There's More to It...

This past week I've had the privilege of home-sitting for a friend of mine.  He has everything that my parents' house has... big TV with a ton of cable channels and a home theater system, the latest video game systems and movie players, super-fast internet, a whole bunch of comfort food, etc.  Watching his stuff brought me back to the old life I lived growing up.

I was lucky to live in a middle class lifestyle, which I thought was normal.  What I learned was that if you work enough hours and make enough money, you can have these luxuries.  I strove to have this life when I became an adult, because it was the only one I knew.

Acting Superior to Others is an Empty Endeavor.

On the occasional weekend, I work security for a few clubs in the city.  It's nothing too fancy; you make sure drunken idiots don't harm themselves or others throughout the course of the night.  Last night was no exception.  The drunken idiots came... so we had work to do.

It is definitely an interesting job.  You meet people at their most primal form.  There are your alpha males... either showing off how much money they have (or can borrow) or how muscular they are.  And of course the females... either looking for attention via the lack of clothes being worn or "letting loose" from that stressful week of dealing with "The Man" (work or relationship).

The Beauty of Benchmarks.

Today, I took a fitness test.  I get graded on how well I complete push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run.  For my job, it's essential that I at least hit the minimum required standards for my age group.  However, they also have a rating system if you go above that initial mark. 

I like to push myself when it comes to this kind of stuff (blame it on my history with sports), so every time the test comes around I check my scores.  And this is why I love benchmarks... Every time I test, I get to see if I have progressed, stayed about the same shape, or have faltered.  Then, I plan out what I can do to either get back on track or improve. 

Check Your Source.

Many of us have rules for ourselves that help determine the path we carve out during our lifetime.  These rules are formed from what we've been taught as well as what we've learned from our own experiences. 

The problem is that we are so quick to gather and store information, that sometimes we don't step back and take a valid look at the source.  For instance, there have been those who have gone through very extreme experiences that will leave a stain on anything that may resemble a similar environment.  Sometimes they don't even know the situation that they were in was an unhealthy one or a rare occurrence and accept it as the standard. 

Did You Enjoy Your April 1st?

I hope yesterday's post didn't fool you.  I don't know how else I could have given it away that it was a joke.  If you've been following me at all, you would have noticed that mostly everything I said yesterday was the complete opposite of what I believe.

Critical thinking is necessary for a content life.
My actions help determine my outcomes.
The expectations of others have no bearing on my own pursuits.
I don't miss being chained to a desk job.
I am entitled to nothing... This world does not owe me a dime.
I should be paid for what I produce.
I will never strive to be average or normal.

Ok... maybe this blog is a little dangerous.

It's Not About Conformity vs. Non-Conformity...

This is about finding your own path - one you will be satisfied with.

I've seen a lot of lifestyle designer ("copyright") blogs throw around the word non-comformity liberally, and in turn receiving some backlash.  The usual argument goes like this:

"Well... you all are just forming another group... so who's the conformist now?"

Now this argument is based mostly on the view that anyone who strays from the predicated norm automatically judges those who do not share in their ideas.  I will agree that there are a few who spoil it for the rest of us, but many people who live outside of the norm could care less on how the normal live.  The question becomes motivation; am I doing this to be rebellious for its own sake, or am I doing this because I have other callings than what has been presented to me thus far?  Many would agree with the latter.

What's Success to You? - Part II

This is a continuation from yesterday's post. See Part I.

My own responses to the assignment:

Success, in my own eyes, is living a life of richness in learning and experience, understanding of the world around me, and contribution to the future. 

• Richness in learning and experience - I will forever be a student, constantly observing, questioning, and applying what lessons I have gained during my time. (Internal)
• Understanding of the world around me - I've been brought up to think a specific way and am curious to see the view from perspectives completely different from my own.  I'd like to expand my ability to critically think. (Internal)
• Contribution to the future - From what I have gained, I want to share with others.  Knowledge, inspiration, wealth... my resources of time and ability are limited, and I must be diligent in my focus to provide. (External... though some may argue Internal)
  

What's Success to You? - Part I

Homework Assignment. 

1. I want you to ask yourself this question and write out your definition, including how you will know when you have reached it.
2. Once finished, take a step back from your writing, and ask why you have chosen to write what you specifically have down.
3. For those answers, write down if each is truly an external (for anyone other than yourself) or internal (selfishly yours) motivation.  You have to pick one or the other... I will not accept "both" as an answer.

Give it some thought.  There are no wrong answers. Tomorrow I will discuss my own findings.

A Success Story... Or Why I'll Never Buy Retail Again

American Eagle Cargo Shorts

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) = $36.50

Amount Paid = $4

How did I walk out the door with a fresh new pair of cargo shorts for about a tenth of the suggested price?  I stole them, and left some cash behind out of guilt.

Ok... that's a lie.  I got them at a thrift store.  Half price Mondays.  And you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Some people have problems with secondhand shops, consignments, and thrift stores.  I'll give you some common reasons, and then offer counter-arguments to each.

Remasculation of Man: Is It Really Necessary?

It worries me that men are supposedly losing their mojo these days. I was unaware that mine went missing.

Details Magazine published an article this month called The Remasculated Man. In it, the writer talks about the need for men to not just know that they have a pair, but when, where, and how to use it. I'm glad that a men's fashion magazine (you heard me... we're talking 22 full pages of advertisements selling luxury clothing, jewelry, shoes, cologne, and undies to the masses before you even see a hint of actual content) is giving me guidance on being a true man.

What has this world come to? And why do we as a society continue to push men towards becoming this Alpha Male prototype?

Is the American man lacking motivation to find his true self?  Is he missing guidance?  Or are we just fooling ourselves into thinking this way?  I believe it's a mix of all three.

Seriously... Show Me Someone Who Isn't Creative.

cre·a·tive
Pronunciation: \krē-ˈā-tiv, ˈkrē-ˌ\
Function: adjective
Date: 1678
1 : marked by the ability or power to create
Definition from Merriam-Webster Dictionary

While walking over to the library today, I took a stroll down good ole Memory Lane.  Writing was by no means my strong suit in grade school (at least in the eyes of my teachers).  I hated receiving graded papers back, because of those cursed notes that they would leave.  Who hasn't received the dreaded "lacks creativity" comment on a term paper?

Projects... don't even get me started on projects!  One of the most traumatizing times of my early scholastic career was when I had to do presentations for an "Advanced" class.  I had a teacher who would literally take me out of the classroom as soon as I had finished, move me to an empty room, and yell at me (this was a continual thing).  Here I was, 10 years old, being scolded on not putting enough effort.  Chicken with its head cut off.

Now many reading this would say that some people just aren't creative.  And I think that's complete bull.

Why Living the Cookie Cutter Lifestyle Makes my Tummy Rumble.

Sometimes you have to step back and see what you're getting yourself into.

When I was growing up, I was taught that life proceeded as follows:

Go to school -> Get a job -> Go to college -> Get a career -> Get married -> Buy a house -> Raise a family -> Retire at 60 -> Die

Oh and get some cool toys so you don't end up miserable with the process.