Thursday, February 27, 2014

DAY 30 COMPLETE

I totally feel like this right now! 



Wow! I feel awesome! I am really excited that I was able to Stick to my 30 day challenge of playing no videos games and replaced all that time with writing daily! It is very awesome! Enjoying today and tomorrow starts my next 30 Day Challenge! I will be doing the Miracle Morning where I will getting up an hour earlier everyday. So I will be up at 6AM tomorrow! Wish me luck with this and I will continue writing everyday on my new 30 - day challenge!

Here you go!  You know I had to!


Your Welcome!

Day 29 Prioritize Your Day

  I hope he can Speed Read.

For the last two days I have been making lists and checking them off. Every time something new comes up I ask the question, "Is this a priority?" What I started to realize is that every new thing suddenly became a priority and everything else suddenly became not important. That is not the best way to think. I am not sure if I have been trained to think that every new issue that arises is a priority or maybe I have so many other people do this I just assumed that is the way it is supposed to be. Regardless. When I write a list down I can still see all my tasks and rank them according to importance and time consumption. Some items can be just a phone call at anytime or some have to be a face to face conversation. To reflect on what is in front of you and say this has to be done first in order for other things to happen is essential. I see this with things in my job and with wedding planning. My life tends to go smoother when I have a goal and a list of things that need to be done. It is very simple too. 

The funny thing is that I was NEVER like this. I usually would have just went with the flow and not in a good way. I used just let whatever happened just happen to me. I thought that I was being in tune with everything. That just meant that I had no purpose but I would tell myself is that I am just enjoying life. What is funny is that I am enjoying life more now than before. It feels really good to get your stuff together and say what is the next thing I need to do. 

I guess I would rather feel like:


Than like this:


So I have to ask everyday: which would I rather be like?

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Day 28 Tai Chi? Yeah I'll Try Something New


Yesterday I tried something I always wanted to before. I took a Tai Chi class and it was really awesome. It was a very powerful experience and I learned that I need more control over my body. In listing many of my goals over next couple of months health is one of them. It helps tremendously to when you have a goal in mind. As my boy Jim Rohn says:

"If the vision is clear and powerful, people will pay any price."

This is very true and I think this connects to the power of visualization. I wonder if dreaming is considered the same thing. I mean dreams of what you want to become or where do you want to go in your life. Visualizing can be very powerful but if it is not combined with disciple nothing will happen. What helps me in challenging myself is sitting down and actually writing out how I what to grow in a certain area. Making the right steps to achieve something you have clearly defined is a much better formula for growth than just hoping it will happen. 

Monday, February 24, 2014

Day 27: Life, The Great Grindstone


I just finished reading The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod and it was excellent! I highly recommend that book to anyone who has always wanted to make a change but might not be sure how to begin. This book will take you from where you are, walk you through a process and give you some tools to make a change for yourself. At the end of his book I felt really excited about my life. I remember having this feeling only one other time after reading a very good book. It was this one:



Now I know it is subtitled, A Black Choice, but this book is for everyone. His main focus is to encourage Black people to make positive changes in their life by using famous successful Black people as role models. He talks about how Oprah grew up in horrible poverty, how Fredrick Douglas was so gifted in speaking he toured Europe as he was buying his freedom, how George Washington Carver was a brilliant scientist and so much more. This book is a great buy! 

If you have 10 minutes and want to great inspiration here is a video of Dennis Kimbro speaking:


He's got a really funny story at 4:15.

Don't worry I will be writing about The Miracle Morning for the next month or so! So I will be getting back to you about it!

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Day 26- That is Just Not Me

One of the biggest impediments for change is that we believe we cannot change. We like to tell ourselves, "this is just who I am ." I have been thinking about this because I never thought I would be able to do a project like I did yesterday. I would have told myself that I am not that organized and that is just not me. And then I funny thought came into my mind.




Poop.

That is right poop. I was thinking about what it would have been like for me to hear for the first time that I had to use the toilet. Someone at one point told be I need to poop in a toilet. My initial reaction probably would have been, "No. I'm good. I poo in this diaper and that's who I am. I have no reason to change. I'm good, really."







I would have resisted and probably thought, you can't expect me to do that. I can't do that. And sure enough I did. I was someone who pooped in a diaper before and now I am someone who does not. I changed and have become different and better. It was a process but most importantly I needed to change how I thought about myself. Now people helped like my mommy and daddy but after a while mommy and daddy won't be there to wipe your butt anymore. I have to make a decision everyday to grow and change and transform my life and how I see myself. What helped me to changed is that I need to see who I want to become in order to change the way I currently am. I guess I really need to learn is how to DEPEND on myself!


Good night Everyone! I'll be here all night! Tip your waitress!

I will leave you with the same words my mother told me when she got sick of changing me:

GO CHANGE YOURSELF!

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Day 25 Project Complete!



I finished my project. Not going to lie, I have never done something like this before. I created a Three Year Youth Ministry Program! I spent the day celebrating and really enjoying a victory! It felt like a big win. This is kind of day when Old Louis never thought this was possible and New Louis accomplished it. The Impossible became accomplished. I just had to share that joy with whomever! Tomorrow I will be writing more about Personal Development tips but as for now I am enjoying the moment! Good night y'all!

Day 25 is complete! I am already thinking of my next 30 day challenge!

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Project is Almost Done!


I will have completed my project by this time tomorrow. I will have completed my Three Year Youth Ministry Proposal by this time tomorrow. I am about 50% done with the presentation and it will be finished by tomorrow. My brain is totally spent! 

Day 23 of no games is complete. And to think on how much life I would have missed out on if I would have been playing games!

I will be writing more as soon as I finish this project.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Project is Moving along


I did not take this pic but I wish I did.

Sometime when I get that idea in my head I need to flush it out. This Youth Ministry Project is just running out of my head. I feel like Pooh! (get it?) Winnie-the-Pooh looks tired in that picture... and its a pun as well... never mind. Day 22 is wrapped up and I need sleep. I am already thinking of my next 30-Day challenge. I have a little over a week and when I finish I do not want to go to back on video games. Good Night all!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

My First Project to Manage



I want to begin putting into practice some of the Project Management skills I have gained from these classes. I have been thinking about starting a Youth Group and  an opportunity may have presented itself to me. It is a three year commitment. SOOOO my Project Management challenge will be to make a three year Youth Ministry program where I will have every week planned out for the next 3 years. I will be listing goals, movies we will watch, and ideas for forming leaders in the group. I am very excited about this project. I want to challenge myself to do this and plan this out. Even if I fail and only plan out 33%, I still would have planned out a whole year. So I looking forward to this endeavor. Jim Rohn says to pick your goals for what it will make of you to achieve it. This will require a lot of me and most specifically it will require vision. Vision and discipline are what I desire grow and master in my life.

Monday, February 17, 2014

So Much to Learn


Today I was given a very special reminder. It was something that I needed to be reminded of every once and a while. I was reminded that there is so much in life that I do not know about. I love to meet people who know more than me and are willing to share some information. It helps to remind me to become better and admit that I need to learn to more. 

On a side note, my bedtime intentions were very helpful yesterday and I am looking forward to keeping these intentions in the front of my mind tonight again. I want to share with everyone a helpful resource in making a change in your life: Inspiration.





This is Hal Elrod. He starts off by saying we should give up the need for being perfect for the opportunity to be authentic. It is a powerful message and I hope you find his talk helpful. Day 20 of no games has ended!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

How to wake up better!



"Your first thought in the morning is usually the last thought that you had before you went to bed."
- The Morning Miracle by Hal Elrod

Tonight I want to go to bed with these thoughts:

1) I am looking forward to tomorrow. 
2) I will wake up refreshed and energetic.
3) My body will only need 6 hours of sleep.

I wan to see how this works and write about it tomorrow. The main thrust of Hal Elrod's book is that whatever you with your first hour of your day will set the tone for the rest of the day. If you work on your personal development then you can attract success to you by changing yourself. 

I think it is worth a try! What have I got to lose? Good night y'all!

Day 19 done!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Too Much Studying...ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzz

Day 18: Done
Did you play games: No
Did you study too much: Yes
Are you going to bed: Yes
Did you pass your class: Aww yeah!


Friday, February 14, 2014

How Do You See This?

Day 17 of no games is complete. I have been using my time very well and I am excited about that.
And then this happened:


This came out yesterday. What an excellent show. Now I need to see if I can watch this without binge watching this show like I normally do.  I mention this because I want to be honest about any goals I set up. I do not want to develop the mentality that I have worked so hard that I can take a break. Jim Rohn talks about only resting when it is necessary, rest is not a goal. What an interesting thought, to rest when necessary. That is a whole perspective change. I used to just rest whenever I could. It was probably more out of boredom than anything else. But I think I will watch this show and really enjoy it. I want to see plot devices, character development, beautiful cinematography, and some of the best actors giving their best performances. I can look at this as just something to waste time or I can look at this as  something to enjoy and learn from an incredible human achievement in story telling.  Perspective really does change a lot!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Change Your Perspective, Change Your Outcome




This was this morning.



And this was this morning while listening to "Happy" by Pharrell Williams

I learned an important lesson today regarding perspective. I hate the cold. I do not like winters. Maybe it is because I would rather be comfortable than inconvenienced. If you had to go through the storm today then you know what I am writing about. I usually getting angry at this experience but today I decided to listen to something good and uplifting. I chose to listen to "Happy" by Pharrell  Wiliams. I chose not to listen to the people complaining about how they would have to exert more energy today than they normally would. I do it too and I want to break that negative habit. I changed up what I normally do and I did not have to travel this morning like most people did. Many people looked angry and defeated. Tomorrow, change your perspective, how you view things, and watch a change unfold in your life!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The Miracle Morning!

Very Excited!!!
This book just came in the mail! 



Ever since I heard Hal's story I wanted to read this book. Here is one powerful sentence from his book:

And, as a result of choosing to be genuinely grateful for all that I had, unconditionally accepting of all that I didn't, and accepting total responsibility for creating all that I wanted, this potentially devastating car accident ultimately became one of the best things that ever happened to me. 
-Excerpt from The Morning Miracle

Here is a bio for Hal Elrod:

At age 20, Hal Elrod was hit head on by a drunk driver at 70 mph, broke 11 bones, was dead for 6 minutes, and his parents were told by doctors that if Hal ever came out of his coma, he had permanent brain damage and may never walk again. After 6 days in a coma, not only did he walk, he became an “Ultra” Marathon runner, hall of fame business achiever, international Keynote Speaker, Success Coach, hip-hop recording artist, and multiple time #1 bestselling author of “The Miracle Morning” and “Taking Life Head On” — two of the highest rated and most acclaimed books on Amazon.com.

Take some time today to get inspired and listen to his story: 


I listen to him and I want to do something which I do not do to often and that is list what


1) A loving and supporting fiancee
2) A loving and supportive family
3) A heart that desires to know God
4) A mind that desires to as much as it can
5) Friends who keep me on track!

Be Grateful and open your heart to a better life!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Add Value


Really referring to bad habits not so much people lol

One of the areas I want to work on in my life is professional development. I am currently taking a Project Management course online and it has been excellent. I have learned a lot so far about people, team dynamics and I still have tons more to go!

I heard a great line in one of the class that said "If it does not add value, don't do it!"

I thought my God... How profound is that! How often do I perform actions in my life that are not beneficial to me? How often would I rather do nothing than learn something. It is painful to admit but many times I choose nothing rather than something.

I used to work with the homeless and one of the most difficult challenges I had to face was dealing with their addiction. I found most people were aware that the addiction was destroying their life. They would make resolutions and would stick with them for a while. Then the boredom would get to them. They would spend most of their time thinking about drugs and trying to get drugs and what they could sell to get drugs and cause me to write run on sentences. They would get rid of a bad habit and not replace it with anything good. They would create a void in their life and they would not be able to stick to their resolve because they were not able to fill the void. So the void fills itself. 

Replacing my time spent on video games with taking a class or listening to audio books has been a very beneficial way for me to spend my time. I encourage you that if you would like to make a change in your life then create a new discipline to fill your time. That way you ensure you move forward and not backwards. 

Day 14 complete! Week two is now over!

Monday, February 10, 2014

It's Not the Circumstance, it's YOU! Let's Work on YOU!


My God, for years I believed the opposite. "Why do I have to change? I am fine! There is nothing wrong with me! If only things were different... If only I was appreciated more... If only I was loved... If only I was skinnier... If only I wasn't Scottish..." Whatever the excuse maybe, it is certainly an excuse. I do not want to live my life hoping things will get better. I want to live my life being a catalyst for a better change in myself and others. I have listened to this positive stuff before but this guy, Jim Rohn, is different. He is a realist. I do not remember too may other authors who would say that I am in this very situation because I messed up. I remember reading a lot of different advice that would always factor out accountability. I am seeing how important accountability is. Sometimes I need someone to tell me, "Louis, that was not smart what you did. You are much smarter than this." And I can say, "Yeah I messed up and please help me move forward." No shame involved. I truly believe mistakes are not sins. 

Open the door yourself.

In looking at personal development, growing on purpose and living on purpose, a whole new world appears here. A world where doors open up because you attempt to open them and not just wait for the doors to magically fly open. To sit and wait for help seems foolish. We do not have a flat tire with no cell phone service in the middle of no where. We can be like prisoners with our prison cell key in our hand waiting for someone else to open the door. The change inside must occur in order for the changes outside to occur. Open the door and live your life, no one will tell you what step to take. Accept it and move on! Don't waste another minute!

Day 13 of not playing video games is complete!

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Your Turn! Do It!



The only thing standing between 
your intent and your accomplishment 
will be your ability to 
discipline yourself 
to get started. 
-Jim Rohn

As I wrap up Day 12 I want to encourage you to start something new today. Recently I started journaling on top of writing my two blogs and it is because I forgot how much I love to write. A lot of people have provided such great feedback and this is a passion for me. I am almost upon the halfway point of my challenge and I have learned a lot about my self and different things. I want to ask whoever is reading this to think of something you always wanted to try and do it.

If you need some inspiration try this link: 100 30-day Challenges

Here is a cool one: Take a picture on your way to work every morning for 30 days and if you want post it on Facebook or send it to me!  Just take out your phone and snap a pic! Look at life differently for 30 days and see if there is a change in you! The 30 days will pass by anyway so why not do something with it! Here is a 3 min video talking about the challenge that might help to inspire you:


He starts off by saying: A few years ago, I felt like I was stuck in a rut...

I am there and I am getting out of that rut! Come on DO IT!



Saturday, February 8, 2014

Bound By Choice

Men are anxious to improve their circumstance but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.
As a Man Thinketh
By: James Allen


What does it mean to remain bound? It is a very symbolic concept that I do not believe too many of us have experienced. Imagine a person, a soldier, whose army just lost the final battle in a war. Now, the enemy is searching the battlefield for any survivors to take the prison. As he runs into what he thinks is freedom he lands straight into an enemy scouting party and they yell at him to stop. "Stand where you are or we will kill you!" The man has a choice to make - either run away and die, or be captured and live a life of pain. Unable to make the choice, he is paralyzed with the weight of having to make a decision. The enemy seizes him and ties his arms and legs together. Upon returning to the capital city for what he believes is his torture and execution, he is placed in a cell with an older man. There was something about this man... He was sweating profusely, mumbling to himself, rubbing his hands together and every 20 minutes he would yell, "did they come yet?!?!" They stopped answering. 

"How long have you been here?" the soldier said. 

"Twenty-eight days. They say on the thirtieth day they bring you outside. Once outside you can enjoy the sun for 5 minutes, eat your last meal and meet the priest, for after that you will die." 

"Are you ready?" 

"Am I ready?!?! Are you kidding me?!?!" And the man remained silent, staring at the wall where he marked the days off. 

The soldier woke up the next morning and thought, "all I have 29 days left" and he began revisiting every regret he ever had. 

On the day the old man was taken away to his death, he said to the soldier, "Can I give you a piece of advice? You and I are bound to this time and place and we cannot leave this very room ... in one sense. If you are like me, you probably spent yesterday thinking of all the women you should have asked out, and all of the missed opportunities you had. My advice is: do not spend the next twenty-eight days differently! Exercise, practice singing scales, compose a poem, meditate on a passage of the Sacred Scriptures that you remember. Whatever you do, don't waste your last twenty-eight days! My dying wish is that you do not waste the last days of your life! Promise me!" 

"I promise!" Said the soldier as he saw the man taken away one last time. He sat there looking at the courtyard of the prison and saw a very different man than when he arrived. It was a man who was ready to face his death because he was able to impart something significant to someone. 

The next day the soldier arose early, before the sunrise and began to do push ups. When he could not do anymore he would meditate on scripture passages he heard throughout his life. Then he would practice scales in his cell. He secretly wanted to be a singer and always wished he had time to practice. Now he had all he time in the world and could follow a secret passion of his. Twenty-eight days later he was in better shape than when he entered his cell, he felt closer to God and was able to sing beautiful songs. The guards would stop by just to listen to him singing. 

As the guards came to take him to the gallows, they began to weep. They saw a man who focused not on his regrets, but on his opportunity. When the soldier was brought to the gallows, they saw a man at peace. A man who because he truly believed he was free, was free, no matter how thick the chains that bound him were.


Friday, February 7, 2014

Develop the Habit


"The only thing that matters is to develop the journal habit."
-Jim Rohn

I just want to write today. I want to tell you about a cool moment. I am not sure why but I recently started watching American Idol. I never used to watch it before but maybe it is the dynamic of the new judges or the amazing talent that I have been seeing on commercials. Since my dad spends almost all of his time home he watched a lot of TV. So me spending time with my dad usually comes down to us watching TV together. He is the kind of guy who will talk back to the TV and and make really funny comments. It is kind of like Mystery Science Theatre 3000 but with an Older, Cuban man who curses like a sailor. It is pretty awesome. There is something about watching a show where many different people share their hopes and dreams. It is very inspiring to see so many beautiful and talented. I just wanted to share that one of them responded back to a Facebook message. It was a cool moment and it is something I want to tell my dad because it is away we connect. 

So today all I want to say is spend time with someone you love! I did that today with my dad and my fiancee. Days like this are never wasted I just wished they lasted longer.

Good Night y'all
Day 10 complete

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Capture your ideas!

"Failure many times is attributed to a lack of information on how to succeed."
-Jim Rohn

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I wanted to share an idea that I heard today. This idea began to connect with different concepts in my mind already there. Jim Rohn was talking about journaling and he mentioned that one function of a journal is to capture great ideas. He talked about how powerful ideas can come and go and said they tend to come with friends. SO WRITE THEM DOWN! Write them together and see the connections. Do not trust your memory with this stuff. 

One thing that has helped me in personal growth is learning new things. The reason why is because I allow myself to be inspired by a new thought and remove self-imposed limitations. Sayingthat can't be done is a sure fire way to fail at something. Here is a crazy though: how could someone build a house out of drops of water? How can someone take one idea and form it into a massive corporation, novel, lifestyle change, invention? I believe it all starts with capturing an idea. I believe it starts with capturing your idea. Follow my thoughts for a sec.



One drop of water. A single idea. It is fluid, life-giving, it always comes from a source larger than itself, and can be used for the benefit of anything that needs it.


Capture the drop of water and it becomes a frozen moment in time. Capture an idea it is recorded and will be expanded later. In and of itself it is very beautiful, but few of us will ever just see just one snowflake. An idea needs a context it needs to be seen and appreciated in its relationship to others. 


Every year in Sweden the Torne river freezes and over 2500 block of ice are carved out of the river. In essence many different snowflakes come together to form a block of ice. Similarly your idea can be part of something larger and once it is combined with others it can form a powerful concept. This concept might be the seed for something much larger than you cannot imagine at this very moment.



In the hand of an artist the ice comes alive. In the hands of a person who can get things done, your concept could change yourself and the life of everyone around you. Become that person who can get things done. Expand your mind and read about as many different ideas as you can and find people with whom you can share! 


You might ended up with something like Ice Hotel in Sweden. This place has got everything. Ice beds, ice bar, animal sheets, art everywhere and it will be melting in April. The hotel is built every year and they have different artist come to use the ice as their canvas. 

Your idea could be like that. It could helped to create company, NPO, ways for helping people to learn, gain self-confidence, grow closer to God, help others to achieve their dreams while you are achieving yours, etc... You are only limited by what you choose to be limited by or you are limited by what you want to be limited by. 

And don't forget even the Ice Hotel was someone's idea first...

Day 9 is done! 

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

If you want to Change, you may need to hear this!



I want to keep this short and sweet. Sometimes no explanation is needed.

Jim Rohn has really been something special in my life. I once heard, when the student is ready the master will appear. I have been very blessed in my life to have many amazing teachers. But I never new the transmittal of ideas in a book can be the teacher you are looking for and need.

I am keeping a journal and listening to Jim Rohn's audio book, How to use a Journal, and his insights have been tremendous. I just want to share two really tremendous ideas with anyone and everyone.

1) Most of our difficulties are the result of failing to do what we could have done or in doing in haste what we should have never done. 

2)If something didn't work it maybe too late to undo the mistake but it is never too late to make adjustments and revisions in your thinking.

I look back at moments in my life where I could have learned this lesson from reading a book as opposed to learning through life but experience is the best teacher. I can still change and so can you. I also learned one thing though my own reflections today:

Just because the intent may be good does not mean the action should be taken. 

Day 8 is done!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

The Serious Student


Amazing study by architect Gianni Botsford designed for his father.

I want to always become a better student. To be able to listen to an idea, take what is needed for growth and share that concept with another, I think, is what it means to be a student. St. Thomas Aquinas says that if you are unable to listen to an argument, or a point someone is making, and if you cannot explain back to them in two sentences then you do not understand the point they were making. Three quotes pop in my head about being a student:

Sometimes the best answer to give is, "I don't know. Let's find out together."

An intelligent man learns from his mistakes and a wise person learns from the mistakes of others.

There is no teaching. There is only learning. 

These quotes have greatly impacted my life and in many ways. 

Pride prevents learning.

I have come across many stubborn people in my life. People who are wrong in word or action and will fight to the death to not admit it. I believe this is one of the worst things a person can do. The second worst thing they could do is not be able to accept a gift. There is such a deep pride with these characteristics that it almost makes growth impossible. They fight against change and do not contribute in any meaningful way. Another way to say it is that they never learn. We know people who we look at and say, "they never learn, do they?" There is something very freeing when one can admit they are wrong.

Admit when you are wrong.

When you are able to let your guard down around other people, show your vulnerability AND be okay with that, it is like something "magical" happens. I don't know how to describe it. It is like the other person is actually breathing for the first time since meeting you. I can see it in their eyes, it is this moment where their eyes relax as if saying, "You mean I don't have to play this game with you!" It is such a beautiful moment and I realize that not everyone might not know what I am talking about but that is okay. 

So what is the connection between vulnerability and being a student? I really think you cannot have one without the other. To be a great student you have to admit you do not know something. Since honesty and vulnerability are very closely linked, a great student must admit they do not know something and must learn from a master, from someone who knows more. The unsaid hope of every student is, please do not reject me or mock me for admitting to you that I need help. How many people deal with emotional scars because someone kicked them when the asked for help? Too many I think... 

The Three Hardest Things to say:

1) I love you.
2) I am sorry.
3) I need help.

To be a good student is to be honest, is to be open, is to be a verb and not a noun. Not someone who fills a desk but someone who constantly challenges themselves to become better. Always strive to become better because (wait for it) life is better on purpose!

In the part of the talk I was listening to today Jim Rohn said, "Do not be a follower, be a student." He mentioned learning from these books to become better:

1) Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
2) The Richest Man in Babylon by George S Clason
3) How to Read a Book by Mortimer J Adler
4) The Lessons of History by Will Durant
5) The Bible by God

I hope we are able to become more honest and more vulnerable with each other. Acknowledging and Accepting our vulnerability is one of the greatest signs of personal development.

Day 7 Down! Just finished a week!

Monday, February 3, 2014

How much are you worth?


Since I studied philosophy and theology I know that I have a different view than some economist or business leaders. But I don't really know how different my view is sometimes. I learned something today that I never hear before. Maybe it is because I never had an economics class but this is what I heard. Jim Rohn was speaking about getting paid for work. He said that we are paid according to how much value we bring to the marketplace not for how much time we put in. If we got paid for our time then we could sit at home and they would just send us a check. But we get paid for the value we bring.  I think of people who do a horrible job at a company and get upset when they do not get a raise.  It also follows that if a person works hard and helps to improve everything he comes in contact with then that person should be compensated for bringing more value. So if I want to make more money then I have to make myself more valuable.

Make yourself more valuable.

I think why this is so new to me is because this is a different meaning of value than what we have in the eyes of God. So when someone tells me I how much value do I have, I automatically  think in theological terms. My value is at its maximum because I am made in the image and likeness of God and I am loved infinitely, completely and perfectly. But not everyone thinks/believes this way and apparently the market does not. So that give me two choices I can sit and complain about how the market should be or I can work with it and challenge myself to grow. So that leads me to another question: How do I become more valuable?

Increase your value?  Two words: Personal Development

Jim has some really great quotes. They are so simple and profound. One I heard recently was, work hard at your job but not as hard as you work on yourself. He talks about improving your skills, abilities and learning new things. Taking a classes online, getting certifications, reading great books, meeting people who can help you grow. He says, Change yourself first and then everything else will change as well... wow! Groupon has some really great classes on line as well as these two resources:



His stuff is really simple and I want to put it into practice even if it is just a couple of things he has said. I am realizing I cannot change the circumstances but I can change myself. 

Day 6 of no video games is complete! Almost gave in but then I decided to read a book instead. 

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Take Action on Neglect


I would say, if I was honest enough, that I have some areas that I have neglected in my life. I think what may have caused my lapse in writing was one thing: Not reflecting. I can give you an example. On September 28, 2013 I learned an important lesson while rock climbing.





That's me!


I climbed the orange path, #16.


I found myself trying to climb the path as quickly as possible. At certain points I would get stuck because I did not know where to go next. And then it hit me, there is no race... Why was I trying to climb so quickly? Why did I believe that that there was a time limit? It was a Kōan (公案), zen-like experience, similar to when Neo realized that the Matrix is not real, he then realized he was limitless.


There is no race.

The other important lesson I learned is to think about the path before you take it. I like to work backwards. I see a goal and think, okay what are the necessary steps in order to achieve this. I was like that as a kid. When I would do mazes I would always work from the middle or the goal and then go to the start. It made that puzzle much easier. So I realized that when I do not sit and reflect I do not make the best choices. Then things can pile up and getting back on the horse can be intimidating. Sometimes the task could seem impossible and as my piano teacher would say, "This piece of music is impossible for you right now but how will you approach it anyway? From the beginning."  And as Jim Rohn taught me today, you begin by taking action on what you are neglecting first.

You begin by taking action on what you are neglecting first.

Day 5 and still no video games.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Attitude Readjustment


Today I heard about the importance of attitude. Jim Rohn was talking about our attitude towards things. He asked what is our attitude towards our past, future, other, and ourselves. He said two things which really struck me. When I see someone who has accomplished something do I think, "oh I could never do that" or do I think "if he can do it then I could do it!" What an interesting concept. I don't think I think that way but I want to start thinking that way. The other statement that got me was, "Making money is easy." 

Making money is easy

I don't believe that statement but why don't I believe that? Is it because I work hard and do not get compensated well for what I am doing? Is it because I am used to seeing people struggle to make ends meet? Is it because I think I will be struggling for the rest of my life and not be happy? Is that what I expect my future to be? A life where I will be working hard at a job doing something I don't enjoy and zoning out until moments of passion overcome me? I think I secretly do believe this.

I want to change this. I want to be happy. I want to be a strong, supportive, compassionate, successful person who can help others achieve their potential and break the cycle of despair. He ended his talk by saying, "What is one little thing that you are not doing that could be fixed easily?" Write some more.

Day 4 of no video games has been completed!