Being a writer and a photographer, I find myself constantly making a statement of some sort in one fashion or another.

I recently saw a great sweatshirt online that pretty much sums up my life's statement and one that I absolutely have to buy.The writing on the front says:Six things you don't mess with:My faith, My family, My flag, My country, My liberty, My camera.The first thing I thought was that I would need to change it to make it be seven things and add My dog; but then I figured that he is, in effect, family, so the six will work just fine.The more I read the words on that shirt, the more I feel inclined to purchase it and wear it.Everywhere.My faith.I have faced ridicule, insults and scathing attacks because of it, but still I remain undaunted in my beliefs.I have sat on the other side of the fence and in doing so, I was able to get a pretty clear view of what I now hold true; and no one, by any type of forceful word or deed, will ever take that away from me.My family.There isn't anything I wouldn't do for them.They are the reason I exist.They are the oxygen that fills my lungs and the blood that courses through my veins.Without question or hesitation, I would kill to protect them or give up my own life in order to spare theirs.Hell hath no fury ...They are my past, my present, my future; and I love them fiercely and unconditionally.My flag.When I stop to think about the American flag, several images instantly pop into my head.The first one is of the iconic photo of the flag raising at Iwo Jima.The large flag was raised by six soldiers so that the men fighting on the other side of the island would be able to see it and so that along with the flag, their spirits would be raised.I also think of the image of the flag raised over ground zero following the 9/11 attacks.In both instances that flag to me says, "We are here. We have endured. We are united."My country.My country truly is a beautiful place; from the majestic snow-covered mountains to the warm, palm tree-laden shores and every amazing landscape in between.People have fought and died to establish and preserve what we have here and I will never take that for granted.My liberty.When I see the horrific stories of the basic freedoms that have been stripped from, or never even materialized in other nations around the world, I can strongly echo Patrick Henry's words at the Virginia Convention when he said "Give me liberty, or give me death."My camera.My camera is an amazing contraption.It gives me superpowers.With it, I can stop time, or control thoughts and emotions.For me, my camera is also an instrument for obtaining joy and peace; and if you ever try to take it away from me, I will surely snap.What statements are you making?