Solitude Is UNDER VALUED

02.06.14

The value of scheduling some time for yourself each and everyday is truly priceless.

By unplugging learning to enjoy silence and your own company enables you to taking time for the things that are important to you, and just might increase your self-esteem. 

By creating margins, times, and spending time alone you character will be refined and others will develop more respect for you and your time.

One of the simplest ways to add some solitude in your life is by walking, reading at the park, or looking for things in nature to take a picture of.

I'd be honored to hear how you spend your solitude and how it benefits you.

Getting up and building resilience can deeply improve you daily life.

02.05.14

Batman Begins is one of my favorite movies and contains a powerful statement when young Bruce asks, "Why do we fall?" The reply is simple yet profound. "So we can learn to pick ourselves up."

Learning to get up and building resilience can deeply improve you daily life. 

Resilience increases your character and your ability to cope with stress and pressures; as / when they take place. If you only think about stress when it occurs; you will always feel as if your fighting an uphill battle. 

If you take the time to breathe deeply, think, and then implement a possible coping strategies in your life, you greatly reduce your exposure to stress.  

This small step can increase your resilience, add depth to your character, reducing stress, improve your health and increase personal effectiveness in your everyday life.

Here's to getting back up today!

I'd be honored to hear about one step you're going to take to get back up and add resilience into your life.

 

12 Quotes & 1 Picture To Brighten Your Day

As I woke up to the sound of rain, I decided to sit in bed and just be still for a few minutes this morning.  The continuous sounds of the smoothing rain cleared my mind and as my feet touched the floor I decided to come up with some motivational / inspirational quotes to illuminate your day. 

After you read these motivational quotes, 'd be honored to hear which one inspired, encouraged, or caused you to think the most.  

My hope is that you will be energized and be able to take one step today towards turning your ideas into a reality.

"In order to success, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." Bill Cosby

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill

"Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it." Bruce Lee

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." Albert Einstein

"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." Michael Jordan

"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." Bill Gates

"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." Dale Carnegie

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. Be the change that you want to see in the world." M. Gandhi

"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 and success." Nelson Mandela

"We're born with success. It is only others who point out our failures, and what they attribute to is as failure." Whoopi Goldberg

"Failures to heroic minds are the stepping stones to success." Thomas Chandler 

“Your destiny doesn’t create you. You create your own destiny.” Unknown

Life just might be found

02.03.14

If one doesn't breathe death will find them quickly. If one lives for money fortune may come yet the cost may be great. If one lives within the moment - taking everything in - life just might be found.

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

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.

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

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?"

Intriguing Communication Style

Matthew 13:10 NIV

SCRIPTURE

““Why do you speak to them [the crowds who came to see Jesus] in parables?”” -Matthew 13:10 NIV

OBSERVATION

In his three-year ministry, Jesus spoke to small groups of followers and massive crowds. So captivating was His teaching that crowds stayed and listened all day, forgetting to even go home and get something to eat (see Luke 9:10-17). Everyone—from the meekest peasant farmer to the mightiest political ruler—wanted to hear Jesus. And those who heard Him were astonished, “for he was teaching them as one who had authority” (Matt. 7:29).

As we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus commonly used parables, stories that illustrated spiritual and moral lessons. And as we read them, we often find ourselves scratching our heads and asking one question: 

Why did Jesus choose to speak in parables when speaking plainly would be so much more effective?

In Matthew 13:10, we’re told that the disciples came to Jesus and said to Him, “Why do you speak to them [the crowds who came to see Jesus] in parables?”  AKA. What did He expect to accomplish by not speaking plainly to the crowds?

His answer is fascinating:

“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.” But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Matt. 13:11-17)

This answer is absolutely shocking. It’s shocking because, in effect, Jesus is telling them, “I speak in parables because the truth of the kingdom of heaven is not theirs to know. They think they see the truth of my kingdom, but they don’t. They think they understand, but they can’t. If they did, they might turn and repent.”

That boggles my mind. It’s hard to grasp the idea that Jesus would not want people to know what He was saying. Yet, He didn’t. Jesus’ explanation of His use of parables reveals that they had a two-fold purpose: to harden the hearts of some who heard, and to cause others to seek out Jesus and ask Him what He meant.  Every time He spoke, He was simultaneously excluding some and including others. Some, after hearing His particularly difficult teachings, turned away and “no longer walked with Him” (John 6:66). But others were drawn to Him. They did not simply except the unknown, but were fueled by what they did not know to learn more. And the fascinating thing is that when people drew near, when they asked Him to explain, as the disciples did, He was happy to oblige.

APPLICATION

Today, it’s considered fashionable by some to speak and write about the Christian faith in ambiguous terms. To “embrace the mystery” of Christianity, as some might say. To leave things mysterious, all in the name of humility. It's true, there is much we do not understand nor can expect to understand about the "mysterious ways" in which God works. But in effect, by allowing vague, ambiguous teachings on Christianity, they’re choosing not to communicate anything at all. In doing so, men and women of faith, and often very popular ones, are actually breaking the prime rule of communication: Communicators communicate.

While there are many things that God chooses to keep secret from us, He does want us to know who He is, what He expects of us and how we can be rightly related to Him. And these things He has made clear within the pages of Scripture. He has made His will known to His creatures. And He expects those who would teach his people to make it known. So, to speak as though we can’t know with any certainty what God has made knowable—especially under the guise of following the example of Jesus—is not humility. It is the height of arrogance.

Jesus was never mysterious for the sake of being mysterious. He didn’t speak in riddles and vagaries to create a mystique. God is not a beat poet. Jesus’ parables were not meant to be a stumbling block for His disciples. Rather, all things were revealed to them by Him, for those who longed to hear.

Similarly, the role of the Christian is to patiently explain all that has been revealed with gentleness and humility, not cloak His message in ambiguity. Acknowledge what you do not know, seek to know more—and share what you can until the day when all things are made clear.

PRAYER

God, Thank you for pursuing individuals as your created them. Communication - Help me. Help me continue to pull things back to what I know as true, refine and sharpen all that I allow to come out of my mouth. Jesus you had a very intriguing communication style - please teach me more... 

- Trevor