If you haven't already, please watch the movie The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith. It is one of the most inspiring movies I have ever seen. And I'm not much of an emotional person watching movies, but this movie nearly made me cry. The scene where Will Smith talks with his son at the basketball courts is awesome! I'm a pretty big movie guy, and this movie, along with Remember the Titans, qualifies as one of the best inspiring movies. Watch it.
Today I let the videos speak for themselves. But remember, if you've never failed, you've never lived.
"Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Coping with Adversity
This challenge of writing a blog a day came at an inconvenient time. The work load of my week continues to grow with exams, presentations, papers and attempts to end the year of MUTV programming on a strong note. Oh and there's that nagging desire and worry that comes with summer internships and jobs. But as a promise to Evan and to myself, I must write; because facing adversity is the best way of conquering it.
Adversity comes to us in many ways: Physically, mentally, emotionally. It can be personal adversity or adversity within a group or among friends. It can be small or large, but regardless of the capacity, it exists. But the problem stemming from it is not the adversity itself, but rather how one copes and handles the situations at hand.
Some coping mechanisms are healthy while others are not. There are conflict oriented people and people who avoid it at all cost. I'm not one of those people. My rational self hates adversity and looks to overcome it as soon as possible, even though I know for a fact that it cannot be solved until a later date. I don't run away from it because it won't go away on it's own. There's just that nagging weight of whatever is bugging you. Comfort cannot be achieved until that weight is off your shoulder. It sucks man. But like I said, dealing with that adversity is where true character is revealed.
If the adversity facing me cannot be solved right away, like the current giant question mark on the summer internship box, I find it best to take my mind off of it with comedy. I don't find yelling or screaming particularly useful when it comes to getting your point across or fixing a problem. Stress is understandable, but it doesn't do anyone good to take your anger out on a person. If anything, it makes you more angry.
Studying communication is interesting. I tend to be more conscientious of communication theories in real life. And I see myself being more consciences of my personal actions and sayings. Whether that's conflict resolution or speaking with a friend. One of my professors challenged us today to "stop complaining." She's reading a book about complaining and showed us a short video basically explaining how complaining accomplishes nothing. So I've accepted that challenge and offering one out now: Think of how you cope with conflict and adversity. Why does this mechanism work for you? Is there possibly a better way to handle it? Think about this and see the accompanying poll.
"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." - M. Kathleen Casey
Adversity comes to us in many ways: Physically, mentally, emotionally. It can be personal adversity or adversity within a group or among friends. It can be small or large, but regardless of the capacity, it exists. But the problem stemming from it is not the adversity itself, but rather how one copes and handles the situations at hand.
Some coping mechanisms are healthy while others are not. There are conflict oriented people and people who avoid it at all cost. I'm not one of those people. My rational self hates adversity and looks to overcome it as soon as possible, even though I know for a fact that it cannot be solved until a later date. I don't run away from it because it won't go away on it's own. There's just that nagging weight of whatever is bugging you. Comfort cannot be achieved until that weight is off your shoulder. It sucks man. But like I said, dealing with that adversity is where true character is revealed.
If the adversity facing me cannot be solved right away, like the current giant question mark on the summer internship box, I find it best to take my mind off of it with comedy. I don't find yelling or screaming particularly useful when it comes to getting your point across or fixing a problem. Stress is understandable, but it doesn't do anyone good to take your anger out on a person. If anything, it makes you more angry.
Studying communication is interesting. I tend to be more conscientious of communication theories in real life. And I see myself being more consciences of my personal actions and sayings. Whether that's conflict resolution or speaking with a friend. One of my professors challenged us today to "stop complaining." She's reading a book about complaining and showed us a short video basically explaining how complaining accomplishes nothing. So I've accepted that challenge and offering one out now: Think of how you cope with conflict and adversity. Why does this mechanism work for you? Is there possibly a better way to handle it? Think about this and see the accompanying poll.
"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." - M. Kathleen Casey
Monday, March 28, 2011
Cultivation and Distribution
My roommate, Evan, started a blog: quixkid.blogspot.com. And since he said I was his main influence to start one, he challenged me to write a post everyday; a challenge for both of us. This, I believe, will be a healthy exercise. I'll be able to work on expanding my vocabulary, as well as writing styles and thought processes. Oh and I can't forget you, my readers, will get a daily dose of positivity!
The challenge isn't going to be writing everyday, but rather what to write about. This will be a great challenge that I'm ready to tackle. For instance, today I was thinking about this post, considering the different directions this could take. Evan's a good friend, do I focus on friendship? Do I just leave the first paragraph be? Leave it as an announcement to my readers and then jump into the message of the day? Neither - although I foresee friendship as a topic in the near future.
I'm in a philosophy class, Ethics. All in all, philosophy and I tend not to get along too well. But the subjects we've been learning about in class actually apply here. Along with Ethics, we've been learning and discussing moral duties: Utilitarianism- act towards achieving the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people, Kantianism- act because it is our moral duty to act, regardless of our feelings, and then Aristotle & Virtue Ethics- act because it is virtuous and will lead to the good life.
But in our lectures of Kant we learned about perfect and imperfect duties. Our perfect duties are those that should always be done. Like don't commit suicide, don't lie; it's a universal law. Our imperfect duties are those you ought to do, Cultivate your talents. You're athletic and have the ability to play basketball or football, so you ought to be on a team, don't let those talents go to waste.
Cultivate your talents. Everyone, in one way or another, has talents that are beneficial. It doesn't matter if those are personal benefits or communal. We've all been given a gift, so share it.
Until tomorrow...
"A successful man is the one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." - David Brinkley
The challenge isn't going to be writing everyday, but rather what to write about. This will be a great challenge that I'm ready to tackle. For instance, today I was thinking about this post, considering the different directions this could take. Evan's a good friend, do I focus on friendship? Do I just leave the first paragraph be? Leave it as an announcement to my readers and then jump into the message of the day? Neither - although I foresee friendship as a topic in the near future.
I'm in a philosophy class, Ethics. All in all, philosophy and I tend not to get along too well. But the subjects we've been learning about in class actually apply here. Along with Ethics, we've been learning and discussing moral duties: Utilitarianism- act towards achieving the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people, Kantianism- act because it is our moral duty to act, regardless of our feelings, and then Aristotle & Virtue Ethics- act because it is virtuous and will lead to the good life.
But in our lectures of Kant we learned about perfect and imperfect duties. Our perfect duties are those that should always be done. Like don't commit suicide, don't lie; it's a universal law. Our imperfect duties are those you ought to do, Cultivate your talents. You're athletic and have the ability to play basketball or football, so you ought to be on a team, don't let those talents go to waste.
Cultivate your talents. Everyone, in one way or another, has talents that are beneficial. It doesn't matter if those are personal benefits or communal. We've all been given a gift, so share it.
Until tomorrow...
"A successful man is the one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." - David Brinkley
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Music Inspires
It seems to be an ongoing theme that if I'm spending a Friday or Saturday night in my friend Mike's room with my friend Patrick, aka Patch, then he and I will end up having a very deep discussion about music. Patch is a musician, a singer and a song writer, very talented. A majority of our conversations are subtle and not so subtle insults of music today. Sometimes that entailed blatant complaints of how pointless Justin Bieber's music is, or how there's little talent with half the Pop artists being Auto tuned for absolutely no reason. (Rebecca Black anyone...) Other times it involved praising older musicians for their impeccable talent and the meaningful lyrics THEY wrote.
As a songwriter, Patch told me that he doesn't care if he's a famous musician in the future. He loves writing music for the sake of writing music. His goal, he said, is to have his music touch and inspire people, even if it is just one person. I don't write poetry, I certainly can't write music but I absolutely love music, it's a place for me to escape.
So as influenced by last night's conversation with Patch, here are a few meaningful/inspirational songs to me. In order of their personal importance to me:
"Rise Today" by Alter Bridge
To sum up the personnel of Alter Bridge, they are Creed with a different lead singer. I think their songs are much better then Creed's. This song here is pretty simple, I want to Rise Today and change this world. Which is exactly what I want to do. Maybe not necessarily change the world, but help people and make a difference.
Best line of the song: "With every life that's taken, so much love is wasted."
"Walk Like a Man" by Bon Jovi
This song was a bonus song on a limited edition of Lost Highway I bought in Target. The basis of this song is pretty much a father giving his hot-headed, "Dad I'm invincible" son last minute advice before he embarks on this journey of life. Obviously I'm not a father, yet, so I have no idea what that would feel like, but the song does a really great job of capturing the emotions and documenting how the journey of life changed the son. "I couldn't believe it when a tear came to my eye. It isn't easy standing on the other side." Even though this song doesn't apply to me yet, the advice given in the chorus is awesome, and stuck with me since the first time I heard this song. One of those rare ones that I've loved since the first listen and haven't grown tired of it since.
Best line: "Every step up that mountain will be more than worth countin' but when you walk through the valley, may you walk like a man."
"Open Your Eyes" by Alter Bridge
More Alter Bridge on this list. The two songs on this list are absolutely incredible. The verses of this song deal with doubt while the chorus explores faith. Two experiences everyone has: Doubt and Faith. The chorus asks the question I like to ask: "Will they open their eyes and realize we are one?" I'm not a fan of ignorant people and I tend to see the best in everyone I know. I don't judge people (a lot) and I'm very tolerable for most opinions and mindsets. So I relate to this song, and I wonder will mankind in general ever realize that we are one.
Best line: "Darker days seem to be what will always live in me, but still I run" ... Faith!
"Some People Change" by Kenny Chesney
This song goes along perfectly with my last post about Fr. Boyle and his gang reformation center. This song centers around two story lines: an ignorant racist man who learns to accept people, and an alcoholic who sobers up. I'm an optimistic person, and I pray that this song could someday apply to my family. Without going into details, a couple members of my extended family are struggling right now and change seems to be impossible right now. But my mom, God bless her, has her heart set on helping and making things right. She, like me, loves people and has a hard time letting go of the ones she loves, even if that takes a toll on her. So go Mom! Like I said, I pray things will change at home and that this song will apply.
Best line: "Against all odds, against the grain love finds a way."
"In Me" by Casting Crowns
Ironically this is the only true Christian Rock song on this list. But the thing I love about this song is the use of battle as a metaphor Jesus' strength, power and love. I'm a believer, Jesus is important in my life, and this song just perfectly explains how the good Lord fits in my life and how he works in our lives. "I'll never get by living on my own ability. How refreshing to know you don't need me, how amazing to find that you want me!" That lyric says it all. This song is awesome!
Best line: "I'll stand on your truth and I'll fight with your strength until you bring the victory."
And last but certainly not least:
"Welcome to Wherever You Are" by Bon Jovi
The song that my blog is named after. The way I interpret the song is that everyone has a purpose on Earth, even if you question what's going on in your life. Let's face it, we all question that. "Why did this happen to me?" But in spite of these questions and uncertainties we have a purpose here. This song is optimistic, maybe even a little cliche. But it's inspiring and I can't help but feel good after hearing it. "Everyone's a hero, everyone's a star." "Everybody's different just take a look around." "Every new beginning is some beginning's end." Just a glimpse of some of the lyrics. Jon Bon Jovi is an incredible song writer. The lyrics just honestly speak for themselves.
Best line: "Welcome, you gotta believe that right here right now you're exactly where you're supposed to be."
As a songwriter, Patch told me that he doesn't care if he's a famous musician in the future. He loves writing music for the sake of writing music. His goal, he said, is to have his music touch and inspire people, even if it is just one person. I don't write poetry, I certainly can't write music but I absolutely love music, it's a place for me to escape.
So as influenced by last night's conversation with Patch, here are a few meaningful/inspirational songs to me. In order of their personal importance to me:
"Rise Today" by Alter Bridge
To sum up the personnel of Alter Bridge, they are Creed with a different lead singer. I think their songs are much better then Creed's. This song here is pretty simple, I want to Rise Today and change this world. Which is exactly what I want to do. Maybe not necessarily change the world, but help people and make a difference.
Best line of the song: "With every life that's taken, so much love is wasted."
"Walk Like a Man" by Bon Jovi
This song was a bonus song on a limited edition of Lost Highway I bought in Target. The basis of this song is pretty much a father giving his hot-headed, "Dad I'm invincible" son last minute advice before he embarks on this journey of life. Obviously I'm not a father, yet, so I have no idea what that would feel like, but the song does a really great job of capturing the emotions and documenting how the journey of life changed the son. "I couldn't believe it when a tear came to my eye. It isn't easy standing on the other side." Even though this song doesn't apply to me yet, the advice given in the chorus is awesome, and stuck with me since the first time I heard this song. One of those rare ones that I've loved since the first listen and haven't grown tired of it since.
Best line: "Every step up that mountain will be more than worth countin' but when you walk through the valley, may you walk like a man."
"Open Your Eyes" by Alter Bridge
More Alter Bridge on this list. The two songs on this list are absolutely incredible. The verses of this song deal with doubt while the chorus explores faith. Two experiences everyone has: Doubt and Faith. The chorus asks the question I like to ask: "Will they open their eyes and realize we are one?" I'm not a fan of ignorant people and I tend to see the best in everyone I know. I don't judge people (a lot) and I'm very tolerable for most opinions and mindsets. So I relate to this song, and I wonder will mankind in general ever realize that we are one.
Best line: "Darker days seem to be what will always live in me, but still I run" ... Faith!
"Some People Change" by Kenny Chesney
This song goes along perfectly with my last post about Fr. Boyle and his gang reformation center. This song centers around two story lines: an ignorant racist man who learns to accept people, and an alcoholic who sobers up. I'm an optimistic person, and I pray that this song could someday apply to my family. Without going into details, a couple members of my extended family are struggling right now and change seems to be impossible right now. But my mom, God bless her, has her heart set on helping and making things right. She, like me, loves people and has a hard time letting go of the ones she loves, even if that takes a toll on her. So go Mom! Like I said, I pray things will change at home and that this song will apply.
Best line: "Against all odds, against the grain love finds a way."
"In Me" by Casting Crowns
Ironically this is the only true Christian Rock song on this list. But the thing I love about this song is the use of battle as a metaphor Jesus' strength, power and love. I'm a believer, Jesus is important in my life, and this song just perfectly explains how the good Lord fits in my life and how he works in our lives. "I'll never get by living on my own ability. How refreshing to know you don't need me, how amazing to find that you want me!" That lyric says it all. This song is awesome!
Best line: "I'll stand on your truth and I'll fight with your strength until you bring the victory."
And last but certainly not least:
"Welcome to Wherever You Are" by Bon Jovi
The song that my blog is named after. The way I interpret the song is that everyone has a purpose on Earth, even if you question what's going on in your life. Let's face it, we all question that. "Why did this happen to me?" But in spite of these questions and uncertainties we have a purpose here. This song is optimistic, maybe even a little cliche. But it's inspiring and I can't help but feel good after hearing it. "Everyone's a hero, everyone's a star." "Everybody's different just take a look around." "Every new beginning is some beginning's end." Just a glimpse of some of the lyrics. Jon Bon Jovi is an incredible song writer. The lyrics just honestly speak for themselves.
Best line: "Welcome, you gotta believe that right here right now you're exactly where you're supposed to be."
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tattoos on the Heart - Father Greg Boyle
I attended a lecture of a guest speaker at Marquette's Law School this evening as an extra credit opportunity for my Ethics class. A friend and I got there about 5 minutes before it started and walked into a very full appellate court room that served as the lecture hall. I had attended a similar lecture my freshmen year for Theology extra credit and found it incredibly boring. So to be quite honest, I didn't have high hopes for this one.
Well my night started off with a bang as we found two seats, in the second to last row of the court. (There were auditorium like seats in this section behind rows of tables) And the two seats we found were smack dab in the middle of a row of about 20 seats. So we kindly begin to make our way there. "Hi, sorry, excuse me." Well while were waiting for one individual to make room, the lady I'm standing next to says, "Why don't you take off your backpack?" Keep in mind that my backpack had 1 spiral in it. That's it! So I take my backpack off and then she says "And try not to hit me in the process." Knowing that we're forcibly standing close to one another, I took her remark as a joke, and my friend and I proceeded to laugh. She wasn't joking.
But we moved on, got our seats and commented to one another about her snootiness. The lecture begins, and like I said, I didn't expect much from this. I was wrong. Fr. Boyle started this non for profit organization in southern California called Homeboy Industries. In a nut shell, it is a gang reformation center in Los Angeles's most populated gang area. This center gets these gangsters off the streets and into schools, churches and jobs. The starter jobs for these young boys and girls include Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy Cafe and other various jobs run by this organization.
This most outstanding thing to hear from this organization was that rival gang members were working together and getting along. Gang members were getting away from the drugs, prison and violence and moving towards holding steady jobs, getting married and raising families. One gang member in particular told Fr. Boyle that his daughter was going to college. She would end up being a first generation college student. Fr. Boyle documents many of these stories in his book Tattoos on the Heart. His lecture was basically select stories from the book, and they were awesome! I'll probably end up buying it.
Fr. Boyle's lecture was absolutely inspiring. I volunteer every summer doing a week-long mission trip with my church. The work we do at these trips mainly include home renovations for elderly people or for people who are unable to fund the work themselves. And at the end of the week of these mission trips, the joy seen in the eyes of the residents is an unforgettable sight. They are overwhelmed with happiness, and you get a sense of satisfaction unlike any other. Not only did you accomplish a goal you worked hard at, but you did it for the best of causes. I can only imagine the satisfaction and happiness Fr. Boyle feels after hearing that one of his reformed gangsters are managers or successful family men. It has to be an incredible feeling.
"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen." - Frank Lloyd Wright
Well my night started off with a bang as we found two seats, in the second to last row of the court. (There were auditorium like seats in this section behind rows of tables) And the two seats we found were smack dab in the middle of a row of about 20 seats. So we kindly begin to make our way there. "Hi, sorry, excuse me." Well while were waiting for one individual to make room, the lady I'm standing next to says, "Why don't you take off your backpack?" Keep in mind that my backpack had 1 spiral in it. That's it! So I take my backpack off and then she says "And try not to hit me in the process." Knowing that we're forcibly standing close to one another, I took her remark as a joke, and my friend and I proceeded to laugh. She wasn't joking.
But we moved on, got our seats and commented to one another about her snootiness. The lecture begins, and like I said, I didn't expect much from this. I was wrong. Fr. Boyle started this non for profit organization in southern California called Homeboy Industries. In a nut shell, it is a gang reformation center in Los Angeles's most populated gang area. This center gets these gangsters off the streets and into schools, churches and jobs. The starter jobs for these young boys and girls include Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy Cafe and other various jobs run by this organization.
This most outstanding thing to hear from this organization was that rival gang members were working together and getting along. Gang members were getting away from the drugs, prison and violence and moving towards holding steady jobs, getting married and raising families. One gang member in particular told Fr. Boyle that his daughter was going to college. She would end up being a first generation college student. Fr. Boyle documents many of these stories in his book Tattoos on the Heart. His lecture was basically select stories from the book, and they were awesome! I'll probably end up buying it.
Fr. Boyle's lecture was absolutely inspiring. I volunteer every summer doing a week-long mission trip with my church. The work we do at these trips mainly include home renovations for elderly people or for people who are unable to fund the work themselves. And at the end of the week of these mission trips, the joy seen in the eyes of the residents is an unforgettable sight. They are overwhelmed with happiness, and you get a sense of satisfaction unlike any other. Not only did you accomplish a goal you worked hard at, but you did it for the best of causes. I can only imagine the satisfaction and happiness Fr. Boyle feels after hearing that one of his reformed gangsters are managers or successful family men. It has to be an incredible feeling.
"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen." - Frank Lloyd Wright
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
My First Post- Follow your dreams
So I'm new at this whole blogging thing. I'm a college sophomore at Marquette University studying broadcast and electronic communication. My desires with this degree are to someday be a play-by-play announcer. A few announcers, Al Michaels, Ian Eagle, and Bob Costas (just to name a few) have perfected this art and I wish to be as great as them someday.
However, sometimes being on air with TV annoys me. I have done several reporting packages for MUTV Sports (a student run television station at Marquette) and I absolutely love it, don't get me wrong. But at times, the material seems to be really redundant. And I get that feeling seeing as most of the work I do for reporting are game recaps from Marquette Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball. Occasionally I get the wonderful opportunity to do a package for our hit show "Marquette Basketball Weekly." The stories I've done for that included the men's basketball team donating turkeys to families in Milwaukee during Thanksgiving and a spotlight on the life of a Marquette basketball parent.
I found that the reason I get annoyed with doing game recaps and being on air is that I don't really have the "producer's eye" of finding a good, hard hitting story. And I think a lot of that stems from my lack of creativity. I don't consider myself much of a creative person, and that bugs me, a lot. So my goal as I continue through college and life is to improve that creativity, to look for stories.
I was at a college visit at Northern Illinois University and ran into a classmate of mine and his father, who's a sports journalist. Through the general discussions of "oh what's your intended major" and all the following ice breakers, we talked about broadcasting and he left me with this advice: "Anyone, and almost everyone, will try to be on air and can be great at it. But mastering the art behind the camera will be more beneficial in the long run."
That advice holds true, and is the big reason why I wish to be a better producer or director in the world of broadcasting. By perfecting this art, being able to come up with good stories, I hope to achieve my dreams and see success in the future. My only hinderance in this is my obtuse eye for creativity.
The word of the day on "Wherever you Are..." is persevere. Follow your dreams and do not let any personal hinderances or disabilities get in the way.
One step I am doing to sharpen my eye for creativity is writing this blog. You'll learn more about me and about why my blogs will have an inspirational tone as I post more. But my goal is to help my readers through the simple, sometimes unnecessary struggles in life by relaying stories in my life. Hopefully by this, we will all be affected in a positive manner.
"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau
However, sometimes being on air with TV annoys me. I have done several reporting packages for MUTV Sports (a student run television station at Marquette) and I absolutely love it, don't get me wrong. But at times, the material seems to be really redundant. And I get that feeling seeing as most of the work I do for reporting are game recaps from Marquette Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball. Occasionally I get the wonderful opportunity to do a package for our hit show "Marquette Basketball Weekly." The stories I've done for that included the men's basketball team donating turkeys to families in Milwaukee during Thanksgiving and a spotlight on the life of a Marquette basketball parent.
I found that the reason I get annoyed with doing game recaps and being on air is that I don't really have the "producer's eye" of finding a good, hard hitting story. And I think a lot of that stems from my lack of creativity. I don't consider myself much of a creative person, and that bugs me, a lot. So my goal as I continue through college and life is to improve that creativity, to look for stories.
I was at a college visit at Northern Illinois University and ran into a classmate of mine and his father, who's a sports journalist. Through the general discussions of "oh what's your intended major" and all the following ice breakers, we talked about broadcasting and he left me with this advice: "Anyone, and almost everyone, will try to be on air and can be great at it. But mastering the art behind the camera will be more beneficial in the long run."
That advice holds true, and is the big reason why I wish to be a better producer or director in the world of broadcasting. By perfecting this art, being able to come up with good stories, I hope to achieve my dreams and see success in the future. My only hinderance in this is my obtuse eye for creativity.
The word of the day on "Wherever you Are..." is persevere. Follow your dreams and do not let any personal hinderances or disabilities get in the way.
One step I am doing to sharpen my eye for creativity is writing this blog. You'll learn more about me and about why my blogs will have an inspirational tone as I post more. But my goal is to help my readers through the simple, sometimes unnecessary struggles in life by relaying stories in my life. Hopefully by this, we will all be affected in a positive manner.
"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau
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