February 6, 2010

My Ride

I FULLY plan to slide into my parking spot in heaven SIDEWAYS with Jamie and the kids yelling, “HOLY SHIT! What a RIDE!!” How about you?

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February 2, 2010

Why I do What I Do…

I get a lot of tweets, facebooks posts, and emails messages. Even actual thank-you cards and letters via snail mail. But I have never received anything like this… This email that came in over the weekend while traveling and realized that this is EXACTLY why I do what I do. Simply knowing that I may be a small part of change in someone’s life is beyond rewarding.

Jay,

I’m hoping you read this personally. I just want you to know that you have made a difference today. I read through your entire blog. I started off sad, angry and embarrassed about the life my unborn child will be born into. By the end of your post titled “The Close of the Decennium“ I smiled, I was inspired and I was moved into action.

In the last 21 months I have slowly bled out an entire fortune with my real estate business. From living in a $2,000,000 home in Hollywood, to me, my 21 month old daughter and my pregnant wife sleeping on the couch in my mother-in-law’s house. I don’t know if you can relate but I have felt like a failure and started to lose sight of a lifetime of ambition, passion and inspiration. I no longer jump out of bed at 8am and seize the day with unbridled excitement. I slide out of bed at noon like a slug one leg at a time. This is not me, this is not who I’ve been my whole life. Although I have been humbled by this insane ride and have learned so much about myself as a man, father, husband and business owner. I couldn’t see past the feelings of guilt and shame…until today.

I believe that everyone needs a catalyst in their life, something that allows them to tap in to their deepest wisdom and power. Oddly enough I just received that catalyst from YOUR blog. I thought I was reading about one of the guys behind Meskada, but you completely caught me off guard with your eloquent, loving words. I believe you really care about humanity and it seems as though you are living your truth, your purpose. Your honesty inspires me. Today will be the last day I wake up at noon out of escapism. I’m not sure how the hell to rebuild my life but I will attack each day with a renewed sense of purpose and vision until I figure it out. 1% idea and 99% decisive action… love it!

You’ve reminded me of my greatness and that inaction is what is killing my unborn child’s future. Thank you with all my heart Jay. I hope you are proud of the man you are every day because your words have reached someone.

With gratitude and humility,

DM

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January 26, 2010

The Philosopher

It was a heavy and wet morning when the trees let out quiet sighs, aching from the fresh weight of the evening’s frost. A man sat in his study watching exhausted leaves tremble and fall, spilling light with each pirouette. It was a morning not unlike any other for this man. He rose at seven, as was his custom. Washed his face with cool water and prepared for the morning’s conversation and walk with Mr. Wellington.

Mr. Wellington had been his morning companion for many years now, and preferred a rather specific route to initiate his business. The man had found Wellington in a shoebox behind an Arby’s one late night. Grease had accumulated below the pups nose giving him a rather distinguished looking moustache of oil. The man figured a proper name was only appropriate for an animal of such noble birth.

Ten o’clock came quickly, and the ticking drip of the frost could be heard spilling onto the tin shed in his garden. A manila folder sat on his desk. A lifetime of thought, discipline, sacrifice, and struggle condensed into 42 pages. As he pulled onto the interstate a solitary drop of water clung to his window. Despite his speed the drop remained steady at his flank.

This brought pause to the man, and he looked back upon that solitary drop as he made his way towards the classroom.

There were many hands to shake, and all about him the man saw nothing but smiles followed by approving nods of recognition. It was as he had hoped. He tried with all that was him to be pleased, but he could think of nothing but the defiant drop. He felt it staring at him, or into him. He wondered would it be there when he returned.

As he made his way to the podium it became clear, and a wave of calm came over him that he hadn’t felt in years. He smiled, closed the manila folder, and elegantly strode to the trash and dropped the folder in it.

His audience stood aghast, frightful and confused at what they had seen. The man bore even larger smile now as he made his way back to the podium.

His words were brief, but assured. They were received in utter silence for everyone now knew, without question, here was a man who’s ideas were worthy of thought.

Friends, do not be afraid to be different. To think differently, to change your mind. What is that defiant water drop in your life? That hope, that dream, that stares back at you day and night? Begging for you to seize itself.

I leave you with this: “He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.” -R. Waldo Emerson

All my best,

Posted by Jay

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January 22, 2010

First Look: MESKADA Site Live!

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January 13, 2010

A Simple Act Of Random Kindness

“Do something really good and really positive for somebody today … but do it in the knowing there’s no way they could ever re-pay you.” ~John Jackson

Natural disasters are often referred to as an “Act of God.” Catastrophic circumstances for which reason and rationale have no footing. We ask “why?” We look above and within. We struggle to find the lesson. Is it hidden in these tears, this pain?

What has occurred in Haiti is without question a tragedy. The loss of life, of any accord and scale, is an occasion that shall always deserve pause. It binds us together in the most simplistic of ways, as human beings. And so I ask you, the reader, was this an Act of God? Is it possible these horrific circumstances, despite the darkness and suffering they bring, serve to bring us together?

As citizens of humanity, as subjects of a higher good that knows no color or creed. No religion, or gender. Only the unwavering nobility of human life. As we bound together once more, let us be reminded that we have more to share than to cleave.

Remember, we will only be judged by how we take care of least among us.

To donate $10 to the Red Cross simply TEXT ‘HAITI” to 90999

It will take you a mere 5 seconds to do this. Collectively we can do a lot. Please contribute.

Red Cross: http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main

Other participating charities: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582902,00.html

Posted by Jay

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January 7, 2010

INSIDEOUT II: Fresh Off The Press!

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January 3, 2010

The Close of the Decennium

Ten years have passed, that were never short of interesting, even without modest embellishment. We will look back on these days soon. Some years will be remembered with favor others with a wince. We may find ourselves slightly awestruck at the amount of  bitter peaks and the somber valleys.

More live better than before, but at what cost? Fortunes were forged, a few were earned, and the world economy caught the flu. Race was redefined, war was waged and the computer made its way into the family portrait, whether you liked it or not.

Everything, and everyone, went online. Reading, shopping, dating, shouts, murmurs and screams. The most popular surname became dot com. Born and bred were Facebook, Amazon, Google and a little thing called Twitter. The Internet’s teenage years were important and rather tumultuous times, but a new course was set.

How the world will interact and communicate has been changed forever. Web 2.0 gave way to 3.0. Choices are everywhere, opportunity is inherently more diverse and abundant. Information now finds you and follows you to sleep. All the while most things are getting more expensive, and we have to practically get naked in front of strangers to get onto an airplane.

Still it seems the best of things is still yet to come. Everywhere there is more music and more art. More healthy children are born, borders are crossed, disease is cured. Some soldiers come home, treaties are signed, apologies are made, people are forgiven.

Invariably a new year approaches and we reflect upon those things we hope are different for us as another four seasons approach. Some call them “new years resolutions,” others hopes and dreams. A few call it reality.

That’s where the 99% who “wish and hope” are separated from the 1 % who realize.

Let’s take look at just one of the common resolution millions have just made for 2010: Weight Loss.

“Honey, I’m going to lose 20 pounds this year.”

“Not only am I going to join the Y, I’m going to start playing volleyball again”

“No more of this…that.”

Sound familiar?

Here’s the next part:

“Well I don’t have gym clothes really…so I need to do that first.”

“Gosh, work is just crazy right now…I seriously don’t have time to sleep let alone run 3 miles”

“Well, I was just going to start on the 15th since I’m travelling next week…and then there is Sarah’s birthday and the long weekend…yada yada yada.”

Also sound familiar?

There is only a single difference between those who live their goals, and those that only set their goals. Action. All of the desires, ambitions, fortunes, happiness and joy that we experience are the result of 1% ideas and 99% decisive action, the premise for my coming book 99%.

Bear in mind that whatever you may decide is next for you-will only be a result of the steps you take. It will be a result of the persistence you show, and the discipline you can apply towards your personal commitment to simply do it.

As we we enter this first full week of the new decade I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

My best,

Posted by Jay

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