Yesterday I was looking through my “someday-maybe list”. It’s a running list of all the things I want to do or try some day, maybe. Wild life dreams.

I started the list about a year ago, and just came to a sad realization… I haven’t actually done any of it yet. Haven’t even started one thing. 🙁

What’s the point of writing these dreams down if I never get to do any of them?

So today, I’m changing the title of my list. One day, or Day One?

A reminder that if I want something to happen in life, I have to take the steps to make it happen.

Today is day one for a couple things on my dream list. Small steps, but progress nonetheless.

What about you and your list? Gotta start sometime, may as well be right meow. 😺

Happy Tuesday!
– Joel

Long weekend away in wine country! Coops enjoyed being off leash for our walks 🙂

Sometimes when I’m tired and frustrated with life, this thought pops into my head…

“Why can’t I just be normal, like everyone else.”

But then I quickly come to my senses and remember these 3 things:

1) Being normal is overrated. Whenever I try to be like others, it only makes me feel crap.

2) Nobody is actually ‘normal’. Everyone has a unique twist that makes them different. This difference isn’t a weakness – it’s an advantage! I need to be grateful for my advantages, not wish them away.

3) I’m headed in the right direction for ME. Doesn’t matter what other people’s paths are, I have to follow mine or else I’m ripping myself off in life.

Not sure if you ever feel this way – the desire to be normal. But keep reminding yourself… YOU are great the way you are. The world needs your uniqueness.

Happy hump day 😉
– Joel

Ducks in a pond. They all look the same, but each sets off their own ripples.

Last Friday on my volunteering shift, I got a special assignment…

One of the clients has been requesting some pie for several months. The standard issue meals can get a bit bland, so he’s been asking constantly if meals on wheels can bring him some pie – to change things up.

So last week, one of the volunteers went and bought a huge delicious pie, and asked me to deliver it.

I can’t show you this person’s face, but I can tell you it’s a sight forever burned in my memory.

Strangers helping strangers… It’s the most beautiful thing in the world.

******

Speaking of strangers and good deeds, also last Friday I got to hand out these valentines day cards!

They were hand made by school kids in Santa Monica.

Inside there were funny sayings like “You have a pizza my heart” 🍕 and “I love you a little s’more every day” 🍫 with drawings to match. So cute!

*****

Last story: In November last year I wrote a post called 100 x Days Until Valentines Day. The idea was to write 100 x love notes over 100 days for your valentine in a little book.

Well, about 10 people out there actually did it! (there could be more we don’t even know about). Anyway, they all presented the books to their partners last weekend. Woohoo! Below is a pic of my buddy Kae’s…

If any of y’all are interested for next year, and want a little less stressful assignment… Try writing just 1 x love letter per week until valentines day next year. That’s 50 x love letters – pretty cool (and FREE) gift!

*****

Well, thanks for reading.

Just wanted to spread some joy and happiness this morning.

Happy Friday!
– Joel

“When I was in high school, my closest friends and I had a rule where we all put our phones in the middle of the table whenever we went out to a restaurant, coffee shop, etc. and the first one to break the phone stack had to buy something for the table (with the exception of a text/call from mom or to take a photo).

Thinking back, I don’t think that any of us actually ever had to buy anything for the others. Once this little rule was put in place, it was so easy to forget the attachment to our phones and just be able to hang out and enjoy our time together.” – J. W.

*****

Less phone time = more simple joys in life.

Have a great weekend. Remember to take break from technology.
– Joel 🏝

Fun new beers to try this weekend!

“Happiness is available. Please help yourself to it.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

Happiness is free. 🙂 It’s right there for the taking.

SO TAKE SOME!

Happy Sunday 😎

Last night I got a royal flush!! Too bad we were playing hand and foot canasta and it didn’t help 🙁

Good morning and Happy Monday!

I got funny email from our street sweeper friend last week…

*****

Mr Joel, driving a sweeper is always interesting.

1 thing is after I have my fruit I can throw it in front of the sweeper and away we go. But yesterday I finished my banana and my attempt to throw it in front of the sweeper failed. I didn’t figure on the wind…

I was dying laughing at myself. Life’s too short not too laugh! Even at yourself. Have a great day sir.

*****

It’s the start of a new week. Make it fun, make it memorable, and laugh often.

– Joel

Past “I am an idiot” stories all here.

I’m not a stock market expert.

But I’ve studied enough to know this…

If you invest with the intent of revenge, greed, fear of missing out, getting rich quick, or hurting others, you will almost certainly fail in the long run.

Rather, if you invest in value, think long term, master patience, study things thoroughly, have self control, and help others along the way, you’ll amass wealth easily. You may not win specific battles, but you will win the war.

Before investing, check your motive.

Have an awesome day my friends!
– Joel

Man down! 🙁 When you’re in too much of a hurry, mistakes are made.

Doing your best doesn’t mean always crushing it.

“Your Best” can change from day to day…

Some days you’re healthy and some days you’re sick. Sometimes you’re a beginner, other times you have experience.

Regardless, always do the best you can. Try your hardest at life.

– You’ll never regret trying hard.
– Your personal development grows faster.
– You will lead a life of pride.
– You will help more people along the way.

Happy Thursday! Cheers to a wicked day ahead!
– Joel

Roasting various nuts… Bake at 350 for 20 mins makes everything delicious!

About 4 months ago, I met a guy while surfing.

It was a calm day, we were both just sitting there on our boards – so I smiled, said hello, and struck up a random conversation.

Well, just last week he sent me an email… he wanted to learn about the FIRE movement, and get some feedback on a financial app he’s building…

He asked for a phone call, and offered to pay me $150 for a 30 minutes of my time. Whoa! 😳

I’m not trying to brag… It seems strange money opportunities like this fall in my lap pretty often. Why?

Talking with a friend about this, she said it’s because “You are just so lucky!.. And I am not.”

While yes, I do agree that I’m lucky, I also believe that everybody creates their own luck…

– The way to meet more strangers and get work opportunities —> is to smile at everyone, everywhere you go. Start up cold conversations, and ask dumb questions.🙋‍♂️

– The way to find free stuff in the streets and money on the ground —> is to look for them everywhere you go. 👀

– If you want more people to help you get ahead in life —> simply bust your balls trying to help others get ahead and succeed. 😇

The more proactive you are, the more “luck” lands in your lap.

Happy Friday! Have a good one!

Sunrise in Adelaide, Australia this week!

Good morning everyone this is 5am Joel with your good vibes forecast for the weekend…
👨‍🏫

Today we’re expecting mostly happiness with a chance of awesome. There’s a 90% probability of delicious coffee this morning, bringing some energetic feelings and a wave of optimism.

Around midday we expect some inner peace to roll in, shedding all negative energy and stress from the week. Beverages are likely to flow shortly afterwards, bringing joy, delight and cheerfulness.

Good vibes will continue through Sunday, with a bit of added gratitude and appreciation. Keep an eye out for the Sunday scaries, they’ll sneak up on you, but you’ve got unwavering positivity as your secret weapon so you’ll be just fine.

That’s it for now, thanks for tuning in and have a lovely weekend folks. 😎

When Coops was growing up I took a pic every few weeks like this. Soon he was too big to fit on my lap anymore 🙂

The antidote to fomo is jomo.

JOMO = Joy of missing out.

Be happy, because missing out is actually a good thing sometimes…

• Instead of reading the news on your phone, ask the friends around you what their news is. Get updates via personal conversation.
• Instead of looking at other peoples photos online, get out and make your own memories! See things first hand and record images with your own eyeballs 👀
• Instead of clicking the “like” button on other people’s stuff all day, spend some time liking yourself.
• Rather than being distracted by advertisements for all the stuff you don’t have, consume yourself with all the stuff you already do have! In real life.

Embrace JOMO, because missing out is pretty cool 😎

Happy Sunday!
– Joel

Happy Monday and happy 1st of the month!!!

A few years back my wife and I started celebrating every 1st of the month. This ritual brings cheer, pride, encouragement, gratitude and celebration into our household and lives.

Please join in today… It’s easy to do:

• grab a pen
• write down 3-4 awesome things that happened last month
• buy a cheap bottle of bubbles/sparkle drink
• at dinner tonight, raise a glass and read out the things you wrote on your list
• cheers, toast, and laugh at how rich your life is.
• That’s it!

It’s a new week and new month. Lead with celebration. 🙂

Cheers, Joel. 🥂

A few things from my list:

• Wifey is now eligible for the vaccine (teacher), cheers to good health!
• We booked a long vacation for later this month. Haven’t been on a plane in over a year!
• Last week we bought another real estate investment. This is our 10th RE partnership, hello passive income!!
• We received a $200 bank bonus. Woohoo, free money!!

Happiness is a choice.

So choo choo choose it today.

Get it? Choo choo, like as in a choo choo train!? 😂

Well I thought it was funny.

Have a happy day! Sorry for the lame jokes.
– Joel

Happy Wednesday!

• you’re alive
• you’re breathin’
• you’re healthy
• you’re able
• you’re skilled
• you’re surrounded by people that love you
• You are truly blessed.

Life is good. Have a great day! 👍
– Joel

“The central coast is so boring and there’s nothing to do”… My friend Tazzie begs to differ! Check out these blossoming apricot trees on the Blossom Trail just outside Fresno. Thanks Tazzie for the pic!

8 years ago, I loved home brewing.

I loved it so much that I considered starting my own micro-brewery with a buddy of mine.

We made pretty decent beer, too! In fact, one day a wealthy neighbor came to my house and offered us $10,000 towards starting our own brewery!

But, I was young and scared.

I was worried about failure. Worried that people wouldn’t like my beer. Worried to lose money. Worried about *insert any irrational fear here*.

I turned the money offer down, and never pursued my passion as a profession.

*******

For any of you out there who have a passion (and get offered free money to follow it), but are feeling scared, don’t be an idiot like me! Don’t let the fear stop you from even trying.

You’ll never know how good you are if you don’t even try.

Visiting new brewpubs is bitter sweet for me. It’s a sad reminder of what could have been, but it’s also a big kick in the ass reminding me to always have the courage to follow the things I’m passionate about.

Part of teaching, is learning.
And part of learning, is teaching.

If you’re learning something cool today, try teaching it to others! Not only will it help you learn faster, you’ll share good info with your friends!

If you’re teaching something today, be sure to listen for learning opportunities. Nobody is omniscient – there is always room to learn.

Happy Friday! Have a fun teachy/learny day!
– Joel

If you want others to be happy, practice love and understanding.

If YOU want to be happy, practice love and understanding.

It’s a win/win.

Have a lovely weekend!
– Joel ☕️

Sunrise over Lake Washington, Seattle.

Be who you are

and say what you feel

because those who mind don’t matter

and those who matter don’t mind.

– Dr. Seuss

🐝 🐝 🐝

Flowers for my mother in law’s birthday! And heirloom tomatoes for caprese 🙂

A ship is always safe at shore, but that’s not what it’s built for. – Einstein.

Happy Monday!

This is your morning reminder to venture out of your comfort zone this week.

• You are built to explore.
• Your skin is way tougher than you think it is.
• You’ll surprise yourself with how far you can go, and how much you can achieve.
• You’ll also be surprised how FUN it is!

So, untie your dock lines and get out there! Comfort zones are for wimps.

Have a great week!
🛳 ⚓️ 🏴‍☠️

Cooper finally ventured off of his comfort zone (the couch)… but only made it to the backyard to get some sun.

Just

one

positive thought

each

morning

can change

your

whole day.

Today my positive thought is a memory of my wife and I kayaking in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam 5 years ago.

Not sure why that thought popped into my head this morning, but it makes me smile –> and will keep me happy all day today 😀

What’s your one positive thought today?

Another pic from our trip, this is Ha Long Bay. I must have been doing a push-up challenge or something that week as many of our photos have me down on my hands!