I’m interested in people that want to look at their past experiences as a young and upcoming student of life -in any field- and analyze their mistakes/bad movies/first screenplays and novels and even failed business ventures that didn’t make in order learn what worked and what didn’t.

This is where the gems lie. But, if we’re unable to watch one of George Lucas’ first movies from film school because he is too concerned about how it makes him look now as a successful filmmaker, how are we ever going to know where we came from and what we learned along the way?

This is where we must understand, everyone starts from somewhere. And yes, it may look a little ugly and that’s okay.

All too often we believe we need to hit it out of the park at our first at-bat. It’s unrealistic to have those kinds of expectations. I’m not saying we don’t want to swing for the fence, but don’t let it stop you from getting up to the plate next time. The reality is, we will probably strike-out much more than getting hits. Remember: A major league hall of fame baseball player roughly gets a hit 3 times out of 10. Which means he is “failing” 7 times out of those 10 at-bats.

We must pay attention to what we consider “failing.” Gaining knowledge after going through an experience -whether we failed or not- is called wisdom. And how can we ever get to this place without diving in and taking reps.

After all, the future hall of famer doesn’t quit playing baseball after his first strikeout, nor his 66th or 356th. He goes back to practice to make adjustments to his swing. The good ones will continue to do this until they retire the game.

Never stop learning. Never stop making adjustments. But mostly importantly, stay in the game.

Getting into a field of interest because you know there are ample job opportunities after your studies make sense to you? Or chasing a career path because you see the kinds of cars they drive and homes they live in appeal to you? If so, then there is nothing wrong with that.

However, There may be another path in which you can explore and cultivate what you’re passionate about while touching, inspiring and helping others AND get paid a lot of money to do it.

Which one sounds more sustainable? Are you being enriched by your work? How will you and work be remembered? Will your customers’ miss you?

I would like to think there is a better way of getting through life than chasing that cheddar everyday only to come home and collapse on the couch with exhaustion so you can mentally and physically check out as you summon the energy to get up the next day and do it all over again.

What say you?

The title speaks for itself I suppose.

In the same way we choose to be optimistic vs. pessimistic throughout the day, having an attitude of gratefulness works in the same way.

First and foremost, it’s a choice. We are making a choice to look at our lives from a very specific perspective. And I could argue that it’s more about that perspective we choose to view the world than anything else.

When we choose a point of view that supports the idea we have people and things in our lives to be thankful for, it puts us in place where we’re vibrating at a higher level. And let me remind you, this is a choice. It doesn’t just happen. And in doing so, we attract like energy. Like attracts like energy. That’s a fact.

As we move through our day, we are always going encounter obstacles, events and people that will throw a monkey wrench in our day, but coming from a mind set that says, “I feel so fortunate to be here with the resources and loved ones around me,” is inherently a stronger stance than, the “why me” victim perspective. Believe me, I’ve tried many times.

Write out your gratitude list today and see how it works for you.

I’m not sure where I picked it up, but I heard or read something in regards to having an approach to life – especially a creative one – that has never left me. That is this: “Always say yes to the universe.”

What does that mean? Well, to me it means that when we are on the fence about a decision, we should lean towards the yes. I do my best to learn, grow and evolve as a person and often reflect on my daily activities/habits and question whether they are leading me to a place I want to go. If not, then I need to make adjustments to do so.

Here’s an example: my son was taking drumming lessons, and has been for about 5-6 years. He wanted to take a break to catch his breath as he also plays sports in addition to school and felt a bit overwhelmed at the time. We allowed him to do so, but in thinking about it, I asked myself whether I should keep his music teacher to the same scheduled time so I can learn how to play the drums. And so I asked myself. “Should I take lessons and see how this goes?” Following my rule, I said “Yes,” to the universe. It turns out, I have an ability to learn beats. I have been taking drumming lessons for about 6 months and can play more than one Led Zeppelin song as well as others and have kind of fulfilled my dream as a child of being in a rock band.

There are things in our lives we think we may or may not be able to accomplish. If you’re thinking about creating something, it’s probably because you have the skills and drive within you to do it. However, the only way you’re going to find out is by saying, “Yes!”

So, say it.

As a father for over 20 years, I’m able to see some of the tangible results of being a parent and how our guidance has manifested in our children. And quite honestly, it scares me to death.

The reason I say this is because, I have come to understand the importance of being a parent and the subtleties my children pick up from me and my wife along the way. Good and bad.

My parents remained steadfast in their duties, and although at the time it seemed too strict, I completely understand where they were coming from and I reaped the benefits from their discipline and “tough love.”

As a son, it would seem we spend our entire lives doing our best to receive the approval of our father, but it’s my mother that was a beacon of light for me and only fueled my desire to not disappoint her. Ever.

Her guidance over the years – especially in my younger ones’ – gave me the boundaries to explore knowing exactly what was “off-limits” and what was “fair game” as she allowed me to have my own experiences, even though she knew I was shooting myself in the foot.

I would come back to her in tears as she embraced me, gave me some words of encouragement and sent me back out into the world to learn more lessons.

Without this guidance there is no way I could be half the man I am today.