You're in the Front Row!

They who lack talent expect things to happen without effort. They ascribe failure to a lack of inspiration or ability, or to misfortune, rather than to insufficient application. At the core of every true talent there is an awareness of the difficulties inherent in any achievement, and the confidence that by persistence and patience something worthwhile will be realized. Thus talent is a species of vigor.
- Eric Hoffer



I would wager that most of us have attended a play, sporting event or concert of some sort. Have you ever purchased tickets for a show where your seats were in the back or way up high in bleachers or stadium rafters? I have. The experience is not so bad, but sitting in the back is a far cry from sitting front and center. 

When sitting up front you're able to take in so much more; facial expressions, highlighted solos, lightning fast moves, detailed displays of incredible talent that you would never be able to experience from sitting near the exits. Unfortunately, most front row event tickets are exorbitantly expensive, but there is one show that we all can see up front and for free. That show is Life.

Think about it. We wake up every day in the front row of Life. Are you paying attention to what is happening around you? Are you seeing all of the beautiful details? Are you participating? It is the greatest drama we will ever have the opportunity to experience, yet some people treat Life as if it was worthless.

Whether you like it or not, you are in the front row, right now! There are no cheap seats. You can either choose to fall asleep or be aware and present for whatever may happen. And that is precisely the beautiful thing about Life. Anything can happen! Yes, Life could potentially throw you a curve ball of disappointment, struggle or heartache but overcoming those challenges makes the show even better.

If you fail to find anything to appreciate about Life, well, perhaps you should give up your seat.

Here's to Life! May the show go on and on.

Nature's Details: Alien World

There are landscapes, plant species and wildlife that have existed for tens of millions of years in quiet, reclusive beauty, yet most of us will never take the time to study nor preserve them. Pictures simply do not do justice. The silence, the warmth, and slight breeze all must be experienced to truly appreciate such an alien world.

Appreciating Life's Obstacles

You must read, you must persevere, you must sit up nights, you must inquire, and exert the utmost power of your mind. If one way does not lead to the desired meaning, take another; if obstacles arise, then still another; until, if your strength holds out, you will find that clear which at first looked dark.
- Giovanni Boccaccio


Take a good look at the picture above. It is a brilliant metaphor for life.

The seemingly endless tangle of vines and branches stretch forth to block the obvious path, but there is a distinguishable way out.

In spite of the all but clear path, look around. The daylight has not been filtered out, which means there are actually paths in every direction. Your path may be laden with every conceivable obstacle that the forest can muster in your way, requiring you to climb up, over, around and through the mess. Your path could also be quite unhindered, requiring you to merely crouch or crawl beneath the tangled maze into the clearing of success and happiness.

We all will face obstacles to varying degrees. Naturally, if your path is more cumbersome, you will have a greater sense of appreciation for where you've come from and the journey it took to get to where you currently are or are heading.

Regardless of your journey's ease or difficulty, be sure to look back at the woods with gratitude for the lessons learned, the goals you accomplished, the struggle you've overcome. Never let people demean this achievement.

The stage upon which you ultimately stand may be small in comparison to others who fared much better, but your quest to get there may have very well required ten times the effort. Be grateful for knowing that you have the capability to endure.


Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.
- Booker T. Washington

The Folly of Entitlement

The general cry is against ingratitude, but the complaint is misplaced, it should be against vanity; none but direct villains are capable of willful ingratitude; but almost everybody is capable of thinking he hath done more that another deserves, while the other thinks he hath received less than he deserves.
- Alexander Pope

What do we deserve?

Yes, there are laws in place that entitle people to rights or property, etc. but what else are we truly entitled to?

A friend of mine works in entertainment and recently elaborated on the lavish gifts and services that are bestowed upon celebrities that he frequently works for. I discovered that the gift bags that every Oscars participant receives are worth tens of thousands of dollars. Of course, I would expect that giving away such merchandise to exceptionally public figures would serve to bolster brand exposure, thus being another facet of a companies marketing. But my friend shared that some of these celebrities become accustomed to not just occasional gift bags, but to every day life being nearly free of charge.

My friend shared that because of an elevated sense of entitlement, a few of the people he works for often decline to tip drivers, waiters or other service providers, expect complementary service at bars and restaurants, will seek free lodging throughout their various travels, will only support local manufacturers if their products are gifted, and feel that lines of any sort are beneath them. He shared more personal instances that were on the cusp of being absurd but he assured me that what might seem like an exaggeration of ones character and day to day life was actually a modest summary. In short, the concept of being grateful for all of the opportunities, experiences, luxuries and perks that have been afforded to these rather privileged individuals, is beyond their need of consideration. In their minds, this is the way their lives are supposed to be.

Thankfully he was only speaking of a handful of people.

I would be lying if I said that I have lived my life without ever feeling entitled to anything. Lets be honest, if you work hard for something and it happens to not come into fruition, it is easy to feel a sense of unjust deserve. However, reality for most of us dictates that nothing in life is free.

For what we do earn or simply receive, gratitude is a natural response because most of us have experienced what it is to be denied something we want.

With money, influence and power, entitlement may come as a byproduct, but living as though you are entitled to the life you live is a gross mistake.

We all aspire to live well and happily, but to forgo being grateful is doing yourself and the world a disservice and as you have received, it can all be taken away.

Gratitude According to Louie Schwartzberg

Louie Schwartzsberg is a brilliant man. This video beautifully captures the importance of being grateful and even if you've already seen it, the impact never wanes. I have been watching it at least three times a week since I discovered it and I continue to take away a renewed sense of appreciation.

What ever you happen to believe in or not believe in, do not let divisiveness prevent you from appreciating this message. This is for everyone.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.