Friday, January 25, 2013
Mental Health Day
So about this time I would normally be into my 2nd hour of work but today I'm lounging about in my BYU Snuggie watching endless hours of Netflix.
I put in a vacation day at work, hoping to get some things done and go back home and see my folks.
Then came the flurries...
The snow falling outside has really put a damper on my plans for a vacation day but as I'm popping another bag of popcorn and enjoying myself for the first time in a while, I can't really argue a better way to spend an afternoon.
Somedays we just get caught up in life. We are constantly striving towards that next pay check or that next quiz, slaving away at work or school, feeling like every part of our being is constantly in motion and if we stop, even for a moment, the balance of the universe will be disrupted.
Breathe for a moment.
Maybe you need to look back on your Brainflix and playback some positive memories.
Or maybe you just need to ask yourself permission -- just for one day -- to not be the responsible person and enjoy yourself.
Tomorrow the roads will be clearer and I can safely navigate my way back home and finish everything i intended. And come Monday I will resume my usual work schedule of 3pm to 11pm.
But today, for just today, I will take a mental health break. And love every second of it.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
QUICK UPDATE!
Haven't posted in a while so I figured I'd just write a quick update.
Right now I'm still finalizing my 22 acts of service. I'll post my official list on the first of February for all to see.
In other news, I've reached over a thousand page views! Whoo! Not quite sure how to celebrate that but if you guys have any suggestions feel free to leave them in the comments!
Thanks again and I'll talk to you all later!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
ISO Service Ideas
My 22nd birthday will be here in less than a month and I haven't got the slightest idea how to celebrate it.
I kid you not, I actually Googled "birthday ideas" and allow sorts of randomness came up... you try it; I dare you.
But the one idea I liked the most was the "(insert your age here) acts of kindness." Throughout your birthday day, you would complete the acts of kindness, ending the day one year older and on a service high.
The only problem with this is: I need to come up with 22 different acts of kindness to do!
This is where you, my dear readers, come in.
Help me have the best birthday EVAH by giving me ideas and suggestions! Send them via Facebook or email and I will happily compile it together and give everyone a preview of the list before my birthday.
Let's do this!
Friday, January 18, 2013
Results and Perspective
So I actually completed my assignment yesterday and I have to say: it was AMAZING!
You know how some days things just seem to fit in place all nice and perfect? That's what yesterday was like, only it was real. 'Twas incredible.
So this whole exercise made me think about my perspective over the last few days in a whole new light and I realized something: your outlook going into situations really can influence you for good or for worse.
After the events of Wednesday evening, I had already gone to that place of anger. No amount of Brainflix could've salvaged that because I had already chosen to be angry. And, as a result, the rest of my Wednesday grew terrible as well.
Last time I let that happen!
In the great words of Professor Dumbledore from A Very Potter Musical, "The audience will be cheering for you or the dragon, but either way they'll be making some noise."
Perspective is key.
Have a good day everyone!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Oy Vey...
So I promised you guys a report on my day of challenges yesterday and I'm sorry to say it went terribly.
Remember how I said that everyone is statistically going to have at least one bad day? Yesterday I confirmed it.
It all started in the car...
It's always the car ride to work, never the ride back. Why is that?
It's 2:30, school is being let out and cars are everywhere filled with people trying to get home it seems. (Am I the only crazy person who's traveling to work at this time?)
When all of a sudden someone pulls out in front of me!
Grr...
I honestly thought to myself "I won't let this person ruin my day." but it became a chain reaction of events from there.
The exact details of the reaction are unimportant but I think it's safe to say that I did not make or take sincere compliments yesterday.
So what is the lesson?
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
So I had a bad day... it happens. I'm human and I'm bound to screw up sometimes and let my anger get the best of me. And just because i do leave my anger unchecked doesn't necessarily mean I need to continue screwing up though, right?
So let's pretend yesterday never happened and today's a new day, okay? :)
I'll post my results tomorrow! Have a great day!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A Challenge of WILL and WON'T
As much as I love to dwell in reality, sometimes I fantasize that I'm a drifter -- untamed and unbound by emotions or human ties. I like to think that I'm unpredictable and mysterious.
But with fantasy aside, the truth is I know myself too well.
I know that I will always put off doing laundry until the last minute because I have extra clothes. They may not even fit right or be the nicest looking, but I know I have them and will wear them out before I wash anymore.
I know that I will always put the emergency brake up when I park a car, much to the annoyance of anyone who drives after me.
I know that I will, at some point today, say the phrase "you learn something new every day" because I always do.
And yet, on the flipside, I also know some not-so-great things about myself.
I know I will curse while driving down the road because of something another car/driver did.
I know that I will probably not get out of bed until an hour or so before I leave for work.
I know that I will more than likely doubt myself or my abilities at least once.
You are the world's greatest authority on yourself. After all, who knows your habits or mannerisms better than you? At times it may take others pointing them out before we notice them ourselves, but for the most part you are the only one who truly understands the reasons why you do the things you do.
So today I'm going to try something new. Seeing as I know what I will do, I am going to challenge myself to do things I normally don't do.
Today I will smile more. (Apparently I grimace. A lot.)
Today I will strike up a conversation with someone I have never spoken to. (Most days I keep to myself.)
Today I will make and accept sincere compliments. (A tough one for myself.)
I will report back tomorrow on my success or failure. Until then, have a good day everyone!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Confession Post #2: The Voice
Hey guys! So I had a friend come up and hang out yesterday. We spent most of Sunday contemplating whether or not to clean out Five Below's entire inventory and recorded some of the most hysterical videos on her Mac webcam.
But the coolest thing we did was an acapella cover of "Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn.
I've put a link in a separate post. Go there now and watch it!
We're pretty awesome, right?
Confession #2: For a long time, I actually hated listening to myself sing or talk.
Growing up I can remember a lot of times were I was teased by other kids for sounding like a girl when I both spoke and sang.
Can you think of a more brutal way to criticize someone?
I mean, there are lots of little things I can do to change myself over time.
Bad breath? Gum or mouthwash.
Body odor? Shower/bath/deodorant.
Unibrow? Shave/wax it off.
Unsightly mole? Surgically remove it.
The sound of my voice though? Umm... I'm not sure how to remedy that one except by vowing to never speak or sing in public ever again.
Confession #3: Although I've done church choirs pretty much all of my life, when my family moved to Virginia in 2002, I didn't publicly solo or duet for 6 years.
I actually really liked singing and I purposely kept it hidden for that long all because a handful of people didn't likely the way I sounded.
The ONLY reason I finally busted out of that crazy way of thinking was due in part to 2 girls who found out that a.) I could sing and b.) Encouraged/forced/supported me.
So when the school talent show came along my Junior year I found myself on stage singing "A Whole New World."
And believe me, it was definitely a whole new world to me: people actually liked listening to me!
After that, I went on and performed in two musicals and recorded a lot of Brainflix videos that I will cherish forever.
So what about you guys? Is there any part of you that you used to dislike or keep hidden? Share it with me so I don't feel alone!
And who knows? Maybe someone else will benefit from it also!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Hi Everyone. My Name Is Michael and I'm an Addict
This is really hard for me to admit to people.
I hate people looking down on me for things I can't control. So this is partly why I've always kept this to myself. The shame of people finding out and mocking me is almost too much. But the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. So here it goes...
There are only a handful of things in this world that bring me joy: my family, music, my friends, and... Pokèmon
My name is Michael and I'm a recovering Pokèholic.
Whew... that feels better already.
It's true. I like Pokèmon just a little too much to just stop playing. It was cool in elementary school until about 5th grade, when everyone abandoned their virtual teammates for real sports.
But not me.
I continued my obsession into middle and high school. If my dislike for organized sports involving a ball was deemed "ridiculous" by some, I can only imagine what they might've thought about me secretly playing Pokèmon into the dead of night.
Now why do I like a game that is geared towards adolescent pre-teens? For one because the storyline is an awesome/completely crazy concept. How many mothers would let their 10 year old children travel the world accompanied by a team of six monsters summoned by throwing out a mechanical ball? Seriously, it was like my childhood dream to battle adults and bad guys alike for the honor and glory of becoming the greatest Pokèmon Master in the world.
But honestly I think I go back to Pokèmon because it reminds me of simpler times.
When I was carefree and naive...
Before I was expected to work full-time and pay taxes and contribute to society...
It's just a small reminder that even in all the hustle of life, I can still be amazed and filled with childlike wonder when I play a game.
Now that I've confessed to my addiction, what about you? Is there something in your life that some feel you've outgrown but you cling to because it reminds you of your childhood? Respond in the comments!
And until next time, have a good day!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Brainflix to the Rescue!
I love most aspects of my life. I have a great job, a loving and supportive family, some awesome friends/coworkers and a metabolism that still allows me to eat whatever I want and not gain weight. But there is one thing I do not like:
My subconscious inability to let go of the past.
I imagine it like a black storm cloud that hangs above me all the time, like a proverbial sword of Damocles poised to fall and strike.
Which it does occasionally.
I could be reading a book, alone and totally absorbed in the story when it happens. No warning or early detection. Just a thought or a memory of the past that attempts to divert my attention.
Most days they come, irritate me and leave just as quickly as they arrive...
But somedays it feels like a single spot in my head that doesn't allow my brain the authority to call security.
Last night I had one of those instances.
I was working when I was reminded of the time when my family moved to Virginia. I was a shy kid, didn't know a single soul (aside from my little sister) in our new elementary school and everyone in Virginia talked with a funny accent!
Needless to say, I didn't speak much my first day. I ignored direct questions, I kept to myself and when I arrived home that day I realized that I had acted pretty dumb. After all, how was anyone going to get to know me if I didn't speak?
So the next day I decided I was going to be more open and actually hold conversations and answer questions about my previous life before Virginia...
But you only get to make a first impression once and most of the school had written me off as "the silent guy." It took me a few days to have anyone besides a teacher speak to me and it was all my own doing.
This single memory has the most profound effect on me because it very well could have shaped my entire future in that school system. What if I had answered those questions on the first day? What if I chose not to be loner? How different would my life have turned out?
Last night I asked myself those same questions for the millionth time and my response was the same: Time for Brainflix!
Like my own personal Netflix, I have, in my mind, one of the largest collections of on-demand videos ever assembled via memories. It has a little bit of everything: high school coming of age stories, dramas and a large quantity of musicals and comedies. And without all of my life experiences and crazy misadventures, how could I have ever accumulated such a collection?
Last night, I replayed my high school concerts and performances in band, my stint as an actor in drama, crossing the finish line to my first race in track and my graduation day. No matter how differently my life could've been, I wouldn't trade these memories for all the money in the world.
So my storm cloud disappeared to do battle again another time. And when it does, I will be ready with popcorn.
It is inevitable that everyone will have at least one bad day in their life. And in those instances, when the very forces of karma and nature are attempting to drag you down, what will you battle them with? For myself, I choose Brainflix.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Hello World! Hear My Voice!
Hi everyone. My name is Michael and I'm a 21-going-on-22 year old guy living in Virginia. I work full-time and I have no life outside of it... Sad right?
The main thing I wanted to do with this blog is just express my take on current events, my own life, and just those CRRRAAAAAAAZZYYY thoughts that linger in the back of my mind.
I've never been one to rock the boat, or speak out of turn or do anything out of the social norm. And after twenty-something years of feeling unheard, I figured it was time to start speaking.
I recently saw "Les Miserables" in theater and the concept of this blog started to form in the back of my mind. For those of you unfamiliar with the story I would recommend checking out Wikipedia or Google for synopses on the book and musical . As the movie progressed I was kneen to watch one particular musical number.
Do You Hear the People Sing?
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!
Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France!
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
As the young revolutionists sang this song, an idea came to me.
One voice.
One voice said they did not want oppression.
One voice spoke when everyone else stood silent.
And from one voice, one idea emerged and a whole nation rebelled.
In this world filled where the people are free but not always heeded, how often do we speak up to state what is wrong?
When you see a fellow co-worker or a classmate or just a passerby on the street being singled out and harassed, which of us stands up for them?
When a tragedy hits do we sit by and watch the media coverage or do we answer the call to arms and help in whatever way we can?
But most importantly: Would we give up our life for speaking up?
Do YOU hear the people sing?
Maybe we should all listen more closely...