not hard to imagine a wedding ceremony being performed here.  Sacred Lands hosts venue to many brides and grooms.  No decorations are needed as this site is extraordinary in many of its own natural ways.  Doris Anderson, notary and licensed therapist, officiates many of the Sacred Lands’ weddings.  With Anderson’s calming ways, brides are sure to push aside all of their wedding day jitters.

Sacred Lands promises a little bit of something for everyone.  Personally, I would love to take a tour of the grounds.  Offered every Sunday at 4 pm, guides will lead vistors through the lush green gardens, past the exotic flora and into an ancient realm.  One can learn about the Spanish explorers who once set forth on Florida soil over a thousand years ago, and of the Tocabaga Indian tribe that inhabitated the lands adjacent to Boca Ciega Bay.  Tour patrons also will become educated on subjects such as contemporary indigenious spiritual practices, Florida plant life, wildlife and the environment.  You will be able to walk on the very same grounds where a Tocabagan village once stood, along with an ancient and very sacred Indian mound.

The historical site is managed by a non-profit organization, whose mission is to preserve and honor its ancient ways.  Sacred Lands is committed to protecting its Indian mound, a truly significant part of Florida’s history.  Harold and Frances Anderson first took over the ancient village and mound site back in the 1940s and have used the land for many activities and events over time.  Today, people are still finding their way to Sacred Lands and discovering the magic that lies just beyond the tropical gardens.  Many claim that the site has a special lure to it.  Sacred Lands has been described to be almost magnetic; its energy strong and even healing to some. A spiritual place that is said to relieve one of their mental and emotional woes, promoting well-being, serenity and peace.

When I first found Sacred Lands, it was simply by accident, or so I thought.  I was out on a leisurely drive when I decided to turn down a tiny side street leading to Boca Ciega Bay.  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a strange little sign that read, “Sacred Lands.”  In all my years of living in Pinellas County, I had never seen this place, or had even heard of it.  And, after talking to family and friends who have lived in St. Petersburg for many years, I realized I wasn’t alone on my lack of familiarity regarding the site.  This mysterious place was drawing me to it.  I drove over to the sign, parked my car and got out.  The gate was locked.  Sacred Lands was closed for the day.  All that could be seen from where I stood were gardens and a greenhouse.  The air around me felt different; it was full of bustling energy, yet at the same time, oddly tranquil and quiet.  A seagull flew overhead, crying out once and then disappearing past the tall, swaying palms.  I stood alone, longing to understand what surrounded me.  Little did I know, I was immersed in ancient magic.  After returning home that day and researching Sacred Lands, I realized that I had stumbled upon something very special.  I wanted to learn more and couldn’t wait to return to the grounds.

Sacred Lands isn’t just a place to learn history or absorb harmonious vibrations, it is also a site some consider to be haunted.  As mentioned earlier in this passage, upon visiting Sacred Lands, I could feel a multitude of energies in the atmosphere, and perhaps not all of them are benevolent.  The infamous gangster, Al Capone, once owned a speakeasy next to the site called The Gangplank, which housed many notable acts including Duke Ellington.  Capone ran rum into The Gangplank by constructing a tunnel between the neighboring Boca Ciega Bay and the speakeasy’s basement.  It is rumored today that Capone and members of his rumrunning gang still wander the grounds here, even though The Gangplank is long gone.  And since there were Indians and Spaniards once ruling this site, you better believe there are spirits dating back to the ancient tribal days walking through the moonlit gardens late into the night.  Shadow people and light anomolies have been encountered on ghost tours which are held in this section of the Jungle Prada neighborhood.  If you’re feeling brave and wish to meet a spirit of Florida’s past, you can join in on a ghostly candlelit tour every Friday night at 8 pm (please see below for more details).

Some people feel that, regardless of the ghosts, Indian mounds possess magical energies.  The artifacts, shells, and sometimes the bones which are left behind by the Native Americans, can bring forth strange feelings within the atmosphere and encourage strong, spiritual presences to form.

There are those that believe that Sacred Lands is a portal of sorts.  Unidentifiable creatures have been seen wandering about, while the ghostly residual energy of earlier times still lingers on.  There are even some who think that the land in and around the site is cursed due to the mistreatment and eventual demise of the Tocabagan people.

No matter if you believe the stories or not, the site of Sacred Lands leaves behind a colorful history not to be forgotten.

Under the star-scattered heavens, just beyond the warm waters of the bay, a magical sanctuary sits peaceful, undisturbed by our modern day society.  Peacocks wander among the heady, sweet-scented flowers, while the leaves of the old cabbage palms shudder softly in the bay breezes.  Ghosts or none at all, the aura of Sacred Lands is speacial and unlike any other I have ever felt before.  It is an enchanting place; mysterious and captivating in its realm.

So, whether you are searching for inner peace, looking to embrace spirituality, are seeking out the paranormal or just wishing to understand Florida’s rich history, Sacred Lands is ideal for all.

Sacred Lands: Preserving Yesterday and Envisioning Tomorrow

1620 Park Street, St. Petersburg, FL 33710

For volunteer information, please go to www.sacredlandspreservationandeducation.org

Donations are greatly appreciated and will directly benefit Sacred Lands

Ghost Tours of St. Petersburg

For reservations and information regarding the tours, please call 727-894-4678

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Dangerous Photographers Threaten Models

March 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Riddle me this, what is the worst thing a young, aspiring female model could run into that might potentially destroy her life and career based on her vulnerability?  The answer is a deceptive photographer who’s looking for nothing more than to get his kicks off of photographing nude women.

As most people say, there is no greater threat than a gun in the wrong hands.  Well, the same proves true for photographers and cameras, only their weapon scars the soul and looks harmless.  Cameras, these days, are quite affordable and versatile.  In addition, you don’t need a concealed weapons permit to purchase one.  Most who have these high tech SDR cameras automatically consider themselves “pro” photographers, and with the “automated” settings, they can achieve a decent photo with little to no skill.

That causes concern because that kind of camera could trick many women.  Women who are looking for nothing more than to be the center of attention, flaunting their beauty to the world as an innocent dream, thinking the photographer is for real.

Unfortunately, when people with cameras use their piece of art equipment to lure these beauties, strip them down and photograph them for their own sexual pleasure, it creates a bad name for those who are “real” photographers.

These deceptive photographers are easy to spot, but can be quite convincing.  They will say or do anything to get these women out of their clothes.  They will make them sign their lives away, throw them empty promises, and in the end, the innocent will be taken advantage of and visually raped.

Working with models most of my professional career, I’ve heard horror stories from other photographers.  In some cases, these freaks actually gave them their pictures – which I got a chance to look at – and saw nothing more than a point and shoot version of what they called “art”.

I’ve known models who performed implied and full nudity with the promise these photographers would break them into the “big leagues.”  They tricked women by saying  ad companies and modeling agents require a full nude photo to gain the aspect of their body structure.  In the end, the photos were less than amateur at best, and many ended up online somewhere.

In some cases the women never received their copies and the photographer is no longer around… surprised?

I also know some models that refused to do nudes or implied nude photography, but the photographer didn’t care.  The photographer actually decided that the model was going to pose nude, and took it upon himself to try and strip her.

As I said earlier, there are certain signs these photographers will throw off and they are easy to spot if you know what to look for.  I suggest that all models or any female who wants to do any kind of modeling shoot, follow my advice.

Sign 1 – The first question out of the mouth of these photographers when setting up a shoot is, “Will you pose nude or implied nude?”  In the aspect of nude or implied nude there is no difference, except that an implied nude shoot won’t expose a fully naked body; the photographer will see you nude but will pose you in such a way that doesn’t allow full exposure on film.

Sign 2 – The photographer wants to do this shoot TFP (time for photos) and promises the moon to these models.  If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  “Time for photos” is when the model trades their time to the photographer for photos.

Sign 3 – Thier portfolio is filled with nudes or implied nudes with little to nothing else.  Examine these photos and see if the models have anything in common such as ethnicity, length or color of hair, and how they are posed.  Then look at yourself.  If you have the same qualities, you may be the prospective victim of this “legal” sexual predator.  If you don’t like their work or it’s just not what you want to shoot, then simply leave.

Sign 4 – Tell the photographer you are bringing an escort with you.  Most will object to the heavens, convincing you everything will be fine.  They might even get in the way and mess up the photo shoot.  If you still insist, you may not hear from them again.

Another tall tale sign comes when you first show up to the shoot.  If you are posing nude, even implied, the photographer should ask you for your identification, and make record of it.  The Federal Government states that nobody under the age of 18 can pose nude for the camera, implied or otherwise.  Regardless of the law, it’s a moral issue not to photograph someone nude under 18.

Unfortunately, these photographers exist and with more and more of them acquiring mobile studios and working out of their homes, the chances for this disgusting activity increases.

Always meet with the photographer prior to the shoot in a public area.  Be sure to bring an escort with you; that reduces the chance of something happening.  Tell another person where you will be at, how long you should be there and who is shooting the photos.

I also suggest obtaining references from the photographer and calling them, especially if nudity is in play.  I also think it’s a good idea to look them up on the local database for sexual predators prior to shooting.

If you arrive at the photo shoot and you feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to do the shoot at all.  It is your right to say no.  Any serious photographer will respect that and work around the issue, and will still be able to create a masterpiece for you.

The best advice is be vigilant, listen to your instincts and play it safe even if you’re shooting simple head shots.  Also, glamour shots don’t necessarily mean stripping!

Unfortunately, even if you fall victim, there are no laws that will put the photographer into jail for sexual abuse.  At most, you could sue for the pictures and maybe for pain and suffering.   However, conditions become much different if the model is underage, or has been physically assaulted.  If this should happen, it then transposes into physical sexual abuse and/or rape.

For more about Jason Dowd or Dowd Studios visit http://dowdstudios.com

Filed Under: featured, Photography

Red Riding Hood

March 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Red Riding Hood
Warner Brothers Studios
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Writer: David Johnson
Stars: Amanda Seyfried, Lukas Haas, and Gary Oldman

Rated PG-13

Rating:  A-

~~ REVIEW ~~
I love a good “fractured fairytale” and that is what I got with Warner Brothers newest release “Red Riding Hood”.  This movie took one of the most renown horror flicks, “The Werewolf” and combined it with an epic fairytale “Little Red Riding Hood” to create a new drama that I won’t soon forget.

“Its a new twist to an epic fairytale that will make this film memorable and intriguing for all that watch it… This isn’t the Little Red Riding Hood our Parents read to us”

In the tale of “Little Red Riding Hood” Red goes to her grandmother’s house to discover a wolf has chased her down; wanting her basket full of goodies.  However in this movie, Red Riding Hood a.k.a Valerie played by Amanda Seyfried has a unique connection to the wolf and what she has in her basket – the wolf won’t want.  To my surprise this wolf is no ordinary wolf like in the storybooks; instead the wolf that plagues the village is a full out Werewolf; with massive strength and overflowing with evil.

Valerie discovers her world is full of lies after the death of her sister by this demonic killer of a wolf.  Her life becomes an entangled mess from her strange connection to this wolf, the death of her sister and dealing with an embattled love triangle she found herself in; all of which play a pivotal role within the plot.

I personally found this movie intriguing, I love the dark setting they put towards an ordinarily bubbly fairy tale.  However if you’re going to this movie to witness blood, guts and gore think again; despite it’s dark nature there were very little graphic scenes.  The movie actually flowed well, but the suspense was predictable.  The scenes during the day had little to no suspense or surprises, it was more the “telling of the story” in preparing for the suspense that showed during the night scenes.

Throughout the movie, I think there were only two spots where someone could actually be scared… over all it was pretty tame.

The best part by far was the ending, at least for me.  The twist of fate made for quite a surprise, especially when the connection between Valarie and the Werewolf are revealed.  Its also exciting to see that despite the ending, her connection lives on.  I can guarantee this movie will have a sequel coming soon.

Overall I can see this movie being a “love it or hate it” movie; I think some will find it hard to say they are neutral about it.  I personally loved it, but those die hard trilogy fans or avid horror flick freaks will be disappointed.  I love it because of the creative twist Warner Brothers tied into the plot.  I love the feel of the movie as well as the characters.  I love the twist at the end; which I personally feel made the whole movie.

I would not take young children to this movie despite the PG-13 rating.  I would recommend seeing the picture, it is worth the money at the box office.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Today’s Beauty Based on Lies

March 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Jon Benet Ramsey NO PHOTOSHOP

America’s obsession with beauty has grown out of control, fueled mostly by ads and pictures found in magazines. It seems that each magazine is packed full of fashion photos, beauty product reviews and tips, but to make matters worse, they are also full of deception.

These magazines not only target adult women, but also impressionable teens and pre-teens, showing them exactly what “true beauty” shouldook like. The women who look at these magazines then compare themselves to these models and feel anything but adequate to the women in these pictures.

The photographs set the bar of what beauty is, and therefore, the women who feel they don’t match up will do whatever it takes to be as beautiful or even more beautiful than the women in the magazine. This is a tactic beauty product companies have used in order to make a multi-billion dollar industry based on the insecurities of women.

Unfortunately, in most cases, the photos are completely changed to promote attractiveness. The model’s skin is digitally airbrushed, her weight is altered, and the hips and bust are enhanced.

The problem is women are shooting for a standard of beauty that can only be obtained through digital manipulation. To the untrained eye the photos look realistic. Women are led to believe that the products these models endorse really do work. What they fail to realize is, these photos are completely faked.

The question is, does it really matter? Is this really hurting anyone? Unfortunately, yes.

The need to be beautiful has been fueled by false portrayals through these photographs. The goal is to sell these beauty products in order to make money. As a photographer, I see both sides of the equation. I don’t feel there is anything wrong with making money, but I do feel it should be done honestly.

I can see the reasoning from the beauty product companies for doing what they do. If they placed people on their ads with major flaws, no one would buy their products. However, doctoring the photos to an extreme, is just wrong.

I feel that a little touching up on a photo is fine. If you want to reduce some wrinkles, remove acne, or lighten up dark shadows under the eyes, then go right ahead. However, a woman who is over 40 will present some aging, so leave some flawing for a sense of realism.

On the other hand, digitally altering photos to the extent they have, has made women compare themselves to the unrealistic. They think if they are not a size 0 or 1, then they must be fat. And because these older models seen in magazines have absolutely no wrinkles, then female readers feel unattractive with just a few frown lines or crow’s feet.

This can cause severe insecurity among women. To make themselves feel better and more beautiful they will go out and buy these beauty products hoping they can achieve the same results as the models on the ads and in these magazines. When they don’t achieve the same results, which most of them won’t for reasons I will explain later, they are now at risk for more serious problems.

Some women will turn to plastic surgery. There is nothing wrong with plastic surgery except that it won’t last. Breast implants, for one, will need to be checked regularly, and in most cases, replaced after so many years. This is expensive, but once the surgery is completed, these women will have no choice but to spend money keeping the surgery up.

In other cases, women and men will go under the knife to surgically enhance their nose, face, or other extremities they see in magazines. Again, there is nothing wrong with this, except every time you go under the knife you are taking the risk of death and the possibility the surgery will actually become deformed or unsuccessful.

I have read stories and seen television shows on how plastic surgery can go horribly wrong. Sometimes once the surgery is a failure, the end results can’t be fixed which forces these people to live their life with a deformity. The sad part is, they were perfectly fine before they even had the surgery.

If physical features aren’t the problem, then weight becomes the issue.

Every year around summertime I see ads in magazines and on television talking about the dreaded “bikini season.” So, women will tend to diet in order to look their best in their swimsuits

Hoping to lose weight quickly, some women will turn to fasting, crash diets, dangerous dietary supplements, and energy drink consumption in order to boost their metabolism. All of these methods of weight loss can be extremely dangerous especially if you are not under the watch of a doctor.

Some women will virtually kill themselves to fit into that size one dress, because they are constantly being exposed to skinny models on television and in magazines. To these women, thin equals beautiful. In our modern society, there is great pressure to be a certain weight. According to most height to weight charts, 110 pounds for a female who is 5’4″ or taller, is very underweight.

As these people fight for their optimal weight, they may develop severe eating disorders and other health related issues. Some will take to more drastic measures such as stomach stapling and lap bands, which are medically done but can be extremely dangerous.

Again, these individuals are comparing themselves to the greatly enhanced and highly unrealistic photos of celebrities and models.

I’ve been a photographer now since the mid 1980s. I’ve had clients require me to alter photos in order to enhance their appearance. In turn, I have successfully shaved 20 pounds off my subjects. I have removed scars, baldness, wrinkles, pale skin, acne, eye bags, and other flaws. I have taken away “the muffin top,” as they say, creating a more toned stomach

If you’ve never seen these people in person or seen the photos prior to being altered, you’d swear that’s how they look in real life. That’s why most people can walk by a supermodel or celebrity and not even recognize them.

What we also tend to forget is that each of us are made of different gene structures. With our unique set of genes, each one of us tends to age differently, wear our weight and bulk differently, and have different complexions. So no matter what we do to ourselves surgically or regardless of how many beauty products we buy, a person may never be able to achieve the look they want to, just because their genes won’t allow it. Photoshop, on the other hand, has no idea what a gene structure is.

Despite the health risks involved from altered photos, we also face unethical practices.

A few years ago I heard a story about a plastic surgeon who gave breast implants to a girl who was under sixteen. The teen simply wanted to enhance her figure. Her parents allowed it, but they too were obsessed with their bodies and had no qualms about plastic surgery.

This young girl said it was her body, and she could do whatever she wanted with it. She’s right, except she forgot a major piece of the equation that a parent and doctor should have recognized. She was still developing!

The young girl went to a few plastic surgeons and all of them turned her down. Determined to find a doctor, the teenager and her parents kept searching till they found one who had no ethics and just cared about the almighty dollar.

As previously stated, this girl was hardly done developing her cup size. Some young women do not finish developing until they are in college. So what if that happened here? What if this teen grew three cup sizes in addition to the implants and then develops physical and emotional issues down the road?

As long as there is a need to be beautiful and the money to pay for it, there will be a doctor who will throw out morals and ethics to achieve riches.

Where have we gone too far in terms of photo altering? I have two examples that stand out in my head, the first one involving the famous model, Twiggy.

In 2009, an Olay Regenerist advertisement featuring Twiggy, hit the stands and caused quite a stir. The ad showed a flawless Twiggy making the Olay cream look like a miracle cure. Twiggy was 60 when this ad was released, and to the shock of everyone who saw it, she didn’t have a wrinkle present or any other signs of aging…. just flawless and radiant skin.

This ad did not fool the British government however; they banned it from being released in the United Kingdom. They know Twiggy all too well because she is a resident of England. They know and have seen pictures taken of her without her makeup, showing wrinkles and other skin

imperfections. They cited Olay with misleading advertising and forced the removal of the ad from all media outlets.

No matter her age, Twiggy is gorgeous and didn’t need to be touched up to that extent.

In another example, have you ever Googled pictures of JonBenet Ramsey? If you have, you’d probably be shocked from what you see.

At the time of her death, Ramsey was 6-years-old. She was a natural beauty, who was years away from puberty. Still, her photos are completely airbrushed which is not only unnecessary, but makes her look 10 years older than she actually is.

Now, I see a lot of 6-year-olds everywhere. I have yet to see one without radiant glowing skin, or one that is riddled with wrinkles and acne and other major flaws. So why did they have to airbrush Ramsey to the extent she was?

It’s things like this that set a false sense of reality, which is immoral and unethical.

As I said earlier in this passage, I do want to say that I completely support a little touch up here and there. I understand acne and scars and skin imperfections can be embarrassing; however, completely airbrushing a photo and altering a person’s weight and featuresto sell a product is WRONG.

In conclusion, I wish to give out this advice to everyone.

We all have a flaw or two; we’re human after all. We need to use these flaws to bring out our strong points; be proud of them and learn to exploit them in the best way we can. Let’s not be afraid to flaunt our flaws because that’s what makes us unique and gives us the ability to stand out in a crowd.

Don’t worry what anyone else thinks of you; they don’t have to see you each and everyday. Don’t change yourself to please them.

If you are wanting to model or try out for a part, don’t ever take one that forces you to alter yourself, other than hair, because it isn’t worth it. Find someone who will be happy to use you for who you are.

And most importantly, if you want to diet, do so under the guidance of a respected doctor and be sure to exercise and eat properly. Don’t swarm to these dangerous diets and supplements. They may work fast but don’t last. Take the weight off gradually and when your results stop, that is your body telling you it’s enough. Enjoy who you are!

For more on Jason Dowd or Dowd Studios visit http://dowdstudios.com

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