Rising Out of the Dust

“Make the most of yourself....for that is all there is of you.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson



Today's world we are sold on change. Our nearly former president won an entire campaign on that premise. Our daily lives are filled with the idea that we can and should change who we are. So I am here to tell you that its all a lie. I am sorry, but you are who you are.



However, do not lose hope! I still believe you can change, but just in a different way than you may think. So here are my steps to making the most of yourself.



Step one to this change is probably the most difficult of all. SELF EVALUATION. Since we are unable to really change what makes us we have to recognize what cards we are playing with. What attributes we have both positively and negatively. This is so difficult for three reasons. It is difficult to "find the time" to just sit back and really reflect. With technology and the busy lifestyles that we lead it is just hard to take that time. Once we do take the time most people are either over critical or under critical in this evaluation. No one is perfect. We all have flaws so find them! Though you have flaws there are some positives in you as well so do not forget to find those as well.



Step two is pretty simple. Now that we know what our strengths and weaknesses are we need to learn to exploit them. How can you put yourself in a situation in frequently use your strengths and hide or push to the side your negative attributes. Personally I am a lazy S.O.B. If i am given the opportunity I will sit back on my laurels. That is why when I am the most busy I am at my best. If i do not give myself the chance to be lazy then I allow for my attributes of competitiveness and problem solving to shine through.



Besides being more successful by living this way I think it is a true key to happiness. When I give in to my weaker traits I seem to get stuck in a rut. I seem to be sad more often and hide away in my own self pity. When I am acting on my positive traits I am happier and really giving off happy energy to those around me.



We all have different strengths. Look at some of the most successful people in the world. Most have plenty of flaws. How may billionaires couldn't even finish school? How many saints and martyrs that you read about were not good people for most of their lives. It is never too late to change. It is never too late to become a better you.



So today, do what you are good at and share that gift that is you with others. Be a diamond and rise out of the dust.

Newton's Third Law of Motion

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.



When Isaac Newton came up with this law he was referring to physical forces acting upon one another. My. Newton at the time did not realize how his law was oh too true when it comes to our interactions with each other.



I was told an incredibly sad story the other day from a stranger I had just met. Though sad, it is a great example of my point. It goes as such.....





 A boy decided to rebuild an old motorcycle with his father. They decided it would be a great father son bonding experience. The bike was completed and ran like a dream. The son decided to take it for a ride to complete a few errands. On his way the bike stalled out at a stop light. When it turned green he attempted to kickstart the bike. As he did so another car failed to see him and ran the boy over. The driver of the other vehicle was not drunk, high, or on their cell phone. They simply did not see him. This person I met saw this accident came out of their car to help the boy. He described the scene to me in gory detail. There was nothing that could be done and the boy died in his arms.





This may be an extreme example, but each of those people had an extreme effect on the lives of each other. The boy's image will forever be burned into the minds of those left behind at that scene. The father I am sure will have regrets about building that bike. The driver will wonder why he didn't see him.





Our day to day lives are just like this without the necessary tragedy. Each interaction we have with others has some sort of effect no matter how small. Think about simple things like when someone holds the door open for you, or in another case doesn't even look and shuts that same door in your face. Imagine the times when a stranger has said hello, or a waitress has been pleasant to you. These little minuscule interactions can impact our mood, thoughts, and how our day will be lived out.





Yes, when it comes down to it we are in charge of and responsible for how we act and feel. I will never claim that it is ok to simply let others ruin your day or to single handedly make it a better one. What I will claim, however, is next time you want to take out your bad attitude on a struggling waiter, or take out your bad work review on that annoying telemarketer just remember that what you say does have an effect. So sure maybe you wont change the world with a smile and heart felt hello, but it sure can't hurt. Who knows what sort of changes we make with our every day actions, but one thing is certain.



What you do today will not only change your own destiny, but those around you.

In MY Mind

I think this is a fitting title to start off my BLOG.





I really wanted to make something to spit out all of the nonsense that takes place in my mind throughout the day. I am known as Mr. optimism himself and even I would like to have some sort of account as to why.



Last night before I went to be I played a few bits of music and ran into this lovely piece that I have not heard in a while. The song. titled "in my mind", is a wonderfully simplistic piece of art that really explains my own daily struggle with life. I feel like many will be able to relate.



The song basically goes on saying that I have so many ideas of who I want to be. I have an ideal self that I am always striving for. Goals are an amazing thing and betterment is a wonderful attribute to hold dearly. I think the problem lies in that in the search for betterment it is easy to put down one's current state of being.



Sure I would love to do just a bit more, be more active, more in shape, more loving, and just overall a better person. But guess what, I am not. I am me and really thats ok. Sure I have goals and things in life to shoot for, but I am the choices I make. If i really want to be a great runner again then guess what, I need to go run more! If i choose not to then I have other priorities. That's not a bad thing as long as those priorities are something you can be proud of or bring you enjoyment.



There are only so many days we have on this earth. I can promise myself one thing, that I will make each one count. So if that means skipping a run because I want to play a stupid video game with my brother, or develop my own board game because I am a super nerd then so be it.



I don't think ill ever accomplish everything I want or ever live up to the golden standard I have tried to set for myself, but I will remember that each and every action is my choice. "I am exactly the person that I want to be." That is power. You control your destiny and that is something that cannot be forgotten.





Dont forget to smile and enjoy the song!