Strive4impact Main Page

How 7 Negative People Could Have Been My Anchor

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:06:28 -0700

When you put yourself out into the world, you open yourself up to all kinds of people. Jim Rohn says that there are really only about 7 mean, nasty people in the world. (He goes on to say, tongue in cheek, that it's important to remember that if it seems like there are more than 7 of them, it's because those mean, nasty people move around a lot.) This page is where I will chronicle my encounters with those "7" people, as well as those who I, apparently on the wrong day, offended in some way. I'm making this post, initially, about 7 people who have proven to be just absolutely fascinating to me over the past few years as I've put myself out there more and more. But there will likely be others I will add to this page. I believe, and will continue to believe, that people are generally good. That 99.99% of people in the world are hopeful about the future, that they want a better life for their children, and that they work in life to benefit themselves, but that they realize the best way to benefit themselves is by benefitting others. I have a page on my web site for some of the nice things people have said to and about me. You might call this page is the antithesis of that page. I don't like to dwell on the negative aspects of life. At the same time, I think it's important for people to understand that the journey to what you want in life requires a little bit of toughness, (sometimes a lot of toughness), and that people will try to knock you down, even (and for some people *especially*) when you give it your best. This is cathartic for me... Instead of replying back to these people (which I usually do anyway with something very nice, as you'll see in a couple places below), I get to share their rudeness and fascinating"ness" with you. I have not altered, nor edited, their responses in any way (except for vulgar language where noted). It's not all roses when you put yourself out into the world. But it's worth it. There has been such a significantly greater number of nice and helpful people, and people I've been able to help, along the way, than negative and sad people. Because I've put myself out there, I've met way more amazing people, and had so many more amazing experiences, than run-ins with people like those you're about to meet.

The Black Door

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:11:49 -0700

Several generations ago, during one of the most turbulent of the desert wars in the Middle East, a spy was captured and sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. The general, a man of intelligence and compassion, had adopted a strange and unusual custom in such cases. He permitted the condemned person to make a choice. The prisoner could either face the firing squad or pass through the Black Door.

Brian, Jamie, The Dogs, and Ike

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:48:34 -0700

Brian took a video camera and surveyed the damage caused at their home, in Montgomery, TX, caused by Hurrican Ike. But the video was rather large. So I re-rendered it, added some music, and some quick thoughts. If you are having trouble with the above video, you might try downloading it, by using your right mouse button. Right Click here, and then choose "Save Target As" or "Save File As". Save it on your computer, and then watch it from there.

$29 For Water?

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:57:41 -0700

This year (hard as it is for me to believe), I'll be turning 29 on September 27. (For future reference (and so that no one has to ask how old I am) every year after this year I'll ALSO be turning 29.) Some of you don't normally buy me a gift for my birthday, but this year I am doing something special. I'm asking friends and family of ours to consider participating in charity:water's September birthday project to build wells in Ethiopia and give the people there clean water. I'm asking for my age in dollars, (which would be, in this case, $29) or whatever you can give (even if it's just a couple of dollars/pounds/euros/etc). 100% of everything we raise goes directly to build wells, and is MATCHED by another organization (founded by actor/director Matt Damon) This matching means that $20 donated = $40 going towards building wells. You can complete the process in less than 3 minutes. Please take a moment and visit my page by clicking the graphic below: To see why I'm supporting the campaign, watch the 3-minute trailer above (If you haven't already). Thanks everyone! Jonathan

Content Management: This is the first new post!

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:05:19 -0700

This is really exciting to me. Why? Because I'm a geek. I had all of these posts in another place, but imported them all over here, using Movable Type, because they weren't really being read where they were at. Now I know that they will be read. What's better about the content being over here is that I'm learning how to use CSS to make web sites look great, and the content sitting here is better than having it sitting at http://blog.strive4impact.com (or at least I think so.)

A Dream I Had Last Night

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:20:47 -0700

I had this really cool dream last night... I don't remember all of it, but the part I remember starts with me watching some sort of stage performance. And these ridiculously muscular guys (like the guys who were in the movie 300), came out on stage and were strutting around, and then the spotlight came to rest on one of them who initially looked really muscular but was actually pretty fat - and hairy. (This isn't the cool part of the dream). After the stage performance, I was walking around and there was some kind of restaurant, or just a booth from a restaurant, backstage. At the table was someone who I recognized as a friend, but I didn't know who it was. Once I sat down though, I realized that it was my cousin Megan. Megan passed on, rapidly and unexpectedly, a few years ago. She shows up in dreams from time to time, but I hadn't talked with her in a dream for a very long time. I think she shows up as a guide, and as a comfort, to let me know that things are okay, and that she's okay, because I miss her pretty frequently, especially at family holidays.

The P50

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:42:32 -0700

This car just cracked me up. Thought visitors here would enjoy this too!

God Bless America

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 07:21:04 -0700

I don't know if this is accurate or embellished rhetoric, but in any case, I thought it had a good message, so I'm re-posting it here. When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of 'empire building' by George Bush. He answered by saying, "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return." It became very quiet in the room.

Pigeon Magic on three X's

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:26:51 -0700

A pretty cool magic act with pigeons put on by a kid auditioning for a American Idol type show. Really cool act.

A great article on Sleep and taking Steps Towards Dreams

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 03:23:28 -0700

I have always been facinated by sleep, and this article from Parade Magazine provides for some interesting reading and gives a few good tips on the subject. If you are really interested in learning more about recognizing your dreams, you might look up lucid dreaming. Here's an open secret: Dreaming isn't really about sleeping; it's about waking up. Dreams wake us up to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. They can tell us what we need to know and alert us to actions we need to take.

Joel Comm's Thoughts on MLM (Multi-Level-Marketing)

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:15:17 -0700

Joel Comm made a post on his blog about MLM (Multi-Level Marketing), and I responded to his post with the comments below by talking about my own experiences in MLM with Pre-Paid Legaland offering some advice to people (for whatever it's worth). I hope you find it beneficial!

OUTTAKES from TheNextInternetMillion.com audition video

Sun, 27 May 2007 01:07:24 -0700

The outtakes and things that I didn't use in my audition video for http://www.TheNextInternetMillion.com. Enjoy!

A Virginia Tech and Columbine Conversation With A French Friend

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 10:59:36 -0700

My friend Claire is from France. We have known each other for nearly 10 years, and we had an interesting chat about Virginia Tech, Columbine, guns, people, philosophies, and information today. I wanted to share it here.

Specialization is for Insects

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:47:51 -0700

I saw this on OneMan'sBlog today, and thought I would re-post it, as it gave me a lot of confidence and encouragement for all the various things I do... In short, this quote let me know that it's okay that I do so many things. That's comforting in a funny sort of way, and definitely good to have reinforced.

More thoughts from the secret.

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:35:33 -0700

Whatever I'm thinking and feeling today is creating effects in the quantum field which are creating my life by the law of attraction. I feel healthy. I feel prosperous.