Thursdays Thought

Looking at the world

ALL THE SAME, no change. Individually indistinguishable.

Thought are scarred, jaded peaks. MANIPULATED MOTIF.

A Stagnate sell-sword, dull-end destiny. Paralyzed by AIONARAP|Paranoia

Opinions-Opinions-Opinions they matter, only if about you.

Truth sets free, but be bound by these.

Truth I refuse to open my eye and REVEALING l what I see

Truthfully Truthfully

                        epidemic

ɛpɪˈdɛmɪk/

noun

a widespread occurrence of an infectious nature in a community at a particular time.

             My passion is to work with young people and see them become what they are designed to be. Lately things have been difficult as I have been overwhelmed by what I call “the infection of impassiveness,” a North American epidemic. The blame rests on everyone shoulders. A starting point, and there are many that need to be addressed, is to look at those in a position of authority.

           Oh authority where is your backbone,

                     where is your justice?

         You used to stand firm on right and wrong.

              Now you can't tell right form wrong.

                      A defender of criminals

                         Blamer of victims

The next point to consider is the idea that “we are all the same” or “everyone is equal.” Both of these statements have been perverted beyond the intended meaning and are almost unrecognizable. Like animals, which many argue that we are, the starting point is the same and we have equal CHANCE. Chance being the key word here. However, the outcome will NEVER be the same, NEVER be equal and the path that we travel will ALWAYS be different. We are not all the same and we are not all equal. Some of us are faster and some are smarter, some bigger, some smaller, some hairy, and some loud. We are not the same and we are not equal, and this is a good thing. Each difference in this context creates a vantage point that can bring about ones limits and thrive inside them. Without this difference how will we ever know what is truly exceptional?

                 Oh Young person why do you sleep

                        when you need to wake up

                      If the early bird gets the worm

                             then you go hungry.

   Destiny does not rest in the scarps and shadows of others

                          Step up to the plate of life

                keep swinging till you hit THE home run

         Apathy has run free and been unchallenged in homes, schools, the work place, sports, the arts, and entertainment. The notion that if we “suck” at something then we shouldn't try, benumbs me. Without striving to be better than those before us humanity will remain in constant decline. We have become professionals of riding the wave of others success. Here is my challenge to you, go beyond the plateau of others. Success and purpose are achieved by swimming through the waters of struggle and failure. The question is: are you willing to dive in and get to the other side?

                 Oh people arise, and go to destiny!

       It rests on the other shore waiting to be discovered

                        Moments or highs and lows

                         building the unshakeable

                          Prepare for the journey

It is long and time consuming, full of purpose and fulfillment

                            Back from a writing hiatus! Life chose to require parts of my life that I had to attend to and reevaluate. In that time I finally developed that skill of reading. For some of you this might seem a bit ridiculous, but for an ADD person this is like climbing the Himalayas without feet. Terrible analogy but true nonetheless. Being alone with thoughts and blocking time off allowed for an incredible change in my life. All that being said here is Thursdays Thought (same rules. topic in under five hundred words)....

           Lets say that you are “alive” when your bathtub is full of water. As the plug, for what ever time, is removed and water empties out you are losing your aliveness. So we could assume the one would never want to empty their water, in fact they probably would want to fill it up. Yet many of us, as result of our actions, will choose to live a dryer, less alive, life.

      As an ex-drug dealer of cocaine, speed, crystal meth, and ecstasy I was living a dry life. Now I come from a “proper” background that includes being adopted in a family that consist of 4 sisters and a brother plus the numerous foster siblings (13 was the most we had living in the home). I have wonderful parents, Ron and Jacqui. So you can't say that my environment drove me into that lifestyle.

                                        So what happened?

        The reality of this story is that many of us ended up in a similar situation, though it may not be drug related, we wake up and wonder how is it that we are where we are. Basically what has happen is that we have allowed our waters of morals, confidence, courage, purpose, and endurance to be emptied. This emptying or removal of the bath tub plug comes subtly but is definite. Many of these sources that empty the bathtub of life are: media and all it's forms (music, social media, tv, etc..), bad friends, family members, gossip, offenses done to us (big or small), lying or being lied to etc.. The list could going for ever.

                   So what do we do, how to fill the tub back up?

        Well first put the plug back in and rest. Find those people that love you and have your best in mind. Be careful of what you allow in to you mind. Read an uplifting story of someones life. Last but most importantly the best way to fill the bathtub back up is, and I know this may seem counter productive, give your water to others. Nothing fills up your bathtub of life like giving it to others and seeing them blossom as a result. Before you think this is reserved for hippies, this is also business 101. Giving your water away gives way for more water and greater capacity of life.

Recently I read a blog on 100 things that 20 somethings should know. Needless to say it started out ok but soon just became about sex. So I thought I should write my own 100 things young people should know for this “Thursdays Thought”:

1. You’re not the only person in the world.

2. To accomplish something of value you must put in actual hard work.

3. Love is not just reserved for hipsters.

4. Volunteer in your community, weekly.

5. Don't litter

6. Getting Blitzed is for football.

7. Getting wasted gets old and can NEVER fill the chasm of emptiness.

8. If you’re going to box use gloves.

9. It's better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you’re a fool than open it and prove them write.

10. If you can't be friends with the person you’re dating than it's the wrong person.

11. If your boyfriend/girlfriend can't look through your phone then you’re not ready to date.

12. You don't have to tweet or film everything, enjoy the moment.

13. Don't complain if you don't have a viable solution.

14. Choices you make now will affect you later life.

15. No, you’re not perfect.

16. University is not needed, but if that is the structure you need to learn then go.

17. Art covers many areas, but all require talent.

18. Reach out to a generation other then your own.

19. Limp handshakes are terrible, unless your hand is broken.

20. Practice and play an instrument.

21. Help your parent/s reach their dreams.

22. Cook a meal that isn't from a box for your family.

23. Eat at the supper table and talk.

24. Put things into perspective.

25. You’re not an expert on food, talent, or singing because you watch contest shows.

26. It is not a bad thing to wait for sex.

27. Women are not objects.

28. Ladies, people will be tempted to look at what you reveal.

29. Yes, you are who you are but that doesn't mean that you can't work on getting better.

30. There are absolutes.

31. Read a book.

32. Don't “like” something you haven't fully read.

33. The world owes you nothing.

34. When you truly love someone, you love them or her in spite of themselves.

35. If you give it up too soon than he’ll consider you conquered and move onto the next mountain.

36. Dating is the rehearsal for marriage.

37. Good relationships and Marriages require hard work, communication and HONESTY.

38. Think first, Be sure that your sure, think again, get advice, then be sure that you want a tattoo, think again. Don't pick it from the book.

39. “Cleansing” is not reserved for food.

40. Start your RRSP.

41. You have enough clothes.

42. Play sports, competitive or recreational.

43. There is winning and losing, you WILL experience both.

44. Saying you’re a personal trainer does not make you one.

45. If you don't the right amount of time to study, it's not the teacher’s fault you failed.

46. You don't need drugs to deal with A.D.D.

47. You’re more valuable than you imagine.

48. Take ownership of when you do something wrong, and fix it.

49. Know all the risks in what ever you do.

50. You don't know what they are dealing with.

51. Not all ideas are good ideas.

52. Often the loudest person is the most insecure.

53. It's ok to be alone with your thoughts.

54. It's insulation not isolation that is going make you a better person.

55. Pets cost money.

56. You can change your ending when you decide.

57. Be early.

58. You are not here by chance.

59. Incredible happens when creativity collides with structure.

60. Without a good foundation NOTHING stands for long

61. Anything worthwhile is worth fighting for.

62. Cigarettes really aren't cool.

63. A vegetarian is one who does not eat meat; that includes bacon. 64. Yesterday is gone but today is here!

65. Black and white photos with a shadow does not make you a photographer.

66. Do you really need the fifth plate from the buffet?

67. Homemade pizza is always better.

68. Secret Santa’s are awesome— if the are a secret.

69. It's not a squat if you don't bend your needs past 90 degrees

70. Cheating degrades achievements.

71. Be accountable.

72. Tears are the first step to the healing process.

73. You can't be everything to everyone.

74. Youtube arguments are useless.

75. Not everyone is a leader.

76. Being a leader is never easy.

77. Travel to other countries and learn their culture.

78. Life isn't easy but it's worth living!

79. World Wars I & II were very real.

80. Good morals are the foundation of good people.

81. Porn is a distorted view of sex and intimacy, which creates unrealistic expectations.

82. Stop talking and start listening.

83. Few of us have ever encountered true evil.

84. A lie is a lie.

85. Learning to learn is essential.

86. Greatness demands sacrifice.

87. People will let you down.

88. Happiness and smiles are contagious.

89. Laziness leads to purposeless in life.

90. You are loved.

91. Go outside.

92. Go for hike up a mountain, and stare out at the majesty of nature.

93. Men, be a Man. 94. Try to learn another language.

95. Plan for the future, but willing to change course if you about to crash.

96. Texting and driving is stupid.

97. Go off the grid and turn off your electronics once a week.

98. Write a letter to someone and mail it!

99. Nothing can extinguish love.

  Darkness

In the Darkness

We all have been

In the Darkness

We will remain

Until we break the Gideon jar

With an army

We can defeat

Those who seek defeat

Let it rise, the heat

From within, to begin

Our foot steps

(Step, step, step)

Become louder, louder

And louder

With each step

We develop power

We reclaim authority

Our body, our territory

Forgive the transgressors

For their transgressions

We will heal

Thru Unity comes strength

With strength we stand

When we stand we must speak

Be the voice of those not heard

Scared we shall not be

We are on the front lines

This is a necessity

Silence is darkness

Open up let voice inside

Resound an unbelievable sound

That shakes the earth

To our inner most core

             In talking with a CEO of a forthcoming communications firm that specializes in BRANDiNG, our dialogue led us down many different avenues and all of these avenues kept leading to one place. So finally as the brain neurons were firing on all cylinders the epiphany came, “What if BRANDiNG was real(Honestly Reflexive)?” Silence... His reply emphatically stated “That would be hot fiyah!” As this would pose a problem for many businesses, products, places, and more importantly people (you and I) that rely on our BRANDiNG to bring 'success'. So before we go any further I would like to DEFINE BRANDiNG (in relation to this ↕)

BRANDiNG is the INTENDED, idea, image, and or experience of a specific product or service. Which is connected by, a logo, identifying name, slogan, and or a design that reflect an assumed persona of that specific product or service.

            BRANDiNG(by the provided above definition) is not exclusive to the modern era. Throughout the ages “personal BRAND” has always been the destination that many people TRY to arrive at. But, just as many of us today, they had attempted this without first addressing their true identity. At one point or another we have tried reach an intrinsically fantasized personal BRAND that has not been backed up by the necessary actions to warrant this BRANDiNG. Thus our INTENDED BRANDiNG is no closer to a reflection of the true self than the sun is to Pluto.

          It would be as if a company's slogan was “we are always here for the customer” yet when you call the service line you are on hold for an hour or more, or “we are the purple company” and all the products are orange. Then the INTENDED BRAND is not a reflection, it is a lie.

           Now let's imagine a BRANDiNG company followed YOU for a month without you knowing and built your BRAND based solely on what they observed. What would they build? What would it say? Could you imagine some of the BRANDiNG statements: “I will be late.”, “I don't really care about you”, “I'm not here to listen, you're here to look”, “I speak lies.”, “I will take advantage of you” and “I'm only your friend if it benefits me”. Having somebody follow and record you, is a scary thought.

          So if one were to invest into an intrinsically fantasized image with no payment of reflexive actions the automatic result is failure, in skateboarder language “you're a poser”. In the end the CEO and I came to the conclusion that foundation blocks to build a good personal BRAND is, to take care of the small things, know the details, but above all treat everything with love. In doing so we cannot violate one another or ourselves. If we just invest in our character and grow as an individual then as a result our BRANDiNG would no longer be INTENDED but it, the BRAND,would be the purest reflection of the idea, image, and or experience of who we are. As soon as you wake up your building your BRANDiNG|GNiDNARB

Sincerely,

         Recently there was a shooting close to where I live. A man had walked into a day care, with the kids inside, shot another man and then himself. This prompted me to think “What is going on here?” I mean we, North America, have everything that we could want. We are supposed to be the place that others dream of. The land of option, desire, and the means to accomplish it. Yet, we have ever increasing rates of depression, suicide, obesity, entitlement without earning, murder, bankruptcy, workaholics, alcoholism, abandonment,and hard drug use. If money(greed) is the root of all evil, it sickens me when I look out onto the horizon of humanity and see that we have become disemboweled by  prosperity.

          As a result, we, in our intoxication have removed purpose living and understanding of the things around us. We begin by complaining that we aren't being served fast enough. For example, I can't count the times that I have read people's posts on facebook, saying “I had to wait in a hospital for 3hours to be cared after.”. Last I checked there are people in this world that don't get served at all. Time is money, is a common cliche and to some extent this is true. So we push food out of the window and into the drive by car. We replace people with machines. But more importantly we remove physical relationships (No, I'm not talking about sex). Prosperity, in the sense of money, removes the value of people. In fact it, our sense of prosperity, has become the “39 and half foot poll”(the grinch song).

           When we boil it down and place things into perspective all we want is to have someone beside us as we go through life. To be the richest person in the world means to be the loneliest person. Often, severe social separation, is the case amongst superstars. They, superstars, have become prisoners because innately they know that people would rather invest their money than invest in relationship. Just take look at any “has been” superstar.

      Now, I'm not saying that having money is bad and no I'm not a communist. When is enough, enough? Is it after the house, the car, cottage, the boat, 50 inch flat screen, the third kitchen, Pool table, the second car, snowmobile? When!?

         The problem resides in the fact the we are trying to fill a void with something that has no substance, fitting a circle into a square. “Prosperity” has become the poison that is choking out relationships. It's a wonder that we, with everything, are dying from relation deprivation. If “money is the root of all evil” then it should come as no surprise that in place that is saturated in “prosperity” we find, depression, suicide, obesity, entitlement without earning, murder, bankruptcy, workaholics, alcoholism, abandonment, and hard drug use.

         So close the screen, make a point to go for coffee, give back to the community, reach out to the needy, hangout with friends(sans the cellphone), tell someone you love them in person, do a random act of kindness. Trust me that investment will not return void. You might even find a new sense of purpose, that will forever change you, for the better

  Have you ever shown up to class where you haven't read the readings or done the homework? In those moments do you hope that the professor doesn't call on you for insight. I always remember being in class, during my middle school years, and snickering at the fact that some of the people hadn't done the work. Secretly I hoped that the teacher would ask them for the answer, otherwise I felt cheated if they hadn't been found out. So naturally the days that I didn't do the work the teacher would call on me for the answer and shamefully I would not be able to respond.

        In this age of facebook, twitter (@shawnnaylor (haha)), Instagram, etc, we added fire to the notion that our individual opinion matters. Whether we are a doctor, student, bus boy, secretary, etc, we believe that we should have an opinion. Now don't get mad just yet, hear me out. I'm sure that you'll agree with me, there is a lot of garbage on the internet, (no this is not “ the internet is evil post”) and that there is a plethora of un-researched biased opinions. Many times when you read them you just shake your head in disappointment. The problem does not lay within whatever opinion that you have. Nor does it exist in the fact that you have an opinion.

        This week a good highschool friend posted a blog gnesgalore.tumblr.com/post/46709012222/why-i-almost-defriended-everyone-who-had-an-hrc-logo-as and the writer was clearly angry with the fact the people didn't even know what they were supporting, clicking “like” and moving on. Similarly in university we have people that don't do the readings or the work that is needed just to keep a float, and yet, offer up an opinion. The truth of the matter is that I don't care what you have to say #truthhurts. The reason being that you don't care enough to even know what your talking about.

       Imagine if you will, An obese person (from being lazy) and Marathon runner in a race of 50km. We know who wins this race and we know who this is dangerous for, the other participant. This is exactly like the person that opens there his/her mouth in discussion times during class that has no concept of what the discussion is based on, but more to the point it also in endangers the people around them. By pulling them onto a road that they have no idea where it is intended to end.

What Reputation can you afford ?

            There once was a man named Mike Tyson. For those of you that know who he is and what he has done this will just be a bit of a refresher. Mike Tyson was a boxer, and in his prime he earned between 300 and 400 million dollars. He retired as the undisputed heavyweight champion of boxing. But sadly this does not encompass all of his story. Even with all his earnings at one point he had to file bankruptcy because of [$]27 million in unpaid debt. How is it that one can amass that type of wealth and still file for bankruptcy? What if I told you that, like Mike Tyson and his rags to riches, you could lose it all. What if I told you that the bankruptcy of your reputation could be around the corner, would you change from bankrupting your reputation. Inherently, I know that after reading this quick tale about Mike Tyson you would say “I would never do that, I would be smarter.”. But the reality is that many of us choose to live like Mike on a smaller scale and think that in some way this is less damaging.

        It has been said that “Our culture (speaking of North America) is highly materialistic, and often engenders a mentality that encourages people to try to “one-up” each other with larger houses, more expensive vehicles, and the latest in fashion. However, this can lead to very COSTLY BEHAVIOURS (actions) that CANNOT be SUSTAINed.”

         In today's Western society we become intoxicated with immediate and perceived appearances, [remove the comma] no matter what the COST. It seems that we are willing to spend our short earned gains for smoke and mirrors. Many people live in debt as a result of living outside their means. The same can be said about our imagine reputation and our actual reputation. It would be fair to say that your reputation is the result of your actions. With this logic REPUTATION is the bank and ACTIONS are the R.O.I. (Return of Investment). Before we go any further I figure I should define reputation, actions, and return of investment, as to put us all on the same playing field.

REPUTATION: The overall quality or character that describe[s] ourselves to the world around us that can be afforded by the return of what we choose to invest in.

ACTIONS: The day to day choices that we make. The combination of circumstances that constitute the subject matter, our chosen investment.

Without money in the bank you cannot afford anything that holds true value. It shouldn't come as a surprise to those that invest in partying, illicit drug use, alcohol, promiscuity, procrastination, cutting corners, and lies (which have the lowest returns or worse and more often is the case, a negative return) when their ACTUAL reputation does not even come close to lining up to what they think their reputation is. If you invest in empty things the the only return you can get will be empty.

              Essentially when you devalue your day to day choices you are robbing from yourself. As is it stands today Mike Tyson's stock is on the rise, his net worth is around a million dollars. When asked“Mike how are you able to do this?” Mike replied “It just took so long for me to realize that people didn’t just hate me. They hated the behaviour they saw and they wanted to help me if they could, if I gave them a chance and try to start by helping myself.” You see if your actions have a positive return then there is no way that you can go broke on your REPUTATION, it will simply sustain itself. So what are you investing in?

   It has been a while since the last thought. I must admit the absence is the result of evaluating the writing style that I choose to use in the other posts. I was trying to sound smart, but in actual fact many of the ideas that I chose to bring forth got lost in the language. So instead of sounding smart I may have sounded incoherent, incomplete, and uselessly complex and all in an effort to be "intellectual". Albert Einstein once said “If you can't explain it simply then you don't understand it well enough” I would have to say that I concur (As a side note, just because you have heard a simple explanation, does NOT make you an expert. Understanding means that you can answer the questions inside the simple explanation to the complex subject). Before I digress any further (A.D.D. at work)

Realization of this fact came from a lunchtime meeting with a University Prof and a University Prof shortly to be. During the times that we weren’t diving into our food we began discussing varying issues surrounding youth, young adults and people in general. In the discussion two issues kept resurfacing no matter which path we went down. The first issue being that we have failed people by not rebuking them. This, rebuking, seems like ugly business but the truth of matter is that it is necessary for growth and development. Rebuking to me is like what the hands of a surgeon does. Without the correction the same result will continue happen, the pain will go on, and eventually the decay becomes death. During my days in University I handed a paper in to Dr. Jerry Coulter, a Professor that I respect (and not for the marks 55, 60, 59, etc - the paper was less then stellar). I respected him because he was not afraid to tell me when I had fallen short and needed to pick it up. To this day I have this paper and its comments say: “Were you high when you wrote this? This might possibly be the worst piece of writing I have ever read. Re write this and go to the, English as second language, tutor to edit this. Then I will reread this and give you a mark” You might think that this was a harsh and a bit funny. Yet this is what it took to clear away the garbage of accepted unacceptable mediocrity (foundational decay), which was choking out the potential.

The second glaring issue is we have forgotten to speak Life into people without a personal agenda. At this lunch one of the men unknowingly lifted me out of a dark path (many dark paths we lead ourselves into. Insolation, not isolation, is the key. (Another Blog idea...). A sense of inadequacy was looming in and around the ever filling catacombs of my A.D.D. Brain, where in which the only rope that was worth holding, was the fellowship of a couple [of] friends. I know that it sounds very doom and gloom but there is bright horizon that is close at hand! One gentlemen began to speak about thursday-thoughts and told me that I needed an editor, “we the readers stumble on the language and grammar. You need an editor because (and here comes banger) YOU ARE BRILLIANT. Your ideas are thought provoking...”. Now he didn't yell that out as the caps lock would suggest, yet in the same breath I would that's how my soul heard it. Not that I would look for the qualification of man to know that I'm worth something, but man does it help.

It's here that we can see the rebuking and speaking life are necessary components to the growth of humanity

       I know that it has been two weeks since the last post. I was invited to speak with 400 teens over the course of two weekends. I was surprised to see that many of their “The New” issues stem from three glaring problems 1. Lack of tangible relationships 2. An inability to make clear decisive choices and most importantly 3. Living without propose. With all our research, development, and protocol, we fail to address working on the inner self. Many of our systems are setup so that 'we', and the generation that we are speaking of (teens), do not have to deal with conflict, resolution or other methods of satisfying a means. So in-turn we we become focus on the outer self and believe this is a reflection of the inner person. “If ya look good, ya play good” - Deion Sanders- (I love you Deion but this statement on its own does not stand up). In conjunction with the notion that society says “Be you, be individual, but don't different then anyone else”. No wonder we have “The New Breed “Confused” The, Western society, system is set up in such away that it creates the illusion that we are a progressing body of people. Yet, we have people increase rates in teen suicide, body and image disorders, depression, A.D.D. , Juvenile delinquents, the list goes on. Resulting in the pandemic growth of the three issues.

       Blame resides in the makers/supporters of the now western system. A system that believes the individual has rights that can infringe on anthers, based on the internal self standard of morality. Truth is relative, if you have 'good' lawyer you can be innocent even if your guilty. Without black and white areas our lives we are trying to navigate the vastness of the grey. Which is similar to an ATTEMPT in finding your way while blind-folded in darkness. In order to navigate through life we must have reference points. Sea navigators before the invention of modern technology used stars. By doing so they could progress toward destinations, even at night (in the darkness). Darkness in this sense, sea navigation at night, can be handled with reference points. Using the antonyms of the three problems we can usher in a “New Breed”, CONFIDENT.

          With tangible relationships that demonstrate dynamic response to another, talking face to face, we are confronted the with basics of body language, respect, and probing deeper beyond the electric screens that plague our every turn. This, tangible relationships, provides a safe(not comfortable) place for the growth of the individual. As well it becomes a support structure for daily muck of life that we ALL must sift through.

       An ability to make clear decisive choices is a skill that modern western teaching(last 15yrs) has robbed our youth and infected those well into their thirties. We see this manifest itself in the market place, options. Having options does not make life easier rather it causes uncertainty in choice making. A brief analogy will have to do. What to drink? Case 1 choices: water. Case 2 choices: water, koolaid. Case 3 :water, Purple koolaid, Red koolaid, pop. Case 4: water, Red koolaid, Purple koolaid, root beer, sparkling water, milk, gatorade. As you can see more choices change the focus from making the decision, onto regret of the options not tried. Thus making an easy decision, to drink, into a tough one, what to drink (personally I want case 2).

       Yet, all this is over shadow by the large number of humanity that is walking in the pitch black room, life without purpose. Living with purpose gives meaning to the individuals life, a reason to get up in the morning. This exact notion becomes the vice of many addicts. Our job as leaders, in whatever sphere of influence you have been blessed with, is be a reference point to those around us. In doing so we help those realize their potential and purpose. What YOU are to do in life is what we all MUST find out. But the bus(life) doesn't end there, after this realization we need to teach them that living with purpose doesn't mean life is now easy. Rather living with purpose gives you reason to fight for bright spots in life. This can only be achieve when you know it on the inside, then and only then will it manifest on the outside, CONFIDENCE.

                       Well Thursday is here and I'm excited to share with you. This thursday I was smashed from the side by life, like a car gets t-boned in an intersection. I know that this description is a tad gruesome, which is not my intention. Rather that the allusion is, what happens to us when we narrow in on the goal. As the title suggest Dreams are surrounded by Darkness. Now before you think this is going all gloom and doom, slap yourself, because Darkness AROUND the Dream is inspiring! When I set out blogging I told my self that I would only write to inspire and provoke thought, and I will not change.

          Well let's unpack this notion that "Dreams are surrounded by Darkness" and how this is a positive statement. Throughout history we see that light is manifested in culture by the color white. As a result we associate white such attributes as, Peace, Prosperity, Success, Hope, Enlightenment, the list goes on.  For example in the movie "The Grey", with Liam Neeson (I know this film can say any number of things, which is why I love it), paints a beautiful intriguing discourse between the roles of Darkness, Dreams, and the human spirit the resides in ALL of us. (Now go watch the film!)

         Dreams, based in morality, reality, and the bettering of mankind, are fundamental in pushing humanity into its rightful place (again a loaded statement but I only have 500 words to unpack this.) I'm only talking about Dreams based this premise. Therefore evil can not exist in the Dreams I speak of. It does not matter what dream, whether the dream is to be pro athlete, charity worker, scientist, doctor, veterinarian, professor, entertainer, and or motivator, it is that the Dream in positive way affect humanity. This is the type of Dream I'm talking about. It is a good thing Dream because then your thinking of the platform in which you can shape and affect your spheres of influences.

        The ground work is laid, now the fun part. So how is it that Darkness is a Good thing in relation to Dreams? You see that when Darkness begins to surround, not covers, your dream's it's actuality is close at hand. Meaning that the seed of the Dream has move past the pocket of imagination, over hill of struggle, and landed in the fertile soil of the possible. Think of Darkness as the encouragement and signal to press on toward that Dream. Darkness does not mean easier, but what is does is bring the Dream into focus.

       For those of you clawing through the dirt of life trying to have Dream become a reality I say to you "Press on in the storm!, be comfortable in knowing that Darkness WILL surround you as you get closer to the Dream." It is the Darkness that creates your focus point (opportunity for the Dream to manifest). As well if it helps I believe in you!

      I have chosen to write about something that has been painted from  progressive outcome of my present day life. Those whom chose to think in advance, and put into action a system, that eventually will shift and be augmented by circumstance that succeed. Simply put "Early thoughts, Prompt action, Adaptable solutions"  These synergistically linked ideas are the essential components to untapped success in our daily lives.

       "Early Thoughts... Thinking ahead really puts you in the driver seat of success. It becomes that place in which you can dream. (ps. dream BIG) Dreaming/Early Thoughts are the results of an individuals intrinsic, boundary free, theoretical manifestation of an idea. As the title of this chain link suggest, it's place in the chain of success, this takes place before ...Prompt action, Adaptable solutions" It would be foolish believe that this process could happen anywhere else and logically fit the methodology of success. This link in the chain is always placed after Adaptable solutions and before Prompt actions. Thinking before something has a chance become reality is the birth place of "the first step to success."

      ...Prompt Actions... This is the part where many Early Thoughtist idea's die or lose the power of which it came out of. This link in the chain can be thought of as the "comprehension, preparation and readiness" link. Many hopefuls in any endevour fail to do this because of two things; lateness/actionlessness, and they are unwilling have answers to the hard questions (FULLY understand their idea/dream). Lateness is the stench of missed opportunities to the "Early Thought... If you can't be on time because you won't make time, then you don't believe in the dream. Second and equally important is the component of the questions one must ask and answer. Like, "is this a good idea?", "Do I know what this is going take?" or and my favorite "What is the plan to achieve this goal?" Not doing this often ends in disastrous or severely short results. We hear the expression "In hindsight..." often when people revisit the, not final, destination of an idea. Without a good plan (that IS acted upon, in time), whether intrinsic or written out in full, to support the Dream it becomes the recipe of failure.

        ...Adaptable solutions" Now the you have "Early thoughts, Prompt action... and like the other link this is an essential part of success! This link is  either welcomed like good ol' home cooking or avoided at all cost, even success, like the black plague. This is the link where one has to mold an idea from its a original structure to best facilitate the unending success (fitting a square into a circle). There are many in this world that only use this link in their chain to achieve success. But to rest here puts a self-inflicted limiter to the ceiling of potential. Yet to remove this link from the process does the same. Removal is also self-inflicted limiter to the ceiling of potential.

       Before I get started an apology is in order. I missed last week because of being late with a many other things to do. All that lateness just led to everything being late... So in the theme of this season "my new years resolution: Not to be late" (based on scheduling and procrastination) No worries, the next blog will cover this notion of lateness. I have titled it "Early thoughts and Prompt actions"

       Now back to this thought of "Looks better doesn't mean better..." I want to unpack this idea in under 500 words and grammatically correct (making sense and correct spelling)! From day to day, we are presented with new makes and models of things that we use.  Also, in the same breathe, I would say that we do this with ourselves. We continue to present the world with a new us. Which often is then met with a shopping spree. Naturally, anyone with any sense of critical thinking would see this as an empty solution, a cesspool of successless attempts, to be "better".  Yet, if nothing on the inside has changed then, essentially, all you've done is bodywork on a car doesn't work (Idea for another post "Without the right driver").

       As you saw in the picture above "It's what is on the inside the counts." No matter how polished the outward appearances "It's what is on the inside the counts." This is why many people are let down. They chase the pipe dreams of looks, but when confronted with reality things often fall way short. So why not chase substance? Let the better be a true reflection of what lay on the other side of surface skin.

       I know that this is a radical idea, But once you dive past the outer shell into the place of the beating heart and nothing happens it safe to say "it's dead". In reality it is not better. Sadly, many of our systems are set up in this way. Outwardly things look like they are all well and good #sofarfromthetruth. But beyond facebook, twitter, past the cover pages and between the lines the stench of death and progressive rotting exist. This is where many of us find ourselves, We believe if things look better then things must be better.

   Better really is the when the substance becomes the look. To achieve this one MUST work from the inside out. Doing the opposite fails to address the disconnect and only promotes ones externally projected illusion. Better is the one who knows they only have 5 dollars, then then one who dresses like they have a million.

    If whatever you place in here, as the thing to be better, is not connecting with those things that you intended to bring to life; if they are not living, loving, breathing, growing then you will NEVER attain the true potential of the goal. In the end, we need to place less concern with external impermanence (Looks), and more with, healthy internal eternity (Better).

Photo By Kala Pattar

      I know with this blog title that naturally you say "well yeah dah". Imagine you were offered a place on top of the mountain (the place in which you dream). The only requirements is that you had to get up there. In one years time those who offered you a place on top of the mountain would bring you to the base. There at the base of the mountain you begin your ascent to the top. Oh yeah if you give up and stop moving  you can never get there. What you would you do?. You would increase your cardio capacity (ability to endure the daily). Take course on mountain climbing (simple task completion) and survival (response to failure or extreme opposition).

         Yet often in our society we foster this idea that one can is entitled to view the world from the mountain top without even walking up to the base.  Day in and day out I'm always confounded when I'm confronted with people that want to be on top of the mountain without taking the needed step to be successful. That somehow that world owes them something and like the great society we are we bend down to meet people there and say that its good enough. Now this is not a judgement statement it's more a reality statement.

            Look at the world around you, around us, we are in a perpetual state of making things easier. School aren't allowed to fail kids for not doing any work or showing up. Teachers now are more positive emotional managers then teachers. Where universities have lower standards of work load in order to please the mass that just want the title without the education. We have removed the power from those who spend most of our "impressionable years" with us, teachers and professors. We take that power and give it back to the to people who have never heard the word "no" or "not yet". Authority in the hands of those that can't cope with responsibility.

           When I went to high school (I feel old), the odds where stack against me. My brother had paved the way with a reputation that was then thrust on me by veteran teachers. Now don't get twisted, though my brother wasn't a saint nor was I. Many times I got into trouble all on my own. But nonetheless my older brother's earlier "escapades" never helped. During my time there often I was told that I was never going to amount to anything. Now I learned two valuable lessons. 1. You can always make mistakes, success is found in how you respond 2. The mountain you want climb can be as low or as high as you want, but choose it and climb it daily.

          In university Coach use to say "luck favors the prepare". I think its more that... I say it this way "success favors those who climbed the wrong peak then climbed the next one". Hearing "no" is a very inspiring word for me. I teaches us that the first path we take me not be the right one even though the dream is right. In our daily walk through life's mud  we must get dirty until we reach the top and can clean ourselves off. Prepare in what is necessary in order to reach your goal. Step by step, moment by moment, fail, learn, and get back up. Otherwise you will never survive, nor enjoy being/getting on the top of the mountain.

         This is the first of hopefully many Thursdays Thought. This blog is meant to inspire, engage and invoke. (Released on Thursdays) So with out further due Thursdays Thought: There is ME in team.

        Anyone that has been around sports for more the five minutes has heard the saying (say with typical football coach voice) "There is no I in team!" Which then prompts the team idiot to say, half way under his/her breathe, "but there is a me...". This got me thinking.

        Throughout the ages, team has been defined by multiple individuals untied in one common cause. Like anything there is "The Good" and "The Bad". What makes a  "Good Team" Good? Like wise what makes a "Bad Team" Bad? Simple, it all depends if your team is made up of "I's"or "Me's"

        If you've been a part of a team in any capacity you know when you run in to a "I". An "I" is that person that places their individual goals above the call of the team. Oftern there vision does not fit the common cause. similarly, they feel that they are owed without earning. On the other end a "Me" is someone is whose singular vision is willing trumped by the common cause. A "Me" feels an Invitation to the table, and a result believes, they are a part of the common! A "Me" adjust the singular vision with a full "buy-in" to the common cause, and will further earn a place a the table.

       So the next logical question for any leader, how do I get a team of "Me"? Simple during the building process of "your" team select those that demonstrate HEART. Often people build there the team on "talent" yet talent can only get you so far. When the tank is empty and the odds are are stacked against you 10 to 1 talent often fades. The common weakness of talent is that, often, talent relies on itself. If you give the ground for the HEART to grow often unending talent springs forth.

        This idea of "I's" is often foster by they way in which we recruit for our teams. Phrases like "Your skill sell is unmatched" or "your better then what we have". Individual comparison/praise sets the stage for an infestation of "I's".  We, the builders get enamored by the talent, visions of grandeur immediately fill the head "What we could achieve with that talent." . Now don't get me wrong talent is a key component to a successful team. Yet without the HEART talent leads nowhere. Well.... to a bad dysfunctional team