License to Live

Happy Thursday, folks!  I figured it was about time to get back in the game and grace you all with my bountiful knowledge-- and by that I mean ignore my lectures and rant about nonsense while pretending that you all care.  Inspiring, right?

Anyway, the reason behind my recent revelation (and motivation to do something in class other than mock my Greek Mythology professor) comes from the lessons of a guest speaker in my business class today.  Jullien Gordon, CEO and "purposefinder" of The Department of Motivated Vehicles, asked the audience to think about our own individual definitions of success and write them on a piece of paper.   On my slip of paper, I wrote, "The ability to maintain balance in all aspects of my life by doing what makes me happy." After writing it, I reread it-- patting myself on the back for coming up with a pretty decent response.

 And then I thought, "Wait... what in the hell makes me happy?"

Which happened to be the exact purpose of Jullien's lesson. Imagine that!  He argued that too many of us focus on societal definitions of success; or perhaps our family's definition of success.  We are encouraged to take the right steps to achieve the goals our parents construct for us, without even beginning to "innerview" (Jullien's term meaning "self reflection") ourselves to find our own passions that we wish to pursue.

He asked the class, "How many of you think that your parents pursued a career that they are passionate about?"  Less than half of the class raised their hand.  So HIS purpose was to change that.

I recently switched my major from Business to English Literature with a concentration in creative writing-- an internal debate that's been driving me up the wall for the past several months.  Week after week I would sit in my business class listening to instructors and professors put the Kelley School on a pedestal (which it should be-- everyone there is brilliant don't get me wrong) and they had me convinced that it would be ignorant of me to change my major to something so general; however, one day when meeting with my counselor, I asked him to please declare my major as English Literature.

The succeeding several weeks I regretted my choice and I beat myself up for making such a rash decision.  I felt embarrassment when people asked what I was studying because I knew after I told them came the endearing, "Ohhhhhhh," followed by the concerned, "So what do you plan to do with that?" response. I swear it's as if those phrases were meant to destroy one's good faith in themselves. Either way, I instantly felt they considered me to be less intelligent or no longer fit to succeed because I was not attaining a major that was suitable to their taste.

But it was not their fault that I felt inferior. It was my own.

So today, when Jullien stood in front of three hundred business students professing that in order to achieve the definition of success we create for ourselves, we have to seek our purpose; find what makes us tick-- and then master it.  I realized there was no reason for me to be embarrassment when I tell people my major. It's what I love.

 I love to write.  I love to talk.  I love to give my sometimes over-bearing opinion.  And I love how refreshing it is to hear from a professional that my life is my OWN vehicle, and I control whether or not I'm in the driver's seat.

Which is why I decided to blog today.

Love you all!  Have a good weekend :)

P.S. Jullien Gordon's website is julliengordon.com << check it out!

Build an Audience of At Least 1,000 People

(No, the title does not refer to Facebook or Twitter. Instead, I want to build an audience of at least 1,000 people for a greater cause other than notifying everyone on how Purdue sucks at everything. That fact is already world-renowned.)

When I was in grade school, I remember when Rupert Boneham visited St. Jude as a guest speaker. Many had recognized him as a contestant on the reality television show, Survivor; however, he reinvented his image to me that day when he told his story in front of 500 elementary school students. Long before his appearance on Survivor, Rupert began directing a charity to help troubled teens and adults see the light at the end of the tunnel when enduring hardships.

After his performance at St. Jude, I remember reviewing everything that he had discussed, motivating me to take his advice into consideration. It's very rare to find a public speaker that can hold the attention of children, under the age of 13, for over an hour. Now that I think back on it, it is extremely admirable that such a famous man would take the time out of his day to speak to students that he had never met. He wasn't doing it for the money, or the reputation, or the publicity, he was doing it to influence others. To make a difference. To witness his work impact another individual's life without anything in return.

One day, I hope that I can influence others the way that Rupert has done. I want to find a passion in something that provokes me to pursue that dream without any satisfaction other than a listening audience. Whether or not it has an effect on the audience as a whole, I don't care. As long as ONE person really hears what I'm saying, I'll be happy.

Love you ALL! Hope your week is going wonderfully!
GO IU!! KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES, HOOSIERS!

Ignore Money, and do What I Love

For the past couple of months, preoccupations with money has extracted most of my energy and my time, as I am sure it has with many of you. I know that recently I have been discussing lighter topics, those of which do not place a burden on our everyday lifestyle. However, today I thought I'd vent on how much I HATE MONEY. And how sick it makes me to allow something so materialistic to control peoples' happiness.

During the latter years of my high school career, and especially throughout my freshman year of college, my peers have been making decisions towards their studies and career paths they wish to take. Me, however-- I am still stuck in square one, with absolutely no idea of what I want to do for the rest of my life. For the most part, I am encouraged to take a route that promises a "successful" future, where I am well-off, with a comfortable financial cushion to support me. Who wouldn't want that? More often than not, I convince myself it is smarter to choose a career path that promises wealth. The thing is, though, who in the hell has the power to define success for me? What if my success is living in a tent in South America, teaching children the English language, or about religion and placing their faith in God? I mean... success is just a word, right? It is not a feeling or an emotion. It is a shallow word. A word we invented. A word that can be interpreted differently depending upon the person.

In one of my business classes this semester, my professor sold the notion that too many students invest their money in a major that will not provide a return on their investment. Sure, that's true financially. It is a safe bet that a degree in a business field or medical field will provide a stable return. But that does not necessarily mean that those individuals are happier and live a better life than those who do not choose such career paths. Instead of being surrounded by people obsessed with financial success, I want someone to encourage me to do what I love, and let the money follow. Money dominates much of our lives already, I don't want to give it permission to control my happiness, too.

Sorry for preachin' errybody. Just somethin' I wanted to get off my chest. Enjoy your week!!!

Go Skinny Dipping in the South of France

This past weekend, my friends and I rented the movie One Day, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess as the main characters, Emma and Dexter. (If you haven't seen it, I suggest you do. It completely exceeded my expectations.) In one scene of the movie, Dexter persuades Emma into going skinny dipping while on a holiday in the South of France. Although embarrassed and intimidated, Emma joins Dexter anyway, falling victim to his charm and rhetoric. Yes, we've all been skinny dipping at one point in our lives. Whether it be with our friends (before puberty, when sh*t wasn't as awkward), or with our cousins on a Florida trip at the age of seven (obviously both circumstances of which I have experienced). Anyway, the fact of the matter is that you are naked. Feelin' free. In France. Surrounded by GORGEOUS men and women (some unnecessarily hairy, but whatever). How could you turn down such an opportunity?

Live on an Exotic Island for a Month

Okay, so I find some sort of odd thrill in exploring on Google Earth (If you have never checked it out, I highly suggest doing so);I think it all started in my geography class sophomore year of high school. During class, good 'ol Mr. Crosley would spend entire class periods panning in and out on images of different countries, mostly unfamiliar places, whose name went unrecognized by my classmates and myself. He identified these microscopic islands with exotic names that consisted of populations between 300 and 500 people total. At some point in my life, whenever my schedule allows it, I want to spend a month living on an island that I randomly pinpoint on Google Earth. I imagine there is nothing more peaceful than being a beach bum for four weeks: swimming, surfing, fishing, reading, and relaxing, with no worries or responsibilities weighing on your shoulders. Not only will it be a retreat from the chaos of every day life, but it will be an adventure. Experiencing a lifestyle completely opposite of my own, and learning to live without the preoccupations of technology. No more cell phone, no more television, and no more computers. Sounds like a sweet, sweet holiday to me.

Fart in a Crowded Space

(...Yes you read the title correctly.) Okay, so lately, I get the vibe that majority of my family and my friends need a pick-me-up. These days I actually try and avoid reading twitter (not that I ever actually succeed) because my news feed is over-flowing with complaints and pessimism. Of course, everyone is entitled to a bad mood every once in awhile (mine usually lasts for weeks at a time), but Spring is on its way, and the recent weather encourages people to enjoy their surroundings. I do not know how much detail I can really dive into with this topic; the notion of flatulence pretty much explains itself. However, I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Do not be afraid to fart in a crowded space and laugh when you witness the disturbing gags and grotesque faces that follow. Remember, it's the little things in life! So take a step back, relax, and smile. It is not always easy, but it is worth it.