Do What You Can...

If you haven't been witness to the coverage of the horrible earthquake that shook Haiti to its core, all you need to do is go to the internet, the news, or the magazine rack.  If you're reading the articles and experiencing the images from any of those vehicles, I hope you realize that you're blessed to be on the spectator side.  The tellings of tragedy will continue to emerge, the ones of miracles and hope may begin to dwindle, but this event of colossal disruption and damage isn't going away.  If you have a roof over your head, a meal tonight, or a drink of water this afternoon like I have, then I hope you'll take a moment to feel thankful for those things.  You've heard it elsewhere, and I want to put it here, I hope you can make a donation to  help.  For those of you that work in fundraising you know that every dollar ads up - $10 can make a difference, and no matter how we may struggle financially, I hope you'll do what you can. 

Red Cross

unicef

Or text "HAITI" to "90999"

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can.  ~Sydney Smith

The Chopper Killed My Teeth

I had a traumatic dream the other night that’s interesting and vivid enough for me to remember and want to understand.  It was filled with action, trauma, people close to me.  I can’t recall what got me to this place, I think there was a chase, but I was in a room – in a house, not my house – but somewhere.  I was standing with a close friend of mine when we heard a helicopter.  It was dark outside, nighttime, and as we looked through the glass window, the helicopter (I think it was a news station) was too close, it was crashing and ended up taking a direct nose dive right in front of us.  Literally, the nose of the helicopter crashed into the pavement, right there, igniting a huge fireball that I somehow managed to anticipate.  I knocked down my friend to protect us both from the fire, the shattering glass, and the debris that were flying toward us.  The next thing I know, I’m standing, cupping my hand to my chin, and all of my teeth have fallen out into my hand.  I don’t think I felt pain, just urgency to save my mouth, save my teeth, and maybe save my smile – which is what arguably what I’m known for.

Back to real life.  The next day, I’m walking to see if I can catch a glimpse of the President, and something sparks a memory of the dream I had last night.  It’s vivid, it’s real, it’s colorful when I’m awake.  In my adventure to try and see the President, two things happen – a security chopper is circling above the buildings and a police officer on the street who I’d been talking with, left me with these parting words, “keep smiling.”

I’m not a big dream analyzer, but I think this one is pretty weird.  Especially because I’m still thinking about it 2 days later. 

Back to Posting Post Its

Some of you may know this about me already, some of you may not.  But I post post it notes around my apartment when I want something.  They can be very broad - "happiness" for example. Or more specific "my back is fine" - when I was dealing with a back problem.  I believe that if you're constantly seeing a reminder, or reading something, it enters your subconscious and actually takes affect.  It's like the law of physics, that "like attracts like" - if you put a positive thought out into the universe, then you get a positive action, reaction, or thought back.  Likewise, if you put a negative thought out "there", there's a good chance you'll continue to get negative thoughts, feedback or consequences.  

My post it notes have been gone for awhile, with the exception of two in regards to money, but I just went on a spree.  I now have two on my fridge, two on the wall by my front door, and four on my bathroom mirror.  I'm not going to reveal what they say, but if I get what I want, and what I want is what I'm reading on my post its, then I'll let hopefully let you know soon.

In the meantime, check out The Secret if you haven't.  It was recommended to me by one my best musician friends, Syd, and while the design might be a little hoakey - the message isn't if you're open to it.  

Try Saying....

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes.      Watch the movie Yes Man.       Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 

It's not politics... It's personality

It would be hypocritical for me to force anyone to accept anyone - especially after my last post.  I encourage everyone to support who they want, believe what they want, and choose who they want as a role model, friend, or political leader.

With politics such a hotbed of discussion, frustration, and heated conversation, I'm certainly not going to force my political views on someone else, including readers of this blog.  I will however, be honest and open, and tell you that I voted for President Obama, that I still support him, and that I believe in his mission, his work, and his hope for the future of this country.

As I titled this post, I'm not going to make this blog entry a political argument - but a statement about personality.  Whether or not you agree with the President, it is my hope that you see his hope.  He was in Boston today, campaigning for Attorney General Martha Coakley, who is running for MA State Senate.  As the President was speaking at the rally, an anti-abortion activist yelled out, disrupting what otherwise was a peaceful, positive, and energized crowd.  The activist was not alone, but with his young son, who couldn't have been more then 10 years old, and who also started yelling during the President's speech.  Though both were escorted out the room, what I want to point out was how the President responded.  He did not get angry, he did not comment on the rude and disheartening behavior - but instead he remained poised, calm, and eloquent in the face of such disgusting and disrespectful comments - and encouraged the room to do the same, saying "It's okay.  We're okay."  

In my 26 years on this earth, not many of them have been filled with an interest in politics.  But I will tell you, that for the first time in my lifetime, there is someone in office, who has, since day one, inspired me to be better, inspired me to learn about politics, inspired me to vote and get involved, and has given me hope that the people of this country can begin to do good.  The President's personality - the words he chooses to use, the way in which he conveys them, the manner in which he speaks, and the hope that he inspires, are all more then good enough reasons for me to believe in him and the job that he is trying to do.

I challenge you (I think I might be doing that a lot here?) to listen to the President the next time he makes a televised appearance.  And listen with an open mind and open heart.  Because while he might not say what you want to hear "politically", I think it would be hard not to hear, and hopefully appreciate, his intelligence, his eloquence, and his hope to better the world.

Help - Selfless or Selfish?

I just watched a beautiful movie – The Soloist – the movie in which Robert Downey Jr. befriends a brilliant homeless man – Jamie Foxx. But it’s not the names of the actors – it’s the names of the true characters, Nathaniel Ayers and Steve Lopez, a true story of the two men who cross paths in a chance meeting.

I don’t want to go into the specifics of the plot, but more important the message of the story. The message as I interpret it, is that being a friend to someone, whether you know them or not, is the most powerful thing you can do as a human. The definition of friendship (especially in the 21st century) can be discussed for hours, but what it all comes down to, is being there for someone when they need you. Being there for a person, accepting who they are, and not forcing your thoughts, your beliefs, or your desires onto them. But supporting the character of that person, and the way in which they choose to live their life.

The Soloist sent a humbling message. It reminded me of the importance of doing something for others. Also why we do things for others. I challenge you to think about that – and ask yourself – why do I do something for someone? Is it because you truly want to better their existence? Their life? Or is it because you want to better yours? Experience the “warm and fuzzies” that happen when you’ve done good? Does that mean it’s selfish to help other people – when you also benefit? What is your true motive for helping someone?

For me, it’s important to find a balance between the two – the feel good endorphins I experience and the prospect of supporting someone even when I might be uncomfortable with what they want, what they need. When I help someone, stranger or friend, I feel peaceful, lucky, and fulfilled. Selfishly those are emotions I want to have. But when I help someone, I do it with an authentic and genuine desire to support that person. I might not always agree with what that person wants, or feels they need, but that’s when it’s not about me. Next time you extend your hand to help someone, ask yourself why you’re ultimately doing so, and who you honestly want to help – your discovery may be surprising.

In the meantime, watch The Soloist – or read the book written by Steve Lopez. It’s a beautiful story, a beautiful relationship, and a reminder that the human spirit is a gift – a unique present to each and every one of us. Help when you can, help when you want to – and help with a quiet and humbled grace.

Work It Out Saturday

So I realized recently that I haven't posted here about one of my side jobs.  In this "search for myself" I've been doing a bunch of gigs - working at a Red Sox bar, playing Wii for a month at a temporary store on Newbury, and recently I've gotten my hands in a start-up project that's developing an iphone application.. more on that in another post.  BUT, one thing at this moment is consistent, and that's the fact that I teach two classes every Saturday at Dancefit Studio, a dance and fitness studio in Brookline.

Every Saturday at 11:00 am and at 12:15 pm I teach an hour long class called Total Body Burn.  I incorporate dance moves, strength training, ab workouts, and stretching.  Each week we target a different muscle group - this week is legs and .... your back side.  Lots of cardio, lots of music (including some solid 80's throwbacks), and believe it or not, a lot of fun.

First class is free to try out, and then friends and family get half-off individual classes and multi-class packages.  Hope to see some of you guys there!

Check Out DanceFit!
Become a Fan on Facebook!