Life Update January 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcM53QjVvXI

I can’t remember the last time I’ve dedicated a post to updating you on the status of my life. I try not to do this type of post too often because I don’t want you to feel as if I’m more interested in hearing myself talk than providing you with material that you can use to improve your life. Regardless, I felt compelled to write a life update for you today simply because so much has been happening in my life over the past month or so. Here’s the list of things that have gone down.

I Quit My Job At Dairy Queen

After a run of 5.5 months at Dairy Queen I knew it was time for a change. Like my mentor Steve Pavlina once said, “The problem with getting experience from a job is that you usually just repeat the same limited experience over and over. You learn a lot in the beginning and then stagnate.” I quit my job at Dairy Queen because I could feel myself stagnating.

Although I’d learned some interesting things about customer-service, and the fast food industry in the early days I’d learned very little in the later months of my employment.

Beyond that, however, I quit simply because I don’t agree with what Dairy Queen stands for. I always felt guilty carrying out customers orders because I knew I was just taking them one step closer to obesity. Maybe you could justify that I shouldn’t have felt guilty because I was just giving the customers “what they wanted.” I knew, however, that I wanted out of the system. I just couldn’t take anymore of giving customers what I felt were poorly sourced animal derived products, that would support the industrial food chain as well as erode the lives of those who consumed them.

The last thing I’ll note is that as a fast food restaurant Dairy Queen is almost the definition of a dead-end job. What’s wrong with that you ask? It leads to dead-end people working there. Although I certainly liked some of my coworkers, there was very little ambition around me. I didn’t see much striving beyond mediocrity (at best) while I was there.

All of these reasons considered, it made perfect sense to me to walk away.

I turned 18

Hmm… I’m not sure what to write here beyond the fact I’m considered legally an adult. One thing that felt strange about this was that it was an impetus for me to reflect nostalgically on my childhood. It feels strange that I can be considered so young, but that I can also remember memories from ten years ago. Some of these memories are vague and feel as if they happened long ago, while others can be remembered so clearly as if they occurred yesterday and I was there reliving them. Overall, however, I don’t quite know what to think about my age.

I Left The U.S. For The First Time

This month was the first time I’d ever been outside the United States. I went to the Dominican Republic with several other family members and my Uncle was kind enough to rent out a villa for all of us. Although we stuck primarily to touristy areas I still found the trip to be an interesting cultural experience. I greatly enjoyed trying new foods, seeing the ocean for the first time, and trying to keep up with the locals’ Spanish. I posted a bunch of pictures of the trip on my new Instagram account so if you haven’t been following me check them out!

4 Year of Self-Development

4 years ago I began my journey of self-improvement because I’d just had my heart broken. I began “dating” what I labeled “the girl of my dreams” and less than 24 hours after our “relationship” had begun she told me that she thought it would be better if we were just friends. I emphasized the quotes in the last sentence because in retrospect I find it hilarious that I’d gotten so upset over something so trivial. Haha.

However, I am extremely grateful for that girl having rejected me. It was extremely painful at the time, but who knows where I’d be if things hadn’t played out that way. I’m very happy to be where I am now, but it’s highly unlikely I’d be here if I’d never had that dramatic event knock me off the trajectory of mediocrity. I doubt the girl understands what she was the catalyst for, but I’m so grateful to have fallen and been destroyed by her all those years ago…

I Graduated High School

Graduating high school more so than turning 18 made me feel like an adult. When I walked through the parking lot for the last time I realized that I’m on my own now. I’m no longer going to be given gold stars for simply doing what the teacher says. I have no choice but to hustle now because the circumstances of my life will be from this point forward determined by my ability to produce results and provide value to society.

It is nerve-wracking to have all this responsibility placed on my shoulders, but at the same time I feel it’s been given to me in a very timely fashion. Sure, I’m going out on my own a bit earlier than my peers, but at the same time given how I’ve lived my life this feels very appropriate.

I’m Officially Headed To Asia

In early February I’ll embark on a three month adventure through Asia. Although I’d initially planned to travel alone I’ll now be accompanied by my brother and uncle for much of the first month. I’ll admit to being nervous for the trip, but I’m extremely excited for it as well. I believe it will serve as my rite of passage in transitioning from adolescence into adulthood.

Although I don’t have too many concrete plans for the trip I do intend to spend much of my time meeting up with and becoming active in the digital nomad communities in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Saigon, Vietnam. Regardless of how everything plays out I’m sure the journey will be transformational and fundamentally change the way I view the world.

Concluding Thoughts…

We need to wrap up as the flight into Dallas I’m aboard will be landing soon. I guess I’d say that 2015 has already brought tremendous change and it looks to be the most promising year I’ve ever had. I’m excited what new adventures life will bring to me this year, and of course I’m also excited to take the things I’ve learned and share them with you!

I hope you’ll come along with me for the ride and make 2015 the best year of your life! 🙂

Let’s make 2015 the year of facing all the things you fear!

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