27 Lessons learned in 27 Years of Life
Today is my 27th birthday. As part of my celebration, I’ve decided to share 27 lessons that helped me get to where I am today and will help me continue onward. I hope they are of as much value to you as they are to me. You get out of life what you put into it. Nothing more, nothing less. Love is a gift best given without the expectation of reciprocation. If you have not struggled, if you have not failed and gotten back up, you have not truly triumphed. Every culture, every religion, every tradition, every person on earth has something that you can learn, appreciate, and enjoy, so...
Read MoreJourney to 6 Pack Abdominals
Here’s the deal. I am in the middle of a 6 pack competition with a couple of friends. We usually set a goal of 4-6 months, and the person who’s the closest to having a 6 pack at the due date wins. Well 2 periods have already passed, and I didn’t win either. We’ve all made great progress, but I am not winning. I’ve decided to really try to win this time. I’m counting calories, and making good dietary decisions. My plan is to start by working out 3 times a week, and in a couple of weeks I’ll increase my workouts to 4 per week. The due date...
Read MorePost Mortem: Positive Communication
So I didn’t end up journaling the second half of the experiment. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t doing it. In fact, this little experiment has ended up changing me in ways I never expected. Here’s the first and most obvious change. I’m significantly less critical about everything around me. I don’t find a need to find the fault in people’s views, statements, and ideas. After spending a month avoiding and repressing those thoughts, they just melted away. Second, my mindset has changed. I look for the positive in anything, in order to avoid...
Read MoreDays 9-12: Positive Communication
I must admit, I made a few crass jokes yesterday. Other than that, I’ve been very positive. I’m trying my best to stay positive. I’ve even started a few projects that focus on the positive aspects of different things. For instance, I’m starting the Hijab Project. It’s a project where I collect stories about women and their relationship with Hijab as well as photograph women wearing their hijab. While the book won’t be entirely positive (some women have had a negative relationship with hijab) my goal is a positive one. I want the world to know...
Read MoreDays 5-8: Positive Communication
The last few days have gone really well. Not only have I made a point to not be negative, I’ve done a lot of work towards trying to be extra positive. My brother got a job promotion, and I’m really excited for him, so I decided to take him out along with our immediate family to show him that we all think he’s doing well. It’s very different than my usual negative approach to dealing with people aren’t doing things very well. I have been quite frustrated with one of my classes though. I guess my negativity isn’t completely gone. I haven’t said much,...
Read MoreDays 2-4: Positive Communication
I think I’ve already surprised myself. Staying positive isn’t only easier then I thought, it actually feels really good. It’s nice to bring positivity to people, and it makes me feel better about myself. When I criticize or talk down to someone, it’s not only ineffective communication, but it makes ME feel bad. It’s a weight that I have to carry. When I bring positivity into my communication with other people it lightens both of us, uplifting us to something greater. I’m really enjoying this experiment so far. I can tell it’s making me a be
Read MoreAbout Me
I'm a photographer, a motorcyclist, a blogger, a guitarist, a graphic designer, a computer gamer, a basketballer, a fitness buff, a (terrible) film maker, a cook, a web developer, a science buff, a social media expert, and so much more...