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Category: Archives

The full collection of explorations.

Language Dreams

Published on April 21, 2023

As I took my seat on a flight today, I couldn’t help but notice my neighbor using sign language over FaceTime. He was presumably speaking to a friend who was signing back over the tiny screen that was propped up in the back of his airplane seat.

I watched in wonder as the two of them fired back and forth hand manipulations and body gestures that contained the depth and precision of the entire Merriam-Webster dictionary.

A few hours later, long after the FaceTime call ended, I saw this gentlemen signing again. But, there wasn’t anyone around who had been signing with him the whole trip so I took a closer look and realized… he was dozing off. In the midst of falling asleep, he was signing… his dreams and/or thoughts.

I have no idea what they were, but boy did this light me up.

It reminded me of a time when I studied extra hard for an oral Spanish final and dreamed in Spanish the night it was over. It didn’t last very long, but it blew my mind the morning after.

We dream in the language we know. And not just that—we dream within the confines of the words (gestures) we know inside the language. If you want to dream more deeply, more vividly, more precisely—not just while you sleep, but while you’re awake—explore the depths of your language.

Don’t Force The Pen

Published on April 19, 2023

Oftentimes, my best writing comes from situations when I’m not thinking about writing (or what to write) at all.

I just open myself up to new experiences, new people, new perspectives, etc… and let curiosity guide the pen across my mind.

Inner work prompt: How long have you been following the same general routine? When was the last time you were uncharacteristically spontaneous? Can you do or plan something now?

Lightness Through Heaviness

Published on April 18, 2023

There are zero pictures of me at my worst.

Why? Because I either refused to have them taken or destroyed them.

This is not the way.

It’s important to appreciate each stage of the journey.

Even the stages when you feel awful, ugly, stupid, hopeless, and/or unloveable. Buried deep within all that heaviness is an all-powerful, infinitely-renewable energy source that can propel you forward in ways unimaginable to the person who has only been granted lightness.

Lightness is an ideal—yes.

But, heaviness is an incredible tool.

And those who arrive at lightness through heaviness—feel raw lightness in a way that others only know how to take for granted.

And lightness taken for granted isn’t lightness experienced at all.

P.s. In Meditation #4 of The Art of Forward, I share a very similar concept as the one above titled, “The Ocean of Emotion Within.” Here’s a link to that meditation for free. :)

Guest Appearance On: Anecdotes For Success

Published on April 17, 2023

Anecdotes for Success is a storytelling based podcast that highlights life experiences to help listeners level up and live their best lives.

In this episode, I share highlights of my story. We talk about martial arts, character development, business philosophy, teaching strategies, overcoming imposter syndrome, and more—all in about 53 minutes.

Hopefully, some of what’s shared will help you level up and/or live your life in a better way. Enjoy :)

P.s. You can listen to other podcast episodes I’ve appeared on here.

Recognizing the Dream in the Moment

Published on April 16, 2023

“I dream of days like this…”

…Was said to me by an older gentlemen I play basketball with.

It was the first outdoor game of the season. It was sunny, seventy, calm (no wind)—and filled with the type of meditative chaos that 15 guys playing basketball would bring.

And it wasn’t until he said it that I realized… I, too, was in the midst of a moment that I dreamed of during the long, depressing, wintry-mix months that dominate Buffalo weather.

And all-of-a-sudden, I started receiving the day from a whole new perspective.

P.s. In case you missed it, you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week, here.

Salsa

Published on April 15, 2023

When you’re out to eat at a Mexican restaurant and the casual dinner vibe unexpectedly transitions into an upbeat dancing vibe—fully equipped with a live DJ and Salsa dance instructor—you squeeze the juice out of that moment and get up and take the Salsa dancing class.

P.s. And if you can’t get yourself to dance… reflecting on why is a great inner work prompt.

A Pillar For “Good” In Your Day

Published on April 14, 2023

Every day I exercise… is a good day.

Because the fact that I exercised means that I (1) showed up for myself, (2) won the battle against my unrelenting, comfort-seeking ego, and (3) invested in a better, future me.

…And this is no small feat.

Even if all else goes to crap and I fail at whatever else I try throughout the day… I know I can at least lean on that.

…Which is no small realization.

If you agree, consider doing three things with this:

  1. Exercise every day—in some capacity. Intensity can (and should) vary. Because having a solid pillar of “good” holding up the weight of your day is always a good idea.
  2. Celebrate exercise in bigger ways. Even if it “wasn’t much” that you did. Because the difference between “not much” and none is WAY BIGGER than the difference between “not much” and “a whole ton.” (Read that again)
  3. Make exercise easier. Everything in society tells you to make it harder—because harder leads to quicker results—which is completely accurate. But, you know what leads to the best results? Exercise you do long-term, consistently, and in a way you actually enjoy. And the best way to accomplish all three of those things… is to make it easier. Both to show up for and to do.