Being a writer requires an unwavering commitment to telling stories – your own, and others. There’s nothing easy about figuring out life, much less anything worth writing, but something changes after you start.
Writing enabled me to discover who I am at my core. Nobody can know you until you know yourself.
Avoid and ignore anyone who thinks they do. Those people are the most dangerous threat against our ability to coexist productively.
The ship sailed and sunk, but the train only left the station a minute ago and it’s not scheduled to stop.
I don’t know how I feel about that.
Without purpose, you have no business affecting the lives of others. Those who truly love you, will do so unconditionally.
Is that milk on the floor? Are those tears in your eyes?
When someone has no idea what others have been through (or only know a fraction of the details), that’s a great time to listen with an open mind, consider the possibilities, and think.
Like money, words don’t grow on trees. However, words form branches. Branches only go so far as they grow. Every branch sprouts from the same tree, and a single tree has many roots.
Lies Cover, Accumulate, and Pile; but Never Bury the Truth
Nobody buries the truth despite every effort to ignore what they refuse to believe. It starts with one, and that’s all it takes.
Does the end justify the means?
Is Time on Your Side?
Time is the ultimate champion of truth.
Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. What you waiting, what you waiting, what you waiting, what you waiting for?
One day, you’ll turn around and notice a mountain of lies. You’ll be confused, but only because it’s a mountain on top of a bigger truth that’s related to something you thought you buried.
Cherries bury a lot if the boat is big enough.
Eventually, you realize you’re not the only liar and no longer in control. Emotions that you’ve never processed before take over your entire body, and all you know is it doesn’t feel good.
This is your subconscious mind at work.
Eventually, you realize the truth is much bigger than whatever lie you chose to perpetuate.
However, it’s too late.
The mountain – and everything underneath – won’t go away, and it’s hard to ignore – and it won’t go away!
What do I do now? Is there anything I can do? Was it worth it? I'm a good person. What's happening to me?
Does the end justify the means?
No, the answer is no.
You don’t have to answer and your response is none of my business. Besides, the question is rhetorical at this point.
We all have different definitions of what it means to choose wisely.
It’s not up to anyone to change anyone’s mind about anything. Decide for yourself, period. Share your stories. Whether or not they resonate isn’t up to you, but you’ll know if they do.
It’s a blessing to exist in a world where we have free will.
There’s a huge difference between deciding how to feel and being told how to feel – or what to think.
Give yourself more credit, you’re smarter than you think.
The End
Until I turned 40, I thought (not believed) everyone else was smarter than me. I grew up believing that being different was wrong. How did I become so evil?
Why would God make me evil?
Wait…I’m not evil!
You cannot plan an end, just affect one
Don’t take my word for it, just watch Titanic! There were too many passengers and not enough lifeboats. Where do you put your cherries?
Take your time, the ship is sinking.
I thought I could only learn from others, but nobody could learn from me. Knowing more and being smarterare two completely separate things.
Welcome to Miracle Arena, otherwise known as Mother Earth, where nobody exists by accident.
You – and all your broken pieces – are here for a reason.
Yes, clichés are annoying. They’re overused, trite, simple, and patronizing truths that nobody sounds smart saying. Then again, I never claimed to be smart. Here comes another!
The truth is, you’re a living miracle.
It takes us nine months to breathe on our own, but our time on Earth is the real womb. It’s time to level-up your effort for the greater good.
Life is poetry in motion and we’re all in this together. It sounds like a bullshit sandwich, but it tastes as good as an orgasm feels.
Believe it or not, it’s your decision.
Born in the USA
The minute you’re born, innocence is lost, and free will is gained. You’re scared, confused, and crying. You have no control over any part of your situation.
The worst part about the entire ordeal is that the ordeal is your reality.
From that moment on, you make decisions – all day, every day, for the rest of your natural born life. You’re now free to fuck up your life, along with the lives anyone else you can depress.
It’s easier than you think!
Houston, we have a problem. A big one.
You have exactly until you die to become someone you’re proud to be.
Your World Revolves Around You
Being the master of your universe comes with responsibility, and therein lies the problem.
It’s not difficult to think you’re important, but to believe you are is entirely different.
Behave accordingly. Act like a miracle if you want to be one.
When someone acts important while being completely oblivious of how they affect others, bad things happen. It happens to families and friendships all the time, but damage caused by self-absorbed behavior extends far beyond those immediately affected, eventually.
Look in a mirror long enough that you don’t destroy the person staring back. Take time to see what’s in the mirror before you break it.
Care about others, but worry about yourself. Whatever you do (or believe or share or plan or desire or try or say) is a reflection of the relationship you have with yourself, which ultimately manifests itself in any and all relationships you have with others.
Be the person you want to know.
Live a life you’re willing to defend. Don’t lie to yourself, it doesn’t work. The truth always finds its way to the surface. There is such a thing as ‘too little too late.’
You are the company you are.
We all have choices and I’ve chosen to be pro-life to the extent that I care about mine.
Cherries bury a lot if the bowl is big enough.
A Miracle & the Bouquet of Bullshit
It’s scary as hell to not have all the answers. I sure don’t, but the more I search my soul, the more comfortable I am with myself…and everything I remember ever happening to me. Time; it takes time, and I’ve been busy. It hasn’t been easy. Bold decisions have a way of bringing out your best.
In your conscious being, the eyes you use to see – those are yours. The brain you use to think – that is yours. The heart you use to hurt – that is yours. The soul you will always be – that is yours.
Everything else is ancillary; everything else is there for your benefit. I know that sounds selfish, but it’s not. It makes everything else significant.
Everyone exists to teach you lessons and give you ideas. Everything and everyone else exists to allow you an opportunity to improve and help you find your place in the world.
Everything we dislike or disagree with are there to help us recognize our own flaws.
Do You Believe in Miracles?
Take time for yourself. Nothing about your life has anything to do with anyone else, except yourself. Accept yourself. If you think I’m full of shit, I’ll leave you with this: You haven’t tried hard enough.
You have exactly until you die to become someone you’re proud to be.
When I hear someone speak with unabashed enthusiasm, it’s inspiring. Passion creates action. Action creates reaction.
There’s nothing better than jumping into something you love with both feet.
Coloring by Travis Garrod; Devilish Smirk
Welcome to Your Atmosphere
I just turned 43. If I count the time I spent in utero, that’s nearly 16,000 days on this planet. I survived incubation only to be pushed out of a womb and intothe world.
Ever since, I’ve been forced to deal with people. It happens to all of us.
Kidding aside, the rules of life are easy. The loopholes take a lifetime to learn.
Shitty people are a whole other beast, but they’re an unfortunate obstacle we encounter on a daily basis.
How we deal with difficult situations defines us as individuals. Just because life flings poo my way doesn’t mean I’m going to shit on anyone. Plus, I won’t shit in public.
Fact is, we’re damn lucky to inhabit this planet. If you’re reading these words, you’re luckier than billions of less fortunate souls you may never know.
It’s Time to Care
I thrive in a positive atmosphere, and I think that’s true for almost anyone. The challenge is creating that atmosphere. If you’re not feeling it, you’re wasting your time.
In other words, focus your energy on things that make you feel something. That’s where passion starts and the seeds of momentum take root.
When nurtured, momentum grows like a weed. Left unattended, weeds get out of control and before you know it, you’re in a messy place you’d rather ignore than deal with. Eventually, you’re that person with a million ideas nobody wants to hear.
Passionate People Make Things Happen
At first, I had it backwards. Writing made me happy, but not happy with myself. I didn’t understand that until I took a break from writing to focus on myself.That’s what I did in St. John.
I rediscovered myself. In a sense, I was reborn. When it happened, I knew it. It was better than any runner’s high and, quite frankly, better than any drug I’ve ever tried.
The lesson was clear. Any passion found before you’re passionate about yourself risks getting lost in the wake you leave once discovering yourself. That’s when passion becomes palpable.
Passion Drives Success
Certain things will never work without passion. Lifeis fulfilling only after you care about yourself. Careersthrive when people love what they do. Relationshipslast when couples are on the same page. Communication is key.
With that hat trick under your belt, you can begin to change your world. Now is not the time to take life for granted. Focus your energy to make a positive impact in any way you can.
Easier Said Than Done
A friend recently told me she didn’t have the energy in life to reinvent herself. She didn’t feel capable of doing that right now. She said she wasn’t putting off a passion, but unfulfilled at work and stuck in a job she hates.
It’s dehumanizing when your efforts are exhausted for the benefit of others. I’ve been there. I co-founded a company where I spent 15 years gaining experience in a cutthroat, disgusting industry of a bullshit software known around the world as SAP. SAP is basically a Ponzi scheme that boils down to nothing more than high stakes poker.
Not every risk is worth taking. My younger self was naïve enough to do it. I was in my first entry level corporate job after graduating college. I was there five months and I was kicking ass. Long story short, I was cock blocked from a promotion because policy required one more month in my current position.
So, I quit.
The timing was impeccable. Everything happens for a reason.
I co-founded the company that gave me 15-years of the best experience I could have ever dreamed of having.
Eventually, we sold. After the purchase, I wasn’t as bold. I took the job like a little bitch and moved to Arizona where I was shoved in a corner. They refused to give me a contract. My responsibilities were stripped and my pay was cut.
I was promoted twice and received an outstanding review where I was told I should be next in line for a C-level position. Then shit hit the fan and I was laid off in a corporate game of chess.
The timing was impeccable. Everything happens for a reason.
That’s when I registered Devilish Smirk. Now, I’m on Instagram and I post publicly on Facebook. I still have Twitter and LinkedIn.
Simple Lessons Learned the Hard Way
I’ve talked to too many people who’ve given up whatever it is they used to love in order to pacify the expectations of others. I know extremely talented people who’ve lost the bright light that used to shine from within. Nothing kills the light faster than slamming the door on opportunity.
Sculpture: “The Optimist” by artist Steven Lee Smeltzer. Photo by Owner, Travis Garrod; Devilish Smirk
Welcome to the Matrix
Life is nothing more than virtual reality.
Nobody crosses paths by accident.
Keep your eyes open for the Easter eggs.
The signs are all around you, every day.
No, you’re not crazy.
Bold decisions may be required.
It almost feels like a sick joke, but I have a Devilish Smirk.
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