Day 13: Knock on My Door

The night before I went to bed thinking I was going to sleep in, and I was excited. Yes, I knew today was Sunday, but I just wasn't feeling church. Around 10:30 a.m. I rolled over in a half-asleep transe. My mind knew my body should be awake, but my body did not. Then I heard a knock at my door. I was too tired to yell come in, but I tried. It came out as a pathetic whisper. By the time I got to the door, no one was there. I thought I it was Victoria so I called her. Turned out it was Rebekah who was now with Victoria. They wanted to know if I wanted to go to church. I figured, eh I'm awake, why not? And I am glad that I did.

First, I saw this guy during worship rocking out to the music, and he reminded me of my friend Ben. He then got up on stage, and started walking around. I was excited, I thought he was going to preach, but then he walked off. At that moment I concluded he was crazy. Then a few minutes later during the offering he got back on and started singing, and he was AMAZING! If the service ended there I would have been perfectly content with going to church. 

But then after him there were many testimonies of all generations from children to adults speaking of a conference they had just attended that was all about introducing generations to each other and showing that each generation has something to give. I don't exactly remember what they said, but it sparked up a passion within me. I have been fighting for a long time, and I still am fighting, about what I should major in. I love film. I feel called to create many films, and make a difference through them. But I also feel called to pastor the youth. During their testimonies my heart, bringing my mind along with it,  began to become ripped in so many directions. I want to make movies. I want to pastor. I want to make a difference. I can't do it all. Or can I? What am I supposed to do? Crap, what did they just say? Should I pay attention to this? God, help me. I fought with my thoughts over and over, and then finally I came to a conclusion, not an answer, a conclusion because the answer has not come yet and may never come.

1. I am to spread God's word to everyone through film by using the stories I have and, without overwhelmingly doing so, placing God's presence within them
2. I am to one day preach God's word to crowds of many of the youth (whether that be right out of college, now, or days to come)
3. When I am called I am to be a personal youth pastor (and by that I mean at a church and not just preaching to many)

I determined that next semester I am going to take a class in youth ministry and two in film. I would take more in youth ministry, but you have to take one class as a prerequisite to all of the other classes. I passionately feel now that I am to follow my passion in film, and create the scripts that I have written into movies. I also believe that whether it is by power given to me through film or something totally different God is going to call me to speak out to crowds of youth. He keeps giving me visions of being on large stages talking to thousands of the youth. I also believe that one day I am supposed to be a youth pastor, but I am not sure if that is meant for me right out of college or later in life. This is the thing about having a calling, it is so confusing. You never know your next turn until God reveals it to you. It's terrifying, but it's also really exciting!

Rebekah and Victoria decided that today was the perfect day for a "High School Musical" marathon. Then when we got to the third movie they asked me over and over again to rewind a certain part (the link below is to the clip they wanted played over and over), and I had to say yes.
Clip

Sorry you had to watch that if you did. But I had to watch it at least fifteen times...

Either way today was a great day. I am glad that I went to church, and not going to lie I enjoyed the "High School Musical" marathon. Hoping for more adventures. Talk to you soon!

Day 13: Article

As you may remember towards the beginning of my project I saw the movie "Blue Like Jazz". The movie is almost a perfect match with my project. The main character Don is a guy keeping himself busy with safe opportunities like volunteering at his church. But when he moves to college he strays away from safe opportunities and moves to adventurous opportunities. Now I am not saying that, like him, I want to get wasted, burn books, and share a bed with an upset lesbian, but he had become very much a yes man, like me.

I am not the only one to identify with Miller.

In "Blue Like Jazz: I was Donald Miller" author Christian Piatt discusses how he too can relate to Donald Miller, the man who lived and wrote Blue Like Jazz.

Piatt admits that, like Miller, he grew up in church, lost his views at college, and was drawn back to religion with the help of a girl. 

Piatt also discusses sitting down with Miller, Taylor (Director of the Movie), and Allman (the actor that played Miller). They talk about making the movie and doing whatever they could to make their dream happen. They were unable to raise enough money so they called it quits. Miller even announced on his blog that the movie wasn't going to make. So two fans stepped up and developed a system of getting people to donate money for the movie in return to get their names in the credits. You can see evidence of this when they roll the credits and there are thousands of names running down the right side of the credits. And then he goes on to discuss the differences between the movie and the book. 

I couldn't help but read this article and think of the "Yes Man". If Taylor hadn't decided to listen the two fans who wanted to help him raise money, this movie would have never happened. If Allman decided to not take the request to audition for this part, the movie would have a different feel. If Miller hadn't chosen to go to Reed this story would be non-existent. 

Overall, I have been learning from this project that life is a "yes man" project. Meaning, our lives are full of taking or not taking opportunities and the results of which option we choose. Our lives are full of moments that can alter our path. Sometimes it's ok to say yes even if you're afraid. So as always I encourage that, at least for one day, you try to not turn down any opportunities. Talk to you soon!

Day 12: Article

Become a Yes Man and Say Yes to Every Opportunity

http://ducedo.com/become-a-yes-man/

This is a short article the author wrote to explain why someone should become a Yes Man. The author states, "The secret behind becoming a Yes Man is simply to stop hiding behind your excuses. Instead of saying “no”, just say “yes” and go out with your friends and have the time of your life. I promise when you grow old you will fret all the things you did not do and remember all the things you did." I agree. One of the main reasons I started this project was because I was losing a part of myself, and letting life slip through my hands every time I turned down an opportunity. I decided I didn't want to grow old and regret. I didn't want to feel like I am not living life. The author also states, "Life! We are all living it — or are we?" This really stuck out to me because it is true. I feel like I am not living life when I turn down all of the opportunities that I do. I agree with this author. Everyone should try the "Yes Man" project even if it isn't for a month but a few weeks. My advice, don't tell ANYONE! It's hard but it will save you from doing the stupid idiotic things that really shouldn't be involved. 

Talk to you soon!

Day 15: Article

http://30sleeps.com/blog/2007/08/24/how-to-be-adventurous/

How to Be Adventurous by: Brad Bollenbach

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -Howard Thurman

The article starts off with this powerful quote. Then Bollenbach speaks on how he believes that life is meant to be adventurous, and without adventure, you are missing something. He also goes on to say that there is no limit to being adventurous, no one too old, too young, too poor, too rich, too held back, too anything. Powerfully Bollenbach states that, "Right now is the only moment you ever have." So many times we are told that in our lives, but we never listen. We just agree, sometimes loudly state, "AMEN!", and then get on with our lives. It is very rare that a person decides to follow this, and when they do they are called names like hippies, or just plain dumb. Sometimes I look at these people and wonder if they are the ones who have it right, and we are the ones who are dumb. Bollenbach puts it simply, "...you're only ever either taking action to achieve a specific goal, or making excuses for why you aren't."

However, then Bollenbach goes into the more practical aspect. He begins to explain some of the more serious excuses for not being adventurous, no money for your idea, about to finish your degree, family,  and so on. But then with that he asks, "What can you do right now, this afternoon or tonight, to increase your adventure quotient?" And that is something that I have had to think about a lot on this project. What can I do today that can make things interesting? Unfortunately, I never act on my ideas because I don't want to manipulate the project. My goal is to see what opportunities I am missing that are offered to me, so I am trying to let the opportunities flow in as naturally as possible. So for all of those who want to be practical out there Bollenbach offers simple words for encouragement on how to be more adventurous, "Throw yourself into the world." "Go out to a social event this evening, by yourself." That last one is rough. That is one I think most people struggle with. Everyone is down for a party with a few friends. But how about a party at someone's house whom you do not know at all, with no one other than yourself coming with you? Then for those who are especially stubborn and complain that they can't find anything Bollenbach lists things you can do. "Art shows, Book Readings, Rock Concerts, Museum Exhibits, Beginners Night Dance Classes, Speed Dating, Outdoor Festivals, Geek Gatherings, and Parades/Rallies/Protests." There is something out there for everyone, you just have to be willing to look. "The beauty of boldness is that you get to choose your own adventure." (Bollenbach) That is true and when it's all over you only have yourself to thank or blame, but trust me you'll still be happy with yourself for at least trying it. 

The next piece of the article Bollenbach discusses the importance of attending things solo and not with others. He suggests that doing so will create confidence and self-identity. He then states, "Learing to create your own fun gives you more control over your social life." You can't mope around and blame others anymore when you are sitting in your dorm room alone. You just get up and do something. You control what happens each day and night, not everyone around you. Yes, Skinner, may have said that we are radishes in the sense that we are as big or small as we are in respect to how our enviroment raises us, but I say that is rubbish. Step up. Take control of your size. It is not to the fault of those around you that you chose to do nothing. No one invited you? Invite yourself? They don't want you to hangout with them? Great! There are 6,966,536,774 people in this world, someone is bound to like you. GET OUT THERE! And stop blaming anyone, but yourself. Believe me when I say most of these words are directed to myself. I love when Bollenbach states, "Suddenly, those awkward moments of waiting around like a loser for your friends to show up at some social gathering become opportunities to meet new people." That is so true, and we all have been there. Who wants to be the awkward kid sitting in the corner? No one. So don't be. Choosing to go alone will create you to stray away from being awkward, and start being social. We are meant to be social. Though it may help sooth us sometimes, our mouths were not meant for talking to ourselves.

Then Bollenbach addresses the fearful. He lists off all of the scary things you will encounter when being adventurous. "You won't know what to say when you approach people, You might end up standing around like a loser, You'll be almost visibly shaking for the first few people you approach, Some people will think you're creepy, Some people will think you're weird because you're not out with your friends, You'll tell yourself, "Oh my God! This is too hard! I think I'll just rent a movie instead. :/" Believe it or not these are all things that everyone goes through, even those that are more outgoing. I have a friend that is known for his (as my pastor puts it) Rico Suave attitude when entering a party. He just steps in a takes over the party. But he has told me time and time before that he didn't want to go to a social outing where no one knew him, he would rather just sit down and watch a movie. (it also doesn't help that he is a huge movie fanatic). Bollenbach boldly puts it out there, "Furthermore, you cannot read your way thorough this. The only path forward is action." This is so true. So many of us do it. It's great if you are inspired by the words I say, or anyone else says, but those words won't do anything for you if you don't act on it. I once knew this person who loved to agree with and say all of these very inspirational quotes, but their actions never matched the quote. It's all fine and dandy to agree with your pastor, but what does it mean if you don't act on it? I understand that you understand that there are struggling people in this world, but who was the last one you feed or even helped? We rely so much on books, movies, and politicians to change this world. Why? You have arms and legs, use them. Change this world. Nicholas Vujicic does it, and he doesn't even have arms or legs. Reading books is amazing and can help you in so many ways, but are you going to read the book or go out and write it?

I am so glad that I stumbled upon Bollenbach's article for he has a lot of great insight on issues I have been running into throughout my journey. I know that you have read my blog, and already feel like you read his article, but I still encourage you to read his. His overall point is adventure will change your life, especially if you do it alone. Talk to you soon!

Day 12: Let's Go for a Run Around Alumni Park

Today I began my day watching One Tree Hill with my friend Victoria. We decided to watch season four, episodes "Some You Give Away", "Songs to Love and Die By", and "Everything in it's Right Place". 

A lot of people degrade One Tree Hill because it is shown on networks like the CW and Soap Net, but I consider it an epic story about love, life, tragedy, and just about everything. It has taught me so much about life and film. The music is INCREDIBLE. All it's missing is God, but they even touch on Him a few times and play Christian songs throughout the series. 

*spoiler alert*

The three episodes go together. The links down below are clips that fans of One Tree Hill have put together, but I think it displays the episodes well. Basically the group of high school kids go to the state basketball game. Some of them are in the game, and some of them are there to watch or cheer. Nathan, one of the two married seniors (married to Haley) get's into trouble with gamblers when he needs money to help support him and his pregnant wife. Haley has complications with her pregnancy as the stress is too much, and decides to visit the hospital where she discovers the sex of the baby. Nathan, due to threats of the gamblers, decides to throw the game until he hears that he is having a son and decides that, unlike his father, he is going to change how he is behaving to become a better man for his son. Lucas choses not to take his heart medication so that he can win the game since he knows that Nathan is throwing the game. The Ravens (the team with Nathan and Lucas) end up winning the game. The crowd explodes. Couples come together. Including Peyton and Lucas, the couple everyone knows should be together. Everything is perfect. Then after celebrating Nathan and Haley walk home where the gambler after Nathan tries to hit them both with his car. Instead Haley pushes Nathan out of the way and takes full impact. The gambler then swerves and hits a telephone pole. Nathan is stunned. Lucas comes rushing out from the nearby cafe where they were celebrating to help. Nathan tells Lucas to call 911 as Nathan goes after the gambler, and appears to beat him to death (you later find out that the gambler died on impact after he crashed into the telephone pole). However, Dan, Nathan and Lucas's father, finds Nathan and stops him from beating the man. When the cops show up Dan tells Nathan to go to Haley. Dan takes the blame and ends up in jail. Lucas tries to communicate with one of the EMTs, but after all of the stress of the night he collapses from a heart attack. 

The second episode Lucas wakes up from lying on the ground to find no one around him. When he gets up he spots a strange man. When he greets the man he discovers that the man is Keith, Lucas's dead uncle. Keith then takes Lucas around showing him what life would be like if he chose to not do the right thing. On this adventure he finds a darker version of his friend and former girlfriend Brooke, a dead Peyton, his now girlfriend, and a depressed and single Nathan, his half-brother and his best friend Haley's husband. Keith also decides to visit a few people on his own. He visits Karen, his former fiancé and Lucas's mother, that is now carrying his baby. He also visits his brother, Dan, who murdered him not too long ago. At the end Lucas is given a choice to die and possibly stay with Keith, or live and continue doing the right things. This is also the episode that you find out what happens to Haley and her baby. 

The third episode is the aftermath of when Haley and Lucas wake up. Dan get's freed from jail when they realize that the gambler did not die from a beating, but from the impact of the accident. Haley discovers that Nathan was actually the one who beat the gambler, and that the gambler hit her because Nathan was doing business with him. Peyton becomes scared to be intimate (kissing, even hugging) in any way with Lucas afraid that he will have another heart attack.

Some You Give Away

Songs to Live and Die By

Everything is in It's Right Place

*Spoiler Alert*

This is definitely one thing I am not upset about having to say yes to. :)

However, it couldn't say the same for what happened later. 

Victoria and I went to dinner. We ate SO much we were stuffed! Then on the way back I ran into a classmate of mine. Running into a classmate is the worst right now. They all know that I have to say yes, so they ask me to do ridiculous things. This classmates request... she asked me to run around alumni park. The request itself wasn't so bad, but I was FULL, and I was wearing flip-flops so I had to run barefoot. I was fine the entire time until I got to the point where is was all up hill. Then I barely made it. (yes, I need to exercise more). But, I made it, and to be honest it wasn't that bad. The looks from people as I passed them was kind of humorous. And I was proud to find that even on a full stomach I can run pretty efficiently. All though I did kind of feel like Loca the pug. 

Once again, not too eventful of a day, but eventful enough. Talk to you soon!

Day 11: Frontline

Nothing really happened today. Shocker, I know. This thing called Frontline happened on campus today. It's when all of the prospective students come to visit our school. One of the main benefits is that the food is much better than usual. A crowd of prospective students were walking in through our dorm to be shown what our dorm rooms looked like. While they walked out I got stopped by one of the fathers. He began to ask me about our school and what the faith was like here. I told him that I loved this school and the faith was awesome. I told him about the many things we do on this campus that keeps our faith strong. He thanked me for talking to him, and then ran off to catch up with his group. 

I felt great. I hope that I helped him a little with how he felt about the school. That was the most that had happened today. I'm sorry I'm not being really exciting lately. But don't worry I have some exciting things to talk about tomorrow. In case you are confused I write all of my blog entries the day after I experience everything. So I write about Day 1 on Day 2. That's how I know things ahead of time. So, as I said before, tomorrow is interesting. Talk to you soon!

Day 8: Survey

I was curious as to how much this "yes man" project could effect someone else's life. So I walked around campus and took a survey. I asked four questions.

1. What is the riskiest or most adventurous thing you have ever done?

2. Would you ever become a "yes man"?

3. How often do you find yourself turning down opportunities?

4. Any opportunities you regret not taking?

In order to have some attempt at organization I am going to address each survey question individually.

Number one: What is the riskiest or most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Answers given:

Overseas Trip- 45%

Shared my Faith with a Stranger- 11%

Skydiving- 11%

Talked to a Stranger- 22%

Spent a lot of $- 11%

As you can see the most frequent answer was taking an overseas trip. I kind of expected an answer like this since Lee University requires each student to take a cross-cultural trip in order to graduate. So I decided to look up some statistics. Of course when researching I found many different results. Some said 3 million people traveled overseas, and to other states, and some said thousands travel overseas every year. So needless to say, a lot of people travel overseas every year. 

So then I looked up how many people skydive within a year in the U.S.. The answer, about 350,000. According to the U.S. census 314,570,630 people live in the U.S. So about less than one percent of americans skydive each year. 

So overall the riskiest thing americans do is travel overseas. 

Number Two: Would you ever become a "yes man"?

Answers Given:

Yes - 37%

No - 63%

It's safe to say that not many people want to give up their free will in order to become more adventurous. 

Number Three: How often do you find yourself turning down opportunities?

Answers Given:

Often - 37%

Occasionally - 25% 

Not Very Often - 25%

All the time - 12%

Never - 0%

The good news is that if you feel like you turn down too many opportunities there is not one person I talked to who said the never turned something down. In fact not many people saw themselves as very adventurous.

Number Four: Any opportunities you regret not taking?

Answers Given:

Yes - 75%

No - 25%

What do you regret?

A trip - 50%

Buying something - 12%

Nothing specific - 38%

No one specified whether they regretted taking a trip or not taking a trip, but if I had to guess I would guess they meant not taking a trip. Almost everyone I talk to wants to see the world before they die. It's also not a shocker that people regret buying something. With the way our economy is its easy to regret things involving money. You could buy a big money item one day and lose your job the next.

I also looked at the results and tried to conclude what makes you adventurous, and what makes you want to take on the "yes man" project.

I randomly selected a few specific people to look at. For their privacy I changed their names. 

Here's a reminder of the questions...

1. What is the riskiest or most adventurous thing you have ever done?
2. Would you ever become a "yes man"?
3. How often do you find yourself turning down opportunities?
4. Any opportunities you regret not taking?

Let's start with Maura. This is what Maura Answered.

1. overseas trip

2. yes

3. often

4. Yes, a trip

Maura is like many Americans and has taken an overseas trip. She considers this to be the most adventurous things she has done. She also admits that she turns down a lot of opportunities. I would assume that she wants to be a yes man in order to make herself more adventurous, like me.

Adam

1. Skydiving

2. no

3. often

4. Buying Something

Adam shocked me at first. He said that he often turns down opportunities but chose to not become a yes man. I was confused I thought that I would see a pattern. Those who turned down opportunities would chose to be yes men and women because they wanted to be more adventurous. He did not fit this pattern. Why? And then I say his first answering. He is one of the less than 1% that has gone skydiving. If I went skydiving I would consider myself pretty adventurous too. 

Kylie

1. Spent lots of money

2. no

3. often

4. a trip

Kylie really confuses me. She answers that she doesn't want to be a yes women, but she turns things down often and regrets trips she hasn't taken. I'm confused. In her situation I believe I would want to be a yes women so that I could say yes to more trips, and regret less. 

Sharlett

1. Shared their faith with a stranger

2. No

3. occasionally

4. no

Sharlett fits my prediction a little better. I predict that the less you regret and the less opportunities you turn down, the less you would want to become a yes man or woman. The more you turn down, and the more you regret, the more likely you would want to become a yes man or woman. With all the results I had gotten, however, I am surprised that there aren't more yes men and women out there. Most people have many regrets and find themselves turning things down. Most people say at the end of their lives it's not all the things that they had done that they remember most, but rather the things they have not done. 

Today I met a lot of great people, and found out a lot of information. My advice to those of you struggling with not being as adventurous as you would like is to try the yes man project. If you're scared of it, give yourself guidelines, just as I have done. Just say yes more often! Talk to you soon!