Learn from mistakes and continuing to move forward.

02.04.14 

Have the clouds liquified and settled on the sand? Or have I taken another imperfect picture in a imperfect world?

As individuals we need to accept our imperfections an shortcomings.  We need to stop striving to be everything for everyone.

Nobody gets everything right every time; as long as you learn from your mistakes, you will continue to move forward in life. 

Like the ocean waves that relentlessly pounds against the cliffs - Never stop. No matter the odds, no matter what others have said to crush your dreams, dare to dream and see your dreams become reality.

Pre Sunrise snap with Jupiter in sky

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

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

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 

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!

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!