My Blog

Language, Culture, and Connections

8/5/2020

The relationship between language and culture is very strong.

Languages represent the needs and desires of a group of people. Those needs and desires cannot always be translated perfectly from one language to another. For example, the Yupik and Inuktitut languages, spoken by the Eskimos, include many more words for variations of snow than the English language does. This is because their environment requires snow to be described in greater detail than in other environments where snowfall is less abundant and/or important.

Learning a language is the key to unlocking the hearts and minds of those who speak it. It is a path that leads to true understanding. An understanding of people's most important needs. An understanding of people's deepest desires. With this understanding comes a deeper connection and a more fulfilling relationship. One of harmony and respect.

Learning a new language allows us to understand people and cultures on a more profound level. By doing so, we reduce ignorance, hatred, and violence, ultimately making this planet a more peaceful place for all!

I studied Spanish in middle school, high school, and majored in it during university. I spent a semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina practicing the language with my host family and other porteños (what people from Buenos Aires refer to themselves as). I have continued honing my skills by practicing with locals and fellow travelers on trips to locations where Spanish is the primary language spoken. I also speak it with friends, family, and others I meet, so long as I sense they are comfortable communicating in Spanish. By learning a new language, I have created and maintained rich and fulfilling relationships. And I want the same for you.

Have you learned another language? If so, how did you do it and what advice would you offer?

How To Be A Changemaker

7/29/2020

This topic is of utmost importance, especially given current events and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Although not all members of a society necessarily agree with all laws that govern it or the ethics connected to those laws, laws enforce what a society at large believes to be morally correct.

But societal ethics aren't stagnant. They evolve over time. And therefore, laws do as well.

When the United States was established, slavery was legal. It no longer is.

When the United States was established, women were unable to vote. A century ago, that law changed.

So how does change come about?

Some people believe that criticizing, condemning and coercing others is the best way to enact change. I would argue that this proposed way of change brings about resentment, and if change does occur, it generally happens with reluctance and is not genuine.

So instead of using aggression and force, let's show the world a better way of doing things. Let's conduct ourselves in an ethical and exemplary way, and let's inspire others to follow in our footsteps with integrity and on their own volition.

Let's imagine two scenarios. Think about how each situation makes you feel and determine which of the two you believe will be more effective:

1) I tell you that recycling is of utmost importance, and by not doing so, you are contributing to destroying the environment
2) I show you that I recycle, and explain that I do so in an effort to preserve our environment for generations to come

But talking to people about an alternative way to do things isn't always enough. People need to be setup for success. Let's assume you hadn't recycled in the past, but have now decided to take recycling more seriously and desire to change your habits. Consider the following two scenarios, and in which you would be more likely to begin recycling:

1) You have no recycling options in your building or anywhere close to where you live
2) Your building has a designated location where you can easily separate and deposit your items

In order for us to inspire positive change, we must:

1) demonstrate an alternative path and lead by example
2) provide easily accessible ways for people to implement change into their lives

What important changes do you feel should be made in today's world, and how will you make them?

Focus On What's Important

7/24/2020

A lot of money. A prestigious position. A large home. A fancy car.

The above paragraph lists what many people believe to be important. Are these things actually important to you? Maybe all of them are. Perhaps only some. Possibly none.

For me personally, none of them are.

Helping others. Empowering people to create positive change in their lives. Inspiring people to realize their true potential and go after what they dream of and want in life. Spreading the joys and benefits of travel. Teaching about other cultures. Sharing the value and advantages of learning new languages.

Fast forward to your funeral. What will people speaking on your behalf say about you? About your accomplishments. About the kind of person you were. About how you affected their lives. About the changes you made in this world.

Few people enjoy thinking about their own mortality, however considering it is helpful in putting our lives into perspective. It causes us to think critically about what is truly important to us, and therefore, what we should be focusing on.

What is important to you?

The World Is Your Teacher

7/17/2020

Formal education is great and I have learned a lot from schools and universities. I have also gained a lot of knowledge from work places. There is another form of learning however, which I have found to be extremely powerful.

My Outside-of-the-Classroom Learning Experiences (extensive travels) however, have served as my most practical, meaningful and beneficial sources of knowledge. I hand-picked each experience, and therefore learned about topics I am interested in. Studies have shown that when people are engaged and interested in what they are learning, the information is more likely to stick.

Actually BEING INVOLVED IN THE EXPERIENCE, rather than reading about it in a book or watching it on television, for me, is one of the key reasons I find this form of learning to be so potent. The ability to use my five senses during this experiential learning is another reason why I am able to clearly remember what I have learned. I will describe below, my experience at 10 Commandos Beach in the Philippines:

And what a perfectly sunny day it was. A hammock swaying in the wind. Many actually. I chose one. I laid on it and relaxed, swaying back and forth in the gentle breeze, watching the waves come in to shore and then retreat back out to sea. I later moved out of the shade and into the sun and sat down in the sand. But not before purchasing a coconut from the only vendor the island had -- a small hut, but a memorable one. The coconut water was cool and refreshing. Absorbed in the warmth of the sun, sandy, and slathered with the usual obscene amount of sunblock, I was content. Content beyond belief.

What have your learning experiences been like? Have you found one form of learning more effective than another?

Get To The Final Destination But Don't Forget To Enjoy The Ride

7/10/2020

While it's imperative to set goals and focus on results, it's vital not to lose sight of the process and the present.

The moment in time when a goal is achieved takes mere seconds, minutes, hours at most. The process that gets us there takes days, weeks, months, years, even decades. Therefore, the process of achieving our goals is far more time-consuming than the moments in which they are actually accomplished.

How great it felt for me to walk up on stage and be handed my diploma at my SUNY Albany undergraduate graduation! Yet, had I spent those four years with my head buried in textbooks at all times, solely focused on those three seconds of my life, I would have missed out on four incredible years of adventure!

How amazing it felt to return to New York after completing a seven-month trip around the world! Yet, could you imagine how much I would have missed out on had I plowed through each country, focusing solely on the completion of the journey and forgetting to enjoy each epic experience along the way?

Rather than being fixated solely on the final destination, let's ensure we are enjoying the ride that gets us there! I encourage you, right now, to think about the goals you've set for your life. Now think about the journey these goals have taken you on. Are you enjoying the ride?

Self-Compassion

7/3/2020

Being kind to ourselves is one of the most beneficial and important things we can do, and something we MUST do.

Everyone goes through challenging times at some point in life. Right now, we are collectively going through a challenging time as an entire, interconnected world.

It is therefore crucial for us to remember to show ourselves love and compassion. To be caring, kind and considerate to ourselves. To treat ourselves with dignity and respect.

The golden rule states that we must treat others the way we want to be treated. We must also treat OURSELVES the way we want others to treat us.

A rather well-known principle states that you must love yourself before you can love others. If we can't be genuinely kind to ourselves, how can we be genuinely kind to others?

Self-Image = Reality

6/26/2020

The value we place on ourselves affects our self-image, and also affects how we are perceived by the people around us.

Our image of self affects which romantic partners we attract. In order to attract the ideal partner, we must be confident in ourselves and confident in our ability to attract that person, portraying an image of someone they would want to date.

The friendships we create and maintain are also dictated by our self-image. They are fueled by the values we have and radiate. A common Spanish proverb says "Dime con quién andas y te diré quien eres." The most appropriate English translation for this would be "Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are."

Our self-image also affects our professional lives and the opportunities which we receive (or don't receive). Depending on how we view ourselves, opportunities can stay limited and/or nonexistent, or can expand beyond what we ever thought imaginable.

The world is full of MANY realities. Our perception is OUR reality. Therefore, the way we see ourselves in this world will dictate the way in which our lives will be lived and will evolve.

Why We Should ALWAYS Be Striving to Improve OURSELVES

6/19/2020

Why should we care about striving to become a better version of ourselves?

By doing so, we put ourselves in situations to create more opportunities for the things we desire in life -- having better relationships, gaining more wealth, and the list continues.

Sure it's about us, but it's more about the people and places around us. By making ourselves better, we are creating a better world for the generations to come.

By investing the time into learning more about ourselves and others, and ingesting useful knowledge, we are eliminating our fear of the unknown, therefore reducing hate, and ultimately decreasing violence.

Are You Curious?

6/12/2020

Curiosity is a natural phenomenon. Human beings are curious. Dogs are curious. Most beings are curious.

We should channel our curiosity in positive ways. Let's use it to show genuine interest in others and to learn more about their stories. Let's use it to find out more about life and the world we live in.

Let's make sure to be self-aware however, and not be too intrusive or aggressive with our questioning. Let's ensure that our curiosity doesn't rear its head through negative emotions such as jealousy.

In what ways does curiosity affect your life?

Objectivity - It Isn't Easy But It's Important

6/5/2020

Being objective is extremely difficult to do. Especially when the topic is one that is strongly tied to our emotions.

Our realities are subjective and based on our opinions and experiences. Most of us live our lives by the stories we tell ourselves, convinced that they constitute reality. Most people will listen to and agree with information that supports their argument, and will fail to acknowledge contradictory perspectives. We usually fail to realize that our stories constitute OUR reality, and that OUR reality is ONE reality, not THE ONE AND ONLY reality. Our ability to recognize and understand this concept is INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.

If we are able to step outside of a situation and observe only the facts, it can help us to see other perspectives. This is however, much easier said than done.