I define humility as being true to myself—no more, no less. To achieve this, I follow four steps:
First, I settle into who I am, accepting myself fully without excuses.
Second, I strive for continuous improvement—not through a relentless pursuit of perfection, but by gradually addressing the gaps and weaknesses I observe.
Third, I reflect compassionately, avoiding harsh self-criticism. This reflection helps me evaluate my life and choices with kindness and clarity. Fourth, I align my actions with my values, ensuring that what I do and say reflects my truth.
Lastly, I strive to live with honor, understanding that my destiny is uniquely mine to follow and express.
By embracing these steps, I maintain my authentic self while growing and becoming more visible and recognized.
Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.
Some individuals leave an indelible mark on your life, shaping not just what you know, but how you come to know it. For me, that person was Hans Karl Welz, a mentor who imparted more than mere knowledge. He taught me the art of learning itself—an approach not bound by static truths but guided by intellectual evolution.
Karl Hans Welz
Welz’s philosophy was one of constant growth. He saw ideas not as final destinations but as stepping stones—pathways meant to be questioned, transcended, and reshaped. To him, genuine care extended beyond understanding. It was about challenging assumptions, pushing boundaries, and staying humble in the face of infinite possibilities.
His approach to life and invention was equally profound. His creations weren’t conclusions but provocations—open doors inviting others to think deeper, dream bigger, and imagine more. “My thoughts are but temporary bridges,” he often said, “meant to be crossed, not worshipped.” This insight remains one of the most transformative lessons I’ve ever encountered.
In reflecting on his impact, I honor not just the man but the way of being, he exemplified—curious, compassionate, and ceaselessly striving toward a greater understanding of the world and ourselves. Through his teachings, Hans Karl Welz inspired a life of exploration, and for that, I will always be grateful.
Today’s highlight was a beautiful moment of creativity and connection. I discovered something entirely new—a way to create music with artificial intelligence. Until recently, such tools weren’t available, and it felt empowering to harness this technology to craft something meaningful. The result? A romantic love song I made specifically for my wife, and to my delight, she loved it.
Music is her language; it’s how she expresses herself and connects with the world. She’s always said that to truly speak to her heart, you have to speak through music. In the past, I’ve searched for songs that conveyed what I wanted to say and shared those with her. But this time was different. With this app, I could choose the genre, tailor the music, and add my own words, creating something uniquely hers. Seeing her joy, hearing her reaction—it was deeply fulfilling.
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen her light up in the past couple of days. Just yesterday, I gave her an early Christmas gift—a WDLR portable speaker, which I knew would resonate with her. Watching her face light up in sheer ecstasy as she listened was incredible. It reminded me how special it feels to share something that moves her so deeply.
These moments make me feel like I’m beginning to understand her on a deeper level. Music has always been her world, and through these small acts, I hope I’m finding ways to connect with her there. I’d love for this to be the start of a deeper bond, one built on shared wonder and understanding.
Today, I learned not just how to create music, but how to create joy for someone I love. And that, more than anything, feels like the true highlight of my day.
You know, it’s funny how we look back on a year and realize that—spoiler alert—life didn’t throw us any massive plot twists. For me, the past year has been one of calm waters. No wild drama, no soap-opera-worthy surprises. Work? Steady. Relationships? Solid. Home? Cozy. Honestly, I wanted a year like this—one marked by growth, learning, and a sense of moving forward. And guess what? My vision board and I seem to have been on the same page.
Reflecting daily on my vision board.
Ah, the vision board—my trusty tool for charting out a version of the future me that I can get excited about. It’s not magic (no fairy dust or crystal balls involved), but it is a great way to get intentional about life. Of course, slapping some pretty pictures onto a board and then forgetting about it won’t do much. The real power lies in revisiting that vision—often. Quiet moments of reflection, the kind where you ask yourself, “Am I edging closer to this?”, have a way of sharpening your focus and making you more aware of opportunities as they appear.
Here’s the trick: it’s not about striving like a maniac for perfection or chasing after wealth and status. For me, the goal is simple—to become the person I want to be. That means starting each day with intention, asking myself what I can do to move the needle, and wrapping up each evening with a moment of reflection. Did I show up today in a way that aligns with my vision? Did I learn something? Did I edge a little closer to that me I’m aiming for?
It’s a daily practice—small, steady habits that stack up over time. Progress doesn’t always look exciting, but it feels good. And in a year where life was more quiet than chaotic, that progress feels like a win.
So here’s to vision boards, quiet mornings, reflective evenings, and becoming our best selves—one day, one habit, one intention at a time.
My challenge is to step into the light where others can see me—to become a voice that resonates, a name that lingers in hearts and minds. It is not simply about visibility but about creating a presence, a brand that is both authentic and magnetic. For this, I must learn to share myself—my thoughts, my story, my essence—through forms that make me visible: videos, podcasts, the spoken word. This is no small task, for it requires more than skill; it demands openness, vulnerability, and courage.
Claiming social media as a forte
I have tools. I have the foundation: the art of fluid speech honed through my Toastmasters training, the ability to communicate when prepared. Yet now, I must transcend preparation and embrace spontaneity—to speak with ease, unscripted, as though the words flow from a deeper stream. It is not enough to be heard; I must captivate, spark curiosity, and kindle a flame in those who listen. They must feel called to pause and think, to shift, to lean in and say, “Aha, I need to hear more.”
But I am aware of the vastness of the challenge. The world now turns to artificial intelligence for answers—its endless knowledge, its tireless efficiency. Why would anyone seek a human voice when they can turn to machines? And yet, something ineffable sets us apart. There is magic in human connection, in the way one soul touches another. This is something AI cannot replicate. My task, then, is not to fight against technology but to dance with it—melding its power with my humanity. To use AI as an ally, enhancing my message so that what emerges is not just my voice, but a harmony between what is human and what is possible.
And within this technological storm, I sense a deeper crisis stirring—one that many do not yet see. People are losing themselves in the very tools meant to serve them. For those of us who remember a world before this technology, we are less ensnared, more able to step back and see it clearly. We know its place. Yet others—lost, overwhelmed—will search for something deeper, something human, something true. It is here that I must stand, offering a message that pulls them back to themselves, back to balance.
But to do this, I must embrace the greatest test: courage. Courage to expose myself fully, to stand in front of the camera, to speak without armor. For there is no hiding in a video; it lays bare your thoughts, your words, your very being. It opens the door to criticism, to trolls waiting to wound, to voices that tear down what you strive to build. And yet, courage calls me to stand anyway—to release the imperfect video, the unfinished thought, the vulnerable self—knowing it is a stepping stone.
This journey is not about perfection but about movement, about relentless progress toward something greater. Each attempt, each failure, each small moment of silence or unnoticed effort is part of the path. There will be times when I release my work into the void, and it does not echo back—no views, no subscriptions, no applause. But even then, I must move forward. I must learn to fail and fail again, to let go of expectations and embrace the process. For it is in this perseverance, this refusal to be silenced, that I will find my voice and my power.
Courage, then, is my companion. It tells me to trust the imperfect steps, to trust myself, and to trust that those who are meant to hear my message will find me. My task is not to be flawless, but to be present—to show up again and again, sharing what must be shared, until the message breaks through and takes root in the hearts of those who need it most.
How has technology changed your job? When I was born, “technology” meant a calculator that could do basic arithmetic without smoke coming out of it. The personal computer was still a twinkle in some nerd’s eye, the internet was a secret government project, and a *mouse* was just a rodent that occasionally chewed through your… Read more: From Floppy Disks to AI: How Technology Turned My Job Into Sci-Fi
How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals? As I get older, I begin to realize more and more the importance of setting boundaries. We have a responsibility to ourselves to achieve our goals and live up to our full potential. Let’s be honest—the average human lifetime is… Read more: The Art of Saying “No”: Protecting Your Goals Without Losing Your Humanity
What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times? There’s a quiet magic in repetition. The way a song’s chorus loops in your soul, or a well-loved recipe tastes like nostalgia. But when it comes to movies and shows? I’ve long believed hitting “replay” was a frivolous act—a detour from life’s forward… Read more: The Rewind Button of Life: What My Reluctant Re-Watches Taught Me About Connection
Are you superstitious? So, are you superstitious? Let’s unpack that! According to my dusty old dictionary, superstition is an “excessively credulous belief in the supernatural.” But let’s be real—one person’s “woo-woo nonsense” is another’s “sacred ritual.” Me? I’m over here casually strolling under ladders like I’m auditioning for a daredevil circus act. Friday the 13th?… Read more: Confessions of a Synchronicity Junkie (No Black Cats Were Harmed in the Making of This Blog
zeal4living