Thinkin' of a Master Plan

While running on the treadmill I think of lots of things.  Today I came up with a great idea. It's like my form of meditation. hahaha

1. What better gift to give someone than the gift of gratitude?  I thought of this while working out tonight.  Basically I'd write a letter about why I'm grateful for the person in my life.  It almost moved me to tears while I was running on the treadmill.  Part of me is afraid to show the tender side of myself while the other part of me thinks it's the biggest gift I could offer someone this year - to show how much they've meant to me. WOW!  That's deep.
2. I saw a video about job safety today. It was made in Canada and it is INTENSE.  Point well taken, Canada!  Check out the video here.
3. I got 4 orders for bracelets today!  WOO HOO!!  You can tell it's Christmastime! 
4. Today I was able to spend some time chillin' out with some students and that's always a good time. It keeps me in tune - Plus they ALWAYS make me laugh. 
5. I stepped on the scale tonight and noticed that I was down 5 pounds.  That's pretty substantial because you usually weigh more at night - so it's probably more like 7 pounds. Heeeeey!  hahaha The plan is working.

Vote or Die

1. I've been thinking about the "Right to Vote" today. I said to myself this morning that I was going to vote.  The polling station is near my house but I didn't go. Then I started seeing signs all day that was telling me I needed to vote.  I made the effort and went to the polling station. Once I voted I received a sticker that said, "I voted - Prince William County".  That gave me a sense of pride and caused me to think about how often we take voting for granted.  I love that I didn't take it for granted and exercised my right.
2. This Oprah's Lifeclass is speaking to me tonight.  I need Suze Orman to come into my life and help me get it together!  I am a Financial Disaster.  I love that I can declare that publicly.
3. Melissa had brownies left in her office. I LOVE BROWNIES and it's just what I wanted to go with my coffee this afternoon. 
4. My desk at work is almost free and clear of clutter. ALMOST.  At least I'm making progress.
5. In my job I work with lots of vendors and I have developed relationships with them. I find it hilarious that a vendor called today and exclaimed, "YO!!!!!!!". That means she's pretty comfortable with me - rightfully so because I've been working with her for 3 1/2 years. Her, "Yo" made me laugh and smile.

A-ha Moment #1

1. Tonight's league bowling felt pretty damn awesome.  Everyone in a good mood and two new bowlers this week with two others considering joining and another coming next week.  Reminds me of fraternity recruitment in so many ways. I guess that technically we're rushing new members for the next couple of weeks. Beta Omicron Lambda? hahaha I love that!
2. I had an enlightening conversation tonight. One where I walked away having an "A-ha Moment". How do you contribute to the misunderstandings between someone and yourself? It takes two to have a conversation - otherwise it's just self-reflection. This is the first A-ha Moment that I've documented.  I'm sure I'll have more and plan to document each of them. They are important lessons!
3. The fact that there is chocolate candy still in the office is worth being happy about!  
4. Today I felt like I accomplished a lot of tasks.  There's nothing like having a sense of accomplishment in anything you do.
5. The organization that I advise invited me to dinner. That was really nice.

Ice, Ice, Baby!

It's one of those days that I find it hard to come up with 5 things. Especially since I slept most of the day but I'll give it a shot.

1. I enjoyed being at the tournament and seeing some of our league members coming out to support us.  That was really cool.  While we didn't win anything it was a great time getting to know folks better.
2. I went to Chipotle for lunch and realized that I don't need to get that burrito bowl any more - Why?  - because you can get a quesadilla with beans and chicken and only pay less than $5.  Granted, you won't have the rice (that I don't like anyhow) and the salsa, sour cream, lettuce, etc - but when you're on a budget, this meal does the trick!
3. Waking up this morning there was a TON of ice on my car and I had to use the scraper.  Before I did that, I noticed the beauty of the ice formations on my car and had to take pictures of it.  It's amazing how it forms in these patterns.
4. Being in a "WTF am I doing?" state of mind really causes you to think of the "Why?" aspect of my choices.  A lot of choices I make are because things feel good - but I have enough sense to ascertain when things no longer feel good. I love that I have tools and the knowledge to really "get" that for myself.
5. On my way home tonight I thought about how I might raise joy in others. I love seeing people super excited.  I want to bring some excitement to someone's life and surprise them. I love coming up with ways in which I can let the joy rise in others.

What's in Your Bucket?

1. Wegman's Carrot Cake.  AMAZINGLY GOOD!  I'm not a fan of raisins but this cake was so book that I ate it with the raisins in it!
2. I love how there's always a solution to your dilemma. Yeah, it sounds so simple, doesn't it?  Sometimes the solution isn't what you want but today... the solution worked out to my liking!  I thought I was going to have to refund a buyers money because I didn't have what I needed to complete the order. Well, after a day of thinking and a visit to two stores that ended without the item, I realized I always had what I needed at home. I just needed to look for it. I love how that can be applied to so many things. You've always had what you needed - you just had to look for it.  Wow.
3. I went to the gym even with me being tired. I felt great afterward. Now I feel exhausted which means I'll get to sleep really well. That's something I really love!
4. Family Guy and The Cleveland Show is a good escape from reality. I love the randomness of these shows.
5. I loved this item in the picture.  The Bucket List. I think I may make something like this. Found it on Pinterest.com.  What's on your bucket list?  

You Better Believe It!

Integrity.  Now there's a word. I'm not sure if people really understand that integrity is part of your Human Being Score - kind of like a credit score.  The more you exhibit integrity, the more people will place a higher value for your friendship, the work you do in your career, and in your relationships. When people show and/or tell you who they really are, believe them.

1.  A friend of mine showed me a website called Pinterest.  I have to say - it's REALLY cool. 
2. I was able to have a good time at bowling tonight and the support of friends made it exceptional. We all are responsible for the energy we accept into our lives and the energy we put out in the universe.
3. I love Maya and Oprah!
4. My Etsy Shop is on fire! I got another sale today. I love it when the sales roll in.
5. I had a great impromptu brainstorming session with a student about an event.  I got excited about the possibilities and he did, too!

You Are Responsible for the Energy You Bring into this World

It's Tuesday and things are getting back to normal. Karma is gonna reach around and knock someone upside the head.  Now back to our regularly scheduled positivity because I believe that the energy you surround yourself with is detrimental to you feeling good.

1. On the way to work I saw a license plate that said ICHZJOY - That's a great thing to think about. We make choices every day. Do we ever choose to be happy?
2. In less than 24 hours, I sold two bracelets.  YAAAAAAY! I even made some new photo projects for breast cancer awareness month. 
3. I love that I ran for 3 minutes straight. Yeah, that doesn't sound like much but when you haven't run that long in many months, that's a major feat! :0) Go Me!
4. Let's just say that I am glad I keep my spare change in a jug. 
5. The weather was excellent today. Just the right amount of "chill" in the air.

I Am a Conquerer

Today I took steps to conquering a couple of fears - It's like, once you conquer one, you're off looking for the next one.  You feel so much better for challenging yourself to do something that seems scary.

1. I was afraid to take the leap and start the process of creating a new website.  Well, I took the plunge and now own a domain. That's a start and I'm glad I stepped out into the unknown.
2. I made a phone call tonight that I volunteered to make.  I wasn't exactly sure how it would go.  I made the phone call and it wasn't at all how I imagined.  I loved that I challenged myself.
3. I'm not much of a church person and I'm pretty skeptical about religion but I LOVE some Gospel music. 
4. Today brought lots of clarity.  I love when I finally stop stressing out and start taking action.
5. While listening to my iPod in the car I heard a song by Michael Franti and Spearhead called, "Love Don't Wait".  Great upbeat song. 

Power of Intentions

Sometimes I wonder what the intent of others really is.  Do they intend to bring joy to the day or do they intend to upset the day? Do they intend to make someone happy or do they intend to piss someone off? Do they intend to bring peace or do they intend to rattle the cage? There's a lot of power in intentions. By setting an intention, you make it clear to yourself and others, just what you plan to do. What are your intentions today?

1. Some of my favorite quotes come from Maya Angelou.  When I read her words I can hear her wise, grandmother-like voice speaking to me as if she's sitting on that wing back chair like my Grandmother did. Spewing wise words from a soul that has seen so much in the world. It is those moments that I remember and cherish.
2. Over the course of a few weeks I've developed new friendships. 
3. I love the new Alpha Sigma Phi t-shirt.  I haven't worn anything fraternity related in years!  I loved the price, too. Only $10.50.
4. Another quote - "Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go." - William Feather
5. In all the craziness there really is a silver lining in it all. I just have to work harder on making sure my inner Pollyanna gets her time to shine each day.

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.
Maya Angelou
 

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.
Maya Angelou

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/maya_angelou_3.html#ixzz1bf97Xo9c

T.G.I.F.

1. Having someone get me coffee in the morning and knowing EXACTLY how I like it to be made is awesome. Hmm.. Someone remembers details.  I love that!
2. Oprah's Lifeclass just keeps on teaching me great things and causes me to be self-reflective. I love that.
3. I got a lot done today at work but not everything but to understand that Rome wasn't built in a day is the real message for the day.
4. It's funny, but JUST when you REALLY need something is when you get it.  You just have to trust in that.  I trusted in that and it just worked itself out.
5. It's always good hearing from my brother. Our conversation just seemed to solidify that I need to follow my passion and continue to feed it. Giving it time and care will allow it to flourish.

Talk About the Passion

Today was a slooooooooooow day.  I don't know if I actually have any worthwhile things to list - but I'll give my best shot. 

1. I was really moved by the idea of "finding and honing your passion".  I ended up asking several people if they knew what their passion is. There was one person that was able to answer that. I love when something that inspires me cause me to share that inspiration.  What is YOUR passion?
2. Speaking of passions, I've been very passionate about my artistic creations.  I mentioned it to someone that I was in need of lined paper.  I received a box of lined paper.  How awesome is that?  I think that's pretty amazing of her to do that for me. 
3. Going along with the topic of donations to my artistic endeavors, a co-worker of mine has brought in two cereal boxes for me to turn into journals.  I appreciate her thoughtfulness. 
4. The G-Men got their shoes delivered today.  That's very exciting! Who are the Mason G-Men?  Check 'em out.
5. I love when there's someone who likes to engage in deep, introspective discussions.  Thanks, DM!
   

It's All About Expression

I guess I've been really introspective. Well, I don't guess I am. I know I am.  This is a sign that I'm about to embark on a new path.  I'm not sure what that path is but I know whenever I get really cerebral, something remarkable, noteworthy, exciting, life changing is going to happen to me. It's like I begin to prepare myself mentally for it to take place.

1. I read this on a blog today - pretty simple.
   Here are the facts of life.
   
   1.  You only get one life.
   2.  Life is short and death is long.
   3.  There is virtually no reason that you should not be living your dreams.
   
   
2. "You find a way to allow the truth of yourself to express itself. We're all looking for the highest, fullest, expression of ourselves as human beings." Oprah said this on her new show, Life Class. That is powerful.
3. I got the new iPhone 4S today.  After the initial shock of not being able to sync it to my Mac, I was able to sync it to my Dell Laptop.  I have to say, so far, so GREEEEEEEAT!  It's a huge leap from the 3G I had. I love the dictation feature for texting. It works so well.  I'm excited to try Siri next.
4. Tonight the Spirit Squad that I advise, The G-Men, were out and about at a campus event.  It was so awesome to see how people reacted to them.  Great job fellas!
5. It's exciting to be embarking on a path I haven't been on in over 4 years. :0)
   

D. Hicks' Deep Thoughts

Today I have been very cerebral.  Just a lot of awesome moments of thought and happenstance.  I took advantage of the opportunities so they would not pass me by.

1. Today I am really thinking about my post from yesterday about FEARLESSNESS.  I think this is something to really think about as an individual.  What holding you back right now?  This was a question posed on Oprah's Life Class.  My response was: "The fear of things not working out.  I hope to experience more of my own FEARLESSNESS as opposed to FEARFULNESS. I'm loving these thoughts.
2. What I found amazing today was that nearly every conversation I had was surrounding the word FEARLESS.  I reached for a Dove Chocolate - you know, the ones with the little messages under the wrapper - and written on the foil was "Be Fearless". VERY PROFOUND! 
   
3. Today is National Coming Out Day - I mentioned this to a friend and it wasn't as well received as I had hoped and that's okay.  It caused me to understand how far I've come in my own journey. Following the fearlessness theme, I created an "It Gets Better" video on campus as part of a university project. I wanted to show some level of my own fearlessness and share with whomever watches it. In the video I stated that no matter what, they must persevere and be fearless in the life they've been given so that they can be the most amazing person they can be. It most certainly can get better. Just trust in yourself. Trust in the thought that you will never be given anything you can't handle.
4. I love that I keep finding more and more inspiration in my daily life.  It's like I'm having a mini Harlem Renaissance in Manassas!  I created this graphic today because the word "fearless" kept coming up.
   
   
5. Tonight I was waiting in the express line at Super Walmart and the customer in front of me paid and the cashier didn't have enough money in the till to give her so she had to go to the service desk to get more change.  It probably took a good 10 - 12 minutes and other people were leaving her line to go to others.  Finally, the cashier returned and gave the customer her $3.64 in change. The cashier greeted me and apologized for the wait. She also commented on how she noticed that I didn't yell at her or complain.  I said to her, "Well, I wouldn't ever do that because it wouldn't have made any difference because you still had to get change and I am a very patient guy."  She smile and said, "God bless you. Thank you." That gratitude was enough to make me feel great and it was enough to make up for the wait - hearing her gratitude and seeing that she had a positive attitude during the entire time.

Fearlessness is Nirvana With a Spoonful of Nutella

I wasn't anticipating that today would be filled with such deep thoughts. I guess some higher being is speaking to me so that I can speak to you.  Who really knows? Today's list just came to me so easily and is all kind of link together without intention. 

1. Today's list is brought to you by the word, "DADGUMMIT!!!!!". My friend, Roy, said this on Facebook today and I thought, "Now there's a word you don't hear every day."  It's one of those words that makes you think of Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes gang and causes you to smile quietly to yourself.
2. I guess I wasn't into rock/modern rock too much in the early 90s and I wasn't able to fully appreciate the Nirvana album, "Nevermind".  I'm listening to it on Spotify and I have to say, it's pretty good. In fact, I love about 80% of this CD.
3. I love that this video gets right to the point and talks about honoring the indigenous people as opposed to a man who "supposedly" discovered America.
   
   
4. Did I ever mention how much I really love Nutella with peanut butter?  
5. I just had a thought about life.  I love when these moments happen.  The thought was this, "Why do we care what people think or believe if we know our truth?" The follow-up thought was, "And when we're old and frail (if we're lucky enough to reach that point) what is there to really be afraid of?  If you're fearless, how much freer do you think you'd feel? It's the fear that holds us back from being the most amazing human beings we can be. Oh yeah, people can be amazing and still have fear but to be the most amazing Dennis Michael Hicks is what I want to achieve."