Sometimes life is hard,
and sometimes milestones such as birthdays are only
further reminders of life's stale moments.
In a world that is increasingly unsatisfied,
where we are told to be smarter, better, and more innovative.
Where success is equated to being the mastermind
behind the next BIG thing.....
where do we find happiness?
If we stop it all...
take a moment and breathe.
What fills our imaginations?
What brings our souls life?
What makes us feel 'alive'?
These are all questions I've stopped and asked myself
over the past few months.
Regrouping.
What do I want my life to be known for?
In ten years,
will I regret the hamster wheel of success I spun on
or will I be happy with my choices that
brought my heart fulfillment?
On my 23rd year of life,
I had the option of looking at my circumstances
and comparing my life and achievements
to the surmounting pressure of success
that have haunted me for the majority of my life.
OR
I could recount the amazing moments I HAVE
lived.
The places I have traveled.
The individuals I have met.
All of which
have taught me so much about what life should be.
About, what beauty truly equates to.
About what living a life of meaning truly is.
I have found life more truly lived
in the one room shacks of Nicaragua,
than the mansions
and excess of the western world.
I have found more beauty on the faces of kids
running through dirty roads with no shoes,
and only a heart full of life
and a soccer ball at their feet,
than the iphone 6 faces of the kids who fill our
picket fenced in houses.
I have found more love and embrace
from those who face immense poverty and increasing violence daily
in the gorgeous and creatively fueled country of South Africa,
than the individuals who have it all and still want more.
To be honest,
I am not interested in becoming the next BIG thing.
I am interested in the unsung heroes of the world.
The individuals who are passed over by the
seemingly elite,
but have a wealth of wisdom stored up in them.
I have learned more about what life is truly about
from the man shooting himself up with heroin
on the streets of San Francisco in the wee hours of the night,
than the career mentor pressuring me
to pursue a job simply because it brought
success and money.
To the 80 year old woman,
who sells her ice cream
from her Eskimo cart on the streets of Nicaragua.
Thank you for showing me YOU.
Your beauty.
Your love of life.
Your face,
lined with the wrinkles
that show a life well lived,
and a heart full of wisdom and love.
Thank You.
So to my 23rd year of life,
may you be marked by all things meaningful
and not just the american dream
of success and excess.
May my life be strung together
by moments of beauty
and meaning.
peace. love. joy.
In a world that is increasingly unsatisfied,
where we are told to be smarter, better, and more innovative.
Where success is equated to being the mastermind
behind the next BIG thing.....
where do we find happiness?
If we stop it all...
take a moment and breathe.
What fills our imaginations?
What brings our souls life?
What makes us feel 'alive'?
These are all questions I've stopped and asked myself
over the past few months.
Regrouping.
What do I want my life to be known for?
In ten years,
will I regret the hamster wheel of success I spun on
or will I be happy with my choices that
brought my heart fulfillment?
On my 23rd year of life,
I had the option of looking at my circumstances
and comparing my life and achievements
to the surmounting pressure of success
that have haunted me for the majority of my life.
OR
I could recount the amazing moments I HAVE
lived.
The places I have traveled.
The individuals I have met.
All of which
have taught me so much about what life should be.
About, what beauty truly equates to.
About what living a life of meaning truly is.
I have found life more truly lived
in the one room shacks of Nicaragua,
than the mansions
and excess of the western world.
I have found more beauty on the faces of kids
running through dirty roads with no shoes,
and only a heart full of life
and a soccer ball at their feet,
than the iphone 6 faces of the kids who fill our
picket fenced in houses.
I have found more love and embrace
from those who face immense poverty and increasing violence daily
in the gorgeous and creatively fueled country of South Africa,
than the individuals who have it all and still want more.
To be honest,
I am not interested in becoming the next BIG thing.
I am interested in the unsung heroes of the world.
The individuals who are passed over by the
seemingly elite,
but have a wealth of wisdom stored up in them.
I have learned more about what life is truly about
from the man shooting himself up with heroin
on the streets of San Francisco in the wee hours of the night,
than the career mentor pressuring me
to pursue a job simply because it brought
success and money.
To the 80 year old woman,
who sells her ice cream
from her Eskimo cart on the streets of Nicaragua.
Thank you for showing me YOU.
Your beauty.
Your love of life.
Your face,
lined with the wrinkles
that show a life well lived,
and a heart full of wisdom and love.
Thank You.
So to my 23rd year of life,
may you be marked by all things meaningful
and not just the american dream
of success and excess.
May my life be strung together
by moments of beauty
and meaning.
peace. love. joy.
