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:

https://www.coursera.org/

http://www.thegreatcourses.com/greatcourses.aspx

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. 

You Are The Average...

Day 2 

This is a quote from Jim Rohn

I was listening to a podcast this morning and when I heard this I dropped my jaw. Things started to click in place. I can be confrontational and many of the people who I spend my time with do not challenge me to change. 

Our Patterns Make Us Comfortable

We all fall into patterns where we become comfortable. A place where we can become lethargic and stagnant not a place where I can go to become strengthen. The word comfort comes from the root words which mean "to STRENGTHEN WITH." Another way to understand it is "to fortify something with another." Now it has become to mean something like this:

Yes I am an Anti-Snuggite! There I said it!

I have been trying to fill in my ex-videogame time with things that will make me better. I figure if I keep trying and keep taking the chance something will have to stick. Jim Rohn talks about the Law of Averages by using the Parable of the Sower. He says that finally at the end of the story the excellent seed will fall on good soil (and it ALWAYS will if you keep sowing.) This is the talk where he explains the parable of the sower and I hope it will inspire anyone!

Day 2 of no games has been successful BTW!

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.