Thinking About You

Thinking About You by Frank Ocean has been one of those songs I can't get myself to skip when it comes on the ipod.  

Thinking About You (Acoustic Cover) by Tori Kelly has created a new perspective and feel to a song I didn't think had much room for improvement.  

(Take a listen) 

Although this video is over a month old, I still find myself watching it as if it is brand new.  There is something about it that seems timeless.  The first time I watched the video I couldn't determine what I liked most about it.  Whether it's Tori's mesmerizing singing voice or her natural beauty.  Her style or the way she carries herself.  Everything about her seems so genuine.  I was confused why I had never heard of her.  She seemed like such a pure talent.  

After watching a few "related videos" on YouTube and completing a quick Google search, I realized she isn't far from stardom.  After making appearances on Star Search and America's Most Talented Kid's she was signed to Geffen Records at the age of 12 but was later released in 2006 without releasing an album.  In 2010, Tori made an appearance on American Idol.  Although she didn't reach the 'top 24', she obviously created a buzz.  

While doing some research, I understood what makes Tori so special.  It's not the sound of her voice or her physical features.  It is her resiliency.  Her resiliency to quit.  Her resiliency to quit after coming so close to reaching her dream.  She's been able to withstand Simon's piercing rejections and a release from a major record label.  After reaching a certain level of success just to have it ripped from you, it isn't hard to let self-doubt replace your confidence.  This isn't the case with Tori.

She hasn't let past rejections interfere with her future ambitions.  While watching the video, you feel as if you are watching a passionate artist who finds pure joy in making music.  She gives off a certain innocence that isn't tainted by a dollar sign.  Tori embodies the meaning behind YOUNG AND HUNGRY.  She knows what she wants and she does it for all the right reasons.  The perfect equation for happiness and success.  

Most are still trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives.  The rest of us are trying to defend our dreams from those who doubt or don't believe in them.  We are only willing to hold on to those dreams if we are doing them for the right reasons.  If not, rather than making naysayers believers, we allow them to break us down.  Self-ambition is one thing that should never be taken from you.  It is also the one thing that should result in inspiration for the rest of the world.  Not a few more commas in your bank account.  

Rejection

"A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step 

in the pursuit to success."

- Bo Bennett

There is nothing that our society fears more than rejection.  We all want to be accepted, in one way or another.  From the days of asking a girl out by circling "yes" or "no", to applying for a new job.  Maybe it's the moments of uncertainty leading up to the answer that makes us so uneasy.  The adrenaline rush as we await a yes or no.  If yes, we feel on top of the world.  If no, we feel worthless.

As we age, we find it increasingly difficult to find that acceptance.  With each candle added to your birthday cake comes a new level of competitiveness along with a sharper blade for the cut throat world we live in.  You would think this sharpened blade would give you the confidence and reassurance to take certain risks.  In reality, this isn't the case.  We become too comfortable with our daily schedules to pursue what we truly desire.

For those of you who are saying, "I haven't been rejected because I am complacent, I just never get rejected", you need more help then those who admit to complacency.  You are probably the type who swears your confidence is your strongest characteristic.  To be honest, your confidence isn't worth a damn.  If you have never experienced rejection, you are not reaching high enough.  You understand what you can achieve and the risks that will ultimately result with acceptance.  You aren't confident enough to stick your neck out far enough to be rejected.  You play it safe. 

When was the last time you were rejected?  If it has been over a month you are not taking full advantage of the oxygen in your lungs or the blood in your veins.  What's the point of living if you are too afraid to make improvements every single day? When you become complacent, you are minimizing the pleasure in your life. Rather than living for that feeling of being on top of the world, you are fearful of feeling worthless.

Should you really feel worthless? Instead of succumbing to embarrassment, understand the situation.  A rejection isn't a simple yes or no.  There are reasons behind it.  You need to realize you are better off.  Use rejection as a motivator for the next time you take a risk.  If you have made the effort to improve since your past rejection, you will eventually receive the acceptance you are looking for.  Because you deserve it.

A rejection is temporary.  Acceptance lasts forever.  Remember this when you are debating whether or not to take that risk.  Don't live your life in fear of rejection.  A rejection is the end of a beginning while acceptance is the beginning of a new journey.  Live for the endless opportunities from a YES rather than killing yourself over a NO.

Pursuit of Happyness

If you follow me on Twitter and stay up past Midnight, you should know how I spent last evening.  If you have been keeping up to date on this blog, you should also know I find inspiration through just about everything.  Sometimes it falls in my lap, other times I intentionally search for it.  Last night I cheated and decided to watch one of my personal favorites, The Pursuit of Happyness.  If you have never seen it, I suggest you do so.  You can learn a lot as it will make you appreciate the small things in life.  It will also make you question your work ethic.

If you have not seen the movie, only watch the first 40 seconds of this clip... these 40 seconds made me press pause last night to grab a notebook to write some notes.

Pursuit - An effort to secure or attain; quest.  

"Our right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit to Happiness"  - Thomas Jefferson

It makes you think doesn't it.  What is the true meaning of happiness and when is it fully attained?  If it can be, our Founding Fathers didn't even give us the right to achieve it.  They simply gave us the right to pursue it.  An attempt.  An attempt to reach a certain level of self joy.  A feeling we should wake up with every single day.  A feeling that shouldn't require any effort.  

Maybe Thomas Jefferson understood the type of society we would become.  A society that would become so indulged with the pursuit to find happiness, we would eventually forget the true feeling behind it.  Our perception of happiness has evolved.  We now live for what is next.  The journey has replaced the finish line.  Rather than appreciating the journey, we constantly find ourselves wanting more.  We feel as if the moment we attain a certain goal, it is no longer worth celebrating.   

Rather than enjoying our daily accomplishments, we impatiently look ahead to tomorrow.  As if tomorrow's accomplishments will be rewarding enough to feel happy.  It has become a never ending cycle.  I'm no different.  The word pursuit is in the title of my blog.  I will be the first to admit I am constantly working towards the next goal.  Neglecting the pride I feel when a goal is fulfilled.  This is the life we all live.  Always on the go, never wanting to fall behind the pack.  

Is it OK to become complacent? I wouldn't encourage it.  I just believe it is important to take a few minutes to enjoy accomplishments.  These accomplishments can range from making a sale to finishing a paper for a class.  If you are always searching for happiness, you will miss the happiness that is right in front of you.  The happiness from the small things in life that will make you smile.  The same small things we take for granted on a daily basis.  This is true happiness.  A pure happiness.  A happiness that doesn't require strenuous planning and execution.  

  

Happiness should not have a defined definition, it is a perception.  No one should feel like they need to pursue happiness.  Like inspiration, it is always around.  The only effort necessary for you to achieve happiness is an open mind and the understanding that it lays in your hands.  Don't feel obligated to pursue happiness, let it find you.

  

Valentine's Day (Part 2)

Like I said yesterday, today I will be devoting my post to those of you who are anxious to spend tomorrow with the sole person who will either make or break your day.  This is for all the love birds out there.

Your relationship status is not the only variable within the Valentine's Day equation.  Typically, your gender determines the role you play during those 24 hours.  For men, we are expected to go above and beyond in an attempt to show our affection.  We have plenty of traditional options; cards, flowers, chocolates, and stuffed animals.  These are only the gift options.  We also must plan the dinner.  You can go for the 'wow' factor by making reservations at one of the most expensive restaurants in town, or you can try your luck in the kitchen of your home.  Either way, your lady will feel appreciated (just don't take her to some basic restaurant).

For women, they set the expectations for their man to go above and beyond.  Why? Mostly because they want to share what you have done for her with the world.  Whether that is posting pictures on Facebook or exchanging Valentine's Day stories with their friends over lunch.  Fellas, what you do will be exposed.  So take pride in what you do.  She wants to show you off.  You should think of it as if you are in a competition with every other boyfriend in world.  Be creative.  Do something that she will never forget.

The older I get, the less I look forward to Valentine's Day.  Over the years, I have become annoyed with the holiday.  I'm sure you all remember the good ol' days when Valentine's Day meant making a Valentine Box and classroom parties.  I used to get excited because I thought it was the only day I could tell one of my classmates I loved them (well, at least I thought I loved them.  Didn't really know what a crush was back then.) I would carefully word my Valentine for each girl in the class to make sure they fully understood how I felt about each of them.

I guess the same reason for my excitement on Valentine's Day when I was young, is the same reason I become annoyed now.  Today, I feel forced to express my feelings as if it truly is the only day I can. Valentine's Day is a great concept, but I don't believe a scheduled date is necessary to celebrate a relationship.     Every single day should be celebrated.  Flowers are not only sold in February.  Chocolate still tastes the same in May.  There is no window for you to show someone how much you truly care about them.

The infatuation with Valentine's day rests with the idea that for 24 hours, all over the world, love is celebrated.  Whether the love is between a man and a woman, two men or two women.  Whether the love is a friendship or a romantic companionship.  Love shouldn't be judged or taken for granted.  Valentine's Day reminds us of this.  It is the one day that can make even the most independent person feel vulnerable and lonely.

So forget what your relationship status is.  Valentine's Day isn't about that.  It is about showing your affection for those you love.  Don't be bitter simply because you feel like you have no one to love.  In elementary school there wasn't a VIP list for the couples.  Everyone received Valentine's.  It shouldn't be different now that we know our Times Tables.

P.S. Notice I didn't say anything about Diamonds! Women, we know, they are your best friend.  But fellas, unless you are 103.23% sure she is the one, don't bother.  Because if she is the one, it won't matter if you didn't go to Jared's.

(I know from experience.  My first serious Valentine's gift to a woman was in 3rd grade.  And yes, she still remembers that Valentine's Day!)

Valentine's Day (Part 1)

February 14th... the only day in the year that can bring out the very best, or the very worst of our emotions.  These emotions rest in the hands of our relationship status. For some of us, Valentine's Day will be spent with butterflies in our stomach and a smile on our faces, as we celebrate the love and happiness we share with another person. For others, Valentine's Day will be spent with bitterness/hatred/jealousy towards those who spend 10 minutes in front of a wall of Valentine cards in hope of finding the perfect one that expresses their feelings.

Because of this, I am breaking this topic into two separate posts.  One to appeal to those of you who are overly excited for Tuesday. One for those of you who plan on staying off all social networks so you don't have to see the annoying, "I have the best boyfriend ever", statuses.  I like to think of myself as quite the romantic with a sprinkle of, "I don't give a fugg" on top.  This is why I believe I can relate to all of you.  But today, I am going to attempt to bring a smile to the faces of those who are solo-dolo and help you get over your bitterness/hatred/jealousy.

WARNING! IF YOU ARE IN A HAPPY RELATIONSHIP YOU MAY NOT WANT TO CONTINUE READING... THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD.  (But if you would like to wait patiently, tomorrow's post will)

There is nothing quite like Valentine's Day! It will probably go down as the only day Kim Kardashian wishes she was still married to Kris Humphries.  And I think we can all agree he may be the lamest dude ever.  No one wants to be single on Valentine's Day.  No matter how much you hate relationships, you still want a Valentine. If you don't, you feel like a loser.  This concept goes all the way back to elementary school... if I didn't have the most Valentines in my box, I was pissed.  If the girl I had a crush on didn't personalize the Valentine she stuck in my box, I was pissed.  But if everything did go as I had hoped, you better believe I was the happiest little, blonde haired, bowl cut, Bugle Boy jeans wearing child you had ever seen.

I would like to thank Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and camera phones in general for making the single life seem so shitty.  They are the reason why I am forced to write this post today.  From the traditional, "My boyfriend is the best!!!!!!", status to the, "I know no one really gives a damn, but look at the rose pedals my boyfriend threw all over the bed (that I will be forced to pick up a few minutes later)" photos.  Oh, and we can't forget the famous, "awwwww my boyfriend sent me these flowers" pictures as if he was the first one to ever give flowers on Valentine's Day.  Not only have these created a hatred for those who sit at home alone, but they have also raised the expectations for guys with girlfriends.  Not only do we feel the pressure to impress you, we also feel the pressure to impress your 1,238.3 Facebook friends.

So guys, I really hope you are not upset if you don't have a Valentine this year.  Look on the bright side, you will save some money and you won't feel the pressure to become Prince Charming.  You can take this day and feel sorry for the guys who are running around shopping for Valentine's Day presents and making dinner reservations.  You are the real winner! Cheers to you my friend!

And ladies, I get it.  You want to be loved or whatever, but come on.  For 364 days out of the year you are annoyed with us.  I hope by now, you have all received at least one dozen roses, at least one heart shaped box of candy, at least one teddy bear, and at LEAST one home cooked meal from a man other than your father.  It's really not that serious.  Don't ruin your day by being bitter over the relationship's of others.  Yes, I agree, the Valentine photos are annoying.  But look at it this way, the girls who do post these pictures are actually proud of something their boyfriend did.  If they are that excited about it, it probably means they are not treated like that on a regular basis.  They probably took a picture and sent it to Facebook before they even thanked the person who gave them the flowers.


P.S... if you were offended by the things I said, I tried to warn you.  If you hate me, check back tomorrow and who knows, maybe I will make you smile. Like I said, I do have a romantic side!

It's 5 o'clock Somewhere

"If I die it wouldn't all be for nothing.  And all my life i'm doing what I wanna.  So i'm living in the moment until God push the button on me."

No, this isn't another post regarding my personal consumption of alcohol.  If you remember, Wine Wednesday's are on a Wednesday and once a month. It is only Tuesday and we wouldn't waste it within the first week.  The past two days have been productive.

That's the beauty of my career.  Every single day is unique.  No two days are the same.  With that said, there are very productive days along with the random days in which I agree to be spontaneous and begin drinking wine at 3pm.  My flexibility is a gift and a curse.  I wouldn't want it any other way.  Today I was reminded why.

I have been trying to tell you that inspiration/opportunity is constantly surrounding you.  It just takes a little bit of focus and an open mind to notice it.  And from there, the impact is endless.

After spending the majority of the day directing my focus on real estate, I decided to take a break to hit the gym with my roommate.  It's always nice to get in there before the "after work rush".  This is the 3 hour period in which it is impossible to do a set of curls because roid-heads line-up across the mirrors as they stare at their reflection to make sure their biceps don't run away.  I think it's funny because they spend so much time looking at their upper half, they don't notice their calves have been missing for years.

I guess I became a little indulged with my own appearance as I caught myself staring in the mirror asking where these extra pounds came from because when I looked at the clock, I was shocked at the time.  My to-do list was nowhere near complete and I needed to get home.  By the time I drank a "after workout recovery shake" (those of you who have tried and failed to complete P90X know what I'm talkin about), and showered, it was 5 O'clock.

This is when I was reminded why I love what I do.  Most Americans love when the clock strikes 5:00.  These are the same Americans who are not in love with their occupation.  Typically, when the clock reads 5:00 it is time to leave work.  I know the feeling.  When I spent my summer's as a bag boy wearing a red polo while carrying out groceries, I would look at the clock every time I walked back inside.  I hated it.  Time seemed to stop.  When you feel like this on a daily basis, you are wishing your life away.

Today, when 5:00 comes around, I ask where the time has gone.  When you don't have that set time to clock out, work never stops.  I don't even want to use the word, "work".  I guess that's why it never stops, I don't want it to.  Every day I have the opportunity to wake up and do exactly what I want.  Am I where I want to be financially? Hell No. Am I happier than the next person? I like to think so.

When you do something strictly for the financial benefit, you will be working for a dollar.  A piece of paper.  A piece of paper that you believe will buy happiness.  A piece of paper in which the faces on it aren't even smiling.  This is where we go wrong.  Money will only bring temporary pleasure.  Nothing you buy will make you stop looking at the clock while working.  If anything, this money will only entice your eyes to make their way to the bottom right corner of your computer.

When you do something because you truly have a passion for it, the money is a bonus....  and it will come.

Pinterest... For Guys?

I have been waiting several weeks for the general public to indulge themselves in the new online addiction before I would share my thoughts.  Most women know all there is to know about Pinterest.  Most guys have heard of it, but more than likely they aren't exactly sure how to pronounce it.  (Well, at least I didn't.  For the longest time I called it "Pin-Interest").  For those of you who have never heard of Pinterest or understand what it is, I could no longer wait for you to catch up with the rest of America.

According to Wikipedia, (yea, F you SOPA and PIPA), Pinterest, "is a vision board-styled social photo-sharing website and app where users can create and manage theme-based image collections."  Most photos revolve around home decor, fashion tips, creative food recipes, and wedding ideas.

I am a Pinterest supporter.  I really like what they are doing here.  Following the footsteps of early Facebook, Pinterest requires every potential "pinner" to be invited by a friend before they can use the site.  This strategy creates a, "I want one", mindset.  I have been able to sit back and watch this feeding freenzy for the past month on Facebook.  Every female wants to be involved.

Last night I decided to borrow a username and password to do some research on the site.  While scrolling through the "Pins", I began to wonder, "what if" more men created accounts...

We would forever ruin the website for women.  We would erase the elegance and organization.  We would somehow find a way to pin pins on top of other pins until all control was lost.  Not to mention the type of content we would throw up there.  Recipe ideas would be replaced by microwave dinners.  If the recipe went beyond the microwave, we wouldn't read it.  Pins of Rihanna would cover pictures of Channing Tatum.  The 'how-to' pins would be more like, "how-to flush the public urinal without touching it", rather than, "how-to braid a flower in your hair".  Video games, food and sports would consume 85.7% of the website.

Lets face it, we would be that obnoxious drunk guy at the wedding.  We would be grabbing the behinds of waitresses and snatching the microphone from the DJ/Wedding Singer (preferably one with a mullet).  It would get reckless.   I'm just saying, it wouldn't be pretty.

I am confident women would eventually catch on and begin to indirectly pin photos to train/educate men.  Pinterest would become a platform for women to give hints to men on how they should dress, behave, and think.  And they could do it without being embarrassed to say it directly to one specific person.  Women would share ideas by the millions.  Pinterest would become a game of Battle of the Sexes.  A battle in which guys would lose.


I really hope guys don't ruin Pinterest for women.  We need to let them have this one.  I mean, plus it gives women something to do while we watch the game.