Maturo

This album is written with the following reflection in mind: 'When a person travels, they are forced to see the world through the eyes of yet another tourist. They may travel alone. They may travel together. They may travel because they're convinced they will discover some mystery to existence, or they may travel just to see the new sites. But in some particular instances, they might get the unique opportunity to learn and grow in ways they never imagined; in ways that a recipe for a site-seeing tour could not achieve. The growth will humble them. It will open the skies for them. It will serve as a connection for them to the rest of the world, and it will forever change how they view reality. They will no longer be one person, but they will feel a part of a greater community. The missing ingredient that allows these transformations to take place is people. People have the power to change each other's perspective, yet they also have the power to crush each other's viewpoints into merely a reflection of the mundane. A traveler may meet people that teach them uncountable new things about their culture, willingly and on their own time. A traveler may meet people who take them wherever they would like to go in order to help their eyes open up to as many sites as possible. A traveler may meet people who open up their homes and families just to make them feel more welcomed. They may meet people who enjoy talking about commonalities and differences, who know the best place to get a cup of coffee, or who don't mind revisiting a place they've been to a hundred times with a new person. They may meet people who force them to participate in cultural events for the fun and the experience, who tell them they are coming to dinner, and who teach them to push aside their past ideas of 'common knowledge' and encourage them to trust in themselves. Then the traveler is not just told this, but they are put in a scenario where it can be used and practiced every day. Without the people, growth like this is just not possible. People are the true key to the locks that hold the beauty of our world. My hope is to take you to those emotions and experiences a little. My hope is to help you feel that sense of appreciation for the growth of the human spirit that I do. Trust in people, open your eyes a little more, and see everything this world has to offer. This project is dedicated to those people who helped me see.' I teach high school mathematics. All proceeds from this album go to my high school students' Tech and Theatre Arts Club. Feel free to help my students change their world.