Everyone has people who influence their lives from time to time. For me, mine was named Miles. Like many others in the United States I was taught that I was supposed to follow a certain path in life.
- Go to college.
- Get a job.
- Buy a house.
- Get married.
- Have kids.
- Retire.
Livin' it up on a Caribbean Cruise
I wasn’t too excited about that path. Maybe you aren’t either. When I was on a celebratory cruise to the Caribbean (for graduating college) during a transitional time for me I had ‘dreams‘ of working at a big ad agency. That is, after all, what I was supposed to do.
I decided to take an introduction to scuba diving excursion off of the cruise line. We would learn how to use scuba equipment and get to go 20 feet or so down to explore the ocean. I had always wanted to learn how to scuba dive so you can imagine my excitement. I was doing something new. That’s when I met Miles.
Miles. The boy that changed my life.
Miles had this aura about him that I can’t really explain. He was happy from within, as if his heart was singing of joy. Miles had this way about him that you could see and feel that he was absolutely, without a doubt, having a hell of a time. Being in suburbia most of my life with lifeless people only caring about what brand of clothes you wear, this was completely new to me. I was intrigued.
I wanted to be happy. I remember as a kid looking outside my window and wishing on every star in the sky for happiness. I was depressed. I was in a place I didn’t belong and I had unresolved issues. I would wish for one day of happiness thinking that all the days of pain and unhappiness would be worth that one day. What I didn’t realize is that everyday could be happy, not just one, if I wanted it to be. I thought that getting certain things would make me happy, but they didn’t. Instead, I learned it was about appreciation, choice, and options.
My first scuba dive!
Our entire scuba diving class was enthralled by Miles. He had an effect on all of us. His heart sang so hard and loud that you couldn’t help but smile and be happy around him. I wanted to be like that! I wanted my heart to sing too. Miles story is a simple one, much like mine now. He was living life the way everyone said he should. Then one day he got fed up, said fuck it all, quit school, sold his crap, got his teaching PADI (scuba diving) license and bought a one-way ticket to St. Maartin in the Caribbean. He said, “Now I get to do something I love several times a day and share my passion with others daily.” Can life get any better than that? Seriously.
My initial thoughts were, “You can do that?” Like seriously, who does that? What was really amazing about this moment is it opened up a world of possibilities. Maybe you had a key person in your life help you realize the same thing, if not I hope this blog does. That you realize that you no longer have a path predetermined for you. That you can choose your own path, like a choose your own adventure book. The options and possibilities are endless. My brain started going bananas in those moments. Maybe yours is doing this right now.
Magens Bay - Paradise!
Miles was happy because:
- He lived each and every moment to the fullest.
- He was following his heart and doing something he loved everyday.
- He appreciated what he had, not what he was missing.
- He was surrounded by amazing friends
That moment changed everything for me. I began the search for my passions and started following my heart. Rather than look for a job and turn in resumes, I decided to start my business. The same business I run today, Pirata Design. Maybe you want to build your own empire or start a minimalist business? Starting your own business allows you to determine what your life will be like. You are in control. You decide how much money you make, how often you work, when you work, and what you’re willing to work on. That kind of freedom can’t be bought. I know for me personally, I’d rather make less money and have more freedom than be chained to a cubicle day after day. Which do you prefer?
It doesn’t matter where you come from, what your job is like, who your family is, how much debt you’re in, or what your responsibilities are at any given point in time. We all have obstacles to overcome. Mine will be different than yours. What is really important to realize is that we have a choice everyday. Everyday we make a choice to either continue living life in a way we hate or choose to follow our gut, passions, and dreams to our ultimate path of happiness. What makes you smile? What is it you dream of doing when you’re doing something you hate? That’s what you should go do.
My goal is to inspire you to live life to the fullest. To go after your dreams in life. To stop being a victim to circumstance and overcome whatever obstacles you face. At any point in time you can rewrite your story. So what are you waiting for?
Was there anyone in your life that helped you along your path? What are obstacles that you’re overcoming? Please, tell your story in the comments below.
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