Love, Happiness and Truth

I had a clear head when I sat down to write this. I don't now. See, it was going to be another advice piece - as I am want to do - but I don't have advice so much as I have a request: Please make things.

Create something where there was nothing before. Add to the world in a positive way.

I tried to come up with an analogy involving cheese for this line. It did not go well. Something about aging. You get the idea. But it is worth noting that as I sit - at what is essentially a retirement community (Holler, Maui!) - I find myself clear, motivated and a little saddened.

It's very late.

Okay, here's where the post actually starts.

I've done many things. I'm proud of my life. I've lived enough that three would be exhausted and done things the likes of which most would only dream. I am proud of my accomplishments, my experiences, and I have become strong because of the terrible and wonderful things I've experienced.

I've created many things; those physical and not. I'm 31. I still feel like a child. Which is 80% good! I still dream and can still see the good in the world first. But like a child, everything I've done has been for me first. I've helped others and been a good man as best I can, but I've yet to create something that is for the first purpose of serving others.

I dance, write, sing, eat, learn and so on for myself, my growth, my benefit first. Even teaching - which allows me to help others - has always been to make myself feel real first. Dance makes me feel alive, as does song and food and learning, while writing makes me feel powerful and... You get the idea. These are all done with positive intent, and mostly end up serving others, but I find I want to do more.

My guiding light or some other such analogy that fits here. I've been looking for something bigger than myself to pilot the ship of my dreams and here, today, I find what that is, and find that it was right in front of me all along. Love, truth and happiness. As long as I've done right by me and mine - especially me - everything I've created and done has been with the intent to create those three things: love, truth and happiness for others. I am most happy when I entertain, when I bring joy and help others realize their potential or help others in any way. Simply put: time to make it a job, this business of helping.

This year I will begin the shift to a career in motivation and inspiration. I will write books and throw 4 conventions of varying sizes and types with the purpose of helping people discover their greatness, their worth and their place in life. Basically a Tony Robins with a slightly smaller head or a TedX with a whole lot more crowd participation. I've always had a knack for believing in people and encouraging folks and helping others reach new levels of their potential. It makes sense for me to do this as a focused career.

My operator is love and truth. Love for self and those things and people you hold most dear, and the simplest truths that make us who we are.

I give a great deal of myself to the things and to the people I love. I do this because I believe in what I am and what I stand for. I am here to help others find their happiness and their worth. I am good at doing just that, and I am proud of that.

My business is to create belief in ones self, to create love and help guide you to knowing the truths that make up who you are. Alone we are great. Together we are mighty. Together we will create a better world.

My goals are simple for year one.
1. Write 3 books.
2. Produce a festival that celebrates you, me and us and what makes us real and amazing.
3. Quit my day job and focus on the arts and motivation/inspiration.
4. Make $50,000.

That's enough for now. It's late and I'm well past my quota for declarative statements.

Thank you for your time.

Have the best day you've ever had.

Day 14 - Penny Arcade

I have many people I look up too, but for art and right out "being a dork," my heart sorta belongs to Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik of Penny Arcade. Truth, I did have to google how to spell Mike's last name. I chose now to bring them up because the 18th of this month, Penny Arcade celebrated its 15th year, being founded November 18th 1998. Notably, their 15th brought out some sweet swag and Mike also redrew the original strip (below). Truth 2, I did buy the commemorative swag, and to reiterate: it is, indeed, sweet.

the first penny arcade strip

the 15th anniversary edition

Penny Arcade, for the uninitiated, is a web comic that centers around mostly gamer culture and the regular mutilation of one or more of the two main characters. The two main characters, though not at first, are loosely, and sometimes dead on, the series creators and heads, Mike and Jerry (Gabe and Tycho, respectively). Penny Arcade's subject matter and sense of humor and timing is right up my alley, ranging from crass, violent and dirty to poignant, witty and sentimental. Mike draws and does punch up, while Jerry writes and co-conceptualizes, typically churning out 3 comics a week!

I wasn't there from the beginning. I tuned in once, thought it was cool and didn't really latch on as I was afraid of sinking further into my true geek side. I'm not being cute, I really was afraid. I first heard about the site and strip during my fifth week of college, 2004, from my first room mate, Coco. Coco was solid gold, and what I like to refer to as a "gateway nerd." More on that later. It wasn't until only two years ago that I checked the site out again, but it wasn't the comic that I first latched on to. It was Penny Arcade - The Series. Even if you aren't a gamer, the series is worth a look. The PA team is involved with and has created many things that are good and amazing (PAX, Child's Play, Strip Search to name a few), but today it's all about The Series.

penny arcade the series - season 1, episode 1 - The Pilot, pt 1

The Series is a backstage look at Penny Arcade, primarily focusing on Mike and Jerry, but branching out to the other incredible members of their staff in their day-to-day and special events. Though it does have the air of stalker-ish to say, you really get to know the cast and crew of the Penny Arcade family. The Series showcases damn-near everything, from PAX footage (Penny Arcade Expo...more on that later), to office work, to specials on pranks (Pepsi, 'nuff said), the office ping-pong matches (no shit), and even weddings and family life and more. There was even an especially powerful episode that talked about Mike and Jerry's life with anxiety/depression (something that most dorks, me included, know a thing or two about), and their experience and opinions about a particular serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (Lexapro). On the real, they share their lives, both professional and private, and it's interesting and entertaining the whole way through. Like many who are fans of their work, I felt like I was given a confidence boost, even a pass to be a geek, watching the series. It was an inside scoop and sort of comfort to see brilliant, talented, good people as the spokes-folks for gamers and nerds, as it were.

penny arcade the series - season 1, episode 18 - Drugs

In no small way, they made me unafraid, even helped me become proud to be passionate about what I love. For me, and for a boat load of the world, games matter just as much as any medium. They were my escape and favorite form of story-telling growing up, and that has stuck with me now that I'm in my 28th year. I've felt every emotion through gaming, just as much as I had from books, TV and the big screen. Games matter for so many reasons that I don't need to go into now. But for some reason, they're still touted as a waste of time, and those that are passionate about them even more so. Yes, it's gotten better since I was a kid, no question, but it's only been a year or three where I can confidently take my 3DS out in a public place and receive only a small glance and harrumph from the occasional doink. Penny Arcade has become something of the pioneers for us, the gamers and geeks, creating a powerful and positive beacon on the planet for anyone who is/was/will be passionate about gaming, and being proud of who you are. For me and many others, Penny Arcade has helped us grow.

In recognition of their 15 years, I don't have much to give, but you have my thanks, and my admiration. Thank you to Mike Krahulik, Jerry Holkins, and the entire Penny Arcade family. You're doing so many wonderful things, making the world for so many so much brighter.

This is just a small, minute really, taste of PA. It's just the first thing that got me hooked. If you're interested, please check out the videos above, and follow the link below to hit their website.

http://www.penny-arcade.com/

Thank you for your time, those of you that made it this far.

Andrew

Day 6 - Bad Gyro Man Bad!!!

Don't eat at Arabian Nights. Don't you do it! $8 for a tiny gyro that gave me the greatest case of rot gut I've had this side of the flu. It had almost no taste up front, was burnt, and the after-taste was closer to a rectum packed with onions than anything else. Don't eat there. That is all.

With my energy sapped that's to Bad Gyro Man, I've been hard pressed to get much done today. Though I did get to spend another couple of hours in Scott and Domeka's improv class, which is always a good thing. Not much to say there, other than I really love being there. Really, I miss performing and I'm glad I'm getting more opportunities to do so.

My head is cloudy and my gut is roiling. Not digging this. Mostly been prepping things for completion on the morrow. It's a good thing. Tomorrow is another round of teaching my freaking amazing students at the best dance studio I've ever been a part of (Vega Dance + Lab for the win. www.vegadancelab.com). No matter the blah that could happen during the week, Vega cures what ails ya.


I'm a geek, and therefor I love video games. I love them the same way I love books and movies and stories in general. They are more than my escape, they are my safe place, an inspiration and refreshingly frivolous. So when I snag one that stands out, I latch on. This year I've found so many drops of the juice, lemme tell you. Those that have been standing out have been presenting real consequences and challenges that you'd find in the good ol real world. Guns in The Last of Us are probably the best example. You get a hand full of bullets in the beginning, when you fire it's loud and unnerving, and knowing that last bullet could be the one that saves you from certain death gives a real weight is just a snazzy poke in the gullet.

It is my favorite mechanic/hook in games: scavenging. It's the ability to go beyond looting; to take the pieces of armor/chiton/scrap metal/fabric/hyde etc. and use them to make yourself stronger. It makes the world more important to you. To me, it makes each kill more humanizing and the opposite. It makes some see monsters/enemies as nothing more than equipment, makes them worth risking their life, makes player-created items all the more impressive to you and yours, and enriches the experience. Taking something from something else to create or bolster something new is a win. You're creating a functional trophy, one that just might save that skin of yours.

Now think about if you could scavenge/harvest etc aspects of other players. A huge dynamic shift. More on that later. The gyro is back. Ow.

PS. HabitRPG is gold. Level 6. Got an Axe, leather armor, wooden shield and a pet red panda. Score.

Day 4 - Wanting as a Career

Another day, another...actually, today was incredibly productive. The funny thing about getting another year older was a new found understanding of schedule. A real appreciation too! I'm freaking stoked to get things done. No stress and increased productivity while still relatively young? Win.

That all being said, I took my first real step in some time toward a professional writing career. I finally wrote my damn query letter. And it's good! I'm pleased. I had help of course, and I'm really grateful for it (thank you, Sena). Tomorrow I send it to the fist-full of agents who are accepting new clients. Then I hope and wait and want until something happens, all the while working on my game. School will help and all, but being proactive and organized starts well before winter term. I can't let myself...Scratch that. I won't fall into old habits because I've felt how good a clear plan is. 

HabitRPG continues to please. I'm level 4, gettin' shit done, and got me a fancy wooden shield, a sword and some leather armor. Win. Really loving this ARG.

No guitar today. My fingers hurt like hell. Back to it tomorrow.

I keep coming up with franchise ideas. I like 'em all. No, they're not all polished, but they each possess at least a tiny sparkle that I can refine into solid gold at some point. I'm feeling good about my abilities and feeling open to foster them. The way I make it easy for me, make it flow, is to build the world first. Create its fundamental truths, usually through a cool character, then I build the world around them. I can actually see many of them becoming real a great deal sooner than I'd thought before. Feels good to be out of the funk.

The next part is getting back to the physical side of things. I've had plenty of time to heal the ol' gum-hole and jawline (thank you wisdom teeth), and I've been given the green light to head back to Crossfit and Muay Thai (big ups to Black Rose and Aaron. One of the best things I've ever done is hitting that gym - http://blackrosecrossfit.com/Home_Page.html). I've been feelin' the itch this week; that bundle of anxious energy that comes from eons of hunter instinct (and decades of video games and kung-fu flicks), welling up in my belly. So happy to head back Tuesday.

Why not tomorrow? Cause it's query letter send off day. Need a new type of paycheck, one that I created myself. I work freelance, and in my family's business (which I'm insanely grateful for). But this journal is for me to be honest, and while I'm happy to help and to be helped, it's time I made my way into my own career. I create, interpret, teach, perform and inspire. It's what I love to do. 

I will make my movies, my plays, dances, shows, comics, books, festivals, students, school and my own path. I have felt my feet on the ground and tasted the air as I move further down the road toward my destiny. I can see my future finally and it's one filled with friends and family and my dreams that have all come true. Life is a malleable and unpredictable bitch that rarely listens, but I'm finding that is less of the case when you allow things their time. Dreams are to be encouraged, followed and most of all, allowed to mature as they will. There is a difference between force and passion, and only now, in this 28th year of mine, do I see the difference and have I the faculty to make it so.

Things are good and only getting better. I'm a good man finally, and well on my way to becoming the person I've always known I can be.

It's been a good day.

Day 3 - Blisters

"I'm tired, son," the 28 year old said to no one. "These bones of mine ache is ways they should yet without the abundance they do."

I've been hitting this teeter-totter thing as of late. One group of friends gets sick, and I follow suit. I heal. Another group of friends gets sick. See where I'm going with this? Meh, it's just annoying, nothing big. 

Took my pants off in a room full of tattooed men today. Thought that would sound more "woah" in my head. Meh. I had my consultation for my new tattoo today, and lucked out that I'd already made my first appointment months ago. T-Day, as it were, is December 19th and I'm looking at a leg sleeve, ankle to mid thigh. Ouch, yes. Also fairly pretty and badass. Anyhow, talking over the "what to expect" and price has further pushed my ever-growing budget conscious side. I like saving for things tangible. It's very exciting, I swear! Oh, also: fuck, I'm scared of how much this'll hurt. Stoked and scared. It's a good thing. The guy is a freak of nature talent, I'm in good hands, and it's happening soon. Woot.

More on this habitRPG thing. It's day 4 I think. My guy now has leather armor and a sword, and I just unlocked the ability to get drops. Drops are what usually fall from monsters, post ganking. In this case, the monsters are your habits, dailies, etc. I got a freaking panda in an egg! Then a magical potion that could hatch him...as a skeletal creature. Not thrilled, but still cool. This program is really motivating the crap out of me. There will be more on this.

With all this in mind, as it gets colder, I'm finding myself sinking into a nice day-to-day. I've never had one of those. Most of my jobs have been scattered, the same with my passions. I have never really had a set schedule, save for school (which I'm very much looking forward to getting back to this winter). The thing I'm noticing most is that I'm happier. It's really simple and yeah, I know that structure giving someone clarity isn't a new concept, but I'm new to it. I like it. I feel like an adult. I can see my path more clearly these past few days. I'm very excited to see what the next few months hold.

Day 3 into learning guitar. My fingers fuckin' hurt! Could only erk out about a half an hour before I got pissed at my digits. But seriously, Rocksmith is a win. Get yours today. Really. Do it. Now. Here, I'll help: http://www.amazon.com/Rocksmith-2014-Guitar-Bundle-PlayStation-3-Playstation/dp/B00F9GPZP0/ref=sr_1_8?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1384064608&sr=1-8&keywords=rocksmith 

I need to perform. It's eating at me. My +1 moment of the week, I feel, has been my reaching out to things I need. Specifically: massage envy (win), and my attempt to acquire another dance mentor. I've had a great many teachers and supporters, but I've never had a real male role model in solo dance (Steven and Mikey, I miss you guys. Lindy Woot). There will be more on that later, for sure, but I done good here. I'm pleased and proud with/of myself for swallowing my timid nature and asking for help. 

This scattered post is brought to you by the good folks at "Sick With a Smile," an Andrew Slac joint.

Oh, and my back is tight as all hell after hitting the rink yesterday. Such a blast. One of the best nights in a while. I hear tell and look forward to what's next, which threatens to be laser tag / go-carts. But truly next is the good ol' Good Foot for soul night next Friday. But more on that, as well, later. A powerful hunger calls. Starvin' over here. Also, my kitchen reeks and is in need of a scrubbin'. 

I must away.

Day 2 - Short and Long

I'm one for the blitz, the overkill, the shotgun blast. Always have been. Paring my life down has been, and will continue to be, something of a chore. I have it written somewhere that just because I'm narrowing my focus, it doesn't mean that I'll be limiting myself from new things. I'm still fairly narrow minded there. C'est la vie. I'm working on it.

In my pursuit of happyness, I've made a great many friends. The crew I currently roll with is solid gold. I'm talking local and the regular hang. Zach, Sara, Sena, Aaron. Such a group, let me tell you. All talented in a weird, sorta freakish way, these four have helped me see who I am and who I can become. Both are good.

The best part is that we're all enablers. We enable each other to both excel at our passions (whether that's through encouragement etc or actual assistance), and to do new/random/stupid/excellent shit. Case in point: Roller Skating. I've been a fan for a while, never consistent but always enthusiastic. Tonight we hit a personal favorite of mine: good ol' Oaks Park (http://www.oakspark.com/roller-skating.html). If tonight is the right night (can never remember the dj schedule) then the jams will be just right for me to fall on my ass and laugh. Honestly, I'm stoked.

This HabbitRPG thing is giving me the strangest burst in productivity. It's too early to tell, but only a couple of days into it and I'm feeling that gamer itch. I'm now level 3, and I'm excited to accomplish my tasks. I have proposed this several times, but I feel that life itself should have an exp bar with associated rewards. When I say this, I'm usually met with (skill and cash are you rewards for your experience in real life). Eat a dick, it's not the same thing. I can't slay things in real life unless I go hunting! Which brings me to another interesting franchise that is another boost in my creativity.

Seriously...I can't praise this enough. My favorite anime in years (which is saying something these days, lemme tell you). It's smart, charming, refreshingly real if you're a dork, well designed, blah, blah, etc.

Simple premise: SAO is THE new VMMORPG (v is for virtual) in the not too distant future. 10000 people log-on launch day, finding themselves in a stunning fantasy game. The world is just as true as real life, but you get the added benefit of being a bonafide badass in short work. The twist is that not one person can log-out, and if you die in the game, you die in real life! Also, if someone tries to unplug you in real life, you're fucked too. It adds a real weight to something that I've found refuge in for so many hours, a real consequence, something tangible and frightening. Also, it makes me droll just a tad. The only way for the characters to log-out, is for them to clear the 100 floors and beat the end-game boss at the top. I'll no-doubt do a whole thing on this anime at some point, so I'll leave it there with the plot. I love the show, love the premise and Reki Kawahara is my freaking hero. Way to gift the world something fresh and two of my favorite characters of all time (Kirito and Asuna).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_Art_Online

I'm finding, as I narrow, that I'm surrounded by amazing things that are pushing me forward. As I relax, I find that I don't need to work as hard to force anything. It all comes naturally. A lot of people already know that, but I sure didn't. It feels good to trust in the process. 

Day 1 - In The Beginning

A new project. The short is that I am, once again, trying to focus and keep direction. I'm a tad more mature and driven this time around, so we'll see how this one goes. I'm both stoked and clear on pretty much everything, so here's me jumping in.

I want to make movies, cartoons, video games, comics and books. I want to perform and teach, play the guitar and be happy. It's pretty simple. Art degree it is. Encompasses everything I want to do and gets me good and sure up on the such that I need/want to be good at. Simple.

I like these ARG (augmented reality games) that are getting so popular. I've tried tons. Plant Nanny (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/plant-nanny/id590216134?mt=8) has pretty well stuck. It's like Pokemon for dehydrated obsessives. Score. Mostly, I'm into this new one called HabitRPG (http://habbitrpg.com). It's slick and 8-Bit, which means I get aroused (which is always a bonus and I really hope you know I'm kidding [mostly]). Simple premise: you sign up (easily connected to facebook), you get a little customizable avatar and basic gear (wooden sword and clothes ftw) and you input your life as +'s and -'s. + gets you EXP (experience) and money, - makes you loose HP. Loose too much HP and you die. Seriously. You die. Your avatar is 86ed and you have to start over. I dig it.

(not my character. just an example.)
You use money to buy real life privilages (in my case: junk food for 1 gold or dining out, or a new video game for 20, which I'll probably up to 30.) Eventually, so I'm told, you can buy pets. Which is good, because I can't own one in my apartment and, let's face it, a man needs a pet.

That's the gist. So far it's fun and it's keeping me on task. go check it out for yourself and let me know what you think.

The second part of all of this is an actual purpose for this blog. It's really just for me. I've tried topical posts before, but an unfocused blog with an agenda is kinda bunk. So, it's just a diary from here on out. It's just to keep me accountable and keep my fingers typing when I'm riddled with writers block. Healthy choice, feels right, simple as that.

Lastly, I sought out a dance mentor. I've had a few of these over the years, all good at something else, all encouraging, all wonderful. The one that I've been most frightened of is a Jazz instructor. Jazz is my jam. I love it, and I feel best doing it. Problem is, I care most about it. Seem silly? It is. Intimidated that I wouldn't be good enough. Pushed that aside, reached out to a Mr. Daniel Brown (who is, in short, a bamf [urban dictionary that shit]). He's agreed to take me on and I'm stoked. Can't talk highly enough about him.

Things are moving in the right direction for the simple reason that I'm finally making them. Feels good. Simple as that.

Agent? Money? Head Exploding? HARD WORK!

There is a spray-painted banner in Black Rose (my crossfit-gym), that reads: "hardworkhardworkhardworkhardwork" and so on. Like any cheese-ball, inspiration-hungry, word hyphen word geek, I do my best to stare a hole into that banner every time I'm in for a good ol' asshyphenkicken. And I know that those words are the key to success...but I really want a magic formula.

But really, a magic formula? There isn't one, as it turns out, not to success.

The best you can do is work hard and hope to high-fuck that someone likes your work. For a creative professional (or an aspiring one, for that matter), this only mildly boils the brain.

You work hard, you put yourself out there, you think you've created something good (and probably have done just that), but you still aren't rollin' in the ching-chang...money... I'm right there, right now and it had/has been driving me kinda loopy. Honestly, its been throwing me off for a few months. I kept thinking "All I need is an agent!" After I had been thinking "All I need is a publisher!" After I had been thinking "All I need is to finish my book!" I've got the book, but no publisher or agent, and only today did I get some clarity! "All I need is hard work!"

I may have been dealing with some bigger stuff that was hampering me, but I'm stronger than that and damn smart enough to know that I can't stop. I need to push forward especially when things are horrid.

Yeah. I know. It's simple and a fairly face-palm-epiphany that you hear from the day you take on your first chore, to the day you retire, until you're telling your grand-kids the same such.

I always forget that part. Life is not a movie, you don't (generally) strike it rich out of the gate as a creative kind, or have those parents/friends of parents/bang Sandra Bullock in The Proposal (loved that movie, actually...seriously...) that get you into the big leagues. I always forget because I don't register failure, I think, which is both good and bad...but that's for later.

The two things that kick me forward lately are inspiring speeches (always loved these, actually, and here's a good one: http://youtu.be/zuBSRC1zpHw ), and finally...finally listening to other professionals. Both say the same thing that no one wants to hear because they know it's the truth: Keep drying, don't give up etc...

Disney once said, "Keep moving forward..." and yes, a million others have said the same thing. They're all right, it's all sound, and I'm doing my best to listen.

Step 1: Make use of what I already have. Material and talent wise. Things will develop from there.

Step 2: Maintain these things. Repetition.

Step 3: Inspire these things. Feed the obsessive talent-hungry monster in my gut. I'm good at this one.

Step 4: Check back in on maintenance. I'm very bad at this part.

Repeat forever while taking time to relax and enjoy it all. I forget this too.

I'ma try this. I really feel like it's time to grow up. More on that later.

Who I Am 1

Today is a little tangent. I needed to write something and this is what came out. Here we go.

I believe it was the great Popeye who said, "I am what I am and that's all that I am."

The more experienced I get, the more I find out who I am. As it should be. The rough patch is accepting what I'm not. I'm having a hard time with this, the whole "limitations" thing.

I've always wanted to be the best. Period. That's it. Since I was a little kid, I was afraid of being the worst, so I dreamed of being the best at every last thing. And, fair enough, what child doesn't want to be a geneticist-poet-millionaire-playboy-insert-other-cookie-things-here? The rough patch has only reared it's very figuratively-real head within the last two years. Two years ago, I looked in the mirror and thought that I was the single worst thing on the planet (I'm better now, don't worry).

I've been doing some personal work, lemme tell you, and part of that is finding what I'm good at. I'm a part of so many projects (holy crap there's a metric fuck-ton), not to mention the personal maintenance and training I'm going/have had to go through over the past deuce. The whole time, I was trying to find what it was that I truly loved and wanted to dedicate my years too. What I was best and worst at, I needed to know.

SO, the short of it was easy: I wanna be a dancer and writer, over everything else, with inspirational so-and-so thrown in for good measure. 

The thing that makes my life complete (aside from food, friends and good ol' fashioned fun), is the arts. They are the most inspirational thing on the planet, they influence our societies (I'm counting hip hop, of course, and yes, Jersey Shore...seriously), and they make us think. The funny thing is, most people tear down other artists for being different. He's to abstract, to excited, to dark, to modern, to...you get it. And for some time, I was so angry when I heard this. That was until a friend set me right, or at least, opened my eyes and ears. He said (paraphrasing): I love where your heart is at. 

Something about that, the lack of judgement and the abundance of simplicity, something stuck with me. I look out now and I have mostly stopped seeing a group of negative asses. What I see now is a group that lacks the inspiration/confidence to believe in themselves, and so they tear others down. I'm not mad at fear. How could I be? Fear keeps us alive, keeps us from fighting howler monkeys, from eating the molded cheese brick that has been sitting in my fridge for two weeks. How could I be mad at self preservation?

Instead, I've been working to remember his words, and my favorite quote: "I will not reason and compare, my business is to create..." - William Blake. 

The short of it? Who gives a shit about the guy that hates you? What did you think about what you love to do? Was it the best you could give or is tomorrow going to feel better than today? Hippy? Yes! But, it's also something that I've had to teach myself, over and over, until it finally sank in. 

I allowed someone else to tell me what I was good at and what I should be doing. Then I listened to the people who would raise me up as I do for them (hint: these are the people that matter). My life changed and I became powerful. I gained purpose and a confidence that (though I may have bad days) no one can take away from me. 

I am an artist. I'm a writer, a dancer and I will inspire those around me to find their true strength and reach their goals.

If I'm going to the top, you're all coming with me.

Andrew