Brian's Brain

It’s not success, money, material possessions, or recognition; the true measure of a life well-lived is the strength with which we loved and forgave and grew and survived.

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.
~Marie Beyon Ray

Yesterday, another box of free tampons arrived by mail. Why, you may be wondering, is a guy stocking up on free tampons? The short answer is nose bleeds (see my Facebook note on this topic: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=311520668797). 

The variety that arrived yesterday is called Playtex Sport and the box is complete with photos and drawings of women dancing, exercising, and even surfing. Being a shark enthusiast, I can’t say I would encourage women who are bleeding to go surfing. That’s just tempting fate.  But I digress.

When I opened the box to find my three free samples inside, I was shocked and amused to find inspirational messages printed on the outer wrapping of each tampon. Seriously? Do women really spend a lot of time reading the wrappers while swapping out their tampons? That seems strange and, frankly, unhygienic (don’t ask me why — my imagination simply concocts a not-so-pretty image of this disgusting, yet necessary, process).

Now, back to the topic at hand: inspirational messages on tampon wrappers. Ladies, are these really necessary? Are you more likely to buy this brand because the makers care enough to uplift your spirits during this emotionally charged time of the month? While pondering over these strange little cotton corks, I couldn’t help but wonder if the Playtex marketers received their inspiration while cracking open fortune cookies after a brainstorming session at their local Chinese buffet.

What’s your take on all this? 

I finally did it. After months of careful consideration, soul searching, and financial planning, I decided to resign from my job. My last day is March 31.

Why would I give up a great job in this economy? The answer is simple. To chase some dreams and take a solid shot at happiness. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life as a slave to mediocrity, barely dragging myself out of bed to spend my talent and energy on a job for which I have no passion.

The timing is right. My heart is in this 100%. Great things are coming. I just know it.

So where do I go from here? I’m going to a place I like to call Pseudo-Sabbatical Land. Yes, rest and rejuvenation are part of this equation. Add travel, volunteer work, and more time with family, friends, and my faithful furry companion. Subtract massive amounts of debt. Next, add lots and lots of writing (yes, folks, I plan to write and publish a novel while doing a little freelance writing on the side). Finally, add gobs of fun multiplied by a little excitement and I’m left with more hope than I’ve felt in years. My dreams finally feel within reach.

I’m taking some sage advice, passed down to me from a pretty swell new friend, and I encourage you to do the same: “Follow your bliss.” So here’s to an awesome, blessed, and blissful 2011!  Let’s see what the universe has in store for us…

Fantastic insights!  I’ve found these lessons very helpful and I’m doing my best to incorporate them into my daily life. http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2EFUfd/www.globalone.tv/profiles/blogs/7-lessons-from-7-great-minds

The wheels will be officially set in motion Tuesday morning. No going back. Onward, upward, and such. Tune in Tuesday for more details. Until then, my lips are sealed.

Am I the only one who refuses to eat those nasty little suckers on New Year’s Eve?  When I was “encouraged” to eat them as a child, I would practically gag as I forced them down my gullet whole. About the only thing worse are green beans and the dreaded limas.

An important and very special chapter in my life is closing. Gabriel is moving out today, to Oklahoma City. Our three years together were amazing. Remaining good friends makes this transition less painful, but still bittersweet. This is a Christmas Eve I will remember forever. 

Somehow, Eve 6 knows exactly what I’m feeling right now:

“Here’s to the nights we felt alive.
Here’s to the tears you knew you’d cry.
Here’s to goodbye;tomorrow’s gonna come too soon.”

My mind has been racing all week. A single fleeting, but hopeful, thought quickly took hold of me and may be transforming into a reality soon.  

I have a decision to make. And it’s a doozy… a game changer. No, it’s a life changer. I know what I want to do. I feel confident I can do it. But, being the constant “play-it-safe” guy that I am, I am going through my options with a fine-tooth comb and strategically seeking feedback here and there. My mind is 90% certain what I will do.  I just have to tell the constant doubter inside of me to shut up or be gone.

If you want to know what this is all about, ask me privately. If I can’t tell you right now. There’s a good reason. But please don’t feel left out. You will all know in good time. So far, everyone has been supportive. I’m certain there will be some who are not. But this is my life and I only have one shot at happiness. For the first time in my life, I think I’m ready to take that shot and see what happens.

Worst case scenario? I’m right about things to come, but wasn’t courageous enough to take this shot — more simply stated: regret of the worst kind.  Second scenario? I’m wrong about things to come, but I took the shot and failed. I’ve failed before and survived. In fact, most of my failures have been opportunities for growth that led to better things down the road. So I’m not afraid of this scenario… it will take my life in a new direction, which surely can’t be a bad thing.  Third scenario? I’m wrong about things to come, but I took the shot and succeeded in measures beyond my wildest dreams. Sounds pretty good, right?  Fourth scenario? I’m right about things to come, I took the shot, and I found a very rare kind of peace that most people can’t even comprehend.  I like that scenario a lot.

Stay tuned. More to come as this all pans out.