“Nothing happens unless first we dream.” Carl Sandburg

 The first life changing experience I encounter by mail.  I was sixteen, it was the first real letter I received, and it changed my life.  Coincidentally, it was written by me and addressed to me at the same time.  One year prior, a friend invited me to a leadership camp called YLCC. I wasn’t a leader at the time, nor did I ever participate in leadership functions.  His catch was the girl to guy ratio, about 10 to 1, a great way to meet  new girls and have some fun.  I won’t delve in the details of the camp, but it was an oasis for the free spirit, a place to dance like no one is watching, be silly, and share everything you were afraid to share.  

“Dreams are the touchstones of our character.” Henry David Thoreau

Before the three day charade came to a conclusion, we were asked to write a letter to ourselves with all our dreams and goals for the next year.  So there I stood one year later, this letter in my hand, face to face with the power of the unconscious mind.  I realized in one year almost every single one of my goals.  Some were very far fetched and unlikely, but I achieved them.  People always write and talk about the power of goal setting; I experience it.  It was undeniable. Read More→

Recently updated!

I updated this post after a Reddit user left me a great comment. He gave the pessimists response to these philosophies, and I got a great laugh out of it. So I decided to add his comments into the post.  Anything to share?  Drop me a comment with your thoughts…

I love reading great philosophies on living life to the fullest, enjoying each sip from the nectar of life.  I have combined some of my favorites for your reading pleasure. My personal philosophy in life comes from the last line in my favorite poem Ulysses: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not the yield”.  My interpretation is to strive for love, seek knowledge, find happiness, and yield not to fear.

Dance like no one is watching, Love like you have never been hurt, Spend like you didn’t earn the money, and don’t take life too seriously: No one gets out alive, anyways.

Fear nothing, never quit, never give up, never surrender, and always speak your mind even when your voice trembles.  A life lived in fear is a life half lived; because man should never fear death but man should fear never having lived.
The Pessimists Response:

Fear nothing can get you killed, quitting, while you’re ahead or before you get into massive debt are both good ideas. Surrendering when you’re wrong is prudent. Man shouldn’t fear death, but all these people keep talking about how they hope there is an afterlife.

Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find “tomorrow” on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday’s defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow: This is it. Doomsday, All you have.

The Pessimists Response:

If you forget all the defeats, you’ll never learn. If you ignore all the problems, you’ll never get anything done. Today isn’t doomsday, sorry. Read More→

An open heart:   Let everything in without fear; an open heart will always lead to beauty.  Open your heart to the people around you, the sun, the stars, and the wonderful experience of life.  There is only one friend who can never betray you in life; your heart.  It will lead you to your smiles, treasures, and true love.  Take a moment each day and listen to the sound of its rhythmic beat and ask it what the best plan is for today.                                                                                                                                                                   

Limited or no expectations: Don’t limit yourself with expectations of the grandiose.  The less you expect, the more you get.  If you want to be pleasantly surprised time and time again, expect nothing, want nothing, and just be.  Make a point not to plan everyday out, or like me don’t plan anything at all, just step outside and follow your heart to the next pleasant surprise in your life.  It’s when we least expect it that our heart fills us with the white light that brightens the day.       

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