Change is Inevitable

A picture of a sunset sky and trees

A photo of the sky emphasizing the gift of life. Photo courtesy of Robert Couse-Baker/ Flickr

My story is that I’m a creative person progressing in life. While appreciating where I’ve been and my accomplishments, I know it can get better and greater! 

I was homeless for the past eight years, but whilst I was going through that I managed to produce a documentary with the organization I came to work for, Street Sense Media. You can check it out on the website. Just search my name out. 

Now that I have a stable place, I’m attempting to get back into my creative arts, such as my long-stalled poetry career. I recently published a 382-page collection of my work. I am also expanding my interest in photojournalism and returning to my illustration roots. 

Homelessness was quite the experience. You’d be surprised at some good folks’ generosity. It wasn’t ALL bad! I like to get to know some of those supporters who wanted to make a difference and gain an understanding of them. I’m pretty much an open book, myself — though I’m kind of selective, so getting to know people is a process for me.  But we could hold conversations about life before, during, and after homelessness. 

It’s just a fantastic subject. I’ve learned in my journey that there’s just not one fix! You gotta open up your lens and let a little light in! Some folks could surprise you. It’s evident now that it’s different strokes for different folks. No one philosophy works for everyone as a lot of people are stuck in their ways or are judgmental, etc. 

I don’t recall exactly where, but my brother once told me there was no good and evil. It shocked me at first but it stuck with me as something to ponder throughout life when facing certain challenges. I gradually came to the understanding of it, in how sometimes life can be so unfair. The phrase, “I never asked to be a slave” comes to mind. Or “I never asked to be born,” as I would tell my mother during a tantrum. (Who does put in such a request?) But life is a GIFT! Only with maturity can you fully appreciate accepting both the bitter & the sweet!  The trick is getting to that point. 

I’m now a recluse focused on building up my career, for I have no desire to be a “have-not.”  Folks in my life have dealt me a dirty enough hand for far too long. I didn’t go through my trials and tribulations only for them to creep back in with the same old craftiness, deceit, and lack of teamwork or integrity that put me there in the first place.

I’ve grown and seen. Developed, gained, prospered. It’s a journey, this gift is! What are you going to do with yours? For not everyone is born with riches cast unto them, or even into a family other than those they meet and choose during their adventures in life.

Housing doesn’t magically fix everything. I am still in need. But I’m working hard to change that. Reach out and communicate! I’m on Twitter at @LevesterJoeGR2.


You can watch the documentary Levester produced about himself, “I Am Levester Joe Green II,” at streetsensemedia.org/Film.


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We believe ending homelessness begins with listening to the stories of those who have experienced it.

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