Shades of Emerald

A Manifesto to Remember

Advice from my 19-year-old self; The following is a manifesto I created during my sophomore year of college:

Ten | Be Aware

I should embrace reality. Practicality is merely realizing my obstacles so I can overcome them. I will remember to live in the present but always have intent for the future. I should take as much as I can from every moment. I should give as much as I can to every moment. I will learn and reflect. I am a realist.

Nine | Always Have Dreams

I will follow my bliss. I will not take life too seriously. If something doesn’t work, I will search and find another way. I will stay curious. I will look for possibilities in everything. I will say ‘yes’ as much as possible. I am an idealist.

Eight | Stay Human

It is only a mistake if I did not learn anything. I will be adaptive, but will never lose sight of myself. I will be genuine. I will be authentic. I will look for balance and perspective. I will accept others’ flaws without taking them personally. I am alive.

Seven | Search for Experience

I will live with zest. I will live with adventure and enthusiasm. I believe actions speak louder than words and a picture is worth one-thousand of them. I believe everything is an opportunity for development and discovery. I am receptive.

Six | Look for the Truth

I will follow my heart and I will follow my senses. I will balance failure and perfectionism. I will not control. Money is solely the means to do what you want. I am grounded.

Five | Trust in Others

It is not where you are, but whom you are with. Communication is key. I will look for myself in others. I am a reflection.

Four | Do Not Give in

I will stay strong. I will have a sound mind. I will maximize my strengths. I am versatile.

Three | Do

I can do anything I put my mind to. I will focus and follow-trough. I am persistent.

Two | Feel

I will trust my instincts. I will use my intuition. I am what I see.

One | Design

My life is what I make it. I am what I create.

Not sure how you feel? Chart of Emotion

Abraham Maslow’s Eight Ways to Self-Actualize

1. Experience things fully, vividly, selflessly. Throw yourself into the experiencing of something: concentrate on it fully, let it totally absorb you.

2. Life is an ongoing process of choosing between safety (out of fear and need for defense) and risk (for the sake of progress and growth): Make the growth choice a dozen times a day.

3. Let the self emerge. Try to shut out the external clues as to what you should  think, feel, say, and so on, and let your experience enable you to say what you truly feel.

4. When in doubt, be honest. If you look into yourself and are honest, you will also take responsibility. Taking responsibility is self-actualizing.

5. Listen to your own tastes. Be prepared to be unpopular.

6. Use your intelligence, work to do well the things you want to do, no matter how insignificant they seem to be.

7. Make peak experiencing more likely: get rid of illusions and false notions. Learn what you are good at and what your potentialities are not.

8. Find out who you are, what you are, what you like and don’t like, what is good and what is bad for you, where you are going, what your mission is. Opening yourself up to yourself in this way means identifying defenses - and then finding the courage to give them up.

 I’ve been interested in Abraham Maslow’s theories recently after reading “Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow” by Chip Conley, founder of San Francisco based Joie de Vivre hotels. The book does a good job of apply Maslow’s theories to the corporate structure. Most importantly, Maslow and Conley both talk about balance in life, and what things you can do to constantly be working toward your “peak” of the triangle, or self-actualization. I came across these eight ways to self-actualize in a daily email from “The Daily Love”. Enjoy.

(Source: thedailylove.com)

25 Things to do Before I Turn 25

Ok, so. I realize I just turned 21 and just graduated from college. Two HUGE milestones. But, in true fashion, I’m looking toward the future and have created a list of 25 things to complete before my next milestone…dun dun duhhhhh…AGE 25. In no particular order:

1. Go to Europe
2. Become fluent in a 2nd language
3. Get a car (I haven’t had a vehicle since I was 18)
4. Run a 1/2 marathon
5. Go on a cycling tour
6. Become a certified yoga instructor (I don’t care if it is out of style by then)
7. Get something published (this blog doesn’t count)
8. Live in San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, or New York City (3 out of 4)
9. Volunteer in an impacting way
10. Conquer my fear of commitment (have a relationship that is close-distance and lasts more than 3 months)
11. Win an award!
12. Become an advertising account planner (occupation) or maybe discover what I am really meant to be
13. Make an impressive salary
14. Save $20,000
15. Have an “ah-ha!” moment, hopefully life-changing
16. Retry my hand at photography and poetry (a.k.a put the TRY in poeTRY)
17. Invest (monetarily, emotionally?)
18. Get a min pin named Wolfgang
19. Invent something
20. Be the “best” at something (different from winning an award, as an award is more of a one-time thing)
21. Buy a Chanel bag
22. Attend a fashion week fashion show
23. Make the perfect holiday meal
24. Do something new every month (Not as easy as it sounds… that’s 48 new things)
25. Have my own apartment

So, there you have it. That’s my list. I had a very hard time making this list. I started searching Google for inspiration, yet most of the lists I found, I had already done a good amount of the items. What can I say, I live life to the fullest. If there is a typical “bucket-list item” you think should be on this list, assume I’ve already done. But, if you just won’t settle for that, what do you think this list missing? Any thoughts?

Very cool campagins

This is the most beautiful, inspiring video I have ever seen. It gave me chills. Do yourself a favor and watch this.

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science."

"Love your pics on facebook. I saved 2 today.” - Email from my grandma. Would be so creepy if it were from anyone BUT my grandma."

The best version of ‘Friday’ I’ve seen. Notice the QR code in the performance?