Todd’s Life

Well, I spent Valentine’s Day the same way that I’ve spent Valentine’s Day for the last several years, by myself, and I am content and fine with that.  Let me explain a little bit about that.  Over the last two days, I turned down a couple of opportunities to do things with friends, because frankly I just wanted to enjoy my time by myself for the last two days.  I can’t really explain it, but that is just how I am and how I’m wired.  It caused me to realize that ultimately, we all must decide the path in life that is right for each of us.  There is so much peer pressure to go along with the crowd, to do what everyone else is doing.  Peer pressure  is so prevalent in any society.  For example, in most developed countries, there is a ton of peer pressure to always make sure you are entertained with friends at the expense of taking time to ponder and think about what is going on around you.  I think the Roman Emperor’s understood this really well.  Give people food and entertainment and they will do whatever you want them to do.  That is so true.  I thought tonight as I went running, how many people feel bad today because they don’t have a loved one to be with and then I thought how many people just follow along with the crowd and just have a loved one to have one.  I know these are interesting thoughts, but I think that most people just follow the crowd without realizing that they are following the crowd.  Peer pressure is a powerful weapon into getting the masses to go in whatever direction you want them to go to.  The trick is setting up idols for the people to follow.  Well, I choose to follow my own path and not be ashamed of it.  I chose to be alone this weekend.  For the longest time, I’ve asked God to bring a wonderful woman in my life and so far nothing and to be honest, I don’t expect anything in Chile, so I’m just going to have to make the best use of my time here:)  At any rate, I’m not sure what His plans are with me, but then who ever is anyway.  I think those kinds of things just unfold in life.  The important thing is to never hold a grudge or get mad for an extended period of time at Him.  Who knows why He operates the way He does.  At any rate, I’m enjoying my nice quiet evening tonight.  Sometimes a lack of noise and people is so soothing to the soul.  I’ve got to prepare for a church lesson tomorrow.  It is on the first principles of the gospel and the first thing I thought of was Karl Marx, because He absolutely hated organized religion and Christianity in particular, which I found interesting considering the first principle of the gospel is faith in Jesus Christ.  I guess that pretty much tells you who the author of socialism was, Satan.  It’s time to quit mincing words.  Those who propogate socialism in any form are either blinded or evil.  Socialism wish to take away free agency and free will and replace it with regimentation and lack of choice.  Take what the government gives you and be happy with it.  I don’t know any other way around it.  And for any Christian to support socialism is just pure stupidity.  It just goes to show you that they don’t understand God, who is a God of liberty and choice, not security.  Sure He sets down the rules and commandments, but He doesn’t force anyone to follow them.  He doesn’t regulate their lives.  Anyway, I’ve got a lesson to prepare.  Take care all on Happy VDay and remember to choose your own path, ignore the masses, and be content with what you are doing in your life.  Excellence comes from taking the road less travelled, not following the masses.

My last day on the job at Hawaiian Telcom was this past Friday.  I was surprised that I was sad to be leaving.  I enjoyed the work, but will not miss going to work 5 days a week.  I will miss all the wonderful people that I worked with.  My colleagues at Hawaiian Telcom were the most talented group of people I have worked with.  I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to work at Hawaiian Telcom, but it is time to move on.

I sold my car Saturday morning and I leave Sunday night for Portland, Oregon to hang out with my brothers for a week.  It was kind of amazing how it all just worked out.  I sold my car on the last day that I could, which made it easier to get ready for this move.  I also took the GRE the Friday I left and did ok I guess.  Hopefully, it is enough for me to get into grad school next fall.  If not, I’ll just try again.

I am looking forward to this next adventure and the opportunities that will present themselves along the way.  I have been blessed to live here in Hawaii for the last ten years.  I met many wonderful people.  I was blessed to be able to dance hula with Sonny Ching’s halua for 2 years.  I got to dance at the historic Hawaii  Theatre.  I learned how to surf.  I ran the Honolulu Marathon.  Hawaii is truely a physical paradise.

Now we will see if the next part of life unfolds as I hope.  I hope to spend the next 9 or 10 months in South America, Spain, and other parts of Europe.  After this, I either want to start working for a professional sports franchise.  I don’t care what kind of work it would be.  It is on my list of dreams.  I guess you could say that this part of my life is called, “Chasing my dreams”.

Well, once again, thank you Hawaii and thanks to all those wonderful people I met along the way.  When your dreams call, you better follow them.  I believe that no matter what your situation is that you can follow your dreams.  You might not be able to follow them full-time like I can right now, but you can move yourself in the direction of the things that love to do.  Aloha.