Upgrade Your Reality

by Bud on July 27, 2010

I’m very happy to announce that my  friend Diggy from Upgrade Reality has recently launched his first e-book, which suspiciously carries the name of his blog. ;) Before I get into what the book has to offer let me first start off by saying how proud I am of Diggy. Having known Diggy for nearly two years now, it has been amazing to see the progress he’s made creating a name for himself in the online world. Having both started out around the same time he’s certainly kept me motivated to be at my best.

I’ll be the first to admit, when I first stumbled upon Diggy’s blog, I mistaken wrote him off as being just an average blogger. Over time however, I slowly grew to know him for the amazing person he is.  Now, Diggy  is not only a person I have tremendous respect for, but also someone I know I can talk to if I’m ever feeling stuck.

Having been into the whole “personal development” scene for close to three years now, I’ve read  dozens of books on personal growth. Some of the books I read changed my life forever, while others were simply a waste of my time. Unfortunately many fell into the latter category. Upgrade Reality is one of those books that created quite a shift for me simply for the inspiration alone.

Being completely honest, I had already been exposed to much of the content in Upgrade Reality. That being said, I was still able to take away a ton from it, because of the story behind the words. I have no doubt that regardless of where you are in life you will be able to take away at least a handful of gems from the book.

From the moment you begin reading, you can tell how passionate Diggy is about wanting to change the world. And that feeling inspires you to do the same. There’s something about the energy behind his words that pumps you up and makes you want to be the best you can be. Sure, his grammar may not be the greatest in the world,  and there may be one to many cliches, but the message can be felt where it counts.

What I like about the book is that Diggy shares what’s truth for him. He doesn’t pretend like he knows everything or has all the answers. Instead he guides you in discovering your path for yourself. Diggy makes clear up front that in order to be successful in any area of your life you have to put in the work, something many personal development related books don’t always emphasize.

I especially like how he shares his personal struggles and how he overcame them. So often we forget that life isn’t always going to go our way. Yet we always have the choice on how we choose to react.

I could honestly go on for ages about the topics he’s covered in the book but you may as well go check it out for yourself. :)

If you’re looking for a nice kick in your rear end to step up your game, Upgrade Reality just might be exactly what you need. So pick up a copy today.

{ 2 comments }

7 Links Challenge

by Bud on July 20, 2010

As with my good friend Diggy from Upgrade Reality, I too was recently challenged by Dragos Roua to complete the seven links challenge. I normally don’t partake in such things, but I thought the questions were especially relevant, especially for those who are new to my blog.

Without further a due:

1. Your First Post

Ah.. looking back at my first post brings back memories. My  first post  Ten Simple Ways To Stay Fit was published on October 11th 2008. I honestly can’t believe that so much time has gone by. It’s really amazing to see the progress I’ve made as I would have never imagined I would be where I am at today.

2. A Post You Enjoyed Writing The Most

My favorite post written here at A Boundless World has to be Why Our Current Education System is Failing. To this day I still remember how inspired I was when I sat down to write it and how it was like my hands had a mind of its own. The inspiration was apparently felt as it was also my most popular post to date. Though wrote Small Movements Matter on PluginID it remains my favorite creative work by far. :)

3. A Post Which Has Great Discussion

The post that generated the most discussion, just so happens to be one of my favorite posts ever as well. Within hours of posting it, Why Our Current Education System is failing was re-tweeted several dozen times, and this was long before my blog was well known. The post garnered nearly 100 comments many of which were equivalent to the size of medium length essay. It was quickly obvious many people shared strong opinions of the subject, and the debate lasted for quite a while. While not everyone agreed it got a great conversation going and I can say it was one post I was particularly proud of.

4. A Post That You Wish You’d Written

I can’t think of a single post off the top of my head (there’s so many great out there), but one of my all times favorites was written by Glen Allsop.  His 21 one Lessons I Learned After 21 Years Alive, really resonated with me. Obviously I would only be qualifed to write 18 lessons but it would be a fun write up to say the least. But when it comes to posts I wish I’d wrote, my only regrets are when I think an idea is not good enough only to see something similar pop up a few days later. I need to follow my gut a bit more ;) .

5 .A Post With A Title You’re Proud Of

This is a bit of weird question, as I don’t think titles mean much aside from attracting eyes, but my favorite title is Small Movements Matter. It may not be catchy like a 101 ways to live a better life list post, but it does contain a powerful meaning in a mere 3 words. :)

6. A Post That You Wish More People Had Read

The simple answer would be to say all of them… but that would be cheating ;) The post I wrote that I wish more people would have read would have to be: How To Forgive Anyone… While it wasn’t my best post I think the message is something more people need to be reminded of. It’s so easy to carry grudges throughout your life but that only prevents you from experiencing bliss. I would have also liked for more people to have read my poem: Is that all you have to give? A short but powerful message. :)

7. Your Most Visited Post Ever

I realize this may be overkill but my most visited post ever was Why Our Current Education System is Failing. It really hit a nerve with some!

I hope that these seven questions give you a better insight of not only who I am but what this blog is about as well. :)

{ 1 comment }

How To Outgrow Relationships Gracefully

by Bud on July 19, 2010

In an ideal world every special connection we create would last forever. Our best friend from third grade? Friends for life. Our first roommate? Always just a call away. First true love? A place where love never dies.

As much as I would enjoy for that to be the case, that’s simply not how our dynamic human relationships work.

Having moved around quite a bit in my young life, I’ve had the privilege of making friends, of varying connections, from all over the world. Some have been deeper in nature, and others less intimate, but each have affected me to varying degrees.

I’m certainly not the first person to say this, but our relationships no matter how stable they appear, are anything but. You may think that nothing changes, but with each day you experience a tremendous amount of growth. Thus it’s only natural to expect your views to change as well.

Many of us have a habit of looking at our relationships from a perspective of the past; that is we cling to what our connection used to be. That’s not a bad thing per se, but often times it ends up causing more harm that good.

One of the hardest things regarding relationships, for me that is, is seeing old relationships crumble. I’ve had a great deal of experience of out growing relationships but I’d be lying if I said it was easy to deal with.

The truth is, it’s difficult to let go of a connection we’ve come accustomed to. It’s difficult to say goodbye to someone who helped mold you into the person you currently are. Having recently seen some of my own relationships dwindle, I can certainly relate. It may be weird to think how things can change in what appears to be an instant, but that doesn’t change the fact that they do.

Too often we get caught up in the wonders of the past and forget to realize the same wonders are available to us right now. It’s taken me a while to completely grasp this concept, but as the saying goes “with every closed door a window opens.” So don’t forget to look around. If you’re too busy trying to open a locked door you miss the beauty right out side the pane glass window.

One thing I see many people do, and I’m often guilty of myself, is that when a relationship changes, we tend to blame ourselves.

When out growing a certain relationship it’s important to stay positive about the experience. You can bitch and whine all you want but that won’t change the outcome of the situation. If a relationship you once had is currently incompatible it’s OK to let go.

It’s far too easy to blame others for the results of growing. Don’t walk that path.

“He’s changed so much.”
“She’s not the person I used to know.”
“If only they hadn’t joined that crowd.”

These assumptions are often irrational when looking from a birds point of view. Is it possible that everyone involved changed?

You can fret all you want about why things shouldn’t have changed. You can cling to past moments that will never again be shared. Or you can accept the fact that people, relationships, grow a part.

I’ll be the first to admit it isn’t always effortless accepting that fact. I know because I’ve have to come to grip with my own reality on several occasions, but wallowing in what was only prevents you from experiencing what is.

If you try to force a relationship to fit the bill of what it used to be you’re changing the relationship entirely, which only moves you further from your original intent.

Relationships and force are not compatible.

If you and your current lover out grow each other don’t pretend like you’re living 10 years ago. Accept the new arrangement and salvage what you can. If you and your life long best friend no longer get along don’t pretend like you do.

I’ve tried to force things into the way it used to be, and without fail it’s always ended in disaster. Instead of trying to remold your current situation realize that with growth comes shedding. I’m not suggesting you not fight for a connection you deem worthy, but at least have the courage to let go when your new path is increasingly clear. It’s only natural for your interests and hobbies to change and so to will your social circle, don’t reject the inevitable.

One of the worst things you can do, is prolong a relationship just for the sake of comfort. Not only does that prevent you from making new and perhaps richer connections, it’s also no fun for the people involved. I know letting go can be difficult,  but the more you learn to accept that letting go is a part of life, the better you become at dealing with the emotions associated in doing so.

While you are responsible for your own reality, don’t beat yourself over losing a particular connection. Life would be boring if you had the same dozen relationships all throughout your life. Only by moving on and initiating new contacts can you call upon the excitement you seek.

When you view your connections from an empowering new perspective you’re often able to dive deeper than you originally thought. Each relationship you have regardless of length is of great benefit to you, but no relationship is infallible.

Of course Joe has changed. Of course Hannah is no longer her 10 year old self. But neither are you the same person you once were.

Are your relationships as they should be? Or are have you having trouble accepting what is?

To out grow gracefully you must first accept what is. Only then will your world begin to move.

{ 2 comments }

← Previous Entries