So somewhere between the lines of serendipity and its opposition, I think I found the silver lining. A lining that is not just felt - pun intended - or aluminum made, but also a punch of good old fashion goodness. What do I mean by that? Well, you meet people. And some are for you and some aren't, Robert Henri used to say. And the ones that aren't, aren't important. But we internalize everything (I know I do) and make it personal or bigger than it is, when it shouldn't be. We focus on the wrong things, when we should be focusing on the ones that are positive. Because positive people have the power to thrust us so much further than all the rest.

I always imagine this door knock assignment which has me go from door to door asking the inhabitant of that particular dwelling if he'd like to buy some chewing gum. And nine times out of ten the answer is a big-fat-love-handled-no. But I'll be damned if that one yes doesn't make all those big-love-fat-handled-no's look like yesses in the end. So I guess what I'm trying to say is who cares about those people who don't like you. Who don't want you. Who snicker behind your back. Who want to see you fail or worse - conform. Last week I was lucky enough to meet someone who changed my view of the world just a little bit more and in a way significant. Personal struggles are lessons are experiences are the way we learn about each other; and most importantly about life. Little by little, if we allow our perspective to shift and not be so rigid, or influenced by others, we could accomplish so much more. And on that note I have a few silver bullets I'd like to share here today.

Silver Bullet # 1:

Be present. Not just there in your skin wrapped in your clothes, but open to the elements. This is something I struggled with and struggle with still. But every day I try do be just a little bit better. Which means that when I add up all those little bits, I'll have something to show for it.

Silver Bullet #2:

Be bold. I don't mean to be rude or arrogant. I just mean be honest and genuine with yourself. Let your words match your actions and let the reverse be true. For every person you come in contact with may be either a chance for an adventure, or another road not taken. So choose wisely!

Silver Bullet #3:

Be awesome! Don't try to impress anyone. I know I've been more guilty of this more times than I can count. Pleasing others can be energy draining and your resources are much better spent being creative and putting out new content which can be of real value to someone. So learn things, pay them forward and never look back. 

Silver Bullet #4:

Be flexible. In the Western zodiac I'm a bull. Talk about obstinacy. But I'm working on it. And if that’s not enough, in the Chinese horoscope I'm an ox. That's double the stubborn, twice the pigheadedness. But I'm coping with it, ya know?

Silver Bullet #5:

Be free. Letting go of all fears is probably an improbable goal. As is walking around in total Nirvana or constant bliss. But, letting go just means not trying to control everything. I was OCD with too many things from a young age. Things that weren't even important, but irritated me to the point of a mild exasperation. On a road paved with distractions, it's never been more necessary to be a free spirit and true to yourself. Not letting others fears and insecurities poison your vision, and more so, your life. So tread carefully, but not too carefully. As we grow careful with age anyway, Hemingway once said.