“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”
— Chris McCandless

I don’t think any trip has changed my views of life. The American West is more than marvelous. I “escaped from Atlanta”and had “ultimate freedom” as Alexander Supertramp said. Everything that I’ve battled with internally and externally at home was dissolved and forgotten. I felt that civilization was at ease and my mind became clear of what mattered most to me. I stood by the grand masterpiece work of a creator as it upheld the music that this planet listened and danced to. Nothing like it, I told myself as it would later tell me the meaning of life. Later that evening, I woke up my betrothed and told her. From then on, everyday I try to challenge and act upon what my dreams told me, keeping to myself my quest of living my dream…..

If you want to know what my dream’s interpretation of the meaning of life, just ask me in person…..

The quiet beginning…

This is our family friend and our first neighbor when my parents moved to the states. She watched me when I was young and she, herself, has an amazing family of her own which I grew up with. She brought up stories of me growing up and how bad I was. I enjoyed them and loved her eye for detail in prepping the flowers for the ceremony.

There’s something about food preparation in our culture. My mom finds it so important that I know how to cook, she reminds every time I see her.

My dad on the right admiring the sticky rice basket’s design.

My mom prepares for the monks to arrive while she talks about her cancer and what’s treatments she’s going through. I thought she looked beautiful in her traditional outfit.

Lexus bringing the food and getting it ready for the monks.

They arrive looking cool. We have a temple in Murfreesboro, which houses about 8-16 monks from Laos at various times.

My dad like he always is, lightens up the room by making a funny comment.

They start lighting the candles which melt into the bowl. The candles are representations of our body and soul. Once they melt and form in the herbal water which we have to shower with once it’s done. They also sprinkle the water as blessings all over the house and everybody in the room.

Everything in these bowls are given to the monks. Monks don’t acquire anything unless it’s given to them. So for example, a monk can only eat what’s given to him. They also stop eating anything solid after 12pm and start fasting taking in only liquids.

My favorite part is the vast amount of good food.

Each person also gets to bless us by wrapping a cotton bracelet around our wrist.

In the end, all we hope is for my mom to get better.

My little brother Lexus.

Lexus has always been one of my biggest influences on me for perfecting one’s craft. He practices golf 4-6 hours a day and will push his passion to the limit. He’s somewhat a golf prodigy, winning adult tournaments since when he was 13-years-old.

He’s also another solider helping my mom out battle out her cancer. He has a totally different personality from me, but it balances us out as a family.

If you have a chance follow his journey on the golf course @ Lexus Golf Facebook Page

It reminds me of a part in one of Pindar’s poems:

And those that have three times kept to their oaths, keeping their souls clean and pure,

Never letting their hearts be defiled by the taint

Of evil and injustice,

And barbaric veniality,

They are led by Zeus to the end:

To the palace of Kronos,

Where soothing breezes off the Ocean

Breathe over the Isle of the Blessed:

All around flowers are blazing with a

Dazzling light.