A Letter to the Dreamers

Dear Dreamers,

If you are like me, you may have once boarded a train, bus or plane in search of something greater than what you thought your home could provide. Whether you have chosen to go the path of the arts, studying to become a pediatrician or you work in Corporate America, you were once a young child looking up to the sky in awe, daydreaming about all the great possibilities of the future. And if your still like me, you continue to hold the same belief that the best is yet to come and that all your dreams can come true, if you work for them.

During this past week, I was given the opportunity to return home to the City of Chicago, a place where I was once raised with the utmost tough love. I returned home to see my family members and friends and through all their excitement of wanting to hear my stories and catch up, I felt I was blessed with the opportunity to not only reflect, but to learn a few lessons. I would like to share some of them with you.

Excuses and Regrets
We all have times when we think others are more deserving of happiness, success and peace than us, but why? Why can't you be the person that breaks the code on solving the eradication of AIDS? Why can't you be like Usain Bolt or better, and break records at the Olympics? Why can't you be the designer of the best energy efficient and environmentally nice smart car? My question is, why can't you be great?

Whether it happens tomorrow or a hundred years from now, you will one day find yourself breathing your last few breaths and as your life flashes before your eyes, you may or may not look back with regrets. Luckily for us all, we can attain the latter path but taking advantage of the opportunities of today.

So how do we that? It starts with diminishing the amount of excuses that we use on a daily basis. I was once taught that 'excuses are tools of the incompetent used to build monuments of nothingness. Those who excel at them seldom succeed at anything,' and the statement is completely accurate. If we continue to live our lives with the excuse that we are not deserving of something better, then we will never do better, thus, never have better. If we continue to live our lives with the excuse that childhood and college days are the best days of our life, then we are automatically setting ourselves up for 40-50 years of discomfort and ultimate mechanisation. But it does not have to be that way. If you choose today, to live more with less excuses, then you may also end up with less regrets. I once heard that 'regrets at death are not about the mistakes we made in our lives, but the fact that we had not made more.'

You have the power to be happy, you have the power to get into the best shape of your life, you have the power to make others smile, you have the power to have less excuses and less regrets, and you have the power to live life to fullest. Contrary to very popular belief, you do not need to be famous and rich to live a good life, but you do need to be open in order to free yourself.

Do Your Best
Do not, do not, do not let other peoples' journeys define your own path. There are close to seven billion people in the world and no two have identical fingerprints. Why? Because fingerprints are our blueprints, our personal brands and our means of being different. It is not possible to be 100% great at every single thing the world has to offer, unfortunately because there are not enough minutes in the day and enough years in our lives to to learn every single thing. For instance, there are currently close to seven thousand unique languages being used throughout the world. This just goes to show how broad our earth really is, but that does not mean that we can not be students of the world.

Each day, we are given another opportunity to start learning a new trade, start a new relationship or simply work on ourselves. Many times we may feel that others excel at things we would love to do and get down on ourselves when we do not do as great as we would like. Failure is inevitable and it is totally okay to fail because failure equals growth. The first day - as long as you are doing your best - you will be successful, but imagine how great you will be on day 23, day 60, day 364 and beyond. As long as you are doing your personal best, then you are successful. Be more confident in yourself.

Live a Little
Don't think just because you are growing up that you can not retain your childhood dreams and still have a little fun. The goal in life is not only to enjoy your youth, but to also enjoy your adulthood. Sure, we now have more responsibilites and fewer snow days, but why stop living your life at such a young age? Society tells us that we should go to school, get a job, get married, have kids and work the rest of our lives. So what, if your life goes: go to school, travel, get a job, travel, get married, go to school and then start building a career. It's totally fine to do the unconventional, just as long as you are content with your choices.

So in 2012, start learning a new language, go to a few concerts and dance for ten straight hours, create a side hustle, learn about investments, live a little bit more.

Show Your Supporters Some Love
Whether it's a thank you card, a round of drinks or a few minutes shared with those who support you, its always great to show your appreciation and gratitude. Maya Angelou has said: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” No great man/woman has ever attained greatness all by themselves. Let your supporters know how much you appreciate them.

Reflect
And toast to 2012. Be Great.

One Life, You Decide™

Video - Visionaries: Tom Ford

Above is a video hilighting the masterful work of the one and only Tom Ford, as he touches on his philosophy of life and the world of fashion. Enjoy.

Some Key Takeaways
1. “You’ve got to figure out what you love in life. You’ve got to do what you love.”

2. “A few times in my life I’ve had moments of clarity when the silence drowns out the noise and I can feel rather than think."

3. “Do something first, then talk about it.”

4. “I’m not going to waste any more time. If it’s not fun, I don’t want to do it.”

Santa Does the Salsa!

Photo by Colin Young-Wolff, LA Weekly

Ever heard of SantaCon? If not, you should probably look it up after reading this post. As I walked down Hollywood Boulevard this morning, it hit me that this past Saturday was not a dream, as 200+ Angelenos and I dressed up as Santa Claus and all his helpers and foes, as we traversed So-Cal.

Even I was a bit apprehensive about the whole idea when one of my friends originally told me about the event. A little weird to play Halloween dress up for Christmas, right? Maybe - but it was damn fun starting off at our meeting headquarters, Hooters of Hollywood and Mel's Diner, for a few rounds of early morning drinks in preparation for an interesting day to come. Next came the flash mob of hundreds of Santas strolling over to the Hollywood and Highland center for Christmas caroling and what totally reminded me of a scene plucked out of Avatar, as we bowed to the 50-foot Christmas tree in praise of the Holidays with bewildered tourists looking on.

Then it was over to a few more bars in the Hollywood area until our sleigh aka the Metro Red Line was departing for Union Station. Surprisingly enough, 'Fuck Santa!' was not one of the first things we heard after departing the train, but actually salsa music as it aired from a local park full of dancers and Santas grooving to the warm sounds of the Caribbean. Without a doubt, it was my favorite part of the day as people gathered around clapping to the beat and humming along to the melodies - I even got a few, 'damn, you're a good dancer!,' from a few people as I left the park dripping with sweat in route to the next bar, Angels City Brewery.

It was about 5:30 PM when we made it to the brewery, which was actually a warehouse full of artisans looking to sell some of their creations, only to be mobbed by the hundreds of us. Eeek! Some Santas were shuffling, other Santas were swinging and some Santas were falling...from a few too many drinks, as we danced for a few more hours. At 7 PM, I noticed it was time for me to head back home and although there were several hours more of the event, I looked back, smiling about the great day I had.

Finally, it was back to the sleigh for me, when an underprivileged person asked me for some change.

What were his words after I gave him a few dollars?
"Thanks Santa, but your shirt is dirty - you should probably get it cleaned."

O' Hollywood.


Photo by visualkaos

P.S. I managed to cross off more than a few goals from my bucketlist.

It's Been a Year: 2011 Google Zeitgeist

2011 Forbes' 30 Under 30

30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself

via marcandangel.com

My two favorites:

Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance.

In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.

Start believing that you’re ready for the next step.

You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.

The Believer by Common

I personally consider any and everything to be possible and attainable in life, but I have also come to understand that there are many, many people in the world - even those who I currently surround myself with - that can not see the same light at the end of the tunnel and do not believe that we can have everything we desire in life. For some, they may never be exposed to these possibilities and for once in my life, I am okay with that. Everyone has their own path and you have my respect.

Nevertheless, I will not stop believing in you, in others, in the possibilities and in myself.

I've grown to become a believer.

Please take a moment to listen to the words in the tracks above. They are powerful.

"We inherit the power to turn nightmares into dreams,
For those of us who come from less than everable circumstances,
Dreams, good dreams, sweet dreams, dreams come true,
Truthful dreams, truthful dreams become life,
Life becomes belief, belief becomes live!
Live the life you believe."

-Common, Pop's Belief, The Dreamer/The Believer

One Life, You Decide™

P.S. Common's ninth album 'The Dreamer/The Believer' drops December 20th. Definitely worth the buy.

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself

via marcandangel.com

Got a Dirty Eye, See a Dirty World

.

By Mark Nepo

It was a beautiful sun-filled day. I had driven 300 miles to see her. She was 94 and had been in one room for close to 8 months. I was her first-born grandson, and she was so happy to see me. But after catching up, we sat in silence on the edge of her bed, and, finally, she complained how gray a day it was.

I realized then that her one window hadn't been cleaned in almost a year. When I said this, she chuckled, as only someone 94 can, and uttered with her Russian accent, "Got a dirty eye, see a dirty world."
--
It is the same with our minds and hearts. For our very self is the one window we have into this life. And so often, we suffer the mood of a dirty window, believing the brilliant world gray.

Perhaps the purpose of authentic relationship is to help each other keep our minds and hearts clear. Perhaps inner work is the ordinary art of window-washing so that the day is fully the day.

"Before fixing what you're looking at, check what you're looking through."

Update: Writing The Year of 24

Update: Friday, December 2

I don't know how great it will turn out, but I know it all began as a dream over three years ago. I've fallen in love with my book and I have enjoyed the writing journey thus far: A Son's Faith.

A toast!

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Update: Thursday, December 1

It's December 1, 2011 and I am very happy to say that I have reached my goal, AND I am not done. Because the ending has been so difficult to write, I will be staying on my writing schedule until I am satisfied. Sorry, friends - no drinks for me still.

Wish me luck!

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Update: Sunday, November 27

It was quite a shaky weekend for me, and let's just say I was not as successful in my writing as I would have liked. On the other hand, I had an amazing time with family and look forward to closing out this upcoming week with a vengeance. I realize my dreams are coming true as I write this book. And to think, it all started with one word.

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Update: Tuesday, November 22

This morning was probably the most emotional writing day because I received a glimpse of the end, in my story and for the first draft of my writing journey. When I first began writing the book, I wasn't the most excited about the story. Now I realize, it was because I did not fully realize the potential of how far my imagination could actually go.

As my characters have come alive and color has been added, I have been hit with an awesome revelation - I have loved this journey and I equally love the story. In a message to one of my closest friends, I wrote:

Regarding the book, I have been realizing that it is no longer just something I am putting together this month. After I am done with nanowrimo, I will take it as a first draft and go back to the drawing boards for revisions and cleaning up over the next few months. I am not sure how many drafts it will take, but I want to get it to a point where it can be published. Yep, I finally said it.

After years of having the idea, I finally put it out into the universe: it's a story of mother and son.

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Update: Sunday, November 20

Only 10,000 words to my goal! Some days are much tougher than others, but I am getting there. Happy Thanksgiving week to everyone.

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Update: Tuesday, November 16

I'm not sure this is just about writing a book anymore, or about being completely sober in a pool of late night partying and drinking like sailors in the town of Hollywood. Yesterday, I reached the half-way mark towards my goal of 32,000 words by claiming 16,333.

Writing each morning, afternoon or night has given me an escape from any problems and any tough days at work. It is sometimes difficult to find that burst of energy to write, when 40-50 hours of your week goes towards paying the bills, but this month is proving to me that is worth much more.

Each day that I am able to complete my words, grind throughout work, go to the gym and still be able to get other work done, I deem as a success and as a signifier that our levels of discipline can always evolve and grow.

By no means am I saying that writing an entire book in a month has changed me as a man; I am saying that the screws in my brain have started to turn a bit more.

It's quotes like these that keep me going:

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."

-Steve Jobs

It's all worth a shot, right?

Click Below to Continue Reading About My Writing Journey

Beautiful and Inspirational Words by Sarah Kay

What I'll Be Tuning Into This Month

Each day for the next 18 days, HuffingtonPost and TED will post ideas worth sharing.

From HuffingtonPost.com
On behalf of The Huffington Post and TED, we are delighted to invite you on a year-end journey of ideas that can help shape the world in 2012. Starting today, we will be counting down 18 of 2011's most impactful TEDTalks -- and combining them with new blog posts written by the people who delivered them. TED stands for technology, entertainment and design, but the content has become much broader than that. The talks you'll be seeing touch on science, business, global issues, education, and much more. Picking the 18 wasn't easy. For the TED team, it was like being asked to name their favorite child. And this year, they had over 300 kids to pick from. But they finally managed to come up with their selections. Watch them, comment on them, and pass them along. An idea is one gift that you can hang onto even after you've given it away.

Good Siri or Bad Siri?

Is there anything Siri can’t do (besides recognize Scottish accents)? Providing further proof that one day we’ll rely on our smartphones for just about everything, developer Brandon Fiquett hacked Siri to work with the Viper SmartStart system in his Acura TL, meaning he can start and stop his engine via voice command, as well as pop the trunk and activate his alarm.

Fiquett used a proxy server to communicate with Viper SmartStart through Siri, initially starting with voice commands like “Vehicle start” before moving on to the more conversational “Start my car.” While impressive, we’re still waiting for the day Siri serves as a chauffeur, bringing the car around front after hearing, “Siri, be a dear and fetch the car, won’t you?”

via Time.com

The Holstee Manifesto on Bikes

The AND Factor (Coke Zero)

What's Your Worth?

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates on Success & More

The Magic Moment by Paulo Coelho

“You have to take risks”- he said.

“We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.

“Every day, God gives us the sun–and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy.
“Every day, we try to pretend that we haven’t perceived that moment, that it doesn’t exist–that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow.

But if people really pay attention to their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment.

It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting our front-door key in the lock.
It may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousand and one things that all seem the same to us.

But that moment exists–a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.”

Microsoft Envisions the Future

Murmuration

Features a fleeing moment of beauty and it reminds me of my desire to see an aurora borealis.

Pretty Beach House

Location: Sydney on the Bouddi Peninsula
For More Information, Click Here

The Beauty of Augmented Reality

Appshaker recently launched a unique way for people to interact with the amazing world of National Geographic Channel's content from around the globe. It's pretty awesome.

Tom Ford for Skyfall

TOM FORD is once again creating costumes for the forthcoming James Bond film, Skyfall. The designer is dressing Daniel Craig for the second time, after providing the actor with a host of dapper looks in Quantum of Solace in 2008.

"I couldn't be happier to be dressing Daniel Craig again," Ford told the Telegraph. "James Bond epitomises the Tom Ford main in his elegance, style and love of luxury. I am thrilled to move forward with this iconic character."

Craig's Bond wardrobe will include made-to-measure suits, shirts, knitwear, ties and sunglasses - all handmade in Italy. The film, directed by Sam Mendes, is set to be released next October.
via Vogue UK

MW3: The Vet & The Noob

Such an awesome spot and marketing ploy.

The First Golden Rule on Living the Good Life

Taken from Forbes.Com
By Panos Mourdoukoutas

When a 103-year-old man living in a small village was asked what his secret was, his answer was fairly simple: “I have always kept myself busy. I have been living my life. My hair has turned white, my hands and feet are not as strong as they used to be, but I can still reason. And as long as I reason, as long as I keep my mind engaged, my spirit, my soul is at peace. I can still examine and experience the world around me and participate in it, that’s what makes me happy. I can reason under the pine tree how to make better baskets. It now takes longer-much longer than it used to take to make each one for them. But it doesn’t matter. I no longer make them to earn a living. I make them just for the beauty of it, just for the pleasant thought of young men carrying grapes in vineyards. I can still examine life in the village coffee shop where I debate local, national, and international issues with my fellow villagers, and meet new people visiting the area. I examine life in the village church where I raise anew the question of our being. I examine life in the farm where I still plant and nurture olive trees, dreaming of the days the new generation will harvest them, and cut branches to crown Olympic victors.

I examine life by my fire place. I…,” the old man went on and on. “The day I stop examining life, I will be dead.“ That was two years later, just three months shy of his 105th birthday.

The Man in the Metro

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

Are you awake to life?

PS. This Story was Real

Official Trailer: Grand Theft Auto V

Today Marks a Year

It feels like yesterday. The move to LA. The beginning of an incredible journey that actually began exactly one year ago.

I still remember the entire day before, as I anxiously attempted to pack my belongings into two suitcases. Later that same day, I unwillingly began to break down, releasing the words, 'I guess it's time to grow up, huh momma?' Soon after, I went to my bedroom and wrote the following journal entry (yes, the conventional type with paper and pen):

October 26, 2011

"Just told my family my final 'good night's' and 'I love you's', similar to every time I have left my home in search of a new adventure. It is indeed true, a chapter like no other is set to begin tomorrow and I know the story will be beautiful. It is never easy to leave the ones you love behind, but it is definitely necessary while in pursuit of something great. A few years of Chatam Avalon, nine years of St. Dorothy, four years of De La Salle, four years of Vanderbilt and all the summer and year long travels have comprehensively prepared me for this next step: Los Angeles. It is about to begin. I am definitely in need of many prayers, positive energies and affirmations.

I have prepared for this day and this new chapter. I am ready to help change the world."

© Photo Copyright: CityPass

I'm not sure exactly what provoked the tears, but maybe it was the fact that I had no idea what the outcome would actually be once I moved here. I did not have a job lined up, I did not have permanent housing, I did not have much money, but I did have faith, I did have a dollar and I definitely had a dream.

So, in the bright-eyed hours of Wednesday, October 27th, 2010, I boarded that Southwest Airlines plane in route to La La Land, with no looking back. One year later, and I cannot express my gratitude for everything I have learned, everyone that has supported me and even those who have attempted to put me down. I appreciate the whole experience. Like J. Cole says, 'look momma, we ma[king] it...'

...AND it's just the beginning.

One Life, You Decide™

Goal Number One for 24

In just a few days, I will embark on a month long journey towards crossing off the first goal on my Year of 24 Bucketlist: to participate in National Novel Writing Month. Although I sometimes tend to be unproductive with my writing, I came across the website: www.nanowrimo.org, and was immediately attracted to it’s services such as the tracking system, morale partners and a network in which I would be able to connect with many like or unlike-minded individuals.

One of my favorite novels, ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom totals up to 31,983 words, which is substantially lower than the 60,000 word novels that many adults read these days. But none of that matters to me. The focus is on experience, execution and the liberation of my creative ideas. During National Novel Writing Month, I intend to write something along the same length and theme. Therefore, I must produce 1,066 words each day to reach my end goal.

You know what this is going to take? Discipline.

During the first 23 days of November, I will be giving up ALL alcoholic beverages, sweets, fried foods, and will be limiting the amount of times that I will eat out/party. Since November 24th is Thanksgiving Day, I will not deny the possibilities of drinking wine and eating myself into comatose with my loving family, but I will ensure that my daily words are written.

There have been many times when I have begun a small journey only to give up right before the finish line. With each day that I breathe and each year that I am blessed with, my goal is to inspire someone and also, to never, ever, ever, ever give up on something if my heart truly desires it.

Remember, if I do not complete this goal, $30 must be donated to the One Life Brand Foundation (I know you are eagerly awaiting the details on what exactly this is. Details coming soon :)

The countdown is on, wish me luck and support!

One Life, You Decide™

The Year of 24: It's Time

© Photo Copyright: Need for Speed Undercover
The Bucketlist
1. Participate in National Novel Writing Month (November)
2. Travel to a new state or country
3. Meet someone on my “Who I Would Like to Meet List”
4. Attend Burning Man in Nevada
5. Create a cookbook
6. Attend a Toastmasters International session
7. Write a personal manifesto
8. Go whale-watching
9. Have my name in the credits of a feature film Madagascar 3!
10. Create an emergency fund
11. Write a short screenplay
12. Attend Day Glow LA
13. Run a 6:30 mile or less
14. Launch a personal brand website
15. Send an inspirational message in a bottle
16. Solve a Rubik’s cube
17. Create a coat of arms for my family
18. Pay off all student and outstanding loans
19. Become CPR certified
20. Attend a Holi: Hindu Festival of Colors event
21. Run a 10K
22. Buy Some wingtips
23. Have a curated art show
24. Launch ‘Project XXV' (More Info Coming Soon)

Once again, a huge thank you to everyone who emailed, called, texted or messaged me with suggestions for my 'Year of 24' bucketlist and for my birthday. I received over 50 ideas and it was suggested many times that I return to some of the goals I was unsuccessful with during the Year of 23. In celebration of my 24th birthday and with the help of friends and family, I have compiled the list above. For every year I have been alive, there is a goal I must complete before the BIG 25, which will mark a beautiful quarter of a century.

As a means of keeping myself on track, more blog posts (maybe even a new sibling blog) will be dedicated to each goal as I document my journey through words, photos and videos.

To take a look at my extended bucketlist, feel free to visit The List for Life. I truly appreciate all the support and inspiration from my readers up to this point and I look forward to building much more in the coming future. With great focus, hard work and passion, I plan on something very big coming out of this year.

For every task I do not complete, I will add $30 to The One Life Brand Foundation. Wish me luck!

One Life, You Decide™

Sharing Your Gift with Others

October 12, 2011
DailyOM
Living Potential
Sharing Your Gift with Others

The gifts we are born with and those that we work to develop throughout our lives vary in form and function. Some we find use for every day while others are only useful in specific circumstances. Yet many times we overlook opportunities to share our unique gifts with others. It may be fear of criticism that holds us back or the paralyzing weight of uncertainty. Ultimately, we doubt that our innate talents and practiced skills can truly add value to others’ lives. But it is the world as a whole that benefits when we willingly share our gifts. Whether you have been blessed with the ability to awaken beautiful emotions in others through art or industry, or your aptitudes transmit more practical advantages, your gifts are a part of who you are. As you make use of those gifts as best you can, be assured that your contribution to worldly well-being will not be overlooked.

Your personal power is defined in part by your gifts. To use your talents is to demonstrate to the world that you understand yourself and are truly attuned to your capabilities. Your earthly existence provides you with ample opportunity to explore your purpose, to utilize your skills in a life-affirming way, and to positively touch the lives of others while doing so. Yet you may feel that your gifts are not as valuable or worthy of attention as those of others and thus hide them away. However, every gift lying dormant in your soul has the potential to fill a void in someone else’s life. Just as your existence is made richer by the love, support, friendship, aid, and compassion of others, so, too, can you add richness to their lives. Your natural ability to soothe hurt, inspire compassion, bake, dance, knit, organize, or think outside the box can be a boon to someone in need.

As you embrace your gifts and allow their light to shine, you will discover that more and more opportunities to make use of them arise. This is because your gifts are a channel through which the universe operates. By simply doing what you are good at and also love to do, you make a positive difference. The recognition you receive for your efforts will pale in comparison to the satisfaction you feel when fulfilling your innate potential.
via DailyOM

Do Not Despair

Click below to read the text, It is very powerful and moving.

Design: Lake Lugano House

Location: Brusino Arsizio, Switzerland
Designers: Jacopo Mascheroni of JM Architecture

Video: The Official Avengers Trailer

Art: Thank You Steve

By Diana Casadiego Cubides

Idea: Recapping the Year of 23

If you may recall, before I moved to Los Angeles, I contacted many family members and friends delivering the question: "Can you help me out? I need to come up with a list of twenty-three things I must complete before I turn twenty-four. Any ideas?" Within days, I had over a 100 suggestions - some, in which will be a part of my upcoming bucketlist for twenty-four, but let me not get ahead of myself.

How did I do this past year with the Year of 23: Now or Never?

I'll start off by acknowledging the fact that I ran into many roadblocks: I never got around to learning how to play the piano, the Lakers were knocked out the playoffs before I went to a game, DayGlow LA was cancelled and I failed in my monthly chapter writing process. But such is life and I know if I really want any of this to be completed, that I will continue to work on it pass the Year of 23.

It has been an absolutely incredible year, I witnessed many dreams come true for others while I personally feel more aligned with my destiny. During this year, I read more books and literature than any previous year, I stepped outside of the proverbial box quite a bit in search of the 'answers' to life and I met tons of incredible people in LA.

BUT overall, I would probably give myself a B-. I wouldn't say I did a great job in any manner, but I think I was successful in many ways. I dreamed big and was able to cross things off my list such as the most prized: 'perform 23 selfless acts for complete strangers and at least one tally had to include me helping a friend or stranger achieve a big dream." In addition, I participated in my first race, I hiked to the Hollywood sign, I visited San Francisco, I was a 'Yes Man' for an entire week, I learned how to make delicious sushi and etc. From a bird's eye view, 13 out of 23 may seem like a failed attempt, but to me, it was a successful year because every tally gave way to something else, sometimes something BIG. One idea being an increase in passion. For the upcoming year, I am creating another list and will focus much more on planning my work and working my plan.

All in all, it was an incredible year and success is something I feel in my heart because I have become more aware of the present moments at hand. Yesterday, I actually heard the quote, 'have more presence in the present,' and that was something that really resonated with me.

As I finish creating my list for the upcoming year, I am taking every experience with me into the future.

Saying goodbye to the beautiful Year of 23 and saying hello to the Year of 24: It's Time.

Thanks for accompanying me on my journey thus far.

One Life, You Decide™

PS - $170 is now going to the One Life Brand Foundation. It's Time!

Design: Digital Cork

Art: The Future

Idea: Lessons for the Living

"Moving through his high school hallways, Mark recounts the first time he entered the hospice unit at age 18 - “You have to leave yourself at the door...you become an empty vessel.” He meets a terminally ill man with a broken voice who will tell him things about life no text book could ever write.?

from the documentary film by Lily Frances Henderson

Energy: Experience Zero Gravity

by Betty Wants In

Design: Airport Sleepbox

Designers: Arch Group
Currently Installed in Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow

Art: Being Elmo

The doc focuses on one of the most iconic Sesame Street characters and the creative mind behind him.

Idea: Work

For Creator Information, Click Here

Event: CAA Young Hollywood Party

ABOUT
The Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Task Force will host its 9th Annual Young Hollywood Party on October 13, 2011 at The Colony. Over 1,000 celebrities and entertainment industry professionals from nearly every major talent agency, management firm, production company, studio, network, and public relations firm will be invited to help raise money to support Communities In Schools of Los Angeles West (CISLAW).

*This event is 21 years & up.

THE CAUSE
The mission of Communities in Schools (CIS) is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school-based coordinator, CIS connects students and their families to critical community resources tailored to local needs. Working in nearly 3,300 schools in the most challenged communities, CIS has become the nation's leading dropout prevention organization, and the only one proven to increase graduation rates and decrease dropout rates.

Since 2007, Communities In Schools of Los Angeles West has grown to provide integrated student services to over 1900 students at 8 traditional, title 1 public schools throughout Los Angeles Unified School District. Partner schools are Alexander Hamilton and Venice High Schools, as well as Mark Twain, Daniel Webster, John Liechty, Emerson, Hollenbeck and William Jefferson Clinton Middle Schools.

TICKETS
General Admission - $65
2-hour Hosted Bar

VIP - $100
2-hour Hosted Bar
Young Hollywood Party Gift Bag
5 Opportunity Drawing Tickets

To purchase a table ($5,000 for 10), please contact caataskforce@caa.com

All proceeds benefit Communities in Schools.

For more info, Click Here

Idea: Have We Lost Our Wisdom?

Where Have All the Wise Men Gone?
By Michael Meade, D.H.L.

We live in a time of great forgetting. It's not just that people live longer and short-term memory loss becomes inevitable over time. We reach for a familiar name, but it is temporarily out of our reach. Having parked a car so many times, we forget exactly where we parked it this time. We enter a room only to forget why we crossed that threshold and what we were looking for.

There is no tragedy, no great loss in that. Some forgetfulness is natural, just as eyesight weakens over time. Yet nature, in its wisdom, may see the whole thing differently. After 40 or 50 years a person has seen enough of this world and the point may no longer be just looking at life or observing what is going on. After enough time has passed, the issue is not the simple loss of sight, for the point has become the need to develop a genuine vision for life.

The loss of common sight might serve to precipitate deeper insights about life and about death, another event that nature requires. As we "grow older," we are supposed to also grow deeper and thereby become wiser. Those who continue to grow as they grow older are able to develop long-term vision where most become blinded by near-term needs and common neediness. Growing older happens to everyone, but growing wiser happens to those who awaken to a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Similarly, the inevitable loss of short-term memory that accompanies aging is not intended to be a complete loss. Losing one's immediate grip on certain details can be related to gaining a greater grasp of the long-term issues that affect both culture and nature. The first kind of forgetting misplaces things in the moment, but the great forgetting involves a loss of memory regarding the gift of life itself and a lack of living wisdom that helps make both individual and collective life meaningful.

Idea: What 9/11 Can Teach Us

Photo Credits Unknown

We were in the midst of second period when it happened: my teacher became so fed up with my chatter that he kicked me out of Spanish class and forced me to stand in the hallway with hopes of the dean being near. Luckily, that did not happen, but still I chuckled to myself when I asked, ‘how drunk was the guy when he flew a plane into a New York City building.’ Our teacher had just stopped the lesson and turned on the television to the exact same image on every single station.

My chuckles began to go away until they completely turned into concern when a second plane hit the second Twin Tower. The shock and grief that overcame our class transitioned into a disconnected nation in search of an answer.

Ten years later and everyone still remembers exactly where they were when the tragedy happened.

Ten years later, but what can we learn from it?

According to one of the essential doctrines of existence in Buddhism, impermanence is something that constantly comes to mind when I think of such life-changing events. But the question remains, ‘why only life-changing events?’ Why do we recognize everything we had when it is no longer ours? Why do we choose not to live for the moment?

Impermanence is an undeniable and inescapable fact of human existence from which nothing that belongs to this earth is ever free and internal.

“According to the teachings of the Buddha, life is comparable to a river. It is a progressive moment, a successive series of different moments, joining together to give the impression of one continuous flow. It moves from cause to cause, effect to effect, one point to another, one state of existence to another, giving an outward impression that it is one continuous and unified movement, where as in reality it is not. The river of yesterday is not the same as the river of today. The river of this moment is not going to be the same as the river of the next moment.

So does life.

It changes continuously and becomes something or the other from moment to moment.”

September 11, 2001 is a date that will be forever ingrained into America’s heart and should teach us the important lesson that nothing lasts forever.

Today, I not only encourage you to take the time out to think about 9/11, but also the last ten years of your life.

What you dreamed for yourself ten years ago, how close today are you to what you envisioned?

One Life, You Decide™

A Year's Passing

"With returning home to Chicago after this weekend in NYC, I have realized where my heart truly lies and I am really looking to begin the important steps to beginning life after college in Los Angeles. Although I am a recent college graduate, I know I have the drive and creativity to make up for everything I may lack in professional experience."

Exactly one year ago, I wrote those overlying words in an email with an attempt to position myself closer to one of my dreams. Today, I am very blessed and grateful to be exactly where I envisioned (and more). But it's nowhere near over. Over the last few weeks I have discovered how much I enjoy helping and enabling others' dreams and aspirations.

Friends - with the right attitude, ambition, curiosity, hard-work, passion, heart and a smile on your face, you have the power to make all your dreams come true. Harness your passions with your power and chase after what's most important to you in life.

Never give up, fail courageously, give each moment the same amount of love and always keep moving forward. If you don't believe in yourself, who will?

One Life, You Decide™

Inspiration: Los Angeles

"Every moment needs love. One Life, You Decide™"

Art: Lemongrass Salmon & Asparagus

©Photo Credit: Alex Echols

Inspiration: Words + Photography

Art: Untitled Stacks

Number 7 on My Life Bucketlist

Click Here to Read My Entire List

Design: Wacom Inkling

For More Information, Click Here

Inspiration: Miracles

"In thinking about miracles, I believe that our frame of reference has been too dramatic. We have been looking for the burning bush, the parting of the sea, the bellowing voice from heaven. Instead we should be looking at the ordinary day-to-day events in our lives for evidence of the miraculous, maintaining at the same time a scientific orientation."

M. Scott Peck on Miracles, from the Road Less Traveled.

Idea: M. Scott Peck on Science & Religion

"But by virtue of its success, measurement has become a kind of scientific idol. The result is an attitude on the part of many scientists of not only skepticism but outright rejection of what cannot be measured. It is as if they were to say, "What we cannot measure, we cannot know there is no point in worrying about what we cannot know; therefore, what cannot be measure is unimportant and unworthy of our observation. Because of this attitude many scientist exclude from their serious consideration all matters that are - or seem to be to0 intangible. Including, of course, the matter of God."

Design: Sotogrande House

Designer: A-cero Architects
Location: Cadiz, Spain

via HomeDSGN