October 10, 2012
Vegan...?
My ongoing quest for maximum personal harmony and improvement has brought me to experiment with a lifestyle that I've long since been fascinated by, the lifestyle choice of Veganism. A vegan is someone who, for various reasons, chooses to avoid using or consuming animal products. After getting to know a handful of body modification enthusiasts who were also vegans, I really began to see veganism for what it genuinely was, a positive lifestyle choice that is about showing and acting with compassion towards animals and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Being a meat eater all my life it was not only a positive lifestyle change that I could make but also a personal challenge for me to overcome. So in the past few weeks I've been making efforts towards transitioning to a vegetarian diet with goals of eventually being on a completely vegan diet. And most if not all other animal products have already been removed from my life. This has been both extremely challenging and incredibly rewarding thus far. It's something that I would suggest people at least consider trying with an open mind. More updates to come as time goes on.
September 1, 2012
I Miss California.
A short post im writing about my time spent in California this summer.
I remember not sleeping the night before leaving
I remember looking out the window of the car into the dark sky at 3am on my way to the airport
I remember the long flight over to California and all the thoughts rushing through my head during those 7 hours
I remember landing and driving down the highway to my aunts house
I remember looking out the car window and seeing nothing but dirt for miles
I remember getting to her house in the middle of no where and settling in
I remember finally getting to sleep on the air mattress on the floor of an empty room
I remember waking up in the morning and looking out the window at the mountains as I ate my Fruity Pebble
I remember going to Ink N Iron and meeting so many incredible people and great artists
I remember getting tattooed by Adrian freakin’ Dominic
I remember calling my best friend to tell them i just got tattooed
I remember going to Tempest Freerunning Academy and training with some amazing freerunners
I remember going to the Santa Monica Pier and enjoy the west coast
I remember experiencing LA Traffic for the first time ever
I remember the amazing time I had in California for the month of June
And I want to go back.
July 24, 2012
Flash Fiction 1
I sit down on the cranberry carpet floor of my small living
room. Pulling one leg in against my opposing thigh, I extend the other one out
completely, and reach for my toes. On to the other side as I reverse the role
of each leg. After this I pour myself a cup of water and notice the clock... 4
AM. After my cup of water has slid between my lips and down my throat, I
continue to stretch.
November 29, 2011
Self Realization and Doing the Impossible
Over the past few weeks I've had highs and lows in my daily life. One low that stands out more so than others is coming to the realization that I am not as flexible as I once was many many years ago, and I've been slacking on stretching each morning. This discouraged me slightly for a short time knowing that it was only hindering me from reaching my ultimate goals regarding my flexibility but those thoughts of discouragement quickly vanished. They vanished when I realized that it's less about the goal that you have in mind and more so about the journey taken to the goal, and striving to improve as a person. Even if you don't necessarily reach your goal, I'm sure you can get something good out of your efforts. It's like... if you get into a fight and lose, at the end of the day you can still look yourself in the mirror knowing that you stood up for what you believed in and didnt but into someone else's bullshit philosophy. So although I am not close to reaching my goal, I'm happy knowing that each day im improving and getting closer to my goal, improving my flexibility, and improving as a person. Striving to be the best i can be, then striving to be more. With that being said I am looking forward to stretching everyday, trying to go for walks/jogs when it's not too terribly cold out (it is current winter here in Massachusetts), possibly doing yoga, and staying active.
Not to jump around on subjects but the other day I had an interesting conversation with a man by the name of Richard Effin' Ivey. Richard is a professional Body Modification Artist. I've been incredibly fascinated by the Body Modification industry for a few years now, ever since my freshman year biology teacher exposed me to it. Since then I've gotten tons of negative reactions from people, and even more so when they find out that I want to do it for a living, I want to be a professional body modification artist. I've been told that its unrealistic or that it's not a real job, or that I'm going to make no money doing it. Constantly faced with discouraging comments from peers and other people that are "involved" in my life. This does not change my views or opinions whatsoever, I still want to become a professional body modification artist and will do everything I possibly can to succeed in doing so. People shouldn't ever let fear stop them from doing something that they want to, no matter how absurd your dreams may seem, you should always try to make them come true. Even if I don't succeed, at least I can say that i gave it my all and that's the reason why i can go to sleep happy every night and you're still complaining about how unhappy you are. I will be happier with my failures than you will ever be with your mediocre version of "success".
Not to jump around on subjects but the other day I had an interesting conversation with a man by the name of Richard Effin' Ivey. Richard is a professional Body Modification Artist. I've been incredibly fascinated by the Body Modification industry for a few years now, ever since my freshman year biology teacher exposed me to it. Since then I've gotten tons of negative reactions from people, and even more so when they find out that I want to do it for a living, I want to be a professional body modification artist. I've been told that its unrealistic or that it's not a real job, or that I'm going to make no money doing it. Constantly faced with discouraging comments from peers and other people that are "involved" in my life. This does not change my views or opinions whatsoever, I still want to become a professional body modification artist and will do everything I possibly can to succeed in doing so. People shouldn't ever let fear stop them from doing something that they want to, no matter how absurd your dreams may seem, you should always try to make them come true. Even if I don't succeed, at least I can say that i gave it my all and that's the reason why i can go to sleep happy every night and you're still complaining about how unhappy you are. I will be happier with my failures than you will ever be with your mediocre version of "success".
July 25, 2011
17 Lessons Learned in 17 Years.
so i was inspired to do this from posts by two different websites i frequent. One being The Minimalists and the other being Zen Habits (which i strongly suggest you check out both) to do a little lessons ive learned in the years ive been living kinda thing. so im gonna give it a shot. even though i am currently only 17, ive learned some pretty important lessons both the hard way, and from watching and observing others. so let us begin!
1.) Take Your Time. there is no need to be in a rush, life is too short to rush. take time and enjoy every moment of it, appreciate the beauty of nature around you, value the time you spend with people that matter to you. there is no need to try to "finish first" life isn't a competition.
2.) Don't be Afraid of What Other People Think. worrying about what others think is just stupid, do what YOU want, what makes YOU happy. dont let people dictate YOUR life, if you're having fun, nothing else matters.
3.) Let the People You Love be Aware of That. as previously state, life is too short, so people that truly matter to you, you must constantly show them and remind them.
4.) Hatred is Easy. showing love and compassion is whats really challenging and rewarding, try it more often. you may just find that its a nice change of pace from your normal emotions and much less stressful.
5.) Failure is Always An Option. Failure is the best way to learn something, and will only bring you closer to success. don't let it discourage you from anything.
6.) Expectations Only Lead to Disappointment. its human nature to think about what is yet to come but there is no need to. no one can predict the future, so just live in the moment and enjoy all it has to offer and let go of your unrealistic expectations.
7.) Joy Doesn't Come From Having or Spending Money. some of the greatest joys ive ever experienced were free. dont believe me? simple joys like a hug, or a new friendship are both free and only two examples. and they have brought me more joy than any material possession ever has.
8.) Value What You Have. because you really do never know how much you have until its gone, ALWAYS value everything in your life, because nothing is forever. so dont take anything or anyone for granted.
9.) The Simplest Answer is Usually The Right One. people always seem to think that things need to be elaborate or complex to be correct or what have you, but that is not the case, more often than not the simple answer is the right one.
10.) If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, Don't Say Anything at All. i know it sounds cliche but its true, negativity has never benefited anyone or contributed to anything. but also be aware that Constructive Criticism is something completely different.
11.) Never be Afraid To Ask Questions. don't ever be ashamed of not being able to do something or not knowing something. people aren't born knowing everything and its silly to think you would look stupid for wanting to learn something new.
12.) Gratitude Should Always be on Your Agenda. Being thankful for things is one of the simplest ways to improve your life and everything about it. there is no need to lose sight of what is important and how fortunate you are.
13.) School Can't Teach You Everything. some lessons must be learned through experience and failure. School cannot teach you love, compassion, or empathy.
14.) Everyone is Different. just because someone doesn't do something the same way as you or show emotions the same way as you doesn't mean that their way is wrong, learn to understand others, its invaluable.
15.) There is No Time like the Present. the present is all we really have to live for, don't put things off for the future. because odds are, they will never get done. if you want to lose weight, start dieting NOW, start working out NOW, not tomorrow. NOW. live for the moment and only the moment, because in the end, its all that's left.
16.) All Fear is Irrational. don't let fear stop you from doing anything in your life. fear is never explainable or rational, its all mental. you must learn to break those mental barriers so as not to confine yourself in life. Face your fears head on.
17.) There is Always Something Else To Learn or Experience. you're never done or finished learning or experiencing things until the moment you stop breathing, there is ALWAYS something more, you just have to go out and find it.
1.) Take Your Time. there is no need to be in a rush, life is too short to rush. take time and enjoy every moment of it, appreciate the beauty of nature around you, value the time you spend with people that matter to you. there is no need to try to "finish first" life isn't a competition.
2.) Don't be Afraid of What Other People Think. worrying about what others think is just stupid, do what YOU want, what makes YOU happy. dont let people dictate YOUR life, if you're having fun, nothing else matters.
3.) Let the People You Love be Aware of That. as previously state, life is too short, so people that truly matter to you, you must constantly show them and remind them.
4.) Hatred is Easy. showing love and compassion is whats really challenging and rewarding, try it more often. you may just find that its a nice change of pace from your normal emotions and much less stressful.
5.) Failure is Always An Option. Failure is the best way to learn something, and will only bring you closer to success. don't let it discourage you from anything.
6.) Expectations Only Lead to Disappointment. its human nature to think about what is yet to come but there is no need to. no one can predict the future, so just live in the moment and enjoy all it has to offer and let go of your unrealistic expectations.
7.) Joy Doesn't Come From Having or Spending Money. some of the greatest joys ive ever experienced were free. dont believe me? simple joys like a hug, or a new friendship are both free and only two examples. and they have brought me more joy than any material possession ever has.
8.) Value What You Have. because you really do never know how much you have until its gone, ALWAYS value everything in your life, because nothing is forever. so dont take anything or anyone for granted.
9.) The Simplest Answer is Usually The Right One. people always seem to think that things need to be elaborate or complex to be correct or what have you, but that is not the case, more often than not the simple answer is the right one.
10.) If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, Don't Say Anything at All. i know it sounds cliche but its true, negativity has never benefited anyone or contributed to anything. but also be aware that Constructive Criticism is something completely different.
11.) Never be Afraid To Ask Questions. don't ever be ashamed of not being able to do something or not knowing something. people aren't born knowing everything and its silly to think you would look stupid for wanting to learn something new.
12.) Gratitude Should Always be on Your Agenda. Being thankful for things is one of the simplest ways to improve your life and everything about it. there is no need to lose sight of what is important and how fortunate you are.
13.) School Can't Teach You Everything. some lessons must be learned through experience and failure. School cannot teach you love, compassion, or empathy.
14.) Everyone is Different. just because someone doesn't do something the same way as you or show emotions the same way as you doesn't mean that their way is wrong, learn to understand others, its invaluable.
15.) There is No Time like the Present. the present is all we really have to live for, don't put things off for the future. because odds are, they will never get done. if you want to lose weight, start dieting NOW, start working out NOW, not tomorrow. NOW. live for the moment and only the moment, because in the end, its all that's left.
16.) All Fear is Irrational. don't let fear stop you from doing anything in your life. fear is never explainable or rational, its all mental. you must learn to break those mental barriers so as not to confine yourself in life. Face your fears head on.
17.) There is Always Something Else To Learn or Experience. you're never done or finished learning or experiencing things until the moment you stop breathing, there is ALWAYS something more, you just have to go out and find it.
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