Its all a matter of perspective

Another great Thanksgiving past and another birthday after that.

For some reason, around this time of the year I'm a curmudgeon (learned that at toastmasters tonight and it basically means a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person).

I don't know what it is. Maybe its the weather or the way I see things this time of year. For some reason, the past few weeks I have been feeling down.

It was not till a few moments ago that it all clicked. I don't know what it was that made me think differently but it may have been the movie I was watching, Gran Torino.

There was a scene in the movie where Clint Eastwood is at a cookout with the neighbors and Sue says, you're happy. What's different? If you have seen the movie you know Clint is quite the Curmudgeon.

Walt, Clint's characters name, responds; Well I'm with beautiful women, the weather is great, we have great food and company. At that moment, I thought to myself Walt had been so unhapppy and grumpy the whole movie when he had a good thing right next door. It was always there but over time, he changed his perspective on his neighbors. From them bringing the ugly side of him from his time in the Korean War to where he gave his life for them at the end.

So I thought to myself. Ok I am feeling down and I don't like feeling this way. I need to change things up because this is being counter productive. I know that I am responsible for my results and my life. It's amazing how you can change things right up. Instead of thinking of the things I don't have, I needed to focus on the things that I do have, which are many.

I don't want to make this blog about the things I don't have, because I will soon and that will be a blog in its own. So with Thanksgiving just passing and my 25th birthday, I have much to give thanks and I would like to dedicate this blog to everything I am thankful for.

With it being my 25th Thanksgiving I can honestly say that I am living the dream. If you know me very well, you know that one of my frequent responses to the most asked question "Whats up" or "whats going on?" I almost always respond "Living the dream"

It wasn't till recently that I really realized that I am living the dream I dreamt of years ago. Let me explain. A little over five years ago, around the time I got cancer and my whole world got flipped upside inside out. I met Diane Carroll, who to this day I credit in part to setting me on the path I am and have been on for the past 5 years. One thing she taught me was that I could achieve anything. In order to do so, you have to plan and set deadlines. Its only a dream if think of it and it becomes a goal once you write it down.

I took a look at my binder from years ago and looked at what goals I had set for myself back then, 5 years ago. Coincidentally, I am on track. Basically what I had written years ago was to graduate in 2006, travel a bit, get 2 to 3 years experience working then either start my own business and work on it full time or goto grad school.

I just got side tracked and visited Linkedin to check on something and I saw this quote on the feed,

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. -- James Allen

How appropriate. As one of my fav Aerosmith songs go, Dream On.

Viola, I'm doing just that. Back to wrap up this blog because I have set it out to myself from here on out to blog frequently but to keep it short. I'm also going to test out vlogging and podcasting because quite frankly, I dread having to type even though I do it all day.

I'm thankful for the position I am in.

I have my health.
I have a loving family that consists of my awesome brother, the greatest sista one could ask for in Girlie, Baby K the cutest niece in the known universe and my loving mother who makes me proud every single day. I love you all.
I have a vast network of close friends, friends, acquaintances and ability to interact with people easily. I believe that this contacts of mine truly care for me as a person and want to see me happy and successful.
I have what I always wanted. To work with an entrepreneurial team on a great concept with tons of potential.
I am starting to develop a positive JC Otero brand where I am starting to be known in a good way.
I am doing good for the community by volunteering my time to various causes and organizations just because.
I have a roof over my head and places to go if that ever changes.
I have transportation and the know how to manage if I did not.
I have brains and character with personality.

Most of all, I have the responsibility for my results. Its a scary realization. Scary in a good way because the sky is the limit.

When I remind myself of all the aforementioned, any worries or negative feelings I have will be wiped away. In the grand scheme of things, the only important things that matter are who are in your life and how you make their lives better.