"Journal writing is a voyage to the interior." - Christina Baldwin
"The wealthiest 100 people living in America all take daily notes." After reading that sentence I immediately did a Google search for the best notebook in the world (as well as the best pen, because what good is a great notebook with a terrible pen) and I began my journey into the unknown abyss that is journal writing. I didn't worry about whether or not I had anything important to actually put into the journal, because I figured it would all work itself out. I didn't worry about whether or not people would think I was a weird kid who wrote in a diary all day, because I figured I would get the last laugh (and they probably already think that anyway). And I certainly didn't worry about whether or not I would be wasting money on a 50$ notebook, because I knew and still know that money invested into personal development is money that is never wasted(okay there may be a few exception, but don't use the exception to prove the rule).
Well, it is now 3 months to the day that I decided to take action and make that Amazon purchase of 1 notebook and a set of Precise V5 pens. And I can now say that it was one of the better decisions I have ever made (I now own 3 journals separated for different things). I have learned a lot about myself, and I actually found out that I have a knack and a love for poetry (yes even athletes and future SEALs can enjoy the arts). Without a doubt I recommend that everyone buys a personal journal for his/herself. In a world where it seems that we are just trying to make it from 1 homework assignment to the next, a daily journal is a great way to keep track of the important stuff: dreams, goals, desires, thoughts,and worries can all be safely organized in a journal. Daily writing also helps me slow things down and actually think problems out fully, which is not easy to do in our fast-paced society.
Regardless of whether or not you take my suggestion, which is to buy a journal, I want you to understand the lesson that stems from my purchase of a journal: I saw an opportunity to improve myself and I pounced on it. I didn't wait to see if I had money in my account(although you may want to check that)and I didn't wait for one of my friends to tell me it was a great or terrible idea. I just went ahead and bought the notebook. I guess what I am trying to say is take action. Action is the only thing that can change your life in an instant. Don't think to yourself, "I hope I become a doctor when I grow up" take action and tell yourself, and anyone who will listen, "I am going to be a doctor, and I don't care what obstacles stand in my way, because I know I have the determination and willpower to overcome all the challenges and problems that lie ahead of me." After that take more action and get your (warning: profane word) ass to the library and starting reading some books about doctors. Then create a list of all the things you need to do to become a doctor and do them.That is what action is all about.
Eliminate all the B.S in your life, take action, and try to get of your own way because you are the only real obstacle on the road to success. Good luck, although you probably won't need it.
Thanks for reading. JG
Common Sense
"Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage is"
Theodore Roosevelt
This post is about the little things that are slowly leaving society. As technology continues to advance--and distract the public--it seems as though daily interactions between people are changing. Unfortunately, they are changing for the worse. Too often I see people with their head down and their eyes engulfed into a tiny screen as they walk by me. While I understand that checking your phone is important, is it really that important that you have to be on it 24/7? Are your messages so urgent that you can't even say hello to me--or anyone else--as we walk past you? This world would be an infinitely better place if we all just smiled and said hello to everyone that walks by us. It's one thing to be weird about it, but it's another to be sincere and take the little effort to smile and ask someone how their day has been. It's also a very rewarding experience to make someone a little happier than when you first saw them.
Another type of person that almost ceases to exist is one who holds doors for others. I'm not just talking about holding the door for a few girls that you think are attractive; I'm talking about holding the door for every person that you see regardless of their appearance or gender. I firmly believe in the 10 second rule: if a person is going to reach the door that I'm at in the next 10 seconds, I will be holding it for them. If you are unsure of how far away they are just do the right thing and stay at the door for a few extra seconds. This brings me to my next point: if you do see someone who is taking the extra effort to hold the door, make sure to thank them. In doing so more people will be inclined to follow the example and make the extra effort themselves, in turn making your community a much more enjoyable place.
My final point is in regards to eating with other people. At my lunch-table there is a rule that is (almost) never broken: every time you leave the table you must ask if anyone wants anything (i.e. water, food, napkin, etc.). This rule is one of my favorites, and I think it should be implemented by each and every table. First off it promotes face-to-face conversation with others (which is going out of style) and it also shows others that you are not just a selfish slob who eats a lot of food (OK maybe that only pertains to me). But,in complete seriousness,it does come off as an unselfish act and by taking the extra effort it goes a long way in displaying the tremendous character that you possess.
So remember the three keys to being loved by all: say hello, hold the door, and ask others what they want as you leave the table. Oh, and before I forget, my water is running kind of low...could you get me a refill?
Another type of person that almost ceases to exist is one who holds doors for others. I'm not just talking about holding the door for a few girls that you think are attractive; I'm talking about holding the door for every person that you see regardless of their appearance or gender. I firmly believe in the 10 second rule: if a person is going to reach the door that I'm at in the next 10 seconds, I will be holding it for them. If you are unsure of how far away they are just do the right thing and stay at the door for a few extra seconds. This brings me to my next point: if you do see someone who is taking the extra effort to hold the door, make sure to thank them. In doing so more people will be inclined to follow the example and make the extra effort themselves, in turn making your community a much more enjoyable place.
My final point is in regards to eating with other people. At my lunch-table there is a rule that is (almost) never broken: every time you leave the table you must ask if anyone wants anything (i.e. water, food, napkin, etc.). This rule is one of my favorites, and I think it should be implemented by each and every table. First off it promotes face-to-face conversation with others (which is going out of style) and it also shows others that you are not just a selfish slob who eats a lot of food (OK maybe that only pertains to me). But,in complete seriousness,it does come off as an unselfish act and by taking the extra effort it goes a long way in displaying the tremendous character that you possess.
So remember the three keys to being loved by all: say hello, hold the door, and ask others what they want as you leave the table. Oh, and before I forget, my water is running kind of low...could you get me a refill?
Thanks for reading ~ John Guerra
My response to Amendment 1
"Why is that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?"- Ernest Gaines
I wholeheartedly believe in the Golden Rule. Through personal life experiences I have found it to be something that I constantly refer back to, in order to grow and develop as a person. It simply states, "One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself." Most importantly, believing in the Golden rule allows me to formulate my own opinions on different topics and world problems as I try to empathize with those who are in each situation;however, religion often does not lend this same ability, and instead its dogmatic approach tells you what you should believe in. In my opinion, the biggest problem that religion causes is that it goes against the whole idea of honestly expressing yourself and your personal thoughts as well as your true beliefs-- for fear of upsetting a "God".
Today (regardless of your religion) the Golden rule was violated and disgraced. The numbers today have shown that we have forgotten the most elementary and basic rule that we are all taught in Kindergarten. How can I, a straight man who is allowed to marry the one I love, tell another man that he cannot marry the one he loves just because the gender of the one we love is different? For this I do not blame religion, I blame the PEOPLE who have voted. The people are the ones who choose to let their religion affect so many innocent lives. I truly feel sorry for those who can not form their own thoughts independent of what their holy books (that were written during the bronze age) say. And guess what, if I do go to "Hell" because of this, I will go with a smile because I know I am one of the minority who did not do things in order to please others or in order to please their religion, I did and continue to do things based on what I believe is right. And at the end of the day, I can only hope you do the same.
And for those wondering what my religion is it is this: When I do good things I feel good and when I do bad things I don't feel good. Isn't that religion enough?
(P.S The President was a day late he cites the Golden Rule in an interview the day after I wrote this post http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/obama-comes-out-i-think-same-sex-couples-should-be-able-to-get-married/)
Thanks for reading. JG
I wholeheartedly believe in the Golden Rule. Through personal life experiences I have found it to be something that I constantly refer back to, in order to grow and develop as a person. It simply states, "One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself." Most importantly, believing in the Golden rule allows me to formulate my own opinions on different topics and world problems as I try to empathize with those who are in each situation;however, religion often does not lend this same ability, and instead its dogmatic approach tells you what you should believe in. In my opinion, the biggest problem that religion causes is that it goes against the whole idea of honestly expressing yourself and your personal thoughts as well as your true beliefs-- for fear of upsetting a "God".
Today (regardless of your religion) the Golden rule was violated and disgraced. The numbers today have shown that we have forgotten the most elementary and basic rule that we are all taught in Kindergarten. How can I, a straight man who is allowed to marry the one I love, tell another man that he cannot marry the one he loves just because the gender of the one we love is different? For this I do not blame religion, I blame the PEOPLE who have voted. The people are the ones who choose to let their religion affect so many innocent lives. I truly feel sorry for those who can not form their own thoughts independent of what their holy books (that were written during the bronze age) say. And guess what, if I do go to "Hell" because of this, I will go with a smile because I know I am one of the minority who did not do things in order to please others or in order to please their religion, I did and continue to do things based on what I believe is right. And at the end of the day, I can only hope you do the same.
And for those wondering what my religion is it is this: When I do good things I feel good and when I do bad things I don't feel good. Isn't that religion enough?
(P.S The President was a day late he cites the Golden Rule in an interview the day after I wrote this post http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/obama-comes-out-i-think-same-sex-couples-should-be-able-to-get-married/)
Thanks for reading. JG
Honest Expression
"Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it." Bruce Lee
This post is a message that will hopefully be a call to arms for some of you. Too many people nowadays are trying to become something for artificial reasons. At the private high school that I attend many students desire to go to a school like Harvard or Princeton. There is absolutely no problem with this, and I think it is great that these students are trying to further their education;however, it's their reasons, rather their lack of reasons, for attending said schools that is particularly troubling. It has become apparent to me that they want to attend these schools because of how the schools are perceived, while others think that an Ivy league school is where they are "supposed to go." Essentially these students are deciding their future not based on what they want, or where they know they would be successful, but on the way that society would view them and the college that they will attend. While some may blame the outside pressures on these students: namely parents and friends, I tend to think that majority of the problem lies within the student. At the end of the day, this is YOUR life and YOU decide what you want to make of it. It would be hypocritical of me to not tell you how I have come to the conclusion on where I want to go, and what I want to study-- so here are some suggestions to find out what you want to do in college and possibly where you want to go.
How to find the Job and Major:
- Think about what jobs currently interest you and make a list (Navy SEAL,Lawyer, Strength Coach)
- Create a list of your two favorite subjects (History, English)
- Research potential majors that involve one or both of your favorite subjects(I bought a book on majors)
- Cut that list of majors down to the two or three that interest you the most (Political Science, Philosophy)
- What jobs do your favorite majors prepare you for, ideally this should connect with the 1st bullet
- I plan on going to a 4 year college, then enlisting in the Navy and then attending Law school, but it is your job to find out how much schooling is needed beyond college, or if you even need to go to college for what you actually want to do. Just read an absolute ton of books, and you will find what you want to do.
- Create a list of environments that you know you will be able to be successful in ( medium-sized school, near beach that is academically challenging)
- Think about how much money you are willing/able to pay for college (I want to have minimal debt)
- Assuming that you are a bright student looking for a good academic program, (yes I realize the horrors of assuming but let that not deter us) Google the top 25 undergrad programs for the 2 majors that you have created on the previous list. I have shown that here: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Top+25+political+science+undergraduate+programs
- Hopefully you have found a list of good programs, now it's your job to match the results of the best programs with the environment that you described in the first bullet of this section.
Thanks for reading. JG
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