around the edges

One of the greatest things about being dad is... I'm learning to be a more well-rounded man.

Thank You Audrey Stella.

mute button

In such a noisy world, it really takes a deliberate effort to be quiet.

It's good to be the strong silent type every now and again.

history channel

You should really get to know your parents.

I mean get to know them know them. You'd be surprised about the things that have shaped them to be the persons they are today. And the more you learn about them, the more you yourself figure out who you are.

I forget sometimes that my parents were my age. I forget they faced the same challenges, dilemmas and questions as I did (and probably a lot more). I forget sometimes that they're human, just like me. The times are different, culture is different but human experiences have never really changed for the most part.

The life journey of your parents, is really your journey as well. They cleared a path for you to follow, and in time you'll do the same for your kids (and/or people you serve).

Discovering the experiences of your parents is like finding hidden treasure maps. Riches are abound, we just need a little bit of direction.

And for the record... my dad was/is a badass. Let me tell you about it sometime.

Is your name Victor?

Just something I was thinking about last week...

Are our lives constantly shaped by circumstances? Or are we living in a way in which we shape our own circumstances?

Or to put in even simpler... are we living from the inside out? or the outside in? Are we digging deep into our souls to respond as best we can especially when isht hits the fan? Or are we being constantly pushed around by the things on the outside of us that we can't control?

I know life is not meant to be easy or comfortable. By accepting this simple fact, I've taken half the stress out of my every day life. I'm not saying I'm free from heartache, disappointment or anything bad for that matter. What I do know is that I should always choose wisely how I react, how long I dwell on negativity, how much I complain, and how much looking into the past for 'what-ifs.' Basically... how long do I want to be a victim for?

From what I've observed and gathered, victims really live from the 'outside in.' While victors (or people who want to be victorious!) live from the 'inside out.'

For myself, I'm really trying to win at this life thing. I've only got one chance to win, because I know no one else can win it for me.

*now play "Lose Yourself" by Eminem* and read this again as it plays.

No Half-Steppin’

I think for anybody, the hardest thing to do sometimes is to take the first step.

That first step automatically means that you've gone past the deciding phase and are now taking action.

So I honour all those who continue to take first steps, despite their personal fears and doubts. For all those who have taken a million steps toward that initial goal and still have more to go. For all those who sometimes take steps back, but in the end keep moving forward. For all those who have left behind something, but continue to strain ahead.

Your actions inspire me, a thousand times more then when we were talking about it.