A Shot of Espresso: Motivational Thoughts To Pick You Up
By Alex Hanse
Edited by Dafnie Nacius
Illustrated by Wali Shareef
------------------
Copyright © 2013 Alex Hanse
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in review, without permission in writing from the author/publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-304-14119-4
Contents
Introduction of the Author
Preface
Forward by Daniel Pimental
1: Oh The Places You’ll Go
2: 10 Reasons Why We Are Failing At Life
3: Start Today!
4: Success Isn’t Cute
5: Do Good Always
6: Be The Change You Want To See In The World
7: Reinventing Yourself
8: Google Your Legacy
9: Be Your Extraordinary Self
10: Fear Is Killing You
11: Failure Is Not An Option
12: Trust The Process
Introduction of the Author
Alex Hanse is a Full Sail University graduate with an Associate of Science degree in Recording Arts. Prior to receiving a degree from Full Sail, he graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology.
His professional goal is to become a Recording Mixer and Engineer. In the long run, he ultimately hopes to combine the knowledge he’s gained from both of his degrees to improve the physical and mental health of others.
Being the dreamer that he is, Alex went on to starting a movement that would encourage others to live out their dreams as well. Through his creation of the inspirational clothing line entitled "Foolies", he would use his words, along with fashion, to empower his friends, family and many others around him. He believes that if you have a dream, you should do all that it takes in order to live out that dream and not be stuck in a situation that makes you unhappy.
He hopes that he can be a light to the world through his actions and through all that he is doing in his career. Alex identifies strongly with the quote by Ghandi, "Be the change you want to see in the world." This quote is what inspires him to live his life making solutions instead of complaining about what is and isn't right in the world.
After losing his mother in the sixth grade due to breast cancer, he realized the importance of life. He also learned at an early age, that we should value every second we have because we never know when our time will be up. She is the reason for his joy and why he continues to be motivated even through the toughest of times in his life.
Alex knows that he would not be where he is today without his faith and the many people who have pushed him and cheered him on along the way. He is very thankful for where he is today and hopes that through his actions, he will change the world one day or at least change one person so they can go on to change what he couldn't!
Life quote: “Dream Without Limits”
Preface
If I said to you today that I’m the one who came up with this book idea, I would be lying. Honestly, I think God just spoke something over my heart. I have read books by authors like Seth Godin and many others, and they always mention you can turn your blog posts and the things you write into books. So I figured I should definitely do that. As I came to the realization that I wanted to write this book, I spoke with the editor (who didn’t know she was going to be the editor at that time) about the possibility of coming out with a book. We played around with a few titles and concepts until we reached, ‘A Shot of Espresso’. I passed the idea around to a few friends and they seemed to be extremely excited with it. I know God has a reason for all that he does and instead of doubting myself and what this could really be, I just figured I would go for it. What do I have to lose?
Plus, I have been through so much in my life - losing my mother, not having a father in my life, and all of the many other problems I could discuss right here, but I won’t because this isn’t about me. This is about how I can use a talent that I have been given to help get others through a tough time, moment, situation - maybe even prevent the unthinkable from happening. Who knows what may come from this! I just know where my heart is and it is telling me to help others in any little way that I can!
Also, I am sure I could have charged for the book as well, but why should I? If I am striving to be a greater change to the world, why not just give out the information for free and let the people I’ve influenced do great things with it? Seth Godin (which you may hear about in this book from time to time since he has been the most influential person to me this year) has talked about authors, musicians, and other great individuals who have provided free gifts to the world. He also talks about how this separated them from everyone else. The individuals he spoke of produced ART! They did it because they loved it, not because they wanted to make millions. So here you have it: “A Shot of Espresso: Motivational Thoughts and Feelings To Pick You Up.”
Funny side note: I have only drunk coffee once. It was a pumpkin spice latte. I wanted to see what the hype was about. Other than that I don’t drink coffee at all. I know - the irony.
Forward
By: Daniel Pimentel
Inspiration is an abundant commodity. Think about it. We have more access to sources of inspiration than ever before.
Feeling stagnant? Head over to TED to digest some unique insight and mentally reboot. Is the half a mile drive to the gym feeling like too much to bear? Open the iTunes and let the Rocky theme song push you over the edge.
There is nothing exclusive or special about inspiration anymore.
Or is there?
Being the source of inspiration and self-revelation for others is rewarding, almost magical. This hocus pocus only seems to be working as a one-way stream for the majority of people, myself included.
If you’re on the receiving end, in today’s world, it’s almost like popping a happy pill and getting through the day. An ever-present “back-up plan” in case our natural mental state just can’t do it for us.
What inspiration does today is substitute instead of supplement.
However, inspiration doesn’t have to be a crutch. Inspiration needs to be engaging and sought after. The act of seeking inspiration from anything other than stories, videos and songs seems to be a lost art.
Taking a step away from this dreary perspective, I asked myself this question: Can we be cerebral enough to go out and find inspiration in anything?
I wanted to find out, so I tried.
I stepped outside, grabbed the nearest thing (a rock) and began to inspect, thinking “Alright, inspiration! I demand your presence!”
Nothing.
I paced around, tossed up the rock, and it fell, spreading into fragments across the sidewalk. One fragment resembled an obsidian chip, used as a cutting tool by ancient civilizations. Seeing that created a reaction similar to when I saw my first baking soda lava/volcano experiment, childish awe.
I picked it up, ignorant of its sharp edges, and sliced the edges of my hand, causing some bleeding.
Was I inspired yet? Oddly enough, yes.
In that very second I felt as though I was transported back to the Stone Age. Feeling the same sensations as the ape in 2001: A Space Odyssey when it discovered the key to eradicating the opposing troop.
Instead of going on and winning Darwin’s game of evolution, I was back in my front lawn, staring at a bleeding finger and feeling…inspired.
Now, what this moment revealed to me is a personal revelation (sorry). It’s also one that many may ha
ve had, and will continue to have, countless times over. However, I will say that it showed me some magic.
The magic isn’t that we have access to countless amounts of pre-packaged sources of inspiration. It’s that we can still take time to disconnect, and find it ourselves; meeting it in the most obscure of places and situations.
Go outside, embrace the random, and collide with all of the untapped, unfiltered inspiration that lies in all of the flowers, landscapes, and creatures on this planet.
Or, in my case, just a broken piece of stone.
Chapter 1: Oh, The Places You’ll Go
The beauty of life is that we never know where we will go next. As I write this book, I think to myself that I would have never imagined writing a book, first and foremost. I was on the road towards Physical Therapy, in my mind, and I was certain that I was going to work in the field. After graduating with a degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (which is the study of the function and movement of the body), I went on to massage therapy school and then a few months after that, I found myself at Full Sail University.
This is my moment to truly inspire and help anyone around me with a dream. If I can share my story of how I have done it or how I have gotten to where I am today, I take it. I want people to learn from my mistakes and do even better than I did. God has put a lot on my heart and he has put me in a lot of weird places in life, but it has a purpose. He does nothing by accident.
Life is just funny. You think you have an idea of where you will be going and then it changes on you. No worries don’t be afraid of the change and don’t beat yourself up. Trust, as you can see, it happened to me and it may happen to you as well.
Never be afraid of change. While this may be very difficult to say and accept, change is necessary. You may have to pick everything up and move to a place that is foreign to you. You may have to end that relationship that isn’t really going anywhere. There are so many places where you may end up and that is the beauty of life. It is so unpredictable! But I love it! Everyone doesn’t love it. Some may call you a nomad like they called me! Some may think you are crazy. Be open to go to new places, see new things, read new books and take chances. No matter what, there is a lesson to be learned. You may not realize it in the middle of the storm, but when it settles it will all make sense.
Chapter 2: 10 Reasons Why You’re Failing At Life
As we continue further, I want you to realize that there are a number of things that we are doing wrong which may not seem serious, but they are ultimately hurting our lives in more ways than some. Read up!
1. You Don't Culture Yourself
How often are you taking the time to study the world around you? There are thousands of different languages, hundreds of different restaurants, and art spewing from every far corner of every city. There is much that can come from the world around you. One might say that the only way anyone can become truly cultured is if they physically surround themselves with that culture. While this makes sense, there are many other ways to fulfill that need without having to go a couple thousand miles outside of the country. There is Google, Wikipedia, Netflix documentaries, and so much more that can shape you and create a masterpiece. All you have to do is step outside of the box and you will see the opportunities that lie ahead.
2. You Are Not Writing Down Your Ideas
Are you coming up with ideas at random? Do you ever write them down? You should always write down your ideas no matter how silly they may be. You may not be able to map them out just yet, but maybe in a few years it will be able to happen. Write down those dreams and soon enough they will become reality. Don’t sleep on the idea. I use to pretend as if I had the perfect memory and that I could forget nothing and soon enough, I saw that all of my good ideas were going by the wayside because I wasn’t writing them down. Don’t be that guy/girl who never writes their ideas down. Start doing it and see where you get after a year or two. After a while something will be a hit. Then the games will begin.
3. You Forgot About Giving Back
I guess you had this silly notion that you got to where you are without a little help. You thought for a split second that you were controlling the stars and the planets, and you put yourself in the alignment and out of the explosion came YOU. Giving back is one of the most important things you can do. Helping the homeless, family members, a brother or a sister could be that means of giving back. I am sure some of you may be reading this and thinking "Well, I do most of this stuff... I guess I am not failing." Wrong! If you think because you do the bare minimum that you have done enough, then you have fooled yourself. There is much more that can be done and more to be done with the talents that you have. Giving back to others that are in need isn't just something "cool" to do. It is, and should be, one of your many purposes of living.
4. Negative People Surround You
Negative people have woven themselves into the very fiber of your existence. These so-called "Friends" aren't the friends you saw on that 90's sitcom show. Those were FRIENDS. What you have around you are a bunch of negative and tired individuals who need prayer and examination. IF this doesn't apply to you then I suggest you move on, but before you go, here are a few other thoughts: What are you to your friends? Are you that negative one? Are you the one bringing the people around you down? Here is the moment of clarity and honesty that you have been waiting for - if you are NOT the culprit then I suggest that you find new friends. If anything can be done, pray for the older friends to find that purpose and that place in life for themselves as well.
5.Your Priorities Are Out of Order
Your time and energy are not being spent on the right things and/or the right people. The people who truly care for you are being overlooked. The things that are truly important are being placed in the passenger seat, possibly even in the back seat or EVEN, the trunk. If the priorities aren't squared up with the mission that your life is pillared upon, then you can kiss any thought of “success” goodbye. This is where writing out goals comes into place and where good friends, family, teachers, and any other important people in your life have to keep you in check. Just as much as we need to get by, so do you.
6. You Stopped WRITING
Why have you stopped challenging the brain and all its thinking? The concept of writing is an expression of form and design meeting those faint blue lines, and yet you ignore them. You have now trapped yourself in the Alcatraz of internet puns and one liners. Your entire life can now be summed up in a few memes. You have brought this on yourself but the great thing is that you are not too late. You can begin writing letters to those you love and others who you may care about deeply. You may now physically cross your T's and DOT your I's. Through writing, we become better individuals. You once expressed yourself and gave your thoughts a chance to play. When you grew tired, you rested and then picked back up where you left off the next day. Try writing at least once or twice a week. Even if the letter never goes out to anyone, at least you will be pushing the brain to do all that it once did when you were a little child.
7. You Need to Start Forgiving
You are holding on to pain and torment and you have been doing this for years now. This is only a quicker way to destroy the goodness that is on the inside of your heart. By forgiving, we get a second to remember the time when a certain individual forgave us and then gave His life up for us. Everyone is having it tough but everyone isn't letting their lack of forgiveness shape their entire world.
8. You Are Not Being Kind to Others
You never know when a random act of kindness could change the world. Whether it is a friend, stranger, or family member. All of these individuals deserve kindness. If we were all a little bit kinder to our friends and the world around us, we would be in an entirely different place. When you are kind to others, perform the act with no want or no benefits behind it.
9. You are Not Networking
We all know it’s not about what you know, it is about who you know. While we know this is important we forget about
it all the time. There are organizations in each and every city that promote networking and getting involved with the community but we rarely use these opportunities. We let work and life drain us, and we never advance like we should. Some examples include groups such as the NAACP, National Urban League, the church (which is a great place to network with a variety of people), local community events and so on and so forth. With networking happening, you should definitely have business cards in place. Even if it is something general. Vistaprint.com is a great place to get a few business cards and Moo Cards is awesome as well. Also, every profession has a club or social group outside of its place of employment. Find those groups and see how you can get active with them or contribute to the cause. Lastly, we don't stay in touch with the friends we have. Sometimes all it takes is someone to hear you say, "Yeah, I am looking for a job..." and all of a sudden they may know someone who can help you. Conferences, conventions and so many more things happen each and everyday. It is time to start getting active! Network builds your net worth!
10. You are Forgetting to Pray
This is one of those personal struggles of mine. I get so tired and so wrapped up in my feelings, my problems and my life that I tend to forget about who controls it all. I forget about who is the master and who is in charge. A simple prayer could shape and change the lives of the world around us. I could continue to go on and on with this one, but I think it says it all. A hip-hop rapper I am close with said this: "You should pray more... it just make sense, but all you want is dollars and that just don't make cents." I think that this is where I digress. Time to improve and make a change. Unless you want to continue failing because that is cool as well.
Chapter 3: Start Today!
Tired of watching others live out their dreams?
Tired of not being where you need to be fitness-wise?
Tired of being at home and feeling like life just isn't what it's supposed to be?
Well, get up! Stop complaining! Start doing better with yourself! Nobody cares about your struggle and what you’ve been through, so save it! Everybody has problems!