Put a lid on it...

I've always believed in the power of motivation. Better yet, I've always felt the need to attempt to lead by example. It's funny to think how caught up we get in "being successful", "being transformative", and "making a statement". We're beckoned towards identifying our one lasting legacy and expected to follow through with ease and fluidity. What many fail to consider or realize is that the path to becoming successful is not intended to be some sort of pompous egocentric parade of actions. When the intentions of one's actions start to become an item showcase then the intent alone has already negated itself. Perhaps this is a shallow attempt at a rant, but I also hope this is not interpreted in vain. The most common and disheartening thing to hear (which has been a a fairly common topic in my life recently) is the limitations, capabilities, and possibilities of a living breathing human being being crushed at the expense of another person's opinion. When the time comes that a person is directed or "informed"of their limitations because they care about the said individual, do these intentions actually start working against the aspiring individual. It's understood that much of this is done for the concern of the other individual's well-being, but the last thing any person should do to another person is dampen their spirits, hinder their ambitions, and limit their potential. It's said that a flea can jump 10x its height, but when placed in a box it adapts to the limits and restrictions it's provided with. Consequently, the flea continues to jump with the restrictions, limitations, and boundaries it's come to know and adapt to even after the box has been removed. In being successful, one should note that it does not involve limiting others by informing them of what they shouldn't, can't, and need not invest their energy into. Success is neither equated to the scoffs or displays of belittlement directed towards those that are trying to accomplish those things they are most passionate about. I feel the best form of success we can attempt to gravitate towards is the successful and genuine understanding that every person is the creator of their own life pathway, every individual needs the freedom to express themselves without limitations, and success is far from simply becoming acknowledged as a badge of accolades done for all the wrong reasons. The world does not need successful people but individuals that have devoted themselves to discovering their own personal legends.

personal accounts

Accountability does wonders. Even throughout the times when you're at the lowest of all lows. Keeping in mind not just that you're someone's role model, but their only proof that some things can work in one's favor is enough to appease even the most illest of "what-ifs".
"And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
I can't even attempt to recall the number of times I've initially second guessed myself when considering to go after something. I believe it's across the board the level of uncertainty we as human beings experience. And this in all aspects of our life (relationships, finances, careers, and mindsets.) However, I think the key point in tackling these personal endeavors is not in luck, experience, or monies; the authenticity of one's character, adaptability, and perseverance in how one approaches items on their personal agenda can indicate how likely one will accomplish  things. It is truly "the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting..." Not the recurrent distractions that everyone partakes in while constantly complaining about the said activity, person, or place they willingly gave acknowledgement towards.

William Butler Yeats

A needle in the haystack, running on a treadmill, retracing one's steps, experiencing the never-ending rat race of the pursuit of happiness; yet all along happiness isn't even supposed to be a checkpoint in life. What is intended to be a journey of growth is now simply being implied as another achievement that one can tack under his belt and claim ownership to. The process of growth intrigues me, more so the fact that not only is there physical proof, but a mental track record of this odd phenomenon. You meet so many people along the way that insist their claim to fame in the happiness game is owning that coveted 42' plasma or working that rockin' bod. Now I'm not attempting to climb atop my soap box to scold on why material and topical isn't the way because at this point it's very well understood, people just willingly choose to be held back by all their clutter of arrogance, ignorance, and self imposed grievances. Happiness should be ongoing. The route or the experiences that are encountered along the way are some of the few things that’ll differ. And I speak on this topic because it’s something that’s really been crossing my mind as I lean towards making the heftier choices in my life. The one thing that never tends to waver however is the fact that I’m still on this journey right along with everyone else and I’ll continue to be well into the last parts of my life. Happiness is something everyone wants, it what we strive towards, what we try to emulate, and the one thing we try to share with our loved ones; yet people still step on each other and run circles trying to find “it”, this thing called “happiness”, because there’s this idea out there that happiness comes in some sort of tangible form. What should be noted though is that is happiness comes right back to where it all began, with you.

running with a mind to run on

I think if I were to even attempt to write down everything I wanted to accomplish and do, from the most mundane to even the most necessary,  the Post-it corporation couldn't even begin to suffice my request for slips of paper. To most I'm an unrelenting overachiever, constantly seeking tasks to appease my appetite for work. It's funny how what seems like work to most is probably one of the biggest sources of happiness in my life. It wasn't up until recently that I was asked what my passion was. As I began to contemplate the running list I usually churn out, I gave my response some deeper thought. My Agape( essence of God's love) or passion for that matter, had yet to be defined. I understood I enjoyed running, soccer, skating, and reading, but something I could be self sacrificial for...I was stumped, on my own passion too. Looking back I could've easily said, "well it's helping others". However, that didn't seem right either. Charity was supposed to be something we felt naturally inclined to do for selfless reasons. Labeling it as my passion would result in me expecting some type of merit for doing a said act of kindness. That was not the direction I wanted to take my volunteerism efforts in. I dug deeper as the person prompted me further. Learning was the only thing that stood out amongst my topical responses. When we are born we have natural tendencies, needs, and urges, but it's up to us to learn how to navigate OUR own lives. Whether one chooses to have spite against the world, or defy the odds through their own personal pursuit of enlightenment, learning is what will eventually bring self-empowerment, happiness, and self fulfillment. I believe learning has become my agape as cheesy as that sounds. Whether it's learning from my mistakes, people, text, or life, I see and know nothing else that brings me  much greater passion than does the act of learning.