User blog posts with the category "Lifestyle"

Well write your own dictionary
-The Great Debaters, Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington's character)

Unfortunately, there was a movie that many people didn't see, "The Great Debaters.". It was well written, the direction was excellent and the young cast did a marvelous job at giving the characters depth. Overall it was an excellent movie, and it gave me a great idea; I will write my own dictionary.

I am not going to literally write my own dictionary, I mean that would be completely insane. Knowing me, I would probably misspell the words that I create. Rather I plan on creating my own definition of self and my presence in this world. I am going to create my own Jasonpedia. Everyday I will wake up and add a new page to my dictionary.

I doubt I will ever finish my dictionary, but it will be fun to create. It starts with my personal thought process and defining how I truly have come to understand and how I analyze life. It comes with a dose of reality and revisions that my family and friends will constantly provide for me. It will continue with insight that will be granted to me from the people and things around me. It will be my own dictionary; my own definition of fulfillment, responsibility, commitment, and analysis.

Everyday I will create my dictionary with the goal of making a perfect me. Not perfect in someone else's eyes, but rather the perfect that Mary J sings about, "I like what I see, when I'm looking at me, when I'm walking past the mirror".

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Awareness

July 1, 2008

Recently my wife started doing something THAT I FELT WAS really silly; she began taking camera phone pictures of people who were asleep on the train. I mean, every night she would come home with a different photo of an unsuspecting person who had become immortalized on her camera phone.

Then, ONE DAY I was riding the train with her and realized it wasn't that silly AT ALL. Rather, it was very eye opening because as you look around for sleeping people you are also opening your eyes to be more aware. I began to notice the FIVE different languages being spoken on my little car, just one of 10 cars. I saw a couple arguing very very quietly. I saw a couple in love. I saw a guy wishing he had the nerve to talk to a girl. I saw a father and his daughter. I saw a woman over worked. I saw a man happy to be going home from work.

Why can't I say hello to the people who get on the elevator with me? Why do we not speak to the guy flying next to us? Why do we not engage that person we see on the train every morning going to work? Who knows what secrets will be revealed, if we just communicate more and open our bubble to each other. I began to realize there is a lot to see and learn AROUND US. I just have to open my eyes more and pay attention.

There is always a lot going on around us. Some good and some bad, but all of it provides knowledge and insight. I am going to open up and be more AWARE.

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It has always been amazing to me to see people who have never done anything in a certain industry or field and become extremely successful at it. I will use an example from the NBA. Look at what Mark Cuban was able to do with the Dallas Mavericks. Before he bought the team, it was considered the laughing stock of all sports. The value of the team was low, the team didn't have winning seasons, and no player wanted to be on, let alone drafted by the team. Then, Mark Cuban, the internet Geek, was able to purchase the team and do a complete 180. The value is up, players are excited to play for Dallas and the team has been a consistent contender in the West. Now looking from the outside, no one thought that an internet "maverick" would be able to successfully turn around a professional sports team that had done so poorly for so many years. I am willing to bet anyone it was because he knew he COULD, he believed in himself and he envisioned making the team successful before he made his first offer.

It is all about thought manifestation. Whatever I think, IT will come into my life. Have you ever had one of those moments where you were thinking about someone who you hadn't spoke to in awhile and the phone rings or an email came across your screen from that person? So now take that situation and apply it to your life. Apply it to your professional and personal life. I am going to apply that same thinking to my life from now on. I will always see and think success no matter the circumstances.

The words "I can't, I don't, I won't," only serve to further acknowledge what I DO NOT have and continue to block me from obtaining the prosperity that I deserve. Rather, by saying "I will, I can, I do" I show that there is only one thing that can prevent me from obtaining the riches that I deserve - me. So I promise that I will not allow my thoughts to enter a negative space.

I know I can definitely point to moments where I was in a predicament that seemed negative, but I stayed positive and got out of the situation successfully. It is also about surrounding myself with people who think like me and are manifesting successful thoughts. I do not want to get caught up into someone else's negativity.

I can still remember my teachings as a youngster, "right thoughts followed by right actions" will only equal success. You better get ready because my mind is full of GREAT thoughts!!

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The Destiny

July 1, 2008

Some nights I lay tormented by the thought that I am not fulfilling my destiny. The thoughts encompass my destiny, my talent, my potential, my wife, my parents, and an overall feeling that I am “letting someone down”. If I really thought about it, I could never worry about fulfilling my destiny, because it is an oxymoron. Destiny means something that is to happen or has happened, so in essence I should never worry about fulfilling my destiny, rather enjoy whatever happens.

However, I do realize that there are people who constantly fight their destiny. I do not believe anyone is destined to commit an illegal act, but rather makes decisions that counter their destiny and wind up in unfortunate situations. I believe everyone has fortune ahead of them if they just listen, work, and focus.

Unfortunately people continuously fight against their talents and fortunes. For instance, I have a friend that is a wonderful writer. I mean his emails are always written perfectly and on many occasions I find myself pulling out a dictionary in order to fully understand what he was saying. Furthermore, what always cracks me up about his perfect emails, are that they are just an email to friends that don’t needed to be perfect, it’s not like these are professional, work emails. You would think he would move towards being a writer/journalist, however, he has done everything to avoid this skill. Always saying, it is just something he does well, not what he is meant to do. I am sure many people know others who are similar; you sit back and watch someone with a skill and ability that you would rejoice and maximize if you had only an ounce of their talent.

There are many examples of how meditating and listening to that inner voice can lead you on the correct path. Think about when you are looking for your keys and you can’t find them anywhere. Only after looking for some time, you decide to sit and think, ultimately finding them within seconds. There is just something within that we all possess and when we listen; it will guide us to our destiny. So as long as I am listening/looking at the clues, I will not “let anyone down” and I will fulfill my destiny.

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The Dream Will Change

July 1, 2008

I have realized one of my dreams. It was a dream that began when I was 13 years old. I saw a music video and said to myself that one day I would work at Bad Boy records. It was one of those dreams that everyone laughs at. It was one of those dreams that you feel deep inside will come true one day, whether no one else believes it but you. But as a Chicago boy, it was very difficult for others to imagine.

There were many moments where outside pressures and disbelief pressured me into silence. I would worry about what others would say so rather than telling people my Dream, I would suppress it. But I started to realize there is a lot of power in expression, that my words carried energy. So I started expressing my dream out loud. I didn't care what people thought, I only cared about obtaining my dream.

Well, the day finally came for my dream to come true. I obtained an internship at Bad Boy. I actually did very well there too. I was the quickest intern to ever become a new hire. I rose through the ranks quickly. I became an executive before I could blink an eye. I met my wife! My life just became better every year.

All of a sudden I became afraid!!! I achieved what I set out to do. Although it had exceeded my expectations, I realized there was more for me out there. My dream had completely changed and it didn’t include Bad Boy. What was I suppose to do now?

I wanted to accomplish more for myself, I wanted to be with my family more, I just wanted MORE. I wasn't turning my back on my DREAMS, but rather embracing the fact that my dreams changed and it was ok. As we live life, we begin to see and experience more. As we grow, our DREAMS grow, and we have to embrace them. They might not even include anything you ever dreamed about before. The Dream might take you in a totally different direction. And you know what, its okay!!!

I am so glad I embraced my new Dream that I decided that it was in my best interest to follow it. Trust me, it will be bigger and better than anything I have done before. It’s my DREAM. Make sure you follow your Dreams, even if it has changed.

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Enjoy "IT" Now

July 1, 2008

Too many people go through their day, their month, their year without enjoying life. The fact that you woke up this morning is enough reason to be happy, but I am sure that most people have more reasons than that to be thankful. Well you should enjoy it now. You should enjoy life for what's happening now. Continue to make goals, create plans, save for a rainy day, and learn from your past, but also enjoy what you have now.

Take yourself out for a nice dinner (nice depending on your own definition, not what someone else tell you is nice) or get a massage, or take a walk in the park, or just sit a minute and rest. Whatever your joy, whatever it is that you can do for yourself, you should do it.

I am not saying you have to spend a lot of money, because you would be surprised what research, miles, points, off-peak, and sale could cost. "Big" trips can be cheaper than going from NY to DC. I know there are many times on a nice day at lunch, I might run to the bank and take the long route just to people watch and to take a minute to enjoy the now rather than hope the weather stays nice until I am done working.

I must acknowledge that my wife has taught me to enjoy what I have at the same time that I am saving for the future. We have gone to Paris for the weekend (Fri-Mon). I only took off of work for 2 days. We have gone to Toronto overnight (Sat-Sun). These are trips that people put off until they feel that they built up vacation time or until they feel they are ready, or whatever other excuse they can come up with to not do for self. We have even just met for lunch and talked, just enjoying the moment.

There are a lot of reasons why I am thankful while I am striving for more and looking to improve. But when it’s all said and done I will have taken a minute to enjoy what is going on and happening to me right now. I will not wait; rather I will make time to enjoy "it" now.

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Confidence

July 1, 2008

I will have more confidence in myself, the ones that I love and that love me, and confidence in people I have yet to meet.  I know that it is okay to be the best, but I have to know that I am not the only best.  My confidence will not stop me from understanding that there is a lot of learning to be done and anyone can be my teacher.  When I think about it I know I have learned from my nephews who are 2 years old and 1 years old and learned from my grandmother who was 83 years old.

 Confidence can be tricky, because sometimes people allow it to turn into arrogance.  However when the confidence is used for not only yourself, but also the people who are around, it can become a key to unlocking a world of knowledge.  I mean, why would I have people around me if I can't be confident in their abilities and confident that they will honor and protect our friendship. As I become more confident in others I will be able to ask for advice more, I will be able to break down more, I will be able to learn more, and I will be able to let down my guards and be myself more.

 Confidence is defined as full trust, belief in the powers, trustworthiness, and reliability of a person or thing.  It is with this confidence that I am going to tackle being a better listener, a more thoughtful thinker, a better learner, a better teacher, and just a better human being.  I will use my confidence to help while I am on my new journey for self awareness and self improvement.  My confidence will allow me to step out and not fear the unknown, but rather embrace the path in front of me.  I am confident and I will TRUST.

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I Am Going To Bet.....

July 1, 2008

So the New Year is upon us and it is time to begin anew. Usually this is the place where a person states their New Years resolution being either to get in the gym, read more, eat healthier, etc., etc. Well I am choosing to resolve to bet on myself this year. Not bet in the way that every decision I make will be right or that I know everything or that I have most of the answers. No, rather, bet on the fact that I can do well, that I can do better, that I can learn more, that I can be a better person, and that I can succeed more. I am going to bet that I can be more than just be.
This is going to be a hard resolution to keep because it is so easy to slip into the world of just being. Just getting up in the morning, going to work, maybe going out to meet friends, family and going home to bed; everyone has that time during their life when they are just being. But life and the world is more than that and I am going to taste that exciting world this year. I am going to learn about new things, I am going to try to not only learn about, but also understand something new that I didn't know about last year. I am going to eat healthier, I am going to exercise more, and be a kinder and more patient husband. I am going to take advantage of the world that is right in front of me and bet on myself more. I have a lot of untapped resources and it is time to tap into them.
Every year there are the same one dimensional resolutions and it is time for me to stop thinking one dimensionally. The longer I keep thinking like that, the longer I will stay in a one dimensional space. So this year I am betting on myself; I am letting in all ride on my heart, my mind, my spirit, and myself. I am going to take a ride that I have never taken before and turn this year into the year of exquisite existence. I can't wait, hopefully you too will take life to a new plateau this year. Just between me and you, there is a lot out there waiting for us and I am not letting it pass me by this year. So 2008 is the year I am betting on Jason Devin Wiley.

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