Let people make fun of you. Who fucking cares? Start a new career at 40. Pole dance at 60. Learn how to roller skate at 80. Start a whole new life at 70. Stop saying you can’t. You can and you should.

Let people make fun of you. Who fucking cares? Start a new career at 40. Pole dance at 60. Learn how to roller skate at 80. Start a whole new life at 70. Stop saying you can’t. You can and you should.

Finding a reason not to do something is considerably easier than finding the courage to do it. 

That is a core simple fact. 

We are remarkably adept at finding every last reason why something should not, can not or will not be done. And why is that? In part, it is because most of us have concerns about the opinions of others. Our desire to be accepted often times outweighs what we, ourselves, most want.

Acceptance is deep routed in our relationship with our parents, family members and peers as we are growing up. Falling outside of the accepted norm subjects us to being noticed for standing out. This can include all forms of standing out, from being extraordinary, to being subpar and every permutation in-between. People are comfortable with their impression of what is and what should be. So, when they observe that which does not comply, they are quick to notice and ridicule those who are not within the boundaries of perceived normalcy. Sometimes that action has massive consequences. Ask Chris Rock, how he feels about having opted to play in that playground in front of the entire world last night!

Far more important is the recognition that we only have one pass on this planet. Each and every day is precious. Each marks another date in time that we had opportunity to be whom we wish, to learn as we choose, to explore as we may and to grow as we desire. It does not get any more black and white than that. 

So, given how precious our time is, why would it be so important to any of us to conform to perspectives of what others are going to think, when it is OUR life that is in consideration?

At a certain point, this concept finally registers. Often times, too late for some choices that might have been made much earlier.

Freedom comes when you stop caring about what others think of you.

If you have a desire to break out of your norm and evolve into whom you are aspiring to be, I would advise you that only you matter in that choice. Obviously there are family and professional responsibilities to contemplate in making the decision, but if you know in your heart that something you wish to do is right for you, and does not harm others, I suggest you give it a try.

One of the next on my list is most probably fencing. Not the white picket kind, but with foils in a studio. I have always been curious about it, and the prospect of engaging in a good sword fight with another sounds challenging to me. 

And why not?

Live your life for you, it is yours to live and if others decide to call you out as a result of their own insecurities, phobias and perspectives, then take matters into your own hands, but not as Will Smith did last night.

Happy Monday!

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Written by Brian Weiner
When I was 5 years old, I discovered that the lemon tree in the backyard + dixie cups + water and sugar and I was in business. I have been hooked on that ever since. In 1979, I borrowed $14,000 to create a brand new product... photographic greeting cards with no text on the inside, called Paradise Photography. That was the start of The Illusion Factory. Since then, The Illusion Factory has been entrusted by all of the major studios and broadcasters with the advertising and marketing of over $7 billion in filmed, live, broadcast, gaming, AR, VR and regulated gaming forms of entertainment, generating more than $100 Billion in revenue and 265 awards for creativity and technology for our clients. When I took a break from film school at UCLA to move to Hawaii, my mother did not lecture me. Instead, she took 150 of her favorite aphorisms and in her beautiful calligraphy, wrote them artistically throughout a blank journal. That is the origin of the Lessons from the Mountain series. Since then, on my journeys to the top of a mountain to watch the sunrise, I have spent countless hours contemplating words of wisdom from the sages of all races, genders and political persuasions, constantly accumulating the thoughts to guide me on my life path. I hope you enjoy my books. Please let me know your thoughts, as I highly value your feedback!