Monthly Archives: August 2011

Aug 31 2011

Take A Leap Of Faith

Dear Trista,

You have it in you to produce extraordinary results, so quit putting yourself second place at the race!!!  People feed off of your careless attitude when you strive to reach your goals, they are your cheerleaders beckoning you to win whilst the haters . . . are haters. If you have them then you must be doing something right.

Take a look at your little brother! He’s in ROTC and you are still back in the college saying that you’re going to join the military because you are waiting on a so-called bachelors degree to be an officer? Bullshit! I call total bullshit whether it’s a good idea or not. You should’ve been willing to take up on the offer when the pie was being served . . .so for now you can get away with that bullshit answer, but later when you have it . . . are you going to take that leap? The leap that will define your whole life and judge you based on your fears. Will this fear be the one that you’ve been dreaming of the whole time you’ve been making plans for it? Or will it be the one to your deathbed praying for more life?

I’d like to think it be your deathbed because there’s no time to waste in this life and you’ve made a decision. People don’t even get that far sometimes, so feel blessed with the presence of your spiritual leader guiding you in the right direction.

YOU WILL SUCCEED and BE GREAT.

Knock ‘em dead today. Get shit done!

FY,

Tris-transformation.

Aug 30 2011

If I Could Just Get Organized!

Dear Har-old,

I ran across this poem by Douglas Malloch while reading Frank Bettger‘s How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success In Selling many years ago. Read it and reread it until you know it by heart. It did something for Frank. It did something for me which means it had to do something for you. So, let it do something for you. You know what that “something” is? That something is self-organization. You have to do a better job at managing Har-old and his time. This letter is continuation of My Butt Itches. Here is Douglas Malloch’s poem:

There may be nothing wrong with you,

The way you live, the work you do,

But I can very plainly see

Exactly what is wrong with me.

It isn’t that I’m indolent

Or dodging duty by intent;

I work as hard as anyone,

And yet I get so little done,

That morning goes, the noon is here,

Before I know, the night is near,

And all around me, I regret

Are things I haven’t finished yet.

If I could just get organized!

I oftentimes have realized

Not all that matters is the man;

The man must also have a plan

With you, there may be nothing wrong,

But here’s my trouble right along;

I do the things that don’t amount

To very much, of no account,

That really seem important though

And let a lot of matters go.

I nibble this, I nibble that,

But never finish what I’m at.

I work as hard as anyone,

And yet, I get so little done,

I’d do so much you’d be surprised,

If I could just get organized!

FY,

Har+new

Aug 29 2011

There’s No Rest For The Wicked

Dear  Trista,

Recently you’ve gotten to your sleepless lawyer mode where everything appears to be typical and right down to the very books. But two books have found their way to you that will change the rest of your life and how you see things . . . forever. The first book called Tapping The Source will teach you how to connect to the universe and slip into the harmony of the ways of our creator because by all means you were created in his/her/ its image so you are perfect anyways. The knowledge that you are sucking up like a sponge I cannot even begin to explain.

The second book called the Celestine Prophecy will teach you how human beings are evolving and your generation is beginning to notice certain things the generations before did not have the capacity to . . . who knows maybe one day you will know the reason why we are on this planet to begin with. While you are on your journey and spiritual conquest I suggest you take it easy today and take care of business in a light motion to where it feels like a breeze underneath your heavenly wings.

Best regards!

FY,

Tris-Transformation

Aug 25 2011

Yesterday’s Road Philosophy

From my friend Peter Thomson with paraphrases from me for you, Har-old:

Think forward in time to the point where you wish you would have achieved a certain result and imagine you haven’t achieved it.

Sit down with a piece of paper answering the question, “If only I’d . . . I would have achieved it.” What are those dots?

Write whatever ideas come to mind. If your mind gives you an answer, don’t question it at this stage. You can edit later.

Reason this works so well is that it uses the two main feelings that causes us to take action, that’s pain and pleasure. The avoidance of pain and the gaining of pleasure.

If you feel like you ought to have achieved the result and you’re telling yourself you haven’t then you are strongly prompted to look for solutions.

Why?

Because you’ve triggered away motivation. Away motivation is the catalyst for action. Towards motivation prompts the continuation of action.

Another way to gain is to imagine you wanted to achieve a certain result by a certain time and that Yes! you did do it. With the positive feelings in mind, actually imagine the pleasure you will experience. Remembering you’re imagining you HAVE done it not that you will do it. Answer the question, “I did it because I’d …” What are those dots?

Again. Write down whatever your mind says.

Another way is to take a random noun. This can be picked from a dictionary or book. Ask your mind to associate that noun with the problem, opportunity or circumstances at hand. By making your mind make strange associations and connections, you will be surprised at what answers float into your consciousness. It’s reported that Edward De Bono, the man responsible for the expression, lateral thinking, used the word cheese to come up with the idea of televisions with picture-in-picture. Taking the word cheese and thinking what cheese has that t.v could have. Holes? What holes? Eventually leading to holes in the screen to see what was on the other channels.

FY,

Har+new

Related articles
Aug 18 2011

Moving On

Dear Kirsten,

You will say yes to many things in life. You will make and break commitments. You will succeed and fail. But mostly, you will fail.

Sometimes, you just don’t have the time. Other times, you won’t make the time. And in the latter case, I say to screw it and stop. Because if you can’t make the time, it isn’t worth it, what you’re doing. If you can’t handle having this commitment, drop it. If you want to live life to the fullest, you have to pack a light bag.

Don’t shirk of all commitments. No, that would be bad. But don’t saddle yourself with things that you do not want to do just because you feel like you have to. You’re not Superwoman. You’ll need breaks sometimes.

Yes, it seems like a good idea. Everything does. All your ideas and plans and commitments seems good at their inception. That’s why you commit to them. It seems fun, or interesting, or maybe even like it will expand your horizons. And it usually will.

But then, the charm wears off. And Kirsten, sometimes you’ll have to push through it. Sometimes, it’ll only get worse before it gets better. But sometimes, the interest just wanes. You won’t have time or energy to use on it. You could be doing something better, you say, and so you skive off.

I know. I’ve had so many commitments like this, you don’t even know. Well, I suppose you will, someday. And I regret each one of them every day, when I realize that I could have been doing something I loved really and truly, instead of something I was once enamoured with, but now have stopped loving.

Remember that time when you had to clean out your room for a garage sale? Remember how good that felt? Remember how great it felt to let go of all that stuff that had been saddling you for years and years? How your ties to those things were gone? Think of the commitments as your stuff: some you want, some you don’t, but no matter what, it’s always nice to get rid of it.

So don’t be afraid to quit. Because if you get stuck in a trudging existence driven by things that you don’t care about, then you’re not living. If you’re forced to do something you don’t want to because you said you would, you’re not living. Life isn’t worth living unless you live what you love. Don’t live life afraid, ever. You’re worth more than that.

FY,

Kirsten

P.S. I think it’s time to reassess your priorities. Just make sure you remember what you truly love.

Aug 17 2011

Basket Of Love

I sent her some flowers yesterday with a note attached saying:

*Yelling through the microphone* to *bring you back*.

*Be like a gnat* and swarm around me again.

A bear name Harry is somewhere in that *cluttered room*.

He needs a hug.

Futuristically yours,

Har+new

Har+new??? Didn’t you mean Har-old? Oh, because of the play on words?

No, no, no, no, no.

More like OUT with the *OLD*, IN with the *NEW*.

Now “play” with those words.

FY,

Har+new

P.S. I’m still disappointed in you but couldn’t let that get in the way of helping you out. What you do now (present) does affect the later (future).

Aug 16 2011

FY,

Announcement to authors.

Futuristically Yours.

2 words but 19 letters.

14 of which, belongs to Futuristically – an adverb you probably never wrote or said (6 syllables) outside here.

So, instead of writing out Futuristically Yours (all the time) at the end of your letters, initial it with FY.

FY,

Har+new

P.S. Yeah … you do still have to put a comma after the Y. Ouch! I know, I know.

Aug 16 2011

A World Full of Hurt

Dear Trista,

Good morning more like it, an inner fear of rejection and hostility is boiling inside of you … just take it easy, 8 hours isn’t so bad, you’ll be in a world of hurt but so will everyone else. Also, you did the right the thing by calling the authorities last night for all that racket your neighbors put on because Dear Trista you need sleep, In fact when you go home tonight GET SOME SLEEP. The blood test might have to wait another day but that’s okay this job is temporary and so is your fears…I’m here  to guide you, you are not alone on this journey.  Close your eyes … breathe softly … repeat after me … happy mind … peaceful mind … holy mind … dig deep into your soul and awake the inner happiness kept deep within, and bring it forth to shine upon day and get you right where you belong.

Futuristically yours,

-Tris-Transformation.

Aug 15 2011

Back Bone Of Steel

Dear Trista,

Life so far has been a tangled web full of disappointment and clarity, but in order to get through the Halloween woods once more, you must look past the gloomy trail into the gingerbread forest. The job search is hard because you are barely beginning a conquest that will lead you far into success. The employers are bouncing at you because you are their ideal candidate for the brain washed associate realm. Just pick the easiest way to put a smile on your face rather than frown, even if the dollar signs are higher on one side than the other. Get through the day and breathe deep because you survived another minute, and accomplished far more than you’ll ever know.

Futuristically yours,

-Tris-transformation

Aug 15 2011

Overcompensation


James W. Dean Jr. on Citizen Kane

This psychological study of the making of a publishing empire is based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, whose overwhelming drive for business success was based on compensating for his abandonment by his parents.

Patricia Chui on The Social Network

The Social Network starts with a breakup — Mark Zuckerberg’s (Jesse Eisenberg) breakup with his girlfriend Erica Albright (Rooney Mara). In the movie, Erica grows exasperated with Mark’s arrogant attitude and dumps him. This leads to a long night in which Mark gets drunk, blogs vitriolically about Erica and then invents Facemash, a site that lets users rank Harvard women by comparing photos from the college’s dormitory directories (or face books). And this, eventually, sparks his idea for Facebook.

… Zuckerberg invented Facebook to impress/get over his ex-girlfriend …

Overcompensation.

Har-old, for losing Tiera, win with the Yeebizan. Please!

Even if it’s to just get her attention.

Arrrggghhh … you disappointed me. You. She … she was the …

Futuristically yours,

Har+new

P.S. I started this blog to help you. Now I’m thinking about taking it away from you. I’m so disappointed in you!

Aug 11 2011

October 22, 2011

Your two fortune cookies from July 22, 2011 …

Linger over dinner discussions this week for needed advice.

Tiera. IHop. Yeebizan. Original plan.

This fortune cookie came true.

Your other fortune cookie …

Remember three months from this date! Your lucky star is shining.

It’s not October 22, 2011 but the progress you’re making tells me this one will come true as well.

Mark your calendar. You’re creating your own luck!

Let’s do this, Har-old.

I love you!

Futuristically yours,

Har+new

P.S. Eat more Chinese!

Aug 10 2011

Death Is Written In Blood On The Mirror

If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.

Just like Steve Jobs, I want this quote to make a strong impression on you.

From now on, every morning, I want you to look in the mirror and ask yourself, “If today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?”

But I think this question is better in hindsight than foresight.

So, I want you to ask yourself this, “If yesterday was the last day of my life, am I happy with how I spent it?”

If the answer is “NO!” for 3 consecutive days, you NEED to change something. Something, Har-old. You have to! This is a must.

Apply what I told you in 3 Months To Live.

As I’m writing this to you, I’m listening to some music from your time. It’s this Kanye West song called Drunk And Hot Girls. He just dropped a gem that is proper for this letter:

You only live once; do whatever you like.

Futuristically yours,

Har+new

P.S. Listen to the third story from Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech over and over until you get it. My favorite lines was, “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” Are you inspired yet?

Aug 10 2011

Can My Violence Conquer Yours?

Joker to Batman in the interrogation room

Don’t talk like one of them, you’re not! Even if you’d like to be. To them, you’re just a freak – like me! They need you right now, but when they don’t … they’ll cast you out. Like a leper. See, their morals, their code: it’s a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They’re only as good as the world allows them to be. I’ll show you. When the chips are down, these, uh… these civilized people, they’ll eat each other. See, I’m not a monster; I’m just ahead of the curve.

Joker to Batman at the end

You see, madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push!

Conversation between Teddy Daniels and the Warden from Shutter Island

Warden: Did you enjoy God’s latest gift?

Teddy Daniels: What?

Warden: God’s gift. The violence (storm).

[Daniels looks at him blankly]

Warden: When I came downstairs in my home, and I saw that tree in my living room, it reached out for me like a divine hand. God loves violence.

Teddy Daniels: I … I hadn’t noticed.

Warden: Sure you have. Why else would there be so much of it? It’s in us. It’s what we are. We wage war, we burn sacrifices, and pillage and plunder and tear at the flesh of our brothers. And why? Because God gave us violence to wage in his honor.

Teddy Daniels: I thought God gave us moral order.

Warden: There’s no moral order as pure as this storm. There’s no moral order at all. There’s just this: can my violence conquer yours?

Teddy Daniels: I’m not violent.

Warden: Yes you are! You’re as violent as they come. I know this, because I’m as violent as they come. If the constraints of society were lifted, and I was all that stood between you and a meal, you would crack my skull with a rock and eat my meaty parts. Wouldn’t you?

End of conversation

Warden: If I was to sink my teeth into your eye right now, would you be able to stop me before I blinded you?

Teddy Daniels: Give it a try.

Warden: That’s the spirit.

Har-old, you are living on the edge. You have only 2 things maintaining your sanity. Only 2 things. Only TWO things … keeping you “Human” Har-old. If you lose both of those things, you will go from “Human” Har-old to “Animal” Har-old. Monday, you created a situation where you could have LOST one of them. And because the other thing is in its development stage, it would have been easy for you to lose that one too, through impatience.

Har-old, I NEED YOU to stay human and create some distance from this growl in your stomach. DO NOT LISTEN TO YOUR STOMACH!

How?

Add more things to the list of things keeping you sane. This can be another entrepreneurial idea, a person, money, a challenge, delivering a message, love, kids, etc.

But these things cannot be futuristic. Why? Because you are STILL impatient. So, only things that you can have RIGHT NOW.

With only 2 things maintaining your sanity, someone doesn’t have to push you off the edge, instead they can just *blow* on you.

Don’t make an impact on the sidewalk; make an impact on the world.

Futuristically yours,

Har+new

Russell Simmons Meditating
Aug 5 2011

My Butt Itches

No matter what happens, don’t move. If you feel like you have to scratch your nose, don’t move. If your ass itches, don’t move. It will go away. Just sit still. And as the stillness begins to settle, things that are happening on the outside become less important. Some thoughts come into your mind, but you’ll begin to realize how insignificant they are. You’ll find the distractions will eventually disappear. The way you’ll make the distractions disappear is by focusing on your breath.

Har-old, have you noticed every time you find that comfortable spot where you can cross your legs, close your eyes and meditate, you itch … somewhere … your nose, your butt, your head?

Sometimes the uncomfortable sensation of the itch takes control of your thoughts and fills your mind with scratching, eventually forcing your hand.

Other times you ignore the uncomfortable sensation by taking possession of your mind with thoughts of comfortable sensations and the itch just disappears.

Okay. It’s obvious which one I prefer. So, here’s the connection …

The only time a distraction is doing some good is when you’re diverting your attention from something worrying and unpleasant to something different or more pleasurable. Only time.

But when you are doing that “pleasurable” and “desirable” thing and you let something of lesser importance or even another interest distract you, you are scratching your skin completely off. Concentrate on ONE thing at a time. Remember: The jack of all trades is seldom good at any.

This is what I want …

Set aside one day (every week on the same day) as self-organization day. Think and plan for several hours on self-organization day. Every hour for the following week should be scheduled. WRITE YOUR SCHEDULE DOWN! I would tell you to allow room for flexibility but this could be a distraction in itself and cause you to drift. So, make your schedule tight!

Self-organization day will increase your thinking ability and doing of things in their order of importance. The day will improve your foresight and raise your planning level. The day will help you save future time and make you look at yourself in disgust for how unorganized you use to be.

That’s not for me! I can’t do that sort of thing-live on a schedule. I wouldn’t be happy.

Well, I’ve got good news for you. You are already living on a schedule. And, if it’s not a planned one, it’s probably a poor one.

Futuristically yours,

Har+new

Aug 1 2011

Reality Plays Catch Up

Let us live our lives as though all our dreams have come true then challenge reality to catch up.

Har-old, you always wanted to learn to write clearly and legibly with your left hand.

Well, why don’t you learn how to do it, but for real this time?

Consistency is key.

I’m issuing a challenge. Will you accept it?

Practice writing with your left hand.

Each day for 30 days, write one full piece of paper left-handed.

“Clearly and legibly? I will need more time,” you say.

No you won’t!

In order to speed the process, I also want you spend time each and everyday imagining you’re writing clearly and legibly at high-speed.

In your mind, your left-handed writing will look better than your right-handed writing. If the reader of this left-handed writing says, “I can’t read this. It’s totally illegible.” I want you to say, “Reality hasn’t caught up with me yet.”

Futuristically yours,

Har+new

P.S. Har-old, you can write out the letters here. Start with this one.