….when I grow up, I’ll change.

As children we welcome change, challenge it, are even curious by it, so what makes us afraid of it now as adults? is it some safety mechanism that triggers when we step out of our comfort zone? or is it our own manifestation of fear that paralyses us- making us adhere to routines and question the questionable less.

I find that the most successful people I meet and know are the ones who retain some kind of childlike wonder and fearlessness. Change is fun to them, it poses new opportunities that test their capabilities. These people don’t ever dream of staying the same, if that were the case what would be point of growing older? to be stale?

Lets be real though, change is hard. As human beings in today’s society we’re trained and wired to function like an assembly line- fixated on our jobs and only looking far enough ahead to avoid an obstacle all the while with a false illusion of individuality masking us. But if you want to be an individual, step out of line, change the way you tackle your everyday, and look forward to the obstacles that’ll step your game up.

Change is constant, and its one of the few things you can rely on to happen in life. Even if you resist it, you better believe that the world around you wont.

_________________________________________________________________________________✍

when I grow up, I’ll…

1. Be authentic. The most powerful asset you have is your individuality, it’s what makes you unique. It’s time to stop listening to others on what you should do.

2. Work harder than anyone else.

3. Get off the computer and connect with real people and culture. Life is visceral!

4. Constantly improve my craft. Make things with my hands. Innovation in thinking is not enough.

5. Travel as much I you can. It’s a humbling and inspiring experience to learn just how much you don’t know.

6. Be original, especially in this tech-driven, group-grope world.

7. Try not to work for stupid people or I’ll soon become one of them.

8. Listen to my instinct and intuition they’re all-powerful. Learn to trust them.

9. Abide by the “Golden Rule” it actually works.

10. If all else fails, No. 2 is the greatest competitive advantage of anything in life.

_________________________________________________________________________________✍

…. when I grow up, these things wont be forgotten.

My father wanted to be a writer, a poet to be exact. The youngest of 4- he was the black sheep growing up. His siblings all dreamed of migrating north, towards the bells and flashing lights of bigger bustling cities. He’d would much rather stay behind in the country side though, seeing the world around him move in slow motion as to not miss any of the details that nature was so gracious to share with him.

That simple way of life, along with his dreams came to an abrupt end, when the political tensions in Vietnam began to spread its reach further South. Fearing for their children’s safety my Grandparents sent their kids away to neighboring villages where they might elude the lawless communist opposition.

My dad didn’t know it then, but that would be the last time he would see his father again as a child. By then, he knew the enormity of the situation before him and his curiosity and innocence that once defined him- was lost. His closest brother already had a family of his own and didn’t need the added responsibility or the extra mouth to feed- nor did my father want to be a burden- So he was left to fend for himself.

Over a span of 3-4 years he drifted from village to village and ended up in the southern city of Saigon (a days trip by train from his old home)- with whatever money he had from peddling cigarettes on the streets and waiting tables at small “hole in the wall” restaurants, he managed to put himself through high school. He didn’t even have a matching pair of sandals back then, only one pair of slacks and a tattered and torn long sleeve shirt to adorn his slim build. He sacrificed those things, so he could afford books.

The books he would go on to say later, saved his life. “Without imagination, without something to dream for…I would be trapped in my reality, which in those times was enough for even a strong man to give up”

_______________________________________________________________________________✍

…. when I grow up, I don’t want to see a monster in the mirror.

Following your heart isn’t easy. That’s why only few people ever see their dreams through. Everyone has a fire burning inside them, most times its easy to ignore it, sometimes that burning is so persistent it engulfs you, every aspect of you falls under its control. It owns you.

In that blindness, its easy to shut everything and everyone else out, in fears that they may get in the way of what you’re trying attain. But once you get what you’re after, who will be there to enjoy it with you?

It’s not impossible to get everything you want on your own, but if you go that route- you may just miss out on the things and the people that you forgot you needed.

_______________________________________________________________________________✍

…. when I grow up, I’ll fall.

but only to learn to pick myself up.

_______________________________________________________________________________✍

…. when I grow up, will you ever cease to inspire me?

Your creativity , your playfulness, your dedication, your rebellious optimism, and courageousness, your altruism, your authenticity in all that you do, your wholeheartedness.

Shows me where to go.

_______________________________________________________________________________✍

…. when I grow up, I’ll be true to myself.

Everybody knows someone, who marches to the beat of a different drum.

Maybe just for fun….but maybe to be true to themselves.

They do things because they want to, because a voice in their heart speaks to them, not because others expect them to- that’d be too simple.

Standing in line is easy, finding their own line isn’t.

Blending in a crowd can be claustrophobic, so finding their place in the world where they can stand tall and be noticed is paramount.

Being true to yourself is never simple, you’ll be judged, hurt, and scrutinized… but you’ll be rewarded by a heart, mind and soul- all at peace.

_______________________________________________________________________________✍