Pre Sunrise snap with Jupiter in sky

01.31.14 snap of this mornings pre sunrise with Jupiter in the sky

Anxiety + Fear = ?

01.30.14 I woke up this morning feeling a bit of anxiety mixed with a dash of fear.

Why?

1) Mindful about $$$$ (but who isn't to some degree)

2) Feeling fearful about situations beyond my control (PDST / Work)

It wasn't until I made the decision to pull over, stop, and get out of my truck to watch the sunrise that is was able to calm these seemingly relentless emotions.  As I stood on the cobble stone wall waiting two simple timeless truths came to mind:

1) No matter what, be present right where you are. The tricky part of life (and a secret to great communication) is paying attention - embracing the everyday, imperfect right now, and then making something of it.

 

2) When feeling afraid, press in. Each of us have an instinctive physiological response to uncertain and possibly threatening situations, which causes a chemical reaction or readies one either to resist forcibly or run away (commonly known as "fight or flight") 

Watching the sunrise while experiencing both of these very real emotions due to external circumstance - I decided breathed deeply and decided to once again dig in and forge ahead.

Here's to today and all the possibilities it hold despite my emotions.

 

Broken, yet I trust opportunities can be found

01.25.14 

With every new sunrise,

Within the dawn of each new day,

Hope, second chances, and opportunities are held out for each.

Someday we do not see, feel, or since it.

While it appears effortless for others to grasp.

Here's to the dawn of a new day.

Here's to the sunrise, the warmth it gives, the life it breathes, and to each second chance it brings.

#sunrise #honolulu #oahu #hawaii #hawaiianisland #808 by #trevordrinen 

When The Sun Comes Up

01.24.14 

When the sun comes up, it's radiant colors stretch across the morning sky, 

and it's gentle embrace warms my skin.

When the sky is grey, 

and the rain comes down, 

I'm chilled and quickly take cover.

Each sunrise brings a time when the air is clean, my mind is at peace, and all truths seem clear.

-Trevor Drinen

sunrise, olomana, kailua, hawaii, oahu, tgif, alohafriday, by trevordrinen

Wake, For The Sun

01.23.14

Wake! For the Sun, who scatter'd into flight

The Stars before him from the Field of Night,

Drives Night along with them from Heav'n,

and strikes

The Sultan's Turret with a Shaft of Light

By Omar Khayyám

Peaceful Silence

01.22.14 .... peaceful silence.... Sometimes walking alone and simply taking in ones surrounding is just what the doctor ordered

Discovering Timeless Treasures with Others

01.21.14 Sharing a sunrise or sunset with someone is like discovering a timeless treasure.  It requires us to breathing deeply and be 100% in the moment at hand or we'll end up in an amazing moment only to see it as a common.

 

Why NOT play in the sand?

01.21.14 why play in the sand? There is no right way to use sand. There's no rules, guidelines, or limitations to the sand.  It calls ones imagination and invites total participation; it permits children to make and test hypotheses; while, testing each adults ability to be a child again and have fun. 

It stretches the imagination; it provides a potentially soothing sensory experience; and it is an excellent avenue for developing deeper physical, cognitive, and social skills. 

Why? How? Because sand play is open-ended, each individual determines the direction and path of his or her own play. This freedom then clears the way to unbound creative concepts each time we dare to engage.

Here's to getting airborne and launching off the sand hills with all it's screams and thrills!  To rolling down sand covered hills!  And to deeply enjoying each sandy thrill - young and old alike the sand calls us out to play, create, and test or limits once again.

What's your favorite moment about playing in the sand? 

#sand #oahu #hawaii #kailua #kailuabeach #selfhelp #randomthoughts #questions by #trevordrinen 

Martin Luther King Jr. 9 Inspirational Wallpapers & 25+ quotes

01.20.14 Playing a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired a generation with his stirring lectures, speeches and dialogues.  Today, January 20th, 2014 we honor his memory, Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a federal holiday in 1983 and was observed for the first time three years later. It is celebrated on the third Monday in January, to mark King’s birthday, January 15.

Thousands if not hundreds of thousands across the nation will attend church services, tributes and service projects to honor Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s memory on January 20, a federal holiday.

In 1994, legislation was passed to create Martin Luther King Day of Service – to encourage citizens to use the federal holiday as an opportunity to give back to their communities. Considered a “day on, not a day off” individuals are encouraged to work towards King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

“As I reflect on the legacy of my father, the greatest aspect is his legacy of peace. He reminded us that ‘the choice today is no longer between violence and nonviolence; it is between nonviolence or nonexistence,’” Bernice A. King, wrote about her father in the Huffington Post, adding that this year commemorates the 50 year anniversary since King received the Nobel Peace Prize, and the enactment of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

“Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violence is more relevant, I believe, than it was 10 years ago,” King told Reuters referencing the number of school shootings and increasingly violent movies, television shows and video games. “America has an enormous appetite for violence. I don’t know why we have such an affinity for that, but I do know it has to stop,” she said.

King was the youngest man to be selected for the prestigious honor of the Nobel Peace Prize at 35 years old .  At the time, he announced he would give the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement. MLK was assassinated four years later in Memphis, Tennessee.

For those wishing to pay tribute to King’s message and legacy, below are 9 inspirational quotes from the civil rights leader.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” 

“The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to Justice, Peace and Brotherhood.”

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

“Everything we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.”

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve… You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love.”

“We may all have come in different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

“In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.”

Here are some additional MLK quotes of various subjects:

On Leadership

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”

“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”

On Love

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

On Helping Others

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

On Faith

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

“I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land.”

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

“Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.”

On Tolerance

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”

May we each aspire to attain such great heights.

Enjoying the moment at hand

01.15.14 some moments seem longer and than others. Somedays seem to pass bye within the blink of an eye.  

Here's to pausing, unplugging, and enjoying a moment in the day: a sunrise, a gentle breeze, a cloud passing over head, a bird singing, a refreshing rain, the warmth of a fire, a saltwater bath, a drink, a meal with a friend, solitude, a sunset, a good night story or day closing night cap.... 

good day & good night.

The "Happiness" and Self-Help Industry is a multi-million dollar business By Guest Writer Gabe Cabagbag!

I recently wrote a post titled,<a href="http://trevordrinen.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/lost-in-my-mind-self-help-happiness-vs-sadness/"> Lost In my mind: Self-help, Happiness vs Sadness</a>.  

The following was taken from a conversation with a friend Gabe Cabagbag.

Realizing how much I define things through cultural translations and generational expectations (said / unsaid)

 I think it's perfectly healthy to feel all aspects of emotions, especially during major season changes in your life. Like everything else in life, it's about a balance. 

Grieving when you're sad, being pissed off when something bad happens- all emotions that make us human-  are necessary in dealing with real-life situations.

I personally think the notion of happiness is very subjective. If you continually have the need to keep seeking it out, you will never find it. 

Much like success, how does one define being "successful"? Is it in the achievements they have? The material possessions they own? Or is it in the meaningful relationships they have with others. Or maybe their own self-worth and contentment in their lives.

The "happiness" and self-help industry is a multi-million dollar business and it's no surprise that we constantly see advertisements, books, and seminars everywhere aiming to make us feel better about ourselves.

I think if we are able to just deal with stressful situations in a positive way and find inner peace we are able to live healthy, happy lives. 

Keep it simple. Do what you love. Believe in what you do. Love on others.

<br /><br /><a href="http://trevordrinen.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/20140114-201448.jpg"><img src="http://trevordrinen.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/20140114-201448.jpg" alt="20140114-201448.jpg" class="alignnone size-full" /></a>

Self Help or Cultural Happiness

01.13.14

This morning I find myself, lost within my own mind as I find myself living within a "feel-good society" with its "feel good religions." Somedays it seems happiness is valued above all else. 

Within the last year I honestly been told, "if you don't feel it fake it."  This advice was giving to myself and a larger group of people talking about our emotional state of being around the topic of, "happiness."  

Stroll though an bookstore in person or online and you discover entire sections devoted to "finding happiness," sustaining happiness, or keep joy alive in your life!  Magazines, from Men's health to women's fashion, have article after article about three steps on how to be happy! 

"Start being happy today!" 

"Be happy now."

"Discover true happiness."

"Find endless joy from the ultimate sex."

"Be happy at work."

"Happy at home."

"Be happy with your body."

The list is truly overwhelming and we are in need of that company's are attempting to define and sell happiness!

Can they?!? 

They are!

On top of that this term or emotional state has become embedded within some of our daily terminology, "Happy Holidays," "Happy New Years," "Happiness and future," "God Bless with abundant joy," "Don't worry be Happy."

We just maybe are a culture that is obsessed with the "pursuit of happiness!" (That's a blockbuster movie title)

Our society continues to bang the drum of happiness saying, "you must be happy with our self." 

"Everyone should find joy and happiness within their work."

.... .... On and.... On.... and on the list goes!

But is this living within reality or is this be stupidly optimistic as we take in a global perspective?!!!?

If I'm not happy is there something wrong with me? 

No, there is nothing wrong with you if your not happy 24-7!  The opposite maybe true... If your happy 24-7 you maybe be insane or taking happy juice, but one thing for certain your not living in reality.  To be completely honest, it's has to be more healthy to live within reality vs attempting to use exponential amounts of energy pretending to be happy.

On the other note don't take what I am said and validate being a depressed grump!

Bottom line: happiness alongside sadness are emotional states in which humans should and will experience just like seasonal storms.

These emotions should not be avoided as they add depth to each of our lives!  

The fight is for balance and not to swing to either extremist side.

I maybe a glass half fill kind of person, but I can enjoy life with a glass hall empty friend! How? Why? Because, happiness and relationship aren't based on us seeing eye to eye all the time! Relationships and a deeper happiness is found within the friendship you totally disagree with but continue doing life together, talking and being friends.

So here's to experiencing the day and all that it holds: ups, downs, highs, lows, questions, uncertainties, and striving to make sense of this thing we call life while discovering balance.

So here's to the journey and freedom not to be bound by false culture pressure or expectations. To seek out and discover how and what happiness means to you!

Enjoying the moment

01.12.14

This morning I decided to take the kids out for breakfast at the local market accompanied by a time of watching some locals carve the surf off flat island.

Why?

I was up. 

Plus, it that's how I roll once in a while. 

And as parents of three the lack of sleep is a somewhat common thing between sleepovers, sporting events and work. So, I concluded it might be nice thing to let my wife have a little extra rest and some peaceful and quite (truth be told she's a night owl and I'm dawn patrol). So, off to the market we rolled picking up a muffin, oat bars, and a few morning fruits. Then  to enjoy watching a few guys glide upon the waves of liquid.

The snap/pic below was captured as I settled upon a rock and silently enjoyed the morning watching my kids explore, discover, and get soaked by a wave now / then.

Here's to life and the daily journeys it holds.

Pure laughter, where does it go?

01.10.14 as I pulled the truck next to the curb, my ears were filled with the sound of laughter!

Such joyous, free, unrestricted laughter is commonly found within the lives of children; however, as people grow older sometimes this precious gift of joy slips away much like sand running through ones fingers. 

Where does the pure laughter go? 

Is it drowned out by the stresses and pressures of age?  Does the chocking grasp of money and drive for success kill it off?  Is pure laughter something only found within children?

The questions we could ask go on and on - as every person has journeyed a different path, is wired uniquely, and has different trigger points of stresses / joy.

As the laughter outside this enclosed truck continued to roll through my ears and tickle my mind - I begun to wonder if laughter is found simply within a choice?

To let myself be a kid again!

To join in on the pure untampered moments.

To look like a complete fool, living within the moment as I child does so well.

Here's to two brothers sitting in a lawn chair - laughing - enjoying - and being completely free within the moment.

Thank you, for showing one old man the path back to simplicity and freedom!  I'd rather be a silly old man than a grumpy one - any given day!

STOP THE LIP SERVICE! Genuinely Start Adding Value To Others!

01.09.14 Everyday there are people that need to be inspired, encouraged, and value needs to be added to them.  Not to the degree of babying an adult or coddling someone that is not doing their job.  But on the side of genuinely adding value to a few individuals through out the day.

Where can you start?

Start with believing in yourself, your family, and then move to your friends and coworkers.

Be genuine! 

If you can't find anyway to add value to someone it's probably best to keep you mouth shut and simply smile.  

Value that contains BS, feels like BS, and is received as BS.  Truth be told every one of us has experienced the facade or masquerade of un-genuine statements.  

One of my past employers would attempt to encourage and value to individual's during a staff meetings.  It's a great concept or idea; however, it came across as somewhat emotional, sappy, and very un-genuine.  At the end of the day employees feel belittled vs appreciated or valued.

Bottom line: in order to add value to someone you must be genuine!

I for one am tired and sickened by the facade and sappy masquerading dance that is played. 

Where can you start if you honestly struggle with genuinely adding value to others?  (Some people do as they've played the game so long)

Start small but start now!

In other words start by finding value in the moment: a sunset, a nice meal, running water, or a flushing toilet!  As you start to find value in the moment you'll be that much closer to being able to see the potential and value in others.

Out of the chaos of darkness comes the beauty of a new day

01.08.14 out of the chaos of darkness comes the beauty of a new day's sunrise filling the skies with possibilities, opportunities, and endless potential.

Len Middleton said, "Entrepreneurship is about risk and failure: embracing it, and learning from it." Pferdt, Googles Creative Team Lead adds to Middleton's statement by saying, "innovator should think like a child."

Here's to the dawn of a new day, a road full of adventures, failures, successes, and learning!

Thank YOU & Here's to fulfilling our uncharted adventures

Here's to a year behind and a new year ahead!

Most of all here's to You!

You've liked my work, my pictures, my blog, and put up with my egg shaped head.

You've come alongside and followed me,

You're an acquaintance, a soon to be friend, 

We'll follow each other through life's ups and downs.

Learning wrong from right.

While encouraging and guiding each other to reach for the stars.

All this to say, THANKS for the 'like' & 'follow'

Here's to the uncharted adventures with you my old and new friends! 

All to say,

Needing INSPIRATION? 1 Quote & 7 Inspirational Wallpapers

 01.07.2014 Today I found myself needing to be Inspired!  So quickly turned to my archived files and dug up the following: 1 Quote & 7 Inspirational Wallpapers

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs 

Please share the pictures, quotes, etc.. that have inspired you.

trevor.drinen@gmail.com

A fathers joy

01.06.14 a fathers simple joy: this morning my oldest son asked if he could take his younger brother out for breakfast with the $$ he earned.  This picture is a snap of them departing for a days adventure! 

Lairs, me and you alike! (The value of our word)

01.04.14 emotionally and physically weary after a very limited night sleep.  As I was awaken by the birds singing, my mind recalled a promise to my son - "that we would go to the beach for a morning swim." We seemed to dance in and out of the morning waters as we were chilled by the wind and the chilly morning waters.

Have you ever had to choose between what you wanted to do vs what you promised to do?

The dancing came to an end and I plunged into the crisp waters of the pacific - emerging to a smile and joyous laughter from my son - applauding me as if I defied death itself and he embraced the opportunity to join me.

As adults we keep our word to employers, boards, committees, and why not to those we should cherish far more?

As we are only four days into this new year I am overwhelmed with appreciation, respect, loyalty, and love for those I call family. Yet, it's those very individuals that I harm.

The least I can do is keep my word to them as the highest priority.  I pledged my heart to my wife, "for better, for worse, in sickness, in health, in prosperity, in poverty, until death do us part." I now see these words were pledged to not only her but echo to our children and their children. 

Here's to doing my best to keep my word and forgetting the rest!

#trevordrinen #dailyjourney #thoughts #selfhelp #personaldevelopment #leadership #leadfromwithin #hawaii #lanikai #kailua #oahu

ReThinking About Personally Getting Divorced or Separation in 2014

You've probably already come to some assumption or conclusion, but before you make an ass of yourself know I will not be leaving my wife, that’s simply not the case. I’m leaving someone else. Someone that's much younger and someone you may not know about. Someone who's become a good friend but pulls me away from spending time with my wife, my children, and who has even pulled me out of bed during the midnight hours.

What's her name?  How long have I been with her?  Does my wife know?  Her name is iPhone 4s. She’s attractive, slim, extremely smart, funny, reliable, and keeps me in contact with all my distant family and friends + up to date with all the trends. Although she’s always close by my side, I can not help but be honest and take notice that she is keeping me from those that are more important.

She’s really good at keeping my attention. So much so that I’ve been known to completely ignore people when they are trying to have a conversation with me. She's always on my mind as she tempts me with her apps, instead of enjoying the moment un-distracted. 

Apparently she's even conceived and multiplied!  Under my pillow or on the couch I've found an iPad and not a mouse!  Then to my amazement I see my sons chatting with each other - o' - not face to face but while gazing deep into ipad space!  I can’t help but notice she is slowly infecting my social life, my marriage, and the lives of those around me. Many people act like it’s no big deal, but today I find myself rethinking divorce.

Today, my phone become an accessory, not a priority!  I've gone deep into her settings and enabled, "Do Not Disturb" and silenced all her "Notifications" that call to me in the night.

My personal 2014 challenge: Spend a significant amount of time off engaging those around me, getting back to making deep, genuine personal relationships; while disciplining myself to staying in contact with distance family and friends via my social media accessory on a my limited time.

The reality is, the majority of people all married to or having an affair in one way or another.

Mind you. Not everyone struggles with this. But I hope you will take this into consideration regardless.

1. Learn to balance the time you spend on your phone.
2. Make your phone an accessory rather than a priority.
3. Give yourself limitations as to when and where your phone can be used.
4. Control how you use your phone, and stop allowing your phone to control you.
5. Try spending parts of your weekends unplugged, offline, and away from your mobile device.

In 2014. Will you join me in discovering balance & fighting for genuine relationships? Share this with a friend, and let’s get down to business.

@trevordrinen

Be honored to hear your thoughts? Leave a comment below. 

Do Tell: What inspired you in 2013?

In order for me to ask you, "Who / What inspired you most in 2013?"  I think it only fair that I would reply first.

Who / What inspired me most in 2013?

(1) My wife

Why? Over the past years she has dealt with various severe degrees of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after killing a high school classmate in a car accident.  During 2013 she overcame: med issues, thought patterns, and now is starting to write!  Not only has she become an amazing writer (soulremedies.net) , she developed a island wide recognition for her hand crafted pottery (raineorshinepottery); while, caring for myself or the needs of our three kids!

(2) My kids

Why? Each of them have been one of my greatest teachers over this past year.  They have each reminded me how to play, have fun, and DEEPLY enjoy the moment I am in.  They have also reminded me the need to remain teachable, ask more questions, seek to understand vs to be understood, and to never quit despite the odds. 

(3) My dad

Why? At 73 he is willing to pull up his roots, take a chance, and roll the dice of life by pursuing dreams and relocating. 

(4) My brother

Why? He has transformed himself from a strong round man into a triathlete that is Ironman bound!  How? Through daily mental, emotional, and physical choices / training.  His actions have inspired me to the degree I've often said, "If he can do it so can I " and now find myself saying, "if one man can do it so can I."   

(5) Nelson Mandela

Why? In a society that often define leadership through successes and results Nelson Mandela's words have penetrated the core of who I am as I daily try to live them out. "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership." - Nelson Mandela  Does leadership have to be one individual or point person?  Can leadership be defined as a team? Is leadership defined by western cultural successes? Questions, questions, questions....  

(6) Fizzle & Corbett Barr

Why? The team at Fizzle and Corbett Barr are down to earth and passionate about creating a place for creative entrepreneurs, writers, makers, coders and artists, to be able to support themselves independently on the Internet - they openly share failures, struggles, and wisdom.

(7) Team Hoyt

Why? Inspiration! Team Hoyt is an inspirational story of Dick Hoyt, and his son, Rick, who compete together in marathons and triathlons across the country.  They strives to help those who are physically disabled become active members of the community. 

(8) Movies: A Warrior's Heart, Anger Managment, Blue Like Jazz, Drift, Freedom Writers, Forever Strong, Into the Wild, King's Speech, The Way, The Hammer, Radio, Rudy, The 5th Quarter, Warrior, 

Why? Inspirational true stories: fighting to survive despite the challenges life tosses at them.

Now it's your turn!  Weather it one or a list, "Who / What inspired me most in 2013?"