Warm & Fuzzy

Emotions

There are two fundamental ways in which we express emotions. Verbal or physical. Each way contains sublets of how the emotion is expressed. Verbal encompasses speaking, writing, and signing. Physical includes direct and indirect expression. Direct is physical expression oriented towards another being, such as hugging or hitting. Indirect physical expression is using our bodies to expression emotions with an object, such as music or painting.

Normally, when we express emotions we will receive a response from another human being. The response will either be positive or negative, all depending on a multitude of variables. The other being can also choose to accept our expression of emotion with open arms or choose to show discontent and withdraw further interaction.

Sometimes we need to express emotions but only wish for them to be accepted. It could be a blogger who only wants to be accepted by their readership and not to entertain opposing viewpoints. Other times, it may be show of emotion through touch or tears, only for it to be coddled with care by another person. In life, we cannot force another human to accept our expression of emotions. It’s a game of heads or tails. The other person may accept the emotions or not. We will never know which side the coin will land, but only hope for acceptance.

The the only way to guarantee acceptance of our emotions, is through indirect physical expression. Often I find myself in heap-full of emotion but don’t care to play a gamble with it. Instead I choose to use artistic expression to release emotions. It has always been something I fall back on time to time, but I never realized how lucky I am to have artistic expression as an outlet. Whatever emotion I feel; love, anger, joy, sensuality, confusion, sadness, etc, my canvas accepts it. My art stands an accepted reflection of my emotions. Without it, some emotions would never be expressed.

Musical Memories

It’s amazing how a single song can bring back the most vivid memories regardless of how much time has passed. Typically, it’s those years in our twenties, which forever shaped our personality, beliefs, and goals that are marked by a musical cord.

Once in awhile, I’ll be flippen through radio stations in the car and land on song that instantly brings me right to the doorstep of a past experience. If I land on a Lynyrd Skynyrd song, my entire mind shifts back to my early twenties. I lived the majority of my twenties overseas which forever will be bonded with a select group of friends.

Lynyrd Skynyrd used to blare through my speakers of my black little sports car as we drove across the Japanese coast on summer days. 10 or so of us, would rise mid morning on a Saturday to head two hours south to camp on the coast. Japanese beaches are not regulated as most American beaches are. They resemble much of Texas’ South Padre Island, where you can drive right up on the beach settling feet from the shoreline.

My romantic interest and I used follow the pact of cars down in the morning. On the way home, we always took our own route home. A bit slower or faster than the others, just depending on the stops we took or the path. We never had a “goal” or specific outlined direction to take. We just went with how we felt that day.

Even today, years later, I can hear Lynyrd Skynryd and be transplanted back in my old Toyota. Sunroof back, sun glaring in our eyes, music blaring, and the smell of our cigarettes as we drove. It’s memories attached to a certain song, that will never be replaced by the present day. Doesn’t matter how old I get, where I live, car I drive, or whose in the passenger seat, because for those 9 min., I will always be driving in Japan with someone else.

Making Your Life Worth It

Washing dishes by hand thoroughly helps the mind ponder the deepest and strangest questions. With my hand stuck deep in a coffee mug, the Bible verse “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son..” surfaced in my thoughts.

I stopped and asked myself if my life was worth a parent loosing a child. Putting aside all the theological answers, studies, and all that jazz, what would your answer be if you simplified it. Having gone through catechism (barely making it), water on the forehead, etc, I know I am asking for a good “ripping” from theologist. But for a brief moment, I had to ask myself whether or not MY life was worth God giving up a Son.

And I did.

Throwing out all the deep meanings behind the apostles, Ten Commandments, bush burning, and ocean separating, what if God (whomever yours is) just wanted us to make our life worth it. Maybe it’s not about following the straight and narrow 100% or even 45%, instead make your life meaningful to the world.

Do something with your life. Something that brings good to an entity more than yourself, your retirement, cars you drive, income, immediate family, etc. Pursue something with the deepest passion and believe in something more than just you. Create, dream, achieve, and work until the day you die - but do something with your life that has helped someone, something, someplace. Make your life worth it.

Embrace Yourself

As an avid blog reader, I rarely browse the comments. Bloggers tend to develop “groupies”, who fill the comment section with verbal high fives and redundant “Great post!”. Today I actually read some comments on a blog post, which lead to a comment I wanted to “high-five” to.

“… I tend to be an idealist, always wanting the highs in life, always wanting many other things as well that don’t quite ’stay’. A friend recently spoke to one of my struggles by saying “Leif, you are probably never going to change.” It was hard to hear, a bit of a shocker, but it was so strong and counter to what most people say (and to what I spend my life trying to change) that it was actually strangely liberating. I cried. Wow, I might never change. And yet, I’m still here, still alive, still doing pretty dang good.” - Leif

It doesn’t really matter what the blog post was about. Leif’s comment is simple life applicable to all of us. We all have ideas shaped by ourselves, others, society, religion, and media to which we grant some personality traits as “good” and “bad”. Instead, we should embrace ourselves for who we are - even the “embarrassing” things.

So to Leif, I raise my glass and say “I’ll drink to that, and hug myself too!”.

Social Networking and Revolution of Play

I was reading Chris Brogan’s blog post “Work and Play”, which he touches on the importance of balance in your life. The delicate art of balancing work and play will be a constant revolution in your life as various demands pull and shift your focus. For those of us in wrapped up into social media, the definition of what is work and play is not always clear.

There are blogs and post galore that speak of what and how much social media to engage. Some will give you their top sites to focus one, number of blogs to follow, etc, but really there is no sure fire, common methodology which we can all follow. Some of us may be attracted to Twitter, or religiously start the day off with Digg. I am finding that really no matter what social media outlets you use, the results will be the same. You will find a niche of people who share a common tread and you will engage each other. I have to admit, that sometimes I feel like Twittering is more like hanging out in the break room than actual productive work. I am sure all of us who are transforming the idea that “networking” needs to as high of a priority as expense reports will battle this internal definition of work. I am starting to except that Twitter is sometimes work, just a fun aspect of it.

If Twitter, blogging, SEO/SEM, and Facebook is an extension of work, then you need a new way to play. Even Guy Kawasaki, the biggest evangelical of Twitter and Alltop, knows he doesn’t need to engage every moment. Some people, social networking started out as “play” after the real work was done. Once learning the powerful magnitude of being LinkedIn with others, it quickly transforms into an extension of work. OMG..now you feel as if you work 24/7, just this time the results are not tangible items for display. This is when you need to find something else to become your play.

I have an addictive personality, which means anything I enjoy doing quickly becomes a “To-do” in my head. One can imagine the struggles I endure when my list becomes impossible :-). When I become “addicted” those activities don’t always feel like play anymore. Needing a break from studying, reading, blogging, running, working, etc, I defined my play on Saturday nights. Several weeks ago, I found an old 1940’s movie on television rather late into the evening. It reminded me of my childhood, when my father and I would pass Sunday afternoons by watching old movies. As one of my favorite childhood memories, I decided I could revolutionize it for my life today.

My play time with no computer on, cellphone turned off, no books on my lap, or pencil in my hand, will be every Saturday night starting after 10pm, when I enjoy a childhood pastime just tweaked a bit. It might not be Sunday after church, have my father there, and I am a bit larger then 5yrs old, but it can still mean as much. This time, wrapped up in Pajamas, dog resting on my lap, and beer in my hand. It’s my play, now what’s yours?

Thanksgiving Day To-Do

It’s the one day of the year where “sleeping” and “eating” are the top priority. People sometimes misinterpret my “saracastic” undertone with constant displeasure in life. In light of that, here are the things I am grateful for everyday of my life.
1. Roommates - though she only stand hip tall, barks, and has make my attitude look angelic, she’s makes a perfect partner in crime. No matter where we are or end up at, we’ll be there for each other..wet noses and all.

2. Independance - I can enjoy taking a morning walk, breathing in the fresh, cool air and find solitude in the sound of the snow crunching under my boots. Having the ability to move within the world, wherever, and whenever I want, without the approval stamp of another or religious expectations that chain my decisions to a man’s companionship is my biggest blessing.

3. Lack of major fear - I live my life fearlessly - for the most part. Yupp, I have that one big fear but most others are really just weeds under my feet. I cannot imaging living with the fear of flying, driving across the country by myself, change, elevators, crowded spaces, or lighting a pilot light :-). Emotionally somedays may be a bit nerve wrecking, but deep down, I know the next day will be ok.

4. Guy Kawasaki Follows Me - HOLY KAW! The man’s follow’s me on Twitter! WOW! (I know he follows hundreds of others, but don’t burst my bubble -ok?!)

5. Finding A Purpose - This year I finally figured out a purpose for owning my own business. It might be broad in scope, but it’s heck of alot better than my original idea 5 years ago. Without the help of an incredible smart, imaginative, creative, and truly talented individual, I would have still be stumbling around trying to figure it out.

This is just a handful of thankful items in my head. Beyond the frustrations caused by clients, living in a country ran by idiots (not for long! whew!), laziness and arrogance of younger generations, and not living where I would really like to….I am content. I will always be a dreamer and never ceasing to dream.

To-Do: Think

Today was a think day. I would be lying if the to-do list wasn’t there, this time fitting on a roll of toilet paper versus a coffee-filter, but it got washed away.

I believe in the journey of life, we meet people who mentor us. These are not the so-called “life coaches” which somehow got so popular. These are your everyday people who share a little wisdom with you. I have had some great mentors: teachers, pastors, friends, coworkers, etc. Their wisdom and tid bits of goodies are priceless.

A great mentor of mine, kept pounding in my head the importance of holding back and just thinking. I “plow” through ideas to get them done, as he eloquently put it. I have slowly become comfortable with just having a “think” day. Forget the to-do list, it will be there in the morning. Somedays, you just need to think.

Today, I got to think, laugh, and get a little work done. Actually alot of work done, if you consider “thinking” something of great importance. Above is a picture of my African Thinker I got from an old friend. He symbolizes the importance of thinking first before reacting. It is important to think and discuss just as accomplishing an action.