✍ 1987 Digital Cam

Anytime we fail, that's our first go-to response. To some, it's an immediate reflex they've developed when asked even a simple question. That's because it's always easier to push our own faults onto someone or something else, rather than having to admit we are responsible for the errors made. Are we that insecure with ourselves? Have we become this egotistical? Are we so full of pride that we feel more comfortable condemning others, instead of admitting and apologizing for our own behaviors and poorly made decisions? These are questions we should all ponder. Personal accountability is a topic that most people nowadays try to hide in a closet or sweep under a rug to avoid. Just remember this, the next time you feel like playing another round of the blame game: "Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame. You an...

As a kid, I remember hearing that number and thinking how far away those two digits seemed to be from where I was. And now, the day is here. Today is my thirtieth birthday. Growing up, my mother and father always said, "The older you get, the faster time seems to pass." As a child, I didn't understand. But now, I do. Over the past thirty years, I've gone through highs and lows; good times and bad. I have climbed dangerously tall mountains and I've crawled through many lonely and dark valleys. I've gone through pain. I've dealt with loneliness, regret and depression. I've also experienced joy. I have found love, happiness and passion in my life. For it is through knowing pain, we come to experience joy. And I can honestly say, it may not be viewed as much to many, but I'm proud of what I have. I am without any esteemed awards, but I'm proud of what I have accomplished. I have persevered through all the negative and yet, have come o...

Before you judge, Before you make that sarcastic comment, Before you belittle, Before you call names, Before you get angry, Before you snap out of frustration, Before you make fun, Before you complain, Before you act negatively, Before you say something you'll regret, Before you criticize, Before you let your emotions get the best of you... Remember that everyone out there has a backstory. Everyone you come in contact with has scars, whether they are out in the open for all to see or hidden deep, underneath layers and layers of emotion unknown to the public eye. Judging someone doesn't define who they are. It defines who you are. And a fake smile can hide a thousand tears. Mother Teresa said it best, "If you judge people, you have NO time to love them." So take the time and give that him or her in your life, a second chance. You just never know... They might be feeling alone and helpless in the center of an enormous personal storm. And you c...

Until I began my journey into Minimalism, I never realized how consumed I was by all of my possessions. In certain cases, especially with my collections, they had become the very definition of obsession. I couldn't stop buying. I had to have more. I needed my fix to feel better about myself. Once it hits that point, you are officially an addict. Without even noticing you're doing it, you start defining yourself by the clothes you wear, the movies you watch, the music you listen to, the house you reside in and the car you drive. This "stuff" you've accumulated over time starts taking over your identity. And you slowly start losing yourself in your junk. Like Tyler Darden says, "The things you own end up owning you." The great news is: Every day is another new chance to change your life. If you're unhappy, do something about it. It's up to you to take your life back. Today, take charge.

"If you live for people's acceptance, you will die from their rejection." - Lecrae Moore Nowadays it seems, everyone is using at least one social media platform consistently whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Google+, Tumblr, Tinder or Instagram. None of these are inherently wrong, by no means, but depending on how you use that app, it can either have a definite positive or negative influence. It can not only be affecting your life directly, but impacting others who are connected to you. I'm not judging or knocking those who use social media in the least bit. I, personally, used to have a handful of social media apps downloaded on my phone which I used regularly. But after a 30-day Digital Detox earlier this year and a lot of time asking myself which apps actually added value to my life, I now only have two on my cell: (1) Twitter - to keep up with my favorite bloggers and artists & (2) Instagram - to keep up with my family and close friends. So...

Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly. —  Marcus Aurelius Profound quote, isn't it? So, what are your priorities? If today was your last on Earth, how would you choose to spend your final hours? And if you were dead, but able to come back to live one more year, how would your second chance differ from the the life you've been living? Would you show more care and concern? Would you spend more time with family? Would you appreciate your health more? Would you worry less about what others think about you and live a life with less fear? Would you let go of that grudge? Would you forgive those who have wronged you and make peace? Would you stress a little less? Would you be slower to anger? Would you savor every moment? Would you listen more and talk less? Would you try and be more open minded and adaptive to others around you and the environment you are in? Would your hugs be tighter? Would you kiss yo...

Tonight, I had to smack myself upside the head. So many times, I get stuck in "work mode" long after I clock out for the day, without even realizing it. Being in retail management, the majority of my every day is running 60 miles per hour from one side of the store to the other, answering calls and taking care of customers. Instead of flipping my switch to OFF when I'm no longer at the store, I tend to move at the same high rate of speed; trying to multitask my way through my downtime, when I should be doing the opposite. I should be relaxing, chilling, appreciating and enjoying every second of my leisure time, especially at home with my wife. A wise man once said, "Being busy is overrated. Slow down and relax. For life is too short not to."

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist." -Oscar Wilde A new day brings forth new changes and new choices. Always allow yourself to be open to new ideas, new suggestions and new opportunities that come your way. If you limit yourself by closing your mind, you miss out on all of life's excitements and adventures. We MUST push ourselves out of our self created, life hindering comfort zones on a daily basis, even if it is, just us taking a small step in the right direction. Because each step we take out of our own personal circle of complacency, is growth! Don't be afraid of what people might think. Don't be afraid of what people might say. You only have this one life. Make the most of it! To grow and improve, is to live. To remain stagnant, is the same as death.

"The greatest wealth is health." - Virgil Hard to believe that two years ago, I was carrying around 40 pounds of extra weight caused by poor unhealthy and irresponsible eating habits. Basically, my train of thought was if it looked good and I wanted it, I ate it. At one point, my diet consisted of: having two - three Starbucks frappes a day, three or four cans of Pepsi with dinner, second and third helpings of food after work, and water? What's that? I would NEVER even glance at a glass or bottle of water even if i was dying of thirst! I'd rather have passed out in dehydration. Month after month, my weight increased. I knew something had to change. I tried several different diets I read about online. I would stick with one for a few months, then I would start getting bored with it, which would cause my weight to slowly creep back to me. Once I noticed the gains, it was time to start another diet I had placed on my Next Up list, thinking to myself, ...

Someone tell me, Why do we place all of our focus on things we don't have, instead of things we do? Our wants only lead to more wants. Our desire for more never ceases. Once we obtain our lustful yearning, Our appetite only increases. We are constantly telling ourselves we need more. We must consume! We just have to have... - The newest Blockbuster action film of the summer on Blu-ray that features Dewayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Jason Statham, Vin Diesel, Chris Hemsworth and Ben Affleck. - The new iPhone 67+ that has 2 new features that the iPhone 66 doesn't. - The PlayStation 9 with that 5,000 TB hard drive which runs photorealistic graphics in real-time. - The newest curved, 4D, 16k ultra ultra ultra HD flat screen TV. We work and work. And then we work some more. We put in a ton of hours trying to buy our own happiness, when in reality, true happiness CANNOT be found in possessions such as these. Minimalism has taught me a lot over this ...

With all the distractions we come into contact with, day in and day out, there's no better feeling of freedom like turning off one's phone, turning the radio all the way down, rolling down the car's windows and finding a nice, peaceful place to park ...appreciating the fact that you're alive. ...thankful for all the people you have in your circle that care about your well being. ...grateful for all the good times you've had and memories you've made while living this life. There's no greater joy than learning how to live in the moment, without distraction.

"Forget the mistake. Remember the lesson." Most of us tend to do the exact opposite. We go through life reminding ourselves, time and time again, of our ignorant mistakes, our poor choices and the bad decisions of our pasts. Hands down, we are our worst critics. We never seem to want to let go of who we once were; influencing our future decisions in a negative way. It's time to take a stand! Enough is enough! Don't let your past dictate your present, for your present actions are navigating your future direction. Your past doesn't define you! Your past doesn't own you! Focus on the future you, that you want to become.

Daily routines are not the easiest things to momentarily walk away from. But every now and again, it benefits us, to step outside of our comfort zones, breaking away from the usual mundaneness. Once you start taking steps to change your life, even if they are only small ones, your new path will start to appear. Don't wait for someone to come along and push you in the direction you should be heading. Don't wait for circumstances to dictate which way you're traveling.  You be the change, you want to see. Embrace the unknown. Use fear as motivation. Embrace your freedom. Use every resource available. Embrace life. For it's too short not to.

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." - Arthur Ashe Every now and again, I catch myself saying... I'll do it, when I have more money. I'll do it, on my next day off. I'll do it, when I have more time. I'll do it, after I lose more weight. I'll do it, when I feel more comfortable. I'll do it, when I get the chance. I'll do it, someday. I always seem to find more excuses to not do something, than to find reasons to act. If I continue down this road of "someday", I'll end up regretting all the missed opportunities: all the trails I could've walked, all the mountains I could've climbed, all the waters I could've swam, and all the memories I could've made. No more! SOMEDAY is now: TODAY!

Epiphany - an experience of sudden and striking realisation. Back in February of this year, I had a life changing, outlook broadening, perspective altering, eye opening experience... I stumbled upon a documentary called Minimalism. I had heard the word minimalism used in conversation before, but I only knew it's architectural and artistic definitions. Minutes before starting the film, the future me had no idea that everything was about to drastically change. (Cue an epiphany) As soon as the credits began to roll at the end of the film, I realized it was just the beginning... The start of a new and improved me. I realized, I'd been living my life blindly, following the so-called "American Dream" trying to make more money and obtain more things. 'Cause after all, we are taught from a young age, "The more the merrier". Right? Well, way too much time and energy of mine was wasted, chasing after possessions and trinkets, instead o...

Take a deep breath. It's all gonna be okay. So many times throughout our day, we get caught up in the stress, the chaos, the drama, and the craziness of the environments we are in. It could be your job, your family, your friendships, your spouse or even your kids. It's easy to start giving into anger, sadness, and those negative thoughts surrounding you. For me, one of the best ways to help ground myself when I feel like I'm about to hit my breaking point, is to take myself out of the situation. Even if I only remove myself from the person or place I'm in by walking into another room or outside, I use the few minutes I spend away wisely: Inhaling deeply. Exhaling completely. Mentally repeating, "I've got this". Out with the old, in with the new. Cliche? Yes... but hey, it works.