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