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!

The Art of the Brick

Date: Tuesday, September 24th, 2013 Day 22

Today's Affirmation: "I am surrounded by beauty."

Area to improve: Appreciating Beauty

Specific Change: Enjoy something beautiful.

So I have been recently writing a lot about enjoying something beautiful and that is mainly because I think other people will find it more interesting than listening to me talk about reading an investment book. So this time I FINALLY went to The Art of the Brick Exhibit on West 44th between 7th and 8th ave. Here is the link: http://www.discoverytsx.com/exhibitions/art-of-the-brick

To be honest there is nothing I can say except there is a giant LIFE SIZE Easter Island head Lego statue that is composed of 75,450 LEGOS!!! INSANE! And that is still not the largest piece there!

I RECOMMEND THIS FOR EVERYONE!

I want you to go so bad that I will give you a discount for the exhibit:

SMART20DTS

This will save you 20% on your visit! Please do yourself a favor and check this out!

Someone Who is Worth it

Date: Saturday, September 7th, 2013, Day 5

Today's Affirmation: "I am a very lucky person."

Area to improve: Relationships

Specific Change: Turn off my cell phone to focus on the person in front of me


I cannot remember the last time I spoke to someone without, at one point, looking at my cell phone. With a Herculean dedication I constantly refresh my inbox folder awaiting my latest email from Apple or Best Buy. I think when smart phones first came out I remembered being offended when someone I was talking to would not pay attention to me and the very important things I was saying (as if everything I say is important). Now it is so natural that I don’t think I notice it anymore. If anything it is a reminder for me to check my phone and then show the other person what I am looking at on my phone. And then we laugh. And talk again and then check our phones. Many times we just have our phones out on the table.

How did this happen so quickly?

Why do I think that the phone in my pocket is more interesting or beautiful than the eyes of the person I am talking with?

Every eye is unique and every eye is beautiful and deep. And I wanted to remember that. Sadly, I forgot what it was like to give someone all of my attention. I forget that the other person in front of me has an infinite depth to them. I forget everyday that everyone around is made in the image of the Divine and is therefore a glimpse into infinity. My mom, a glimpse into infinity, my co-worker, a glimpse into infinity, the baby sleeping in their mother’s arms next to me on the train, a glimpse into infinity. I can learn so much from the person next to me than I can from the little box in my pocket.

For example my girlfriend is always teaching me. She shows me constantly that, how as a male, I am always wrong! What a blessing to have someone who loves me so much (Seriously though)!

So today I spent the day focusing on the wonderful person in my life; the beautiful, loving, intelligent and infinitely deep person that she is.

With the affirmation I used today I probably should have gone to Vegas, but instead I went a wedding instead I found out how lucky I already am.

Papa needs a new pair shoes!!!

Laying Down One's Life

Date: Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013, Day 1

Today's Affirmation: "I will have a great day."

Area to improve: Relationship with friends

Specific Change: To celebrate another's accomplishment.

Its been about a year now since I left the monastery and I began working at a company doing stock transfers. And today, the first friend I made at my job was getting sworn into the Yonkers Fire Department.

So today I want to celebrate my friend. I want to let go of jealousy and I want to learn how to rejoice for someone else. I arrived early at the Yonkers Public Library at 2:45PM and my train left me right near the Hudson.

Amazing view

So I sat down and Enjoyed Something Beautiful. Then I walked around and found a great cafe called Casa de Cafe. Great service, great atmosphere, very welcoming, chill spot, great music, free wifi and obviously great coffee.

Casa De Cafe 45 Main St Yonkers, NY 10701 (914) 375-2233

After that I went to the library for the swearing in ceremony. As I watched these 45 men, all different ages, sizes, shapes and colors, all I could think was these men want to give their life for everyone. There is a desire in their heart to protect and serve those in great need.

The Buddha compared most people in the world to people in a burning building and acting as if everything was normal. So I always wondered is the Enlightened person the one who runs out of the building or one who runs back in to save others...


The chaplain ended the ceremony by saying, "As you have taught us, Lord, no greater love than this, to lay down one's life for another." So today I want to celebrate my friend and his classmates who know and live out the highest form of love. Thank you for your sacrifice and inspiring me to become a better person.

I didn't give him those flowers.