Taking the Next Step

We often have dreams or goals, images of how we would like our lives to look like down the road. But it is often difficult to design or map out just how we will get there. We forget the life, even though its much more grand in scale, is like any other project we have set out to complete in the past. It is impossible to accomplish everything at once. We can't close our eyes, snap our fingers, and when we open them be swimming in our infinity pool in the back of our Malibu mansion (yes, that is a goal of mine, don't judge). We must take life step by step while weighing the significance of the present over that of the past and future.

The future is merely an image in our heads of what may or may not occur. It doesn't exist until we arrive there. The only time that is real is now. Sure, it's ok to set goals, and even to create some sort of outline on how to achieve them... step by step. Goals and dreams are important, and if we choose to go after them, which I hope you will, we must attack them methodically.

I have begun to make moves, take chances, and am anxious and excited to see where they end up. That is what life is about, a multitude of chances inside one majestic chance. We can't get everything we want at once. Sure, you can stumble upon a winning lottery ticket that banks you millions of millions. But at the end up the day you will still want for something, whether it be of monetary value or not that you cannot get right away. That's human nature, for us to want something we don't already have, a lot of which we don't really need. But happiness is achieved when we apply our common sense and proficiencies towards our goals, pace ourselves, and persevere until we achieve them. Don't let criticism fall on deaf ears, but also don't let it harm your desire. Allow it to force you to fight that much harder and improve that much more.

A Nation's Discovery of Patriotism: What Is It?

MySpace Celebrity and Katalyst present The Presidential Pledge


What is patriotism? Have many of us experienced it? Do we know what it truly is? Especially those that are considered minorities in this country, was there ever a real feeling of the red, white, and blue? The dictionary definition of patriotism, is the 'love or devotion to one's country.' But have we ever been in love with or devoted to the United States of America? Maybe it was hard to be devoted to this nation throughout some of its choices. Often times, history seems marked more sternly by bruises and mistakes than by progress. Like a young child stung by its past experience and by pattern, perhaps the people of this nation needed a change in this pattern to finally honor such a word, really, such a service, than patriotism is.

Throughout my life the answer to the questions "Where are you from?" or "What is your background?" has always been a foreign country, often times a multitude of foreign countries. Being a 3rd generation American citizen on one side, and 2nd generation on the other side, I would fumble with the answer. I always wanted to say, "Hey, I'm American," but no one was ever satisfied with that response. Maybe now they will be. Sure, the US is a country that is defined by its diversity, but shouldn't that be a blessing or seen as a positive characteristic rather than a confusing factor in understanding our past? But, maybe, until now, a country that has fought to honor people of all backgrounds hadn't really started to achieve its goals. Maybe now, people of all colors and religions can feel love and devotion for this country. Maybe now we can realize that President-elect Obama is right in saying we all have to be a part of change. We all have to show our patriotism and display our love and devotion to this country, to this country where yeah, anything is possible. So let's all do our small part, let's all be proud of the part we already put forth. And maybe, the next time someone asks you what you are, maybe one of the first replies out of your mouth will proudly be, "I am American."

And how do we change the world you ask? In the words of the great Morgan Freeman, "One random act of kindness at a time."

The Bye Week Means Nothing

Another NFL postseason, another year proving that in the modern day league, the first round bye is not a privilege, but just hinders the team's momentum, builds rust, and makes the team look unprepared and ultimately foolish come game day. Assuming the Steelers don't win the Super Bowl, it will now be 4 straight seasons where a 1 or 2 seed will not win the big game. And as of now in this years playoffs, bye week teams are an astounding 0 for 3, and all 3 have looked just downright sloppy.

I am sick to my stomach with the way the Giants offense played in this game, and I think a lot of it rests on rust and game plan. What was the game plan really? Can anyone tell me, because I am still baffled. Pound the ball, be rather successful in the run game, but at the crucial points and downs, abandon the run and go with clogged up pass plays? On 4th downs and short, not have a clue on how to pick up those inches? And welcome back Eli Manning of old. Not the guy who stormed through last year's playoffs, was a rock in the Super Bowl, and quietly led the Giants through a successful 2008 season. No this was the guy we used to know. The guy who threw off his back foot, misread coverages, and missed key throws in key situations. He looked rattled, he looked inexperienced, he looked rusty to say the least. With two weeks a team should be ready right? They should have an extensive, well thought out game plan correct? Everyone should be healthy and ready to roll. No. I don't know exactly why, but this bye week did nothing to help the Giants. It slowed them down, made them look confused, and put way too much pressure on the defense, that might I say played their hearts out most of the game. Thank you Steve Spagnuolo, as I assume, this will be our last game as the Giants' defensive coordinator, you deserve a head coaching gig.

Another sport, another one of my teams losing out to a Philadelphia franchise. This is a blog so I am going to try and keep it clean. But man do I dislike that city. Their fans, their players, their teams. I am nauseated.

So is the bye week really a prize? Should teams really work their asses off all season to earn one? I say no. In the modern day NFL the bye week means nothing, it might even do more bad than good. As the teams without that extra week keep on rolling, the teams who smiled after earning a playoff privilege, were embarrassed in front of their home crowds.