There are those who seek answers and aren’t afraid to face whatever they find, standing firm even when the path gets tough. And if they don’t find what they’re looking for, they’ll still make the most of the journey, because neither the hard truths nor their absence will take away their right to savor every breath of this life.

What is this website all about? Well….

It’s About Seeking Deeper Truths
It’s About Connection and Compassion
It’s About Creating with Purpose
It’s About Independence and Freedom
It’s About Quiet Resilience
It’s About Problem Solving
It’s About Reflecting and Growing
It’s About the Art of Discovery and Possibilities.
It’s About Trusting the Journey
It’s About Exploring Spiritual Depths
It’s About Embracing the Outdoors
It’s About Savoring Life’s Moments
It’s About Being True to Yourself
It’s About Guiding and Inspiring
It’s About Staying Grounded
It’s About Embracing Challenges
It’s About Creative Freedom
It’s About Quiet Observations
It’s About Making Every Moment Count
It’s About Leaving a Positive Mark
It’s About Curiosity Without Limits

It is About Me…

It’s about me letting go of how I think things should be. Breaking the rules. Bringing all parts of myself together. Becoming whole and pursuing unity and understanding.

This is about me because, ultimately, I’m the only person I can speak about with true authenticity. My perception is uniquely mine, shaped by the lens through which I observe and engage with the world.

This website is my way to share those perceptions, hoping to ignite a spark in others to recognize the potential that lies within them. It’s my personal project of unification (experiment) —a reflection of my current journey to merge the various aspects of who I am and see what emerges from that blend.

Most people know me as Jamie the photographer, Jamie the tech guy, Jamie the person that get things done. To be frank, I’ve organized my life that way too, even in the way I structured my different websites. Each represented a separate part of me but never the whole picture. And while I’m not claiming this website will be a perfect representation of the whole either, perhaps it will offer a glimpse—a glimmer of who I am becoming.

I’m attempting to blend technical mastery with a deeper sense of purpose. It’s about bringing together the practical and the profound, combining creativity with intention.

My journey is about more than just building functional systems; it’s about exploring and guiding others to see the deeper connections between creativity, technology, and life itself. By embracing this balance between the practical and the profound, I have the potential to not only innovate but also inspire others to find their own deeper connections and insights. My work is both a personal expression and a tool for inviting others into a shared experience of discovery.

It’s not just about building or creating—it’s about aligning my work with a greater vision of discovery, insight, and sharing that with the world.

I realize this might sound self-centered, but I have to ask: if we can’t truly get along with ourselves, how are we supposed to get along with others? If we can’t accept ourselves as whole and perfect as we are right now, how can we accept others?

Everything begins within us and radiates outward.

When asked what I want for Christmas or my birthday, my answer has been the same for years: “World peace and goodwill toward all.” People usually respond, “Yes, but what do you really want?” And I tell them, “I really want that.”

But there lies the problem—I’m asking for it. There needs to be a shift from wishing for or hoping that something external will bring change, to embodying the change ourselves. We need to be the very thing we want to see in the world.

As you explore this site, I invite you to consider how you might embrace all parts of who you are and trust your own journey.

The More Personal Side

I’m Jamie Starling, and I’m excited to share my journey with you.

From a very young age, I’ve been fascinated with technology and all things high-tech. I was that kid who always wanted to know how things worked, taking them apart just to see what made them tick. My parents encouraged this relentless curiosity, and before I even started kindergarten, my dad got me a Radio Shack 200-in-1 electronic project kit. Not long after, I managed make a door alarm out of it and hook it up to our front door. The look on my dad’s face when he came home to that surprise—priceless.

One of my earliest and most vivid memories is visiting the house of one of my dad’s co-workers in the late ’70s or early ’80s. He worked in the computer department where my dad was employed and actually had a computer at home—something almost unheard of at the time. He let me type on the keyboard, and from that moment, I was hooked. The glow of the screen felt like a portal to endless possibilities.

Technology, to me, has always been that: a gateway to boundless potential, limited only by our imagination.

My interest in photography started around the same time when I was just 3 or 4 years old. My older sister (whose exact age I’ll keep quiet, for my own safety) was taking a photography course. Somehow, I managed to get my hands on some of her negatives, and I was fascinated. The idea that an entire world could be condensed into a 35mm strip of film, flipped, and inverted was mind-blowing to me. That moment planted a seed that would grow throughout my life.

Photography, for me, isn’t just about what’s right in front of me; it’s about searching for deeper meaning and new perspectives. It aligns perfectly with my curiosity—always asking, “What else is out there?”

That question has taken me down many paths. I grew up in a Christian household, but the idea that you shouldn’t question or challenge what you’re told never sat right with me. I believe that growth comes from asking questions and exploring ideas, not just accepting them at face value. I always had a feeling that something was off, like I was watching a play I’d seen countless times before, already knowing the script while the other actors played their parts as if it were the only reality. It was clear to me they were acting. That is the best way I can explain it in this short amount of time.

Over the years, I explored atheism, Hinduism, Buddhism, different types of spirituality, and even new-age concepts. Shamanism is what stuck. From my observations, people often hold onto beliefs as if they need to convince themselves of something—defending ideas that maybe aren’t truly theirs. I’m not saying they’re wrong; I just choose not to follow that path. I believe we are all perfect as we are, right now, and each of us has a path that’s uniquely our own.

I’ve practiced shamanism for quite a while now, though I don’t call myself a shaman. To me, the term is overused and diluted; it’s a title that can only be given by a community. Shamanism has given me a different perspective on life, and when you dig into it, you’ll find that many religions have roots in shamanic practices. Maybe I was just looking for the root of it all. It’s a view that’s hard to sum up quickly but one that I’ll share more about in my writings.

My wife (The Love of my life) Julie and I live in Beaufort, North Carolina. Every day, I find myself pausing and thinking, “I really live here,” surrounded by ever-changing beauty and a community full of kindness. If you’re ever in the area, drop me a message. I’m always up for meeting up for coffee and a chat.

We share our home with three feline overseers: Beebs, Milo, and Jocko. They make sure everything runs smoothly and on their schedule, of course.

Principles I Strive to Uphold

Reject the idea of conformity. Embrace the belief that true living comes from staying in motion, welcoming change, and shaping your own values and identity. This kind of person connects, experiments, questions, seeks truth, and explores. It’s not up to this free-spirited individual to justify their actions to the world. Maybe it’s those who cling to the safety of the familiar / the system who should pause and rethink their choices.

Assess your life by the outcomes you achieve, not by the distractions of labels you associate with yourself.

It is only when you accept the fact that you are a “Sheep” that you can start to do anything about it.

About the Images

It all comes down to the images.

Every image you see on here reflects my creative journey. Unless stated otherwise, each photograph is something I’ve crafted myself, shaped by my vision and perspective. Lately, I’ve been exploring the possibilities that AI technology offers, adding another layer to my work. When you see images marked as “Generated,” know that they’re a combination of my creativity and the innovative edge of artificial intelligence. These pieces are part of my journey to express ideas and feelings that have been simmering beneath the surface, ready to emerge and be shared.

Exploring Life, Ideas, or Seeking Insight?

Whether you’re reflecting on life, searching for deeper meaning, or just looking for someone to chat with, I’m here.

Reach Out
jamie@jamiestarling.com

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