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What Brought Me to Optimum Living…

I am a product of my environment.

My life has been both a reflection and translation of my entire surroundings.

Before one could answer any question pertaining to reasons or events that affected the outcome of that individual, they must take much time for introspection.  At least, for myself that’s the case. I found that while I was thinking, only the most current events and influences were coming to mind; Going to College, a new group of wondrous and motivating friends who love to dance, do yoga, garden, meditate, and aspire to change the current state of the world are all tangible reasons for me to want to live, and share with everyone, a happy and healthy life.

As true as that statement is, it’s not the full truth. One walks through deserts, though they may not know it, for the purpose of better appreciating and utilizing the Oasis. My mother died when I was in Eighth Grade so that I could get out there and live a more diverse and free-formed childhood and grow stronger with a greater sense of appreciation for community. I had, and still have, a great community who has helped see me through each day, as well as a guardian angel.  

I went though a period of rough times, however, as I tried to rediscover life when the bearer of such a large portion of my experiences in this plane of existence had ceased to produce further experiences. My range of what experiences I could accumulate depended entirely on my discretion. My Dad had another family, so I lived with friends or by myself. It was a trial and error process, as expected. I had made codependent friendships and wasn’t picking up on all the good energy of others around me. It wasn’t until I met Kalani, a transfer student from Maui, that I began to see again all the light in this world. 

We quickly became like brothers and I spent much time with him and his Family. His dad, Home, and I had amazing discussions on many different philosophical topics that I had pondered since childhood, if not infancy. Home’s wife, Brook, showed me how simple and delicious Vegan cooking can be. When Kalani moved back to Maui, I went with him and spent time with him and his family. Living with Brook and Home, as brief as it was, was the most inspiring experience. To be able to witness a family living with so much love in their hearts for all creatures and processes in life…There are no words to describe it. Upon my return I tried becoming a vegetarian and have continued on that path to a vegan lifestyle. That was four years ago. 

Only after much thought did childhood influences come into memory. Here are the most influential series of experiences in my life. . . Every weekend, every house in the neighborhood was empty, because they were all at My moms house. My mom was in the kitchen, coking up a gourmet storm, while everyone chatted, laughed, and danced together. Everyone hugged and kissed each other on the cheeks, and we all gave thanks together for the amazing meal my mom prepared, and for everything that allowed us to be together. We always had community dinners. We always had community. We usually had great music, too! The second most important influence in my life is, and always has been, my older brother. He has always paved a way for me, sharing his experiences, being a protector (As well as a punisher when need be), but always giving love unconditionally. When I meet someone new, I act towards them how my brother does me, or at least with his virtue of unconditional love in mind. This has led to an unbelievable snowball effect of connecting with the most amazing people, as well as seeing the amazingness in everyone! 

As you can very well tell by now, This is not intended to let you know more about me. The “me” was more of a timeline and the “I” is more of a vessel for giving thanks to those who participated in the “me” timeline!

“I” give thanks to my college environment, to my spiritual family: Bradford, Eric, Gaia, Chessa, Kalani, Coe, Youssef, Brook & Home. To my birth family: my mom, Antonia, and my dad, Mark. My Brother, Ian, and my sister Aanie. To my community, from those who impacted me greatly, to the guy walking down the street that I happened to notice.

Thank You!