Random

i have decided that i fall in love easily

i have also decided that its not a bad thing.

Song of the Day: Bombay Bicycle Club: Always Like This

Skill Set vs. Materialism

I have had a lot of change occur recently and certainly lots of uncertainty ahead of me as a result of my actions. I took my last piece of advice about time rather seriously and decided to act accordingly. So I resigned from my job. At that point in the conversation when the ‘I Quit!’ moment came out of my mouth I immediately felt the unease that comes without the security, certainty and comfort to which I am now accustomed. Immediately following that I felt the energy come back into my skin, the true feeling of being relieved and the realization that in all that uncertainly lay infinite options.

One of the exercises I have been meaning to blog about is something I, and probably others who have an entrepreneurial bug, struggle with constantly. The question of resources or more specifically the scarcity of those resources, do I have enough in order to make things work? More often than not the word resources can be replaced with money. So I decided it would be wise to take on the opposite question of what if I did have the resources. What if I had the following amounts $50K, $100K, $1 Million or even $10 Million?

The answer to the last one is quite simple as it’s high enough a number to justify not having to work anymore and simply live off principal and interest. But the other three amounts result in a similar answer. They differentiate in varying degrees corresponding with each amount. With a million most people would save some spend some and do any number of things with the rest but in this day it’s unlikely that it will last you the rest of your life especially if you’re young. With the other two amounts its pretty much guaranteed that production and income is still required. All of this is relative to the individual depending on spending habits, and decision making but in absolute terms it simply isn’t enough to survive on.

The original point of the exercise, as I believe was intended by the person it was given by, was to discover that money in itself is really not a valuable resource. The more valuable thing is having the experience to make the money work effectively and of course to make it multiply. I on the other hand take a slightly different lesson from this. I fully agree with the latter portion about multiplication, but I have and probably always will have a difficult time accepting that experience is the best teacher, perhaps due to my youth and comparative inexperience. I believe that the real insight is that to a point it is almost irrelevant how much money you have to start pursuing the next steps in life, but that the most valuable resource is the ability to think beyond the obstacles that present themselves and just take that step and the associated risk anyway and push beyond any perceived limitations in resources; whether this be money, lack of faith, or in my case the fear of success.

Song of the Day: Bah Samba-Calma

Timeless

The concept of time is something that I am starting to question more and more. More specifically I question the structure and rigidity it imposes on everyday life. I think that we need to have less reliance on it, only using it for more practical purposes rather than the way we blindly let time dictate our lives. I am not speaking to the more obvious notion that time is necessary to organize our life and set up our days accordingly, I am speaking about a bigger picture one in which time, not the individual, dictates when, where and how things will occur in our life. For instance, at some point most people have put together a thought that resembles 'when I have this then I will get that' both the 'this' and the 'that' are controlled by time in this thought. This implies that time, not the individual, has control of our actions or more importantly creates our inaction. Often we approach life with the mentality of 'Have, Do, then Be' instead of 'Be, Do, then Have'. Time is so embedded in society it is difficult to think how one might cope without it while concealing how enormous an impact it has on the way we live and approach life.

A simple example that I can draw from my own recent experience is something I indicated in my one of my very first blogs. This being my ambition to take more pictures and buy a camera. My thought process to achieve this goal was completely wrong. I thought that when I had enough money I would purchase the camera and then take more pictures. This is the 'Have, Do, Be' approach. In the context of what I believe to be the more correct approach (Be, Do, Have) I started to look up camera's and immediately found that I no longer needed to prolong my purchase as I had no idea what enough money to buy a camera would be and more importantly when that would be. I now have a camera which will allow me to take more pictures, learn more about photography and actually achieve my stated objectives.

However, this is just a minor example. Consider this in the larger picture. What are you putting off for 'when the time is right' that is really something we desire that can be acted on now. I am looking more and more to implement this kind of thinking in my life. Time is just a man made concept (brilliant it may be) that is universally and socially accepted by the masses and consequently forces conformity. Consider the 9-5 the bane of my existence. How did we arbitrarily just decide that this is when the world will work and coordinate all its activities during this time period? I read more and more and now experience more and more that really time is not only irrelevant but the actually prevents the very purpose it is supposed to serve. Creating freedom. It seems more and more that those who do not follow the laws of time often create more freedom for themselves and naturally lead fuller and more fulfilling lives.

This concept and perception of time, and my personal feelings towards time may be argued by many. I would assume mainly by those who 'need' that structure and organization in their lives, those on the fringe of obsessive compulsive certainly 'need' their calendars and appointments to be accurate. But this is the exact proof of my point. This is completely artificial. Look at the reliance on time as a necessary fixture in your life and just for a moment consider evaluating the dominance it has on you.

Act on what is guaranteed not on what may or may not be coming in the future. The most ideal time that we have is right now.

Song of the Day: Gui Boratto-No Turning Back

Mental Fortitude

It is times when I listen to music, admire literary masterpieces, and indulge in other aspects of the arts that i realize and wonder how it is possible for one person to be responsible for a body of work that is so all encompassing. It seems that everything they approach has a different intention and consequently and outcome that is so far superior than anything others are able to do. I write this as I listen to Bob Marley. How was he able to almost single handedly able to put reggae on the map. Its not that so much that I am enamored with high profile successes but simply consistency in achieving the impossible. It always leaves me in awe and wondering if I can do it. Is it within me? A little admission of doubt and the fear of failure does exist within me and probably most people but acknowledging that is likely one of the first steps into overcoming that and turning it into a strength.

I say this right now because I have been fortunate enough to be presented with an abundance of opportunity to do something cool and work with friends. I think that not only can I compile a very cool and viable body of work that will allow me to expand beyond my current scope of employment. It also allows me to test out what has become my bible 'The Four Hour Work Week'.

Things in life generally conspire and align to help you achieve what is constantly on your mind or what you desire. This can be a good or bad endeavor it depends entirely on the individual and that person's state of mind. I am a firm believer that things manifest themselves in this way and you have complete control over what arises. Right now my world seems to be aligned in a positive and healthy space. I feel blessed with my current state and am mentally committed to producing outstanding results for myself and those I work with and care for.

Song of the Day: Reflekt ft. Delline Bass - Need To Feel Loved

Build it Up...Anticipation...Blow it Out

Blind Winter

Ah the anticipation of another jaunt into the debauchery that is so familiar to the 'family' vacation. I recall my first post, advocating moderation, a call to exercise a more focused and measured approach to my life. But I also recall writing that perhaps on occasion all that indulgence is necessary, but only just so often. I believe it is the case that just such an occasion is afoot. Coachella!

So we have this amazing place picked out pools, jacuzzi, big back yard, amazing weather, and let's not forget of course a music festival. I am not even so excited about the music festival as I am about the amazing energy and environment that is created every time the family gets together. So much so that the main drawback is when its all over, I come back and reconsider my life again, just as I did in the very first post on my blog. I wonder which is going to be the one adventure that finally breaks the back of my resolve to settle for living in the situation I am. Complacency will end. This I can promise you ad more importantly myself. For now the summer is upon us and the good times will roll. I can guarantee you one thing, that this trip will only solidify my desire for change. I will not spend another winter in Calgary.

On the business tip I am further crafting and re-crafting my for 'muse'. I think that all the brainstorming and excitement is going to lead to action and execution setting the stage for that oh so sought after four hour work week.

So here I go, armed with the heavy artillery of an external hard drive filled with amazing beats, a few vitamins, and one of the baddest crews assembled off into the Palm Springs night.

Song of the Day (Double Dip): Parov Stelar - Kiss Kiss
Deadmau5 - Brazil

Veneration

"90 percent of life is just showing up" - Woody Allen

I am totally sold. There is no one thing more conducive and compelling to promote positive change in people than traveling. It is one sole learning experience that has a more profound impact on any one individual. I have never had a child or persevered through insurmountable odds but the one thing that I have done and seen in so many is how exposure to other cultures, views, environments, and the people encountered along the way dramatically alter one's sense of self, purpose, spirit and persona.

I am not referring to the travel that millions do every year, essentially transplanting North American people and culture to a tropical paradise combined with debauchery and monetization, better known as the all inclusive. The kind of travel I am referring to is off the beaten path. It can have a structure but generally takes shape as things unfold. Basically travel that is filled with the intention of experience, the kind that when shown to others evoke the reaction 'wow I wish I could do that'. The specutacular thing about this type of adventure is that the only abundant resource it requires is the will to do it. Which really leads me to my opening quote and should really bring up the question in everyone's mind...Am I showing up in life?

The most interesting people, of which it is no coincidence, are the most well travelled. They seem to have left a part of themselves wherever they have been and replaced it with something they collected along the way, contributing to a greater more complete person. It is truly a vicious cycle that begins immediately after the last adventure ends. The urge and constant itch to continue to explore the world and unearth themselves even further. If the world were full of travelling souls seeking the simplicity that comes with understanding the world through experiencing its wonders, we would all be in a better place.


"People say that what we’re seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. What we seek is an experience of being alive."

Song of the Day: Ben Harper-Diamonds on the Inside

Friends Forgotten

It is to my constant amazement when I look at the people with whom I have crossed paths with at some point in my life, who I do not see on a regular basis and the accomplishments they have designed for their lives. It puts into perspective the amazing heights we are all going to achieve in all different directions. For instance since I have really begun to dig photography and try to make it more a part of what I do, I have noticed so many old friends and peers that are now at a stage where its so much a passion its going to be what they do in life. It's almost like I didn't connect the dots while they were doing the high should yearbook or working in the photo lab that this was actually a possibility.

This post emanates in part because of my inclination to do more worthwhile networking and reaching outside of my comfort zone following the often given advice that talking to people who have done what you aim to achieve is the shortest route to get where you aim to be. And so it follows that the intention put out there conspires to reveal itself, meet amazing people, reconnect to those who have long since slipped out of mind, and lastly make the effort to connect the dots that are closer than you may think. Even those who may seem close could use a reminder of how much value they add to your life whether down the block or across a couple continents.

Simplicity and sincerity to all.

Song of the Day: Dusty Springfield- Spooky