Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Journey: A Year to be Thankful For
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Exactly one year ago, I had a 10:30 PM ticket in my pocket booked for Barcelona, Spain. I was set to sail away from America to embark on a journey that I will never forget. From the rich paella and fine Spanish wine to the beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic that we generally see in calendars to the night markets of China, I have to admit that I am tremendously thankful (and blessed) for such opportunities in my life, and as a means of sharing this last year with my audience, I have complied a list of experiences that will always make me smile and forever remain in my heart. Enjoy and feel free to add your own experiences to the list if you were there with me.
Exactly one year ago, I set sail away from the United States of America to embark on a journey that I will never forget.
(That was just the beginning.)
Be You, Be Incredible
One Life, You Decide™
P.S. Euros, Pesos, Hong Kong Dollars, O My!
Exactly one year ago, I had a 10:30 PM ticket in my pocket booked for Barcelona, Spain. I was set to sail away from America to embark on a journey that I will never forget. From the rich paella and fine Spanish wine to the beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic that we generally see in calendars to the night markets of China, I have to admit that I am tremendously thankful (and blessed) for such opportunities in my life, and as a means of sharing this last year with my audience, I have complied a list of experiences that will always make me smile and forever remain in my heart. Enjoy and feel free to add your own experiences to the list if you were there with me.
Barcelona & the World of Europe
1. Eating paella de marisco with the Tashashes at Port Vell
2. Drinking cava and wine at a world famous Penedès cellar
3. Sharing tapas with my host mother as one of our final dinners together
4. Watching a traditional Flamenco show in Triana, Spain (it's birthplace)
5. Hiking to the top of Montjuïc to see the entire city of Barcelona (and my home)
6. Visiting Antoni Gaudí's Park Güell
7. Traveling solo to Seville for my personal mecca and retreat
8. Swimming with the White Dolphins in Amsterdam
9. Traditional Valencian dinner with my guardian angel's family
10. Being threatened in Madrid for trying to break up a fight
11. The Erasmus weekend trip with unlimited Sangria and Vodka (and the Dali Museum)
12. Family dinner with five great friends in Portugal
13. Razzmatazz
14. Seeing the Alhambra and later being invited out by complete strangers in Granada (and have everything paid for)
15. Celebrating 22 years of life with friends at George Payne (and waking up the next morning feeling like death, but also making it to my 9:00 AM class)
16. Down Jones (when the market crashes, grab some drinks)
17. La Mercè, Fireworks, Framboesa and Wine Tasting Events
17. 1 Skydiving over the coast of Spain
17. 2 Getting a tattoo (and being happy that it will stick with me forever)
The Island of Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti)
18. Brugal, Bachata, Beaches and Booty (very nice tanned ones)
19. Jumping off 27 crazy charcos (waterfalls) with my study abroad group
20. Tostones with garlic and ketchup
21. Fried Oreos and ice cream with great friends
22. Dancing to reggaeton, bachata, merengue and salsa every night
23. Surviving the 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti and the Dominican Republic
24. Volunteering for the 'Cruz Roja' (Red Cross) to aid those affected by the earthquake
25. Riding gua-guas and conchos everywhere
26. Sushi-Ya with Erin, Ali and Chelsea
27. El Monumento and Lunes de Jazz
28. Partying it up at Carnaval Vegano (Peppppeeeeee)
29. El Fogon
30. Crossing over into Haiti
31. Cheering at the National Baseball Championship game in San Francisco de Macorís
32. Dancing nights away at Vintage (and getting kicked out once for excessive affection)
33. Dinner and drinks at Puerta del Sol and 'the liquor store'
33.1 Work Retreats
Hong Kong & Made in China
34. Bubble tea
35. Riding the MTR for reconnaissance with three great co-workers
36. Seeing the Big Buddha with dozens of dreamers
37. Hiking 10 kilometers with sweaty belly-buttons
38. Chinese lovers (Mini)
39. Partying it up in Lan Kwai Fong, better known as 'LKF' and cheering on España for the World Cup
40. Puffing the shisha with great friends at "Members Only" lounges
41. Receiving smiles from lots of people with no teeth
42. Night markets and bargaining with one of my BFFs
43. Bonding Time, better known as "BT Time" with a few great dreamers
44. Noodles, fish cutlets and dumplings
45. Having the sea as my menu for dinner (and sometimes, lunch)
46. Bungy-jumping off the tallest jump in the world
47. Learning bits and pieces of Cantonese and Mandarin
48. 10,000 Buddhas and having my fortune read
49. Dancing Salsa and speaking Spanish in China
50. The Hong Kong skyline and Avenue of the Stars
51. Being accosted by street salesmen to buy a cheap ass suit
52. Temples
General
53. Inspiring myself and others each day
1. Eating paella de marisco with the Tashashes at Port Vell
2. Drinking cava and wine at a world famous Penedès cellar
3. Sharing tapas with my host mother as one of our final dinners together
4. Watching a traditional Flamenco show in Triana, Spain (it's birthplace)
5. Hiking to the top of Montjuïc to see the entire city of Barcelona (and my home)
6. Visiting Antoni Gaudí's Park Güell
7. Traveling solo to Seville for my personal mecca and retreat
8. Swimming with the White Dolphins in Amsterdam
9. Traditional Valencian dinner with my guardian angel's family
10. Being threatened in Madrid for trying to break up a fight
11. The Erasmus weekend trip with unlimited Sangria and Vodka (and the Dali Museum)
12. Family dinner with five great friends in Portugal
13. Razzmatazz
14. Seeing the Alhambra and later being invited out by complete strangers in Granada (and have everything paid for)
15. Celebrating 22 years of life with friends at George Payne (and waking up the next morning feeling like death, but also making it to my 9:00 AM class)
16. Down Jones (when the market crashes, grab some drinks)
17. La Mercè, Fireworks, Framboesa and Wine Tasting Events
17. 1 Skydiving over the coast of Spain
17. 2 Getting a tattoo (and being happy that it will stick with me forever)
The Island of Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti)
18. Brugal, Bachata, Beaches and Booty (very nice tanned ones)
19. Jumping off 27 crazy charcos (waterfalls) with my study abroad group
20. Tostones with garlic and ketchup
21. Fried Oreos and ice cream with great friends
22. Dancing to reggaeton, bachata, merengue and salsa every night
23. Surviving the 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti and the Dominican Republic
24. Volunteering for the 'Cruz Roja' (Red Cross) to aid those affected by the earthquake
25. Riding gua-guas and conchos everywhere
26. Sushi-Ya with Erin, Ali and Chelsea
27. El Monumento and Lunes de Jazz
28. Partying it up at Carnaval Vegano (Peppppeeeeee)
29. El Fogon
30. Crossing over into Haiti
31. Cheering at the National Baseball Championship game in San Francisco de Macorís
32. Dancing nights away at Vintage (and getting kicked out once for excessive affection)
33. Dinner and drinks at Puerta del Sol and 'the liquor store'
33.1 Work Retreats
Hong Kong & Made in China
34. Bubble tea
35. Riding the MTR for reconnaissance with three great co-workers
36. Seeing the Big Buddha with dozens of dreamers
37. Hiking 10 kilometers with sweaty belly-buttons
38. Chinese lovers (Mini)
39. Partying it up in Lan Kwai Fong, better known as 'LKF' and cheering on España for the World Cup
40. Puffing the shisha with great friends at "Members Only" lounges
41. Receiving smiles from lots of people with no teeth
42. Night markets and bargaining with one of my BFFs
43. Bonding Time, better known as "BT Time" with a few great dreamers
44. Noodles, fish cutlets and dumplings
45. Having the sea as my menu for dinner (and sometimes, lunch)
46. Bungy-jumping off the tallest jump in the world
47. Learning bits and pieces of Cantonese and Mandarin
48. 10,000 Buddhas and having my fortune read
49. Dancing Salsa and speaking Spanish in China
50. The Hong Kong skyline and Avenue of the Stars
51. Being accosted by street salesmen to buy a cheap ass suit
52. Temples
General
53. Inspiring myself and others each day
Exactly one year ago, I set sail away from the United States of America to embark on a journey that I will never forget.
(That was just the beginning.)
Be You, Be Incredible
One Life, You Decide™
P.S. Euros, Pesos, Hong Kong Dollars, O My!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
30372010
One Life Brand™
If anyone knows much about Chicago, they may know a few things about the second city of America. A city with an immaculate skyline paralleled with individuals of all shapes and sizes and colors. It truly is a beautiful place, but the entire city of Chicago is not the same (not by a long shot in some cases). In many inter-city locations, there is a disease and raging epidemic that is tearing our communities apart: the blindness of life. Community leaders and servants are running out of ideas on how to combat the violence within these communities. Yesterday, a friend and I drove to the end of our neighboring streets only to find a beautiful beach with an amazing view of the skyline that makes Chicago such an attractive place. Off into the sun-setting horizon, we looked and sat in complete awe.
My new piece entitled '30372010' is in dedication to the month of July in Chicago.
It's time for a change. Peace is what we need.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Turn to Yourself
August 25, 2010
DailyOM
You Are the One You Are Waiting For
Turn to Yourself
We spend a lot of our lives looking for role models, mentors, teachers, and gurus to guide us on our path. There is nothing wrong with this and, in fact, finding the right person at the right time can really help. However, it is important to realize that in the absence of such a figure, we can very safely rely upon ourselves. We carry within us everything we need to know to make progress on our paths to self-realization. The outer world serves as a mirror. Or to use another metaphor, our inner world has a magnetic force that draws to us what we need to evolve to the next level. All we need to do to see that we already have everything we need is to let go of our belief that we need to seek in order to find.
The path of the spirit is often defined as a journey with a goal such as the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In this metaphor, a person begins a search for something they want but do not have and then they find it, and there is a happy ending. However, most of us know that getting what we want only makes us happy for a moment, and then the happiness passes until a new object of desire presents itself. Joy is a permanent aspect of our inner selves and is not separate from us at any point. We do not have to travel to find it or imagine that it resides only in the body of another. In fact, what the best teachers will do is point out that this very precious elixir is something we already possess.
So when we find ourselves on our path, not knowing which way to turn and wishing for guidance, we can turn to ourselves. We may not know the right answer rationally or intellectually, but if we simply ask, let go, and wait patiently, an answer will come. The more we practice this and trust this process, the less we will look outside ourselves for teachers and guides for we will have successfully become our own.
via DailyOM
DailyOM
You Are the One You Are Waiting For
Turn to Yourself
We spend a lot of our lives looking for role models, mentors, teachers, and gurus to guide us on our path. There is nothing wrong with this and, in fact, finding the right person at the right time can really help. However, it is important to realize that in the absence of such a figure, we can very safely rely upon ourselves. We carry within us everything we need to know to make progress on our paths to self-realization. The outer world serves as a mirror. Or to use another metaphor, our inner world has a magnetic force that draws to us what we need to evolve to the next level. All we need to do to see that we already have everything we need is to let go of our belief that we need to seek in order to find.
The path of the spirit is often defined as a journey with a goal such as the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In this metaphor, a person begins a search for something they want but do not have and then they find it, and there is a happy ending. However, most of us know that getting what we want only makes us happy for a moment, and then the happiness passes until a new object of desire presents itself. Joy is a permanent aspect of our inner selves and is not separate from us at any point. We do not have to travel to find it or imagine that it resides only in the body of another. In fact, what the best teachers will do is point out that this very precious elixir is something we already possess.
So when we find ourselves on our path, not knowing which way to turn and wishing for guidance, we can turn to ourselves. We may not know the right answer rationally or intellectually, but if we simply ask, let go, and wait patiently, an answer will come. The more we practice this and trust this process, the less we will look outside ourselves for teachers and guides for we will have successfully become our own.
via DailyOM
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Key to Success: Hustle Hard
Click the Photo to Read
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Homecoming: Peace at Heart
Outside, there is heat, a beautiful heat I felt as a child and now a hurtful one I feel in my heart. For days upon my return, my blood has been boiling. Where exactly did I gain this resentment for such a beautiful city that I have known as my home for over two decades? Looking back on my childhood, I used to reminisce about summertime water fights, trips to the corner store to load up on flaming hots and oatmeal cream pies, long afternoons of bike riding and football games in the abandoned lot across the street. There were even days when I would try to skip dinner because I was having so much fun getting dirty and running down the summertime hours. Lately it seems I have forgotten the meaning of home and finding peace with returning.
High school was not the easiest time for me, and occasionally, I had the bruises and busted lips to show for it. Some people who were with me then no longer exist physically and I think that is what scares me the most; I lost a childhood friend this year to violence. I can remember our younger summer days of him catching a touchdown pass or crossing everyone over as he went to the basket. You see, I looked up to that kid even though I was older. He was someone I admired because it seemed he had it all, but now he is gone.
It is a fact that traveling abroad and going to school in another state has opened up so many doors and presented many more opportunities in my life, but during these last few years, I think I have forgotten the first door opened up to me, HOME. By stating the word 'home,' I am not explicitly speaking about the house I grew up in, but the city that raised me, my city of the hard knocks. I went off to college and even became a globetrotter, but with everyday I matured or gained another notch of experience, one thing always resurfaced upon my return home, fear. Fear that my dreams would not come true, fear that I would not make it out alive and a fear that I would not be able to help my parents and sister. Today, I recognize these fears as nothing more than old toys ready to be given away. Yesterday, my sister said to me, 'you have got to let the past go, no matter how hurtful it was,' and she is completely right.
How could I ever be completely content in a new home (Los Angeles), if I hold so much resent for my old one? How can I ever move on and run towards my goals for my career if I am not willing to let bygones be bygones with the past? Honestly, I have been afraid to accept the fact that my home is home. Being around other world travelers and college kids, I sometimes think, "why would you ever want to hear about all the violence in my city, about all the kids that don't make it out?" Not that I have found the answer to this question, but I have found peace with it because my home and my past are realizations that needs to be accepted. I admit I never wanted to accept the fact that I did not come from the best place but now, I realize I do come from the best place because it has made me who I am. It has molded me into the young man, who knows that there is a world much larger than the one he calls home. It has showed me that life is not easy, but for those who endure, the blessings are in the struggle. About two to three years ago, I wanted to forget that this place was my home. I have become too spoiled with desires of conquering the rest of the world, that I have forgotten about the fears I have yet to conquer here.
"Before a king can expand his horizons, he must first secure his home."
I am back home and if I were to move tomorrow, at least I would know that I have reached peace.
The world is yours but never, ever, ever, ever, ever forget where you come from.
Good Riddance.
High school was not the easiest time for me, and occasionally, I had the bruises and busted lips to show for it. Some people who were with me then no longer exist physically and I think that is what scares me the most; I lost a childhood friend this year to violence. I can remember our younger summer days of him catching a touchdown pass or crossing everyone over as he went to the basket. You see, I looked up to that kid even though I was older. He was someone I admired because it seemed he had it all, but now he is gone.
It is a fact that traveling abroad and going to school in another state has opened up so many doors and presented many more opportunities in my life, but during these last few years, I think I have forgotten the first door opened up to me, HOME. By stating the word 'home,' I am not explicitly speaking about the house I grew up in, but the city that raised me, my city of the hard knocks. I went off to college and even became a globetrotter, but with everyday I matured or gained another notch of experience, one thing always resurfaced upon my return home, fear. Fear that my dreams would not come true, fear that I would not make it out alive and a fear that I would not be able to help my parents and sister. Today, I recognize these fears as nothing more than old toys ready to be given away. Yesterday, my sister said to me, 'you have got to let the past go, no matter how hurtful it was,' and she is completely right.
How could I ever be completely content in a new home (Los Angeles), if I hold so much resent for my old one? How can I ever move on and run towards my goals for my career if I am not willing to let bygones be bygones with the past? Honestly, I have been afraid to accept the fact that my home is home. Being around other world travelers and college kids, I sometimes think, "why would you ever want to hear about all the violence in my city, about all the kids that don't make it out?" Not that I have found the answer to this question, but I have found peace with it because my home and my past are realizations that needs to be accepted. I admit I never wanted to accept the fact that I did not come from the best place but now, I realize I do come from the best place because it has made me who I am. It has molded me into the young man, who knows that there is a world much larger than the one he calls home. It has showed me that life is not easy, but for those who endure, the blessings are in the struggle. About two to three years ago, I wanted to forget that this place was my home. I have become too spoiled with desires of conquering the rest of the world, that I have forgotten about the fears I have yet to conquer here.
"Before a king can expand his horizons, he must first secure his home."
I am back home and if I were to move tomorrow, at least I would know that I have reached peace.
The world is yours but never, ever, ever, ever, ever forget where you come from.
Good Riddance.
Just Let it Flow
August 11, 2010
DailyOM
A Matter of Priorities
Letting Go of the Little Stuff
We experience numerous disappointments each and every day. Our expectations go unmet, our plans are blocked by circumstance, our wishes go unfulfilled, and we discover that our lives are subject to a myriad of forces beyond our conscious control. In some cases, our response is powerful because we must invest ourselves and our resources to overcome genuine hardship. In others, our reactions are far more passionate than our circumstances likely warrant. The tension that permeates our bodies and minds when we are late for an event, interrupted at work, or sitting in traffic is not inappropriate, but it can interfere with our well-being in profound ways. When we stop worrying about relatively unimportant matters, we can be at peace and devote so much more of ourselves to what is truly important.
The small frustrations and irritations wield such power over us because they rob us of the illusion of control. But every problem is a potential teacher—a confusing situation is an opportunity to practice mindfulness, and difficult people provide us with opportunities to display compassion. There is a natural human tendency to invest copious amounts of emotional energy in minor dilemmas and frustrations in order to avoid confronting those more complex issues that are largely outside the realm of our control. The intensity of our response provides us with a temporary sense of personal power that helps us cope with challenges that might otherwise overwhelm us. But it is only when we let the little stuff go that we discover that the big stuff is not really so devastating after all.
In the stress of a singularly tense incident, differentiating between an inconsequential annoyance and a legitimate challenge can seem a monumental task. Ask yourself whether the emotions you are feeling will be as vivid in a year, a day, or even an hour. As focused as you are on this moment in time, your reward for letting go of your emotional investment may be the very happiness and harmony of being whose loss you are lamenting. Needless aggravation is seldom worth the cost it exacts. You cannot distance yourself from life's inconsistencies, irritations, and upheavals, but you can relinquish your desire for perfect order and gain peace of mind in the process.
via DailyOM
DailyOM
A Matter of Priorities
Letting Go of the Little Stuff
We experience numerous disappointments each and every day. Our expectations go unmet, our plans are blocked by circumstance, our wishes go unfulfilled, and we discover that our lives are subject to a myriad of forces beyond our conscious control. In some cases, our response is powerful because we must invest ourselves and our resources to overcome genuine hardship. In others, our reactions are far more passionate than our circumstances likely warrant. The tension that permeates our bodies and minds when we are late for an event, interrupted at work, or sitting in traffic is not inappropriate, but it can interfere with our well-being in profound ways. When we stop worrying about relatively unimportant matters, we can be at peace and devote so much more of ourselves to what is truly important.
The small frustrations and irritations wield such power over us because they rob us of the illusion of control. But every problem is a potential teacher—a confusing situation is an opportunity to practice mindfulness, and difficult people provide us with opportunities to display compassion. There is a natural human tendency to invest copious amounts of emotional energy in minor dilemmas and frustrations in order to avoid confronting those more complex issues that are largely outside the realm of our control. The intensity of our response provides us with a temporary sense of personal power that helps us cope with challenges that might otherwise overwhelm us. But it is only when we let the little stuff go that we discover that the big stuff is not really so devastating after all.
In the stress of a singularly tense incident, differentiating between an inconsequential annoyance and a legitimate challenge can seem a monumental task. Ask yourself whether the emotions you are feeling will be as vivid in a year, a day, or even an hour. As focused as you are on this moment in time, your reward for letting go of your emotional investment may be the very happiness and harmony of being whose loss you are lamenting. Needless aggravation is seldom worth the cost it exacts. You cannot distance yourself from life's inconsistencies, irritations, and upheavals, but you can relinquish your desire for perfect order and gain peace of mind in the process.
via DailyOM
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Untitled Piece
You may sit there, wondering and thinking - at times, forgetting
Forgetting that everything works out with prayers and hope
Hope that things will start appearing right in front of your eyes
Eyes of dark umber tones that seek a bright future
A future of greatness that is awaiting a start
Believe me, the start is near
But one thing you must learn, is patience my dear
And if patience does not become your best friend
Take the keys of opportunity and run till the end
Till you've reached your dreams outside to within
But still, even then, it will not be the end
-Untitled, Alex Echols
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Taking that Leap
.
Blessed are the ones who are nurtured and raised with the encouragement to follow their hearts and guts no matter how strong the punches sometimes feel. Taking a leap of faith requires more than cojones. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, take another step away from that circle and believe that everything will work out in the end. Taking a leap of faith requires us to contrive dreams that we believe are possible to conquer. Taking a leap of faith is to take a belief in yourself. It is you saying, I can do this.This past Saturday, I accomplished another goal and was able to make another tally on my bucketlist. I conquered the tallest bungy jump in the world in Macau (see picture below). I had many friends ask me if I was afraid or if I was going to shit my pants, and my answer was always 'No.' I was the first one with strapped ankles and the first one to go flying down. I fell straight forward like a pencil being knocked over and went speeding down to the ground like a rocket. It was absolutely amazing.
During the last few months and years, I have been working on this characteristic called 'fearlessness.' No, this does not mean that I am going to run in front of an incoming train or jump in a tank full of hungry piranhas. It means that I am building a list of goals and ideas that I would like to see reach fruition. It means that with these goals, I not only have the cojones to accomplish them, but the faith to know that everything will work out in the end. By saying the end, I do not always mean the end of the chapter, but sometimes the end of the journey.
Over the last few years, I have added such goals as skydiving, living in the Carribean, bungy-jumping, living in Spain, cliff-diving, traveling to Asia, getting 3.5 or better at Vandy and many others to my bucketlist and I have conquered all them all because of faith, fearlessness, family and friends.
To all my readers, what are some of the things on your bucket list? What is holding you back from conquering your goals? What is something you would like to do in the next 6 months to a year?
Are you ready to take that leap of faith?
Go forward.
I believe in you.
Goal 5,233, 400 - Bungy Jump [CHECK!]
July 31st, 2010
Click Here to Read About the Original Bungee Jumpers
One Life, You Decide™
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