ExploreTruth.com

Creating Your Own Bucket List: 50 Things To Do Before You Die

Close your eyes. Really..try it(after you read the next few lines). Close them and imagine that you are 80 years old, and you are with your family, a few close friends, around a table decorated with your favorite food.  People are smiling and laughter thickens the air around you …Hmmm…I’m thinking mexican, italian, or better still something curried, piled high on my plate, provided all your teetth still work.  But this is your vision…..

The sun is quietly setting outside the window behind you, and as you glance at the latest addition to your grandchildren tugging at the hem of your pant leg, you think to yourself…

Well…

What exactly to you imagine you will think to yourself? What things are you happy you have done with your life, and what things do you wish you had done?

In all honesty I’ve asked myself that question a few times throughout my life, and was recently reminded of it, in full color, after watching this video here.

This exercise is neither intended to be morbid, nor suggest that your life lacks something.  But I find that it helps me sharpen my focus concerning the things I truly value, have always wanted to do, but sometimes just get lost within the shuffle of living life.

Whether or not you’ve seen the movie, Bucket List, you may have at some point either heard of people writing down the things they’ve always wanted to do in life before they die, or you’ve done it yourself.  The term bucket list, comes from the term “kick the bucket,” signifying the end of our lives.  I’ve also noticed the term Life List used interchangeably.  Yeah…maybe not a favorite topic among friends.  But showing up on your eightieth birthday with a list of regrets is no fun either.

Things To Consider When Creating Your Life List

You may be tempted to begin scribbling down things randomly like:

• Go bunji jumping
• Running the Boston marathon
• Marrying Nia Long(maybe that’s just me)

I used to do just that before beginning this blog.  Scribbling dreams on random pieces of paper when I was having near suicidal thoughts at my cubicle work station.  It was sort of a calming routine, plus it sometimes tricked me into thinking I was actually knocking some of the things off the list.

But a couple things this journey of exploring truth has done for me, is focus my attention on exactly what my core values are, and develop a better understanding on what I believe.  This in-turn has begun to lay the critical foundation that inevitably has and will continue to challenge, change, and shape some of the goals, and day to day actions I now choose to add to my growing Life list/Bucket list.

We All Have Something Unique To Offer The World, The Goal Is to Find Out What That Is, And Then Live It.

Beginning in the right place

So why are you alive? Why are you here? Seriously, what specific, unique gift to the world, can you and only you give?  I really believe that there is something we all have to offer that is as unique as a finger print.  And when deciding on what things we would like to do before we die, it may serve us best to first consider what our personal mission statement should be.

Understanding your why is so important.  I think of it as the everlasting flame that will fuel the direction and the passion needed to best form, and then accomplish the dreams and goals on your a Life List.

So before we get to writing down a Life List, I think getting maniacally crystal clear on what our core values and beliefs are is extremely important.

#1 Developing Your Personal Mission Statement

If you’re anything like me, you’ve typically thought of a personal mission statement in the context of a large organization.  A statement that explains the reason for why the company even exists, while continuing to keep them on that track.

A personal mission statement basically follows the same sentiments but is applied to your life.  Some personal business so to speak.  And getting to a place where you have this clearly expressed and understood, allows you to be confident in what you say no to.

Actually writing that sucker down may not be a small task.  At least for me, and in hindsight, its taken me a few years of tweaking, honestly evaluating myself, and growing in my awareness of what I felt was ultimately most important in life.  But the clarity you gain is worth it.

4 few pointers I’ve discovered that may help you in writing your own personal mission statement.

• What do you value most?  Write down a list of things that describe you, and then try to narrow it down to just 3 attributes or values.  If you can go even further to sum it up in one theme that’s even better.
• Reflect on your past accomplishments.  Do these give you some clues as to what you value?  Maybe what you did value in the past?
• What are the things you want people to say about you at your funeral.  That you were rich?  Or that you were the kindest person they knew?  Both?
• Finally, just brain storm all the goals and dreams you’ve ever wanted to do or achieve.  These can also assist in helping shape your personal mission statement.

A rough draft of my Life List

In many ways what I discuss on this site embodies my personal mission statement, and in part II of this post I will add a few more thoughts on this topic, share my personal mission statement, and fine tune the 50 items listed here.  It’s a living breathing document, so as we live and grow, change is inevitable.

1. Continue to grow in my understanding of what is truly going on
2. Volunteer oversees
3. Grow a successful media company that successfully creates open minded/non-threatening spaces(online & offline) and media that inspires truth exploration.
4. Become a published writer(beyond this blog)
5. Create an online business(es), around my core values, that also create at least $56,000/yr(short term)
6. Make a documentary film/series
7. Quit an unsatisfying job
8. Be known as someone who loves people w/ a divine like capacity and lives a legacy of service
9. Overcome all fear of dying
10. Become the “healthiest” I have been in my entire life
11. Organize an alternative spiritual community that allows for greater truth exploration and social service
12. Travel to South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia
13. Return to visit Trinidad & Jamaica
14. Start a family
15. Read the bible from cover to cover
16. Live on the water(ocean)
17. Explore the spread of the 3 Abrahamic religions by traveling too and tracing the journey they took.
18. Be conversational in a 2nd language(spanish)
19. Learn a musical instrument(piano)
20. Grow an organic garden that produces all needed produce
21. Plant all my favorite fruit trees on my own property
22. Publish a book of poetry
23. Publish a song
24. Help and see closest family realize their goals
25. Host an art show where some pieces are my own
26. Learn to survive in the wild
27. Actually learn to snowboard(Snowboarded in Washington State & Oregon)
28. Become a better friend and develop better friendships
29. Begin an organization that makes lifelong education common place, and affordable.
30. Earn at minimum
31. “Own” a home (long story, but we may give it another go round soon)
32. Build my own house w/ energy independent & efficient technology
33. graduate  w/ undergrad degree
34. Become an extremely good cook(I’m ok
35. Speak to an audience of over 1000 people(Excel in public speaking)
36. Bench press over 300 pounds
37. Delete the concern of money{Make at least $100,000/yr}(long term)
38. Afford to be able to financially support certain family members
39. Send my parents on the trip of their dreams
40. Start a successful blog
    1. 50 RSS subscribers
    2. 100 RSS subscribers
41. Sky dive out of a plane w/a parachute
42. Sell photography(purchased 1st Nikon DSLR D60 2009)
43. Organize a convention themed around this blog
44. Interview and film my grandmother and grandfather
45. White water rafting in Oregon
46. Learn to sail
47. Go traveling for an extended time(6 months – 1 year)
48. Learn to instantly remember someone’s name
49. Develop sufficient proficiency in the understanding of  philosophy, religion, preventive health care, and finances.
50. Camping under the stars

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Living In A Sports Crazy World

I know I’m going to sound a bit crazy for saying this.  But the sports obsession in the USA and the world for that matter is out of control!

Sometimes the excesses in sports remind me of a sort of strange fundamentalist, religious fervor?  I’ve always felt that there are more than 3 major religions in this world.  And watching 50,000-85,000 people crowd a soccer stadium during world cup is evidence to me that the alters towards our gods come in all shapes and sizes.  And as we heap the minutes, hours, and days of our time upon the fire as willing sacrifices to the exorbitantly inflated salaries of competing athletes, it has to say something about us …right?

Admittedly, I’m a fairly casual sports fan. This doesn’t mean I don’t have other alters of my own. So relax.

Growing up I played basketball, soccer, cricket, chase-the-girls-around-school, and many other sports for fun.  I still remember running suicides during varsity basketball practice, and having epic fantasies of my 5′ 9”(ok, 5′ 8″ ish) frame easily dunking a basketball(It happened once or twice   And yes, I loved watching Michael Jordan sail over the heads of his opponents time and time again, while simultaneously breathing a new hope into the wide eyed faces of a generation.

Yes, I too could be like Mike.

I also recognize the benefits of discipline, lessons of perseverance, or simply a much needed outlet for relaxation or good spirited comradery over a shared jug of one’s favorite beverage.  Yes.  We all need a moment.

But watching the world collectively command the sun to stand still as we waited with baited breath for Lebron James’ Decision was..was…(I mean I still watched it for research purposes) but it was… a bit ridiculous.

And do some lives suck that bad that folks have to resort to burning jerseys to show their devotion?{Old news I know…but still…}

I’m just saying…As long as we have the same intensity when it comes to our lives, and affairs then I’m cool. It’s just when the culture of I-don’t-think-I-have-a-ton-going-on-in-my-life meets dedicating huge chunks of my life and facebook/twitter wall to living vicariously through sweaty mutltimillionaires, that I take issue…AND while I’m at it, lets stop going nuts over Superbowl commercials.  I beg of you.  They’re freaking commercials! (exhaling)…

All I’m advocating is that we paint our faces, and blow some annoying vuvuzelas for the things that are of equal value, or arguably of infinite value: Our lives.

Let us draw real inspiration from the sports giants of our world, but refuse the role of perpetual spectator.

Let us go nuts about discovering our passion, and pursuing our dreams.  Let us organize keg/tea parties for our greatest feats of creativity, displays of strength, and existential dexterity.  Where we become the most valuable players in the ultimate game of discovering truth for ourselves.

Let us get some collective lives. By maintaining a balance that prioritizes whats most valuable in life above other things.  We’re worth more…

Now I’m going to go find a jersey of mine to burn…(Go Lakers)

What do you think?

Pause: Remembering moments from the greatest basketball player of all times:

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Just How It Feels(Sometimes)

I heard a commercial the other day for a drug called cymbalta.  It claimed that if you were feeling grief, guilt, or pain, that you might be a candidate for this drug.  I don’t know about you, but depression commercials make me angry.  But that’s another story.  The commercial had me thinking.

The last few weeks I have been a little more quiet on explore truth, not because I’m clinically depressed, or because I haven’t been thinking about the question of God, or grappling with what and how I believe what I claim to believe.  BUT, I have been working through some recent health concerns that have gotten me down a bit.

And to make things more interesting, the last doctor I visited recently suggested a depression medication because he couldn’t seem to find the answer for the cause of some back pain issues I’ve been having.

I’ve always been relatively healthy, so this is new territory for me.  Going into detail on my particular health issues isn’t the particular focus of this post. However, learning how to respond to the inevitable curve balls, health and otherwise, that life can throw your way, is something worth looking at.

So what have I learned?

I’ve learned first hand that the our health care system has serious flaws.

Not only does not having insurance magnify issues of a marginalized class of people in this country, but a system skewed towards reacting to health symptoms, as opposed to being motivated towards preventative, and more holistic cures, is also vexing.

I am no expert on the nuances of what is right or wrong with America’s health care system, but my recent visits to the doctors office have also bred there fair share of frustration at how little care some doctors express in, well, caring.

All of this has further solidified my desire to become more educated on the measures I, and individuals like myself can take when it comes to understanding their own health, and become their own health experts as it pertains to growing in the area of illness prevention.

I’ve also learned that just because you prefer the walls of your room to close in around you, or wish that the escape of a nights sleep could last just a few hours longer, doesn’t mean that ones dreams, hopes, and purposes go away.

In fact, for me, my recent bout with these shadows of uncertainty, anxiety, and discomfort, have served me with moments of even deeper reflection.  All of which have begun to focus my attention on one of life’s underestimated skills:

Learning how to exercise the power of choice to keep moving forward despite the negative stimuli that life exerts on you.

I am learning that a lot can happen in the space between the things that happen to you, and how you respond to them.  Better understanding this space, separates the life long victim from the overcomer.  Maybe even a life of depression from a season of despair.

I also have been reminded of the importance of not taking the good times for granted. For some reason that has motivated a renewed interest in intentionally remembering all of the good, and awe inspiring things that surround me everyday.

Without pretending to know the depths and plight of true depression, I know that life touches everyone with moments of pain or sadness.  Aren’t we all trying to make it through? Aren’t we all trying to have more moments of laughter and joy despite inevitable pain and uncertainty?  Don’t we all experience those moments when the sounds of music are just warmer, or a kind word of encouragment goes farther than the giver could have ever intended?

I think thats why we draw strength from those who have survived great adversity and continued on.  We desire to know how they did it, and if we could ever manage to do the same.  Something in us refuses to just sit around, waiting to die…

We are all in the same fraternal order.  Initiated at birth, and traveling through life’s highs and lows, towards that point of infinite possibilities.

And when the sun is shining, and all is well in our lives, it sometimes blinds one to an ever present truth.  The truth that people all around us may be going through a private moment of depression, pain, or moments of despair.  This is something I’ve been reminded of.

So I have chosen to share/blog through these dull moments with you, in the hopes you can draw something from them, and that you will dare to return your secrets of survival with me, and those around you.  We all are, or will need them one day, or season, when we least expect them.

What ways do you survive your dark moments? Does your spirituality play a role?  How does your current view of life and all its meaning help in these times?

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TGIF But What Are We Working For?

Work used to make me angry. It was a silent sort of brewing. One that caused me to revert into my shell, silently confused as to my condition. The Monday morning blues never seemed to leave me. Even TGIF’s were always met with a silent and dreaded realization that this weekend would be short lived. Just like the last one.

I don’t think many people are aware of what psychological damage occurs as a result of succumbing to a dead end job. The dull ache, the monotony, the senseless paper shuffling all begging the question.

What am I doing here?

And yes, I’m aware that we are near double digit unemployment as a nation, and that to some I may sound like an ungrateful and unrealistic wacko.  From what I hear, where I live in Florida, the economy hasn’t been this bad since the 70′s.

But here’s my deal.

We spend the majority of our lives working. But unfortunately it’s a topic that gets little attention and serious analysis. For most people that I know, we stumbled in and out of our jobs almost quite randomly. For some, especially in recent economic times, just having a job, has replaced any probing into what and why we remain in occupations that don’t truly satisfy us.

Where did we get our concepts of what work was supposed to be?

It’s been a little over a year since I quit my job of 2.5 years. And today I am still transitioning into a fuller understanding of what it truly means to do work you love, and what that subject entails.  Prior to a year ago I’d worked all kinds of jobs.  From retail, collections rep, customer service rep, office/administration, sales manager, stock boy. During college, I began to investigate various ways to become self employed, or build a small business.  That led me to opening a shop in a flee market, starting a night club promotions business, becoming a real estate agent, trying door to door sales, and network marketing.  My successes and failures were less tied to the types of endeavors I chose, and probably more to do with the the kind of person I was at the time.

I guess somewhere along the way I began to explore the concept of work, and how I wanted to relate to it.  But although I had half the equation right(entrepreneurship), I was still missing something.

I’m Not Blessed

In so many ways I am blessed, but when it comes to being solely motivated by money, that doesn’t seem to cut it for me anymore(Whether in a cubicle or as “my own boss”).  I am no longer the straight hustler that I imagined myself to be in my twenties.  I look at some people now, and making a lot of money, in and of itself, can do it for them.  Money can get them up early and keep them up late.  And I’m not judging that at all.  But the thing that I was missing was a calling, or as Dr. Cornel West puts it, a vocation; something bigger than myself, a passion, a grander vision to propel me through the inevitable monotony that any worthwhile undertaking will bring.

The centrality of vocation is predicated on finding ones voice, and putting forth a vision.  All three are intertwined, vocation, voice, and vision.  I view vocation in stark contrast to mere profession.  Vocation cuts deeper.  – Dr. Cornel West

We all need money right?

I can hear it now, and have heard, and said it before.  I got bills to pay.  I got to keep “bread” on the table.  You’re single, you don’t have a family like I have. I gotta do what I gotta do.

A fairly simple question, with a fairly simple answer right?

Well, I’ll admit to not having all the answers.  Life can be pretty unpredictable.  I guess I’m speaking to the aspects of our lives, that we actually have control over.  The parts that are our reality only because of the way we think, or the habits we have formed.

Solution?

I am simply speaking to the possibility that our best/worst thinking has brought us to the point we are at currently, and that new ways of thinking may open up new possibilities.  Or at least we need to question the philosophy that what you do after the kid phase in life, must be something bared with clenched teeth, and half a smile.  Because lets admit it, most of us do not truly love what we do.

I’d like to hear what you think.  I have more to say on this topic of work.  And hopefully we can get to some ideas of how to better do the things we love.  And dig into what that even looks like.  It’s not all roses and music.

Can we discover a way to actually enjoy the time that will occupy one of the largest parts of our lives?  What sacrifices would that take?  We pay a price either way.

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Exploring Authenticity & Spiritual Marketing with Tony Teegarden Part #2

Part #2 of my conversation with Tony Teegarden(Part #1 here). In this half of our conversation we explored the subjects of authenticity, a cubicle nation, his views on Spiritual Marketing(a term I am new too), and more…

Again, due to a technical issues, some parts are a bit jumpy.

Exploring Clarity, Congruency & Creativity with Tony Teegarden – Part #2 from Veron Graham on Vimeo.

• 0:15 – Defining Authenticity
• 3:03 – Projecting our greatness unto other people
• 4:36 – Tony shares his view on “Spiritual Marketing”
• 8:18 – Tony shares future projects (blogging as a business, & personal coaching)

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Exploring Clarity, Congruency & Creativity with Tony Teegarden

Developing in all aspects of our lives is something that most of us desire, but achieve with varying degrees of success or effectiveness.

Tony Teegarden has helped me grow, particularly in the areas of gaining clarity on my career goals, and developing some important entrepreneurial skills.  I was fortunate to sit down with him(via skype) and catch up on where he is now in his life, and as usual, he dropped a few gems worth careful consideration.

The video is a bit choppy at times, but still very watchable.  Here’s part #1 of our interview.  Hope you enjoy:

Exploring Clarity, Congruency & Creativity with Tony Teegarden from Veron Graham on Vimeo.

Summary of Interview:

• 0:50 – Philosophy on work
• 5:00 – Creativity & congruency as core values
• 7:00 – Gaining Clarity & Advise for those making transition from work to work that connects to core values
• 9:35 – What he’s learned as entrepreneur/solopreneur -
• 10:30 – Getting clear on what kind of life you really want to live?
• 11:30 – Rethinking the Time & Money ratio. Do you have a life?
• 12:59 – Authenticity & life as a blogger

Part #2 of our converssation: Here

What are some things you value regarding your work or career?

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Dogs, Nails, & Secrets To Your Personal Revolution

This blog post is about pain. A lot of pain, but not enough.  It is the kind of pain that will inevitably save you, by inspiring you to your better self.  Transformation.  Sometimes it seems that without these red hot moments of inconvenience, we would go on, simply existing, and forgetting our true condition.

You’ve heard the story about the dog and the nail right? Well, either way, I’m about to tell a rough paraphrased version of it to you.

Ok, gather around boys and girls…

A man had been driving through the country on an old dusty road and was looking for somewhere to rest and stretch his legs.  He had been driving for some hours and had not passed any places where he could rest and recharge.

As the sun started its decent into the afternoon the man saw in the distance a small farmhouse.  As he drove closer he could see an old farmer sitting on a chair looking out into his fields.

The man, who was in need of a break decided he would pull up to the farm and see if he could rest a while.  The man pulled up on the roadside and walked up the well worn driveway.  When he approached the old farmer he asked if he could sit next to him and rest a while.  The farmer looked up with a piece of straw in his mouth, smiled and nodded at the man.

As the man walked to take his seat next to the old farmer he noticed an old working dog lying beside the farmers legs.

Giving the dog a quick pat the man sat himself on the next chair and closed his eyes to give them a well deserved rest.

As time went by the man noticed that the dog sitting next to the farmer would suddenly howl and yelp in great pain then suddenly stop.

The dog did this 3 to 4 times in the hour he had been sitting there and finally the man looked over at the old farmer and asked, ‘why does your dog howl and yelp every now and then?’

The farmer looked down at the dog, shook his head and looked up at the man, the old farmer replied, “you see son this old dog here is lying on a nail, but its only hurts enough to yelp about”.

The man looked at the dog and wondered to himself how many things in his life hurt only enough to complain about, but not enough to do something about.

I’ve been that dog.  And there are a list of reasons/excuses for being that dog:

• Laziness/Lack of motivation:  Sometimes we just lack the needed work ethic.

• Distractions: Becoming distracted by short term desires, and denying what I truly wanted.  (i.e Doing work I wasn’t supposed to be doing)

• Confusion:  Not being crystal clear on what I’m supposed to be doing.  Spending my time engaged in activities that do not align with my core values.  Anyone remember what reason Tiger Woods gave for his indiscretions? (Going against your core values, losing site of them…)

  Going against your core values and losing site of them sound bite Tiger Woods sound bites

  

  I think everything we do should spring from our core values…

• Poor Health:  Sometimes laziness, or any of the aforementioned reasons can simply be a attributed to a lack of water, or your wanna be tendencies towards insomnia.  Health is important.  It matters, and is the foundation that our physical minds, bodies, and souls are able to interact, and function at their best.

Now picture me in pain, with all of the above reasons and excuses, careening into a gas station, my gas needle below E, and my car sputtering to a stop at pump 3.

Now picture me again, groveling around the bottom of the car floor, between the seat cracks, just to scrounge up $1.88 cents in change, in order to get enough gas to make it home.

Imagine a long line behind you at the gas station, while the teller, who, mind you, is making pennies(no disrespect intended), slowly counts your money onto the counter as if to suggest you may be pulling some practical joke when you pour a handful of change unto the counter.  I think to myself: No, “bruh”, I’m broke as hell, and I need to get my car home.

Then in a loud voice, he almost yells:

“$1.88 cents on pump 3″

I mutter thank you, and run out of the store. (haha…man that was embarrassing…but wonderful at the same time)

Sometimes you need to be dead broke, for a financial change to really take its hold.  I know that, and other similar experiences have helped me firm up my commitment to self employment, and to doing work that matters.

As a society, many of us are feeling the pain of a much needed economic pinch right now.  Many of us were doing better years ago, or getting by just enough to do anything about the “nails” in our lives.

Sometimes you need to feel the sting of under-appreciation at a job that isn’t structured to maximize or inspire your true potential.  Or get the dreadful tap on your shoulder from your boss, inviting you to one of those “special meetings.”  You know the ones where they bring you your cubicle belongings, and politely ask you never to return.  Now you begin to think about finding work you actually love.  Or starting that small business or non profit organization.

Maybe we can only move when the need for change slaps us across the face. Its a sweet sort of pain, isn’t it?  It slows you down, and after the desperation recedes, you can face yourself.  You can look at the fears, or the excuses you have been making,  You are now motivated and inspired to confront those paper dragons, and toothless lions.  Those shadowy, pseudo giants, that have been keeping you from doing the big thing(s), and being so much more.

Let’s make it happen

• Have you felt the nails of being under-appreciated at your job?

• Have you felt the self loathing accompanied with wanting to live healthier, but totally feeling under-motivated?

• Has the reality of your finite nature touched you in the form of the loss of a close family member or relative?

Let the pain work…

Feature picture: skelter

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Exploring Truth With The Nawala Tribe – Part 2

Check out part #2 of my conversation w/Nawala of the Nawala Tribe Blog.  We switch gears a bit, and discuss health, travel, self employment, and making a difference in the world.

Exploring Truth w/ the Nawala Tribe Part 2 from Veron Graham on Vimeo.

If you missed part 1 of our conversation, check it out here

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Silent Killer Part 3

On Feb 1, 2010 I committed to eating at least 80 % raw foods.

If you read what it is that is playing a significant role in motivating this decision, you will better understand.  With a pretty elevated blood pressure, I had to figure out a way to begin the process of reversing the health risk that High Blood Pressure can cause.(previous post: part 1 & 2)

So far,  I must say, that this has been a great experience.

Here’s what my diet has looked like on any giving day during the month of February:

Breakfast:

• Fruits, fruits, and more fruits.  Pineapples, cantaloupe, papaya, pears, grapes, or some variation of at least 3 out of the bunch.

• Home made granola.  I’m pretty proud of this accomplishment, although, its fairly easy to make.  But I’m a granola freak, always have been, and its great to actually try my hand at making some.  For some examples of recipes, feel free to check out source: recipe

Lunch:

• Has usually consisted of avocado, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, or some salad concoction.  With lemon/lime juice as salad dressing.  I know I’m missing something here, but I hope to get a bit more creative with this meal in the future.  I’m starting to feel like a rabbit, so any suggestions to broaden my options are always welcome :->

Dinner:

• Brown rice, Multi-Grain tortilla, or whole wheat sandwich(stuffed with tomatoes, lettuce…minus meat,etc etc)

• Some sort of bean(lentils, red beans, etc)

• More salad

Snacks:

• When the urge hits, I’ll usually much on some fruits, or granola.  I need to add some other options to my repertoire.

Failures:  I was a bit ambiguous as to what the “20%” of cooked food would be during the month of February, and as a result, I didn’t clearly resolve to be strictly vegan or vegetarian.  Soooo, I confess, that when my mom visited and decided to torment me with Talapia that smelled like it had fallen like manna from some river in heaven…well…I did indulge.  And it was good!  What can I say.

Besides that wonderful Sunday evening meal, I did have a few sub sandwiches that I didn’t have the heart to order without cheese.  I’d already reached a milestone just eating a purely vegetarian sub(which is pretty good by the way), so the cheese was my consolation prize.

Exercise:

So walking everyday for 45 minutes, turned into walking around 4-5 times a week.  But I am beginning to feel like its time to start jogging(Slowly jogging that is).

Current Blood Pressure Levels & Weight

As of January 4th, 2010, I had Blood Pressure readings of  above 170/98, and I weighed about 198 pounds.  As of today, I weigh 195 and my last blood pressure reading was 155/101.  Still very high!  I have more work to do.

Commitment for the future:

I do feel better, especially when I walk for 30-40 minutes in the morning.  My whole day is different when I don’t put it of for the evening.  So for March  I’m going to begin my morning jogs earlier(b4 8:30am), and aim for at least 1 mile 6 times per week.  I’ll continue eating 80% or more raw foods(w/ the 20% being vegetarian).  I’ll also begin experimenting w/juicing some of the fruits & vegetables in order to get more nutrients and change things up a bit(I’ll share a couple recipes if all goes well).  I’ll also eat more garlic, which I hear is great for lowering blood pressure.

Sound good?

Updates towards the end of March!

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Exploring The Inner & Outer World Through Travel

Recently I was able to interview Brandon James from NewLifeTravel.Tv

Brandon is a 23 year old who quit his comfortable corporate job in order to pick up and travel the world.  His goal?  To live the life of a global vagabond,  and search for more meaning in his life.

He also aims to live life in the moment, face doubt and fears, discover perspectives, meet others with the same vision, learn about what people want out of life, and connect with the world.  A mouthful?  Well, that’s just for starters.

I was fortunate to get him away from gallivanting up Mount Sinai, in Cairo, Egypt, just to sit down and talk to me for a few moments.

We discussed:

• What someone needs to begin to do, in order to travel the world

• Similarities between exploring the world through travel, and growing as a person

• Long-Term travel vs short term trips

• And much more…

Check out the interview below and feel free to leave any comments below:

Part 1

Exploring The Inner & Outer World Through Travel Part #1 from Veron Graham on Vimeo.

Part 2

Exploring The Inner & Outer World Through Travel Part #2 from Veron Graham on Vimeo.

Featured picture by Brandon James

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