Time: 9:59 pm
Weather: warm
Music: Je veux te voir - Yelle
Mood: feeling tested
-----
As I drove home from drinks with some friends and their girlfriends it hit me, the 3rd or 5th wheel-itis. I find myself in an interesting situation. It's not that I don't understand their cuddling and kissing and such it's just that my girlfriend is half way across the world facing enormous stress and pressure from her work, family and overall life. And here I am wishing I could share this night with her, but after trying even for a moment to understand what she's going through, I suddenly feel embarrassed and childish but still quite lonely.
It's in these moments that I find myself asking "why". Why for everything? Why am I chasing this goal of traveling? Why do I think this will satisfy me? Maybe i'm trying to simulate the prodigal son parable in the bible? That I must go out into the void and feel the chill of true loneliness and abandonment in order to better understand the depth of God's love and care. In this way, maybe I will draw closer to this elusive "why".
In my heart I know "why" and yet I do not do that which I want to do and yet continue to do that which I do not want to do. When moving forward with planning and goal setting, I must establish a strong "Because". Not to say this is set in stone but as an indicator of where my passion dwells.
Through great adversity many have found their passion and calling. But in this era of comfort and wealth my desire to step out and see what i'm made of appears to be foolish and naive. Wasting the sacrifices and hard work of my parents.
But what is the worth of a lesson learned from the comfort of security and perceived strength? When you don't really know how strong your personal fortitude really is? Glass - brittle - weak. Is it because you know it to be this way that you hunger to be tested, to be broken so that you have no other choice but to endure.
Regardless of what others think, this hunger is in me. To fall and find that bottom so all I have is God. In this way am I mastering my body? When my body shows the marks of trusting a godless world?
Or is this just selfish deception, leading me astray for the sake of being lead astray. I am called to stand and dwell in the light. Trust is what I am called to do now. Trust, hope and pray. Look beyond myself. Break the cycle of Me and focus on the We. Pride and vanity use self-pity to have oneself continually turn back inwards gaining nothing of value and shutting out all the help and support that is available.
I need to stop being so picky about what form a blessing comes in. If he/she is fun, pretty, outgoing or interesting. I am a snobby Christian only accepting blessings on my own terms. Humble me. Break my spirit of pride and arrogance.
Lord - I pray for humility, courage and compassion.
----
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
The Approach
Time: 10:02 pm
Weather: Rainy
Music: the hum of the fish tank
Mood: rejuvenated and relaxed
----
If you guys didn't know, I am a very visual person. I need to see things in action - moving and twisting within an interactive environment. Therefore in order to better encapsulate the previous entry I have created a Prezi in the hope of better visualizing this planning process. I believe that if I am able to clearly construct an image and or feeling that I can then share, I've made significant progress towards achieving my goal! Below is a link to the planning process and I hope you enjoy!
Instructions for using Prezi:
Link: The Approach
Weather: Rainy
Music: the hum of the fish tank
Mood: rejuvenated and relaxed
----
If you guys didn't know, I am a very visual person. I need to see things in action - moving and twisting within an interactive environment. Therefore in order to better encapsulate the previous entry I have created a Prezi in the hope of better visualizing this planning process. I believe that if I am able to clearly construct an image and or feeling that I can then share, I've made significant progress towards achieving my goal! Below is a link to the planning process and I hope you enjoy!
Instructions for using Prezi:
- Once the page has loaded click on the box in the bottom right hand corner
- Then click "Allow"
- Use arrow keys to navigate through the presentation
Link: The Approach
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
WAKE UP!!
Time: 9:12 am
Weather: sunny and balmy
Music: "Rhapsody in Blue" - George Gershwin
Mood: Stubbornly optimistic
----
And so today is the day of days. After watching about an hour or so of TED Talks on YouTube I have concluded that each and every great journey begins with one step, one pen stroke, one click of a key or spark of imagination. These talks felt like 5 separate meals/coffee with the weight and gravity of each topic as the main dish. Each in a way brought me from the shadows of doubt, over analysis and paralysis to a state of action. I want to be a DOer not just a Dreamer. Thus, I have started this blog to document and capture the challenges, successes and ambiguity that inevitably will come. The TED talks that I had watched were:
Dr. Sean Richardson: Mental Toughness: Think Differently about your World
He did a wonderful job breaking down the anatomy of a "mentally tough" mind. He spoke of the ability to persist as the strongest indicator of success and the importance of tempering the need for instant gratification. I thought one of his most memorable quotes was "Fail at 100%" because then you really know what you're made of and that at that moment you had given it your best. Also to synergize with one's feelings and not to fight them outright. Due to the fact that the more basic feelings of fear/anxiety were originally triggered by things that threatened our lives. But now, one must acknowledge the type of stress we face now and adapt to modern anxiety/stress. We must have a mindset to thrive not just survive. And finally, he points to the importance of being present and focusing on one's current actions and not solely on the desired results. Because if there is incongruity between perceived effort and results then it's gambling away our confidence. But if we are able to focus on this moment and see the value and integrity of our current actions then we find ourselves in a much better position to learn not lament.
Link: Mental Toughness: Think differently about your World
Colin Wright: Extreme Lifestyle Experiments
What really impressed me about Colin's presentation was how young he was and his dedication and passion for adventure. Now I don't mean it was just a bunch of bravado and misplaced enthusiasm, he actually followed through and made it happen! The crucial part of his plan was well...planning! But the way in which he approached planning was pretty ingenious because he looked not just at financial but also social, personal and basic needs. He first step was to figure out "where you want to be" then to work backwards from there. He first started his planning by establishing his "infrastructure" this was broken up into 3 key categories:
And finally, is the "JUMP" in which one actually executes on the plan. It's not about having the perfect plan because plans are intrinsically flawed and cannot be perfect. He spoke of "paralysis by over analysis" which I think is quite true. Waiting for that perfect wave until either one loses the desire/guts to pursue it or being so picky that you ultimately forfeit your chance to take the jump. Maybe one of the skills you must master is being ok with ambiguity and the ability to adapt.
Link: Extreme Lifestyle Experiments
Dr. Ivan Joseph: The Skill of Self Confidence
Dr. Ivan's presentation on Self Confidence was refreshing and perfect compliment to the previous talks I had watched. he really delved into what sort of attitude one needs in order to achieve this plan or goal in mind. He spoke also of the power of repetition. That with repetition comes the ability for the body to master the stress/anxiety that may arise. Like Dr. Richardson, through practicing and counteracting this new type of modern stress one is able to not merely survive but thrive. Through repetition an "environment of self confidence" is created from which your mind and psyche are well attuned. In addition, he also discussed the power of "self talk" and or the internal conversation one is having with oneself. Through reprogramming and empowering oneself through positive self talk one can rejuvenate and carry on even in the face of adversity or failure. He spoke being ok with not getting what you want....now but persisting towards one's goal. He went so far as to say he can accept failure but he cannot accept not trying.
Another application of this was motivating others and keeping their spirits high. I loved his phrase of "catching them when they're good" instead of merely criticizing and critiquing what they're doing wrong. Giving people the chance to come to their own conclusion of success and improvement is much more powerful than an external reprimand or even enforcement. The mortar to great plans is self confidence because "if you don't say it or believe in it no one will".
Link: The Skill of Self Confidence
Vik Nithy: Why we Procrastinate
Even though this was pitched to college students I believe the use of both physiological understanding and it's impact on mental processing was very well done. Within the brain there are two parts vying for control the limbic (play) vs. Pre-frontal lobe (work). It's through understanding this relationship that one can proactively counter procrastination. This is done through meta cognition (thinking about thinking) and establishing a plan that one can be productive. He says to plan: goals, time, resources, process, (for) distractions and (for) failures. I had known about the first 3 but never thought about the last 3. Through preemptive actions one can counteract future distractions and thus set yourself up for a better chance for success. Also by having a plan B you can react quickly to changes and remain in that state of "self confidence". I also think this spoke to what Apostle Paul wrote about: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." - Romans 7:15. Even though this passage is in regard to sin, I believe procrastination is the modern day sin of sloth or laziness. This anatomical approach to procrastination also allows me to plan for the distractions and or failures in the future.
Link: Why we procrastinate
Adam Baker: Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you love.
Out of all the Ted Talks that I had watched this one had received the most criticism from fellow Youtubers. Many spoke about how impractical this was or how impossible this was for people who had either amassed a large amount of debt (schooling) and or didn't have family/friends to support them. However, I think he was trying to get at something much deeper. Minimalism. It's not about having a bunch of things as security but rather freedom and agility and the ability to adapt and move quickly as one's treasures. He spoke of gathering experiences not money/physical wealth. Also he was clear that this was after some serious lifestyle changes and sacrifices was this dream able to come to fruition. I have never been really too tied down to things and or memorabilia because to be honest while I sit here and write this I honestly couldn't tell you where everything I own is. So if I don't know where it is how can I place so much value in it?
It was refreshing to see and hear about someone who had seen physical items not as security but as submission. I think having the option/ability to move is where one's wealth is. To set up somewhere new and do well and have the confidence and persistence to do well.
Link: Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you love.
----
Weather: sunny and balmy
Music: "Rhapsody in Blue" - George Gershwin
Mood: Stubbornly optimistic
----
And so today is the day of days. After watching about an hour or so of TED Talks on YouTube I have concluded that each and every great journey begins with one step, one pen stroke, one click of a key or spark of imagination. These talks felt like 5 separate meals/coffee with the weight and gravity of each topic as the main dish. Each in a way brought me from the shadows of doubt, over analysis and paralysis to a state of action. I want to be a DOer not just a Dreamer. Thus, I have started this blog to document and capture the challenges, successes and ambiguity that inevitably will come. The TED talks that I had watched were:
Dr. Sean Richardson: Mental Toughness: Think Differently about your World
He did a wonderful job breaking down the anatomy of a "mentally tough" mind. He spoke of the ability to persist as the strongest indicator of success and the importance of tempering the need for instant gratification. I thought one of his most memorable quotes was "Fail at 100%" because then you really know what you're made of and that at that moment you had given it your best. Also to synergize with one's feelings and not to fight them outright. Due to the fact that the more basic feelings of fear/anxiety were originally triggered by things that threatened our lives. But now, one must acknowledge the type of stress we face now and adapt to modern anxiety/stress. We must have a mindset to thrive not just survive. And finally, he points to the importance of being present and focusing on one's current actions and not solely on the desired results. Because if there is incongruity between perceived effort and results then it's gambling away our confidence. But if we are able to focus on this moment and see the value and integrity of our current actions then we find ourselves in a much better position to learn not lament.
Link: Mental Toughness: Think differently about your World
Colin Wright: Extreme Lifestyle Experiments
What really impressed me about Colin's presentation was how young he was and his dedication and passion for adventure. Now I don't mean it was just a bunch of bravado and misplaced enthusiasm, he actually followed through and made it happen! The crucial part of his plan was well...planning! But the way in which he approached planning was pretty ingenious because he looked not just at financial but also social, personal and basic needs. He first step was to figure out "where you want to be" then to work backwards from there. He first started his planning by establishing his "infrastructure" this was broken up into 3 key categories:
- Skills: in order to get "where you want to be" sometimes you have to learn or master new skills. This might be a language, or trade or schooling to allow you to move forward.
- People: there may be people you need to get to know or set up a connection with in order to make a transition smoother, job available or journey possible. Contact points, especially in new countries, is crucial!
- Necessities: money may be a factor along with maybe downsizing your business to just a laptop. Or setting up employment options upon your return or even during your stay.
And finally, is the "JUMP" in which one actually executes on the plan. It's not about having the perfect plan because plans are intrinsically flawed and cannot be perfect. He spoke of "paralysis by over analysis" which I think is quite true. Waiting for that perfect wave until either one loses the desire/guts to pursue it or being so picky that you ultimately forfeit your chance to take the jump. Maybe one of the skills you must master is being ok with ambiguity and the ability to adapt.
Link: Extreme Lifestyle Experiments
Dr. Ivan Joseph: The Skill of Self Confidence
Dr. Ivan's presentation on Self Confidence was refreshing and perfect compliment to the previous talks I had watched. he really delved into what sort of attitude one needs in order to achieve this plan or goal in mind. He spoke also of the power of repetition. That with repetition comes the ability for the body to master the stress/anxiety that may arise. Like Dr. Richardson, through practicing and counteracting this new type of modern stress one is able to not merely survive but thrive. Through repetition an "environment of self confidence" is created from which your mind and psyche are well attuned. In addition, he also discussed the power of "self talk" and or the internal conversation one is having with oneself. Through reprogramming and empowering oneself through positive self talk one can rejuvenate and carry on even in the face of adversity or failure. He spoke being ok with not getting what you want....now but persisting towards one's goal. He went so far as to say he can accept failure but he cannot accept not trying.
Another application of this was motivating others and keeping their spirits high. I loved his phrase of "catching them when they're good" instead of merely criticizing and critiquing what they're doing wrong. Giving people the chance to come to their own conclusion of success and improvement is much more powerful than an external reprimand or even enforcement. The mortar to great plans is self confidence because "if you don't say it or believe in it no one will".
Link: The Skill of Self Confidence
Vik Nithy: Why we Procrastinate
Even though this was pitched to college students I believe the use of both physiological understanding and it's impact on mental processing was very well done. Within the brain there are two parts vying for control the limbic (play) vs. Pre-frontal lobe (work). It's through understanding this relationship that one can proactively counter procrastination. This is done through meta cognition (thinking about thinking) and establishing a plan that one can be productive. He says to plan: goals, time, resources, process, (for) distractions and (for) failures. I had known about the first 3 but never thought about the last 3. Through preemptive actions one can counteract future distractions and thus set yourself up for a better chance for success. Also by having a plan B you can react quickly to changes and remain in that state of "self confidence". I also think this spoke to what Apostle Paul wrote about: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." - Romans 7:15. Even though this passage is in regard to sin, I believe procrastination is the modern day sin of sloth or laziness. This anatomical approach to procrastination also allows me to plan for the distractions and or failures in the future.
Link: Why we procrastinate
Adam Baker: Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you love.
Out of all the Ted Talks that I had watched this one had received the most criticism from fellow Youtubers. Many spoke about how impractical this was or how impossible this was for people who had either amassed a large amount of debt (schooling) and or didn't have family/friends to support them. However, I think he was trying to get at something much deeper. Minimalism. It's not about having a bunch of things as security but rather freedom and agility and the ability to adapt and move quickly as one's treasures. He spoke of gathering experiences not money/physical wealth. Also he was clear that this was after some serious lifestyle changes and sacrifices was this dream able to come to fruition. I have never been really too tied down to things and or memorabilia because to be honest while I sit here and write this I honestly couldn't tell you where everything I own is. So if I don't know where it is how can I place so much value in it?
It was refreshing to see and hear about someone who had seen physical items not as security but as submission. I think having the option/ability to move is where one's wealth is. To set up somewhere new and do well and have the confidence and persistence to do well.
Link: Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you love.
----
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