Everybody has already forgotten about Haiti. I'm sure you donated, but this is where "out of sight, out of mind" really comes to the forefront.
The G-Spot is real gentlemen. Go find it and forever save the Earth.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Magic seeds
When I was 18, I took my very first Philosophy course. One thing I learned from Professor Danielson, who I owe much of my personal success to, was his mantra. "All thought is for the sake of action. All action is for the sake of friendship."
If you acquire valuable knowledge, or "magic seeds", then you can plant them in your mind and watch them grow. But most of us have been programmed to see instant results. Everything happens so damn fast. And in a week it becomes faster. But what about the things that really matter?
Relationships are the things you cannot rush, must nurture, and matter the most. So let's do the math here. If you are rich, you have vast amounts of social capital. That means you are valuable to other human beings. You possess the capacity to help them survive better and also FEEL good. Does anybody see a trend here? I have a point, trust me.
A rich man is generous with his knowledge and his love. In the end, we are all a huge tribe. The man who possesses real knowledge lets his social circle speak volumes for him. If he understands one of the most basic facts of wealth, you will see it in all of his dealings. People come to him. They are attracted to him and what he has to offer. His house, car, furniture, and material goods is only a reflection of his ability to GO GET.
So you get knowledge. Get up, dress up, and show up. DO WORK. Action. Meet people, then benefit them. Make friends and build relationships. See that we need each other to survive, and help each other thrive.
There is no magic pill, only magic seeds. Anything that comes fast will most likely cause instant regret or be a lady of the night (I don't judge though).
If you acquire valuable knowledge, or "magic seeds", then you can plant them in your mind and watch them grow. But most of us have been programmed to see instant results. Everything happens so damn fast. And in a week it becomes faster. But what about the things that really matter?
Relationships are the things you cannot rush, must nurture, and matter the most. So let's do the math here. If you are rich, you have vast amounts of social capital. That means you are valuable to other human beings. You possess the capacity to help them survive better and also FEEL good. Does anybody see a trend here? I have a point, trust me.
A rich man is generous with his knowledge and his love. In the end, we are all a huge tribe. The man who possesses real knowledge lets his social circle speak volumes for him. If he understands one of the most basic facts of wealth, you will see it in all of his dealings. People come to him. They are attracted to him and what he has to offer. His house, car, furniture, and material goods is only a reflection of his ability to GO GET.
So you get knowledge. Get up, dress up, and show up. DO WORK. Action. Meet people, then benefit them. Make friends and build relationships. See that we need each other to survive, and help each other thrive.
There is no magic pill, only magic seeds. Anything that comes fast will most likely cause instant regret or be a lady of the night (I don't judge though).
Thursday, January 21, 2010
"Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result." - Oscar Wilde
From now on, this blog will be dedicated to the mental and physical path to success in life. Have you created a Bucket List for 2010? You only have to years until 2012!
So far I've crossed these things off of my Bucket List in 2010:
- Ride a horse.
- Do Parkour.
- Take a wilderness survival course.
- Buy Burning Man tickets.
- Crossfit.
- Work abroad (Cross my fingers, interview on the 25th!!!)
Your brain is an amazing, amazing, AMAZING gift. It can only recall the past and the present. But the IMAGINATION allows you to see into the future. What the hell does that even mean?
Now here's an odd idea that you might disagree with. The brain cannot tell the difference between an actual experience (e.g. snowboarding) and a synthetic (make-believe) experience. It's called the Deja Vu Effect.
So if our brain cannot tell the difference between IMAGINED/synthetic experiences and actual events that happened, we can use our imagination to do ANYTHING. It's called "mental rehearsal." I see it happening in my mind, then actuate the situation. Some things may take longer to come true though. We tell ourselves many things that we believe and our brain fires up and makes it reality. Crazy stuff. It's called the "self-fulfilling" prophecy. You use your imagination to see the "future you" and the "future things" you've "already done." Crazy, I know.
This isn't mumbo-jumbo. I have actually used this thought process to imagine, set, and achieve actual goals. An example was my first day of Parkour. For those unfamiliar with Parkour, it's the practice of getting from Point A to Point B in the most efficient manner possible, using only the human body. If trees, children, or buildings are in your way, you figure out how to get around the obstacle and get to the finish. I tried it for the first time a few weeks ago, and I was watching experience Traceurs, or Parkour practitioners, doing the impossible.
I am not very athletic or coordinated. But when I closed my eyes, and listened to my breathing, I completely shut off the little voice in my head. The voice that says, "Dude you've got no business jumping off buildings. You will break something. What if you miss? Your friends will think you're stupid. You better...", and then I cut it off. It took lots of will-power, but then silence. Suddenly everything came alive and I began watching myself in 3rd person, leaping over a 4 ft. concrete wall like a monkey. It was the purest moment I've had in years.
Life takes on infinite meaning when you begin using your imagination again. Not just to create art, music, or other cool stuff. But when you imagine yourself ACTING. Imagine the robust life you want to live. Believe it with every fiber in your being. Instead of setting to-do goals, set TO BE goals. I want to be fit. I want to be sociable. I want to be musically inclined.
1. BE. Imagine the heroic person you deserve to be. Use every positive trait from the best people in your life, real or not, to become the ultimate YOU.
2. DO. If I am a great musician, I will naturally play music well. It is in line with my personality. First I must be who I wish, and the actions that are natural to that personality will just flow. Yes, this means you must practice, practice, practice.
3. GET. If your self-image starts to grow into it's "new shoes", it will naturally do great things and acquire the resources it needs to get the job done.
Since I was 4 years old, I knew what I wanted to BE when I grew up. A Jedi knight. A warrior who kept the peace in the world. Everything that I have accomplished in my life has been part of my Jedi training. I studied Philosophy. I learned Martial Arts for fight, and Parkour for flight. I learned how to be diplomatic. I learned about the energy that flows through every particle in this universe.
But now it is time to give back. It is also time for me to open my arms to change. I have been blocking the flow of my life for far too long. I will do my best to share my trials and tribulations so that people can learn from experiences. But most of all I want to know, what's stopping YOU from being your best self?
If you're curious, check out Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz and Dan Kennedy. Download the audiobook and be ready to have your world rocked. Or rather, rock the fucking world!
Amor Fati,
Brandon
Friday, December 4, 2009
Find your Death Star...
When a man died the ancient Greeks would ask, "Did he have passion?"
What is passion?
We are hardwired to be careful. To not let your emotions take over and be a guide for our actions. To follow a safe path that will not make people uncomfortable.
Passion is the most valuable quality in a human being. It is something that inspires us to open our hearts and become something, to believe in something bigger. It allows me to turn my mistakes into great lessons. It makes me DO and BE, not think and see.
What makes me angry? When people are dishonest, especially when I lie to myself. When people lie about what they really want from life. What they want is to be passionate about something. Anything.
What makes me feel love? That's something I can't write in such few words.
They say that passion is anger and love combined in motion.
Give yourself permission to FEEL again. Timidity is agreement with the fear. Accept the calling that is your life. "Amor Fati", or love your fate...the fate that is your life.
What is passion?
We are hardwired to be careful. To not let your emotions take over and be a guide for our actions. To follow a safe path that will not make people uncomfortable.
Passion is the most valuable quality in a human being. It is something that inspires us to open our hearts and become something, to believe in something bigger. It allows me to turn my mistakes into great lessons. It makes me DO and BE, not think and see.
What makes me angry? When people are dishonest, especially when I lie to myself. When people lie about what they really want from life. What they want is to be passionate about something. Anything.
What makes me feel love? That's something I can't write in such few words.
They say that passion is anger and love combined in motion.
Give yourself permission to FEEL again. Timidity is agreement with the fear. Accept the calling that is your life. "Amor Fati", or love your fate...the fate that is your life.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
"Fear is a state you ride easy through, not a country you live in."
This list took me two years to compile in my mental folder of "common sense". Some of these things I had no idea about...How many of your parents actually taught you these basics?
15 Basics in Manliness and Leading Others:
1.) Straighten your posture. It means you are alive and well.
2.) Speak from the stomach. Your voice is your identity.
3.) Maintain eye contact at all times. Your eyes tell almost everything in a glance. Break that beta-male habit of averting your eyes in awkward situations. Stare the tiger right in the eye.
4.) Awareness of surroundings. Know where you are at all times and where you are going. Know where the emergency exit is too.
5.) Give A or B choices. Simply to make people decide, or decide for them.
6.) Volunteer to drive. It's just courteous.
7.) Have cash handy and front small amounts. Don't make bill paying awkward, be generous. Especially when taking a lady out for the first time.
8.) Move slowly. This shows security in your environment. Rushing indicates nearby danger.
9.) Eliminate filler words. Do not say "like, um, ugh", just pause and think a moment.
10.) Don't be afraid to touch people appropriately. Innuendos aside, remember friendly touching is usually on the forearms, shoulder, and upper back. Intimate touching is from the neck to lower back, the waist, and hand. And also other spots if it's "inappropriate" as well (just ask nicely).
11.) Know when & how to enter a room. Enter a room and make it about the people, not yourself. Give them some attention and validation. It earns cool points fast.
12.) Know when & how to exit a room. If you are going to leave, stand up and continue on your way as you say something nice. Commit to leaving and not doing the "awkward hang in the doorway for 15 minutes" goodbye.
13.) Feature your insecurities. Showing they are a normal part of you instead of your insecurities "being you."
13.) Show, don't tell. Learn to do what people are asking or implying through actions and body language. No need to verbalize it unless somebody asks. This one is tough for a lot of guys.
14.) Be honest about your sexuality. Be the polar charge that you naturally are. Attraction can only happen with BOTH a positive and negative charge. That comes in time with self-honesty.
The last one I really had trouble accepting was...
15.) Don't take anything personal. Just play the RPG/Game of Life and be honest about your abilities and limitations. Level the fuck up. Win and lose gracefully. Don't be afraid to ask how you were defeated.
I had a good talk with the most unexpected new friend of mine, Stefan. He pointed out a few things after a long conversation (not discussion) about our path to manhood. Lately I've turned "becoming a man" into a chore. My friends will tell you, I tend to make everything all or nothing. I have a bad habit of making a big deal of too much. It stems from my natural impatience. I realized it wasn't fun because I was making it something NOT enjoyable.
I recently spent a Saturday night alone, and I have to admit it was very fucking difficult. For some reason it's just that feeling that you're supposed to be out, raging, making the most out of those hedonistic few hours. That's just textbook co-dependence. Of course, we all need friends right? But staying home I felt kind of lame. Until I asked myself, what would I like to do when nobody was around? I suddenly discovered that I actually had freedom. Scary thought ain't it?
In a typical risk-averse "be careful don't do that", Asian American male raised by a strong female fashion, I sat down and put on the movie "Swingers", worked on my diorama of the Great Wave of Kanagawa, eating cookies and tuna, with a bottle of Red Stripe. It was the shit just for those few hours. By the way, every guy who's ever had a hard time recovering after a long-term relationship, you NEED to watch "Swingers."Alone time is really important, but embracing it and making it FUN is the key.* It's like being a kid again. Snack time with arts and crafts. Fucking aye it was SWEET.
For the past two years, I have been beating myself up over a lot of stuff. I just forgot that people make mistakes, they break up, they change, and are always trying their best to figure it out too. I also forgot how to have fun. Seriously, I became fucking boring. The life and passion wasn't in me after I graduated college. I've been running from the demons. But I'm facing them one at a time. Feel the fear and do it anyway, it will always be there. I guess that's why Deathcab for Cutie said, "Fear is the heart of love." You won't know how love it feels until you just plunge in. Again.
* I'm high as monkey brains stew right now (like in Indiana Jones)
15 Basics in Manliness and Leading Others:
1.) Straighten your posture. It means you are alive and well.
2.) Speak from the stomach. Your voice is your identity.
3.) Maintain eye contact at all times. Your eyes tell almost everything in a glance. Break that beta-male habit of averting your eyes in awkward situations. Stare the tiger right in the eye.
4.) Awareness of surroundings. Know where you are at all times and where you are going. Know where the emergency exit is too.
5.) Give A or B choices. Simply to make people decide, or decide for them.
6.) Volunteer to drive. It's just courteous.
7.) Have cash handy and front small amounts. Don't make bill paying awkward, be generous. Especially when taking a lady out for the first time.
8.) Move slowly. This shows security in your environment. Rushing indicates nearby danger.
9.) Eliminate filler words. Do not say "like, um, ugh", just pause and think a moment.
10.) Don't be afraid to touch people appropriately. Innuendos aside, remember friendly touching is usually on the forearms, shoulder, and upper back. Intimate touching is from the neck to lower back, the waist, and hand. And also other spots if it's "inappropriate" as well (just ask nicely).
11.) Know when & how to enter a room. Enter a room and make it about the people, not yourself. Give them some attention and validation. It earns cool points fast.
12.) Know when & how to exit a room. If you are going to leave, stand up and continue on your way as you say something nice. Commit to leaving and not doing the "awkward hang in the doorway for 15 minutes" goodbye.
13.) Feature your insecurities. Showing they are a normal part of you instead of your insecurities "being you."
13.) Show, don't tell. Learn to do what people are asking or implying through actions and body language. No need to verbalize it unless somebody asks. This one is tough for a lot of guys.
14.) Be honest about your sexuality. Be the polar charge that you naturally are. Attraction can only happen with BOTH a positive and negative charge. That comes in time with self-honesty.
The last one I really had trouble accepting was...
15.) Don't take anything personal. Just play the RPG/Game of Life and be honest about your abilities and limitations. Level the fuck up. Win and lose gracefully. Don't be afraid to ask how you were defeated.
I had a good talk with the most unexpected new friend of mine, Stefan. He pointed out a few things after a long conversation (not discussion) about our path to manhood. Lately I've turned "becoming a man" into a chore. My friends will tell you, I tend to make everything all or nothing. I have a bad habit of making a big deal of too much. It stems from my natural impatience. I realized it wasn't fun because I was making it something NOT enjoyable.
I recently spent a Saturday night alone, and I have to admit it was very fucking difficult. For some reason it's just that feeling that you're supposed to be out, raging, making the most out of those hedonistic few hours. That's just textbook co-dependence. Of course, we all need friends right? But staying home I felt kind of lame. Until I asked myself, what would I like to do when nobody was around? I suddenly discovered that I actually had freedom. Scary thought ain't it?
In a typical risk-averse "be careful don't do that", Asian American male raised by a strong female fashion, I sat down and put on the movie "Swingers", worked on my diorama of the Great Wave of Kanagawa, eating cookies and tuna, with a bottle of Red Stripe. It was the shit just for those few hours. By the way, every guy who's ever had a hard time recovering after a long-term relationship, you NEED to watch "Swingers."Alone time is really important, but embracing it and making it FUN is the key.* It's like being a kid again. Snack time with arts and crafts. Fucking aye it was SWEET.
For the past two years, I have been beating myself up over a lot of stuff. I just forgot that people make mistakes, they break up, they change, and are always trying their best to figure it out too. I also forgot how to have fun. Seriously, I became fucking boring. The life and passion wasn't in me after I graduated college. I've been running from the demons. But I'm facing them one at a time. Feel the fear and do it anyway, it will always be there. I guess that's why Deathcab for Cutie said, "Fear is the heart of love." You won't know how love it feels until you just plunge in. Again.
* I'm high as monkey brains stew right now (like in Indiana Jones)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Get Into the Groove
It's been a turbulent past 2 years. The hardest part is admitting that I have been trying too hard to become somebody I am not. Until today. I realized that I will never come across as macho, dominant, or other typical guy traits. What I have been seeking is MANHOOD. Masculinity, the state of mind. The confidence to honestly be who you are. And I've been trying on many different personality traits and seeing if that gave me the answers. It didn't.
Back to basics. I am essentially the same person I was two years ago, but more mature. I am handling responsibility a lot better now and accept that as a condition of manhood. I am a lover, not a fighter. The people in my life keep me around for my soft qualities. You could even call it motherly-nurturing energy. I took that up a notch and people probably thought I was a gay. Yes, you've probably thought it once or twice.
I thought women would tell me how to become a man. Afterall, they know a good man when they see one. It is woman's nature to respond to masculinity, but not to define it for us. That is probably the main reason boys, guys, or most adult males look to women to fill the gap of missing manhood. It's there, we all want it. Women want it badly too. But we don't know how to get it, or have any idea that it is actually hardwired into our heads to seek it.
So the past two years I've tried looking almost every avenue possible to find manhood. Except my own heart. Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll are not the answer for sure (but damn are they fun). And what I found when I looked outside of myself was pure frustration. If I've hurt, confused, or shocked anybody...it was nothing personal.
The key to manhood is to learn to give. Give your gift to people, whatever that may be. That's what it means when Yoda says, "feel the Force flowing through you." Only things happen because of you, but more importantly THROUGH you. He means that your skill in life is necessary for the Circle of Life. You are a missing puzzle piece in a complete world. Give of yourself and you will not have trouble waking up the next day. When you think you can take from the world to fill your void then you will suffer like I have. I looked to everybody and everything to be the answer to my purpose in life.
My purpose in life is to be a good man. Man, in the sense where I embrace my masculinity. A man in the sense where I am a great human being with compassion for all. A man that is also an individual and knows when to be selfish in order to recharge and be ready to give back to society.
The point is my journey as a man has finally started. I am ready to love and embrace the huge hippie that I have been all along. My gift to the world is my expression of laughter and inner-peace. My philosophy and patient nature is my avenue to teach others about the tools to discover happiness.
So here's what I've boiled it down to so far. A man is a Protector, Provider, and Procreator. How he fulfills these duties is his PHILOSOPHY.
Back to basics. I am essentially the same person I was two years ago, but more mature. I am handling responsibility a lot better now and accept that as a condition of manhood. I am a lover, not a fighter. The people in my life keep me around for my soft qualities. You could even call it motherly-nurturing energy. I took that up a notch and people probably thought I was a gay. Yes, you've probably thought it once or twice.
I thought women would tell me how to become a man. Afterall, they know a good man when they see one. It is woman's nature to respond to masculinity, but not to define it for us. That is probably the main reason boys, guys, or most adult males look to women to fill the gap of missing manhood. It's there, we all want it. Women want it badly too. But we don't know how to get it, or have any idea that it is actually hardwired into our heads to seek it.
So the past two years I've tried looking almost every avenue possible to find manhood. Except my own heart. Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll are not the answer for sure (but damn are they fun). And what I found when I looked outside of myself was pure frustration. If I've hurt, confused, or shocked anybody...it was nothing personal.
The key to manhood is to learn to give. Give your gift to people, whatever that may be. That's what it means when Yoda says, "feel the Force flowing through you." Only things happen because of you, but more importantly THROUGH you. He means that your skill in life is necessary for the Circle of Life. You are a missing puzzle piece in a complete world. Give of yourself and you will not have trouble waking up the next day. When you think you can take from the world to fill your void then you will suffer like I have. I looked to everybody and everything to be the answer to my purpose in life.
My purpose in life is to be a good man. Man, in the sense where I embrace my masculinity. A man in the sense where I am a great human being with compassion for all. A man that is also an individual and knows when to be selfish in order to recharge and be ready to give back to society.
The point is my journey as a man has finally started. I am ready to love and embrace the huge hippie that I have been all along. My gift to the world is my expression of laughter and inner-peace. My philosophy and patient nature is my avenue to teach others about the tools to discover happiness.
So here's what I've boiled it down to so far. A man is a Protector, Provider, and Procreator. How he fulfills these duties is his PHILOSOPHY.
Friday, September 25, 2009
You've Come A Long Way Baby
June 30, 2008
- 3 sets of pullups: 7, 8, 5
- 3 sets of pushups: 20, 10, 5
- 3 set of Hindu squats: 30, 30, 30
- 4 minutes of Tabata air squats (no weight)
I threw up after this workout.
September 2009
Max Bench Press: 185 lbs.
Max Deadlift: 300 lbs
Max Clean: 155 lbs.
Max pullup: 30
One-leg squats: 20 (80 lbs of weight)
Thank you Crossfit.
- 3 sets of pullups: 7, 8, 5
- 3 sets of pushups: 20, 10, 5
- 3 set of Hindu squats: 30, 30, 30
- 4 minutes of Tabata air squats (no weight)
I threw up after this workout.
September 2009
Max Bench Press: 185 lbs.
Max Deadlift: 300 lbs
Max Clean: 155 lbs.
Max pullup: 30
One-leg squats: 20 (80 lbs of weight)
Thank you Crossfit.
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