Zach's Story: The Sweet Life

Fun memories and just fun to look back at the things that I have done this year. Check out your year and see if you have been doing the things you want to do and have been with the people you want to surround yourself with. 

In this day and age it seems that everyone is always moving at 100miles a minute. Over-active minds and bodies never wanting to settle down. It seems as if everyone wants to conquer the world every day but no one knows specifically how to do it. Instant gratification is dominant in our mindsets. I fit right in with this mindset. It is hard for me to see myself sitting still with the "same-old" every day. As I talk about frequently there are so many things that I want to do, places I want to see, and job experiences I want to take in. Whatever happened to taking on a trade and working in that field loyally for a lifetime. The world is changing. Everyone wants to absorb as much as possible but the first steps into making this a reality is always hard. People don't want to feel as thought their time is being wasted, but they waste their time waiting on finding the perfect calling. Dreamers have to be careful. Waiting on the right thing and being idle are different things e

This is a concept that my boss had presented to a group of us during training. I found it very insightful and I thought that I would share it with you all. What the exercise asks for is for you to think of 10 values that you hold dear and would pass onto your children. For example, my ten values go as follows (no specific order): Character/Integrity- morally strong, great human being Faith- strong belief system to guide Family/Relationships- cherrish and put energies into those closest to you, LOVE Determination/Drive- always strive to be great, work hard to get there Willpower- let no obstacle get in the way of your aspirations Open-mindedness- be open to new opportunities, diversity, broad scope/views, TRAVELING to find answers.  Innovative Spirit- be creative, think outside the box, versatile  Positivity- radiate positive energy, be an optimist, too much time is wasted being cynical  Intelligence- life-long learning to become a versatile human being, knowledge is power

I thought about this for awhile the other day and it seemed worthwhile to share. In life there are lessons to be learned at every turn. I wonder what take aways and advice I would give to my younger self, to my children, or to anyone that would listen. At the dinner table with my mother and friend I asked them what life advise they would give a live audience if they were put in an auditorium and given a microphone. In thinking on the matter myself I thought of a couple of life points. Even though I am 24 I feel as though I have had a variety of experiences and I have matured quite a bit over the years so I have some worth-while advice. First, take everything that you view as a curve ball or a set back as a learning experience. Life slows down for no one and the punches do not get any softer with age. Respond. You can take a day or so to pout about certain events in life but then you need to get back up. You need to react. Take on struggles as learning experiences, take them on as way

Happiness Happiness cannot be based on success success isn't a constant whereas you should always drive for happiness to be a constant grade your life by means of happiness tie your happiness to a loved one, a special place, faith, in service, everyone has something to go to the pursuit of happiness should drive your life The Path How do we know where we are supposed to be going? Look at where you have been, the mistakes, the growth, the opportuniteies, and judge where you would like to be going how do we know if we are going in the right direction? head off in a direction and once you get somewhere look back and ask yourself if you are where you should be going what happens if we get lost along the way? you have to get lost before you can be found what can we do to check ourselves along the journey? life isnt a sprint, it is a marathonand it is important to give yourself check points and landmarks where will our paths take us? exactly where we are supposed to

I have been fortunate enough in my childhood to have lived a life of adventure. My mother would take my family on a "grand adventure" every summer. Now these trips have ignited a fire inside me, a desire to see as many sights as possible. I want to be captivated by nature. So I am trying to become more worldly. I have seen some incredible things thus far in life. Crater Lake, Oregon Calgary Stampede, Canada Upper Peninsula, Michigan Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Grand Canyon, Arizona Punta Cana Mexico Redwoods, California and so on. The most incredible single destinations I have been thus far would have to be Niagara Falls, Crater Lake, the Red Rocks Amphitheater, the Grand Canyon, and this a secluded lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Coolest trips in term of exposure would be trips to Glacier National Park, anywhere in Colorado, the U.P., and Yellowstone. In my future travels I want to get away from my usual tropical get aways, and start to tr

Draft 1 I am from where I have been From back then to now I am from "Good Morning Sunshines" to "Now I lay-me's" From Christmas Eves sleeping out by the tree I am from giant sleepovers and Mom's waffles in the morning From street hockey and backyard football I am from the bumps and the bruises along the way From bonfires and grand adventures I am from game nights and pictionary rivalries From peaking during the adult portions of Braveheart I am from playing cowboy and making stick weapons From long bike rides and saturday cartoons I am from the trail I am blazing From the wrong turns and side streets along the way I am from the ups and downs, the ins and outs, the highs and lows From years of schooling, learning, and growing I am from hours and hours of training and practice From friday night lights to saturday game days I am from the grind, relentless determination From a love of working with children and service I am from a teaching

I used to crawl but now I run I used to want to be a dinosaur but now I know better I used to sing in my school concerts but now I sing in the comfort of my shower I used to play outside all day long but now I have places to be I used to have the wildest imagination but now the real world has my mind I used to want to grow up but now I just want to be a kid again

I dream of left and right I dream of forward and backwards I dream of more and less I dream of here and there I dream of whose-its and whats-its I dream of the dream... but that distracts me from the now One cannot have tomorrow without today It is important not to waste away

If I were in charge of the world things would be quite different. Everone would have a fancy nickname Mandatory creativity time would take place daily Windownless buildings would not exist Round abouts would be a thing of the past Everyone would wear cowboy boots In greeting the taller person would twirl the shorter If someone were to put someone down they would have to compliment them three times first The wilderness would remain the wilderness There would be squadrons devoted to exterminating mysquitos Christian Bale would still be batman and friends would put on another season Dessert would be eaten before dinner Thanksgiving feasts would take place twice a year Guys would wear short shorts too If I were in charge things would ger interesting because I am just gfetting started