This past weekend I was able to reconnect with an old friend while I was home for the holidays. We got into a long conversation over coffee about the great reflective aspect of each year's end. As the year draws to a close, I love to look back and reflect on all that I've learned through all of the joys and lows of various experiences. My friend and I were discussing how much had changed for us this year, when she mentioned "you know, I guess it is always true though, that the grass is greener on the other side." 

The familiar phrase reminded me of a quote that I had read from Robert Fulghum a while back, and I think it is relevant to share in my reflection of 2011. Fulghum writes:

The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.

I absolutely love Robert Fulghum for his ability to pack such profound notions into such simple statements, and this quote is a great example. It is a favorite for the two crucial truths it voices. One would be to stay present. So often we are living in the past or living in the future, saying "things will be great once such and such happens.." Time spent looking forward or looking back at the past ultimately means that we are missing out on soaking up the current moment. Basically, wherever you are, be there fully.The second truth would be that life is what you make of it. It is often tempting to want a different situation, surrounding, or experience than the one we currently find ourselves in. However, ultimately, we cannot control much of life but can control how we chose to react to it and what we will chose to do with it. Tend to the grass wherever you may be.

These are the two things that 2011 has taught me the most, and the goals that I want to continue to focus on as I look forward to 2012. What about you?

One of the greatest things about my job at Holstee is being able to read the notes from people whose lives have been impacted by the Manifesto. It is a true privilege to hear the stories of how a line from the Manifesto sparked a realization or a change in someone's life. It never gets old to read how it perked up someone's day or made someone take the time to write down things they were thankful for. There are stories of how it inspired someone to realize their dream of starting their own company or pick up a camera and film a documentary of a trip around Europe. The Manifesto has thus become a completely humbling and amazing opportunity that we could never have imagined--allowing us to have these incredible conversations about life, inspiration, and dreams. 

Recently I got an e-mail from a girl who was asking for advice. She wanted to know: What if you don't know what you are passionate about? What if you are confused and searching? What if you want to do something you love but aren't sure what that is yet? 

I bring it up here because I think that these questions are important ones that all of us have asked at one point or another, and perhaps we are still asking these questions, or will ask them again in the future. It reminded me of a favorite quote of mine that I have come back to again and again:

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke

I love this quote because it is so central to the conversation we are want to have. Recognizing these questions and restlessness is in our lives is the start. We don't claim to have all of the answers ourselves and are seeking to learn and grow every day. We believe that life is a journey and the most important thing is to embark on it with open eyes and mindful steps.

The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu is quoted, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Don't let not knowing the answers hold you back. You don't need to have it all figured out. The reality of the journey is that it is generally not as clear-cut or easily laid out as we would often like it to be. However, we are all on it together and need encouragement and inspiration from the community around us. That is what we want the Manifesto to be: a spark to a conversation, a call to action, and the journey of living the questions, together. 

I love the power of spoken word to challenge and inspire in a way that sends shivers down your spine. This one by the talented Anis Mojgani is a powerful reminder that whoever you are, wherever you are at, and in the midst of whatever you are going through--shake the dust.

Earlier this month we held a Facebook Giveaway for a chance to win a sold-out Holstee Fin. Here was the challenge: 

To win: We have been amazed by how many people have taken the initiative to write down their own Manifesto of values and goals for life after being inspired by the Holstee Manifesto. We think this is a great way of defining what matters to you and what you actively seek out of each and every day. So- we want to hear what would be on your personal Manifesto! 

We were blown away by the amazing responses that came in and absolutely loved reading the entries. It was definitely a challenge to pick one winner, so we chose two! Congratulations to Anthony and Hallie, and thank you to all who shared their wisdom with us! The winning Manifestos:

"To show others that they, along with life, are beautiful. That true wealth is not measured by the size of one's house, by luxury cars, or the amount of money in a bank account. But that true wealth is measured by one's life experiences, by the friends we make and take along on our never ending journey, and the impact we leave on others once we are gone."  -Anthony of California 

"Challenges help you learn every day of you life." -Hallie, age 7

Our friend Bassam Tarazi wrote this wonderful post on his blog earlier this month, and it rings with such truth and passion for a life lived fully that we had to share. Thanks Bassam!

Dear (Your Name Here),

How’s it going? I’m your life. I am the power button to your existence. However, I’m starting to get a little hurt at your response when people ask you, “How’s it going?”

Same s–t, different day? Is that really how you feel? Is life that boring? Let me tell you my days.

My job is to keep you alive. That’s the only thing that matters. That’s the only reason I’m here. Do you want to hear about the hundreds of millions of sperm I beat out tens of thousands of times? What about

World Wars
Imperialism
Slavery
the Dark Ages
Small Pox
The Plague
The Holy Roman Empire
The Conquistadors
The Ottoman Empire
Ghengis Khan
The Greeks
The Romans
Wolves
Bears
Rolling seas
Great Walls
Berlin Walls
Slips
And falls

Through all that, I got to you.

And that’s only the last few thousands years. I don’t have time to go back the other 3.5 billion years but you catch my drift, right?

I animate your body for only a few years in the sands of time. Don’t worry about why. There is no why. The only thing I can tell you is that I will continue to fight for you for as long as I can. Unfortunately, this body will begin to break down at some point and there will be one too many leaks or one too many clogs. But you already know this.

You are going to die. Get over it.

So whaddya say you start attacking every day with some fervor?
Whaddya say you see what this body can do at full output?
Whaddya say you try to experience different s–t on these all too limited, different days.

If you don’t want to go full throttle for yourself, do it for us. Poor Mr. Heart never even gets a break! He’s there pumping day and night. He yearns to go out and see a sunset, fall in love, start a business, or volunteer, but he can’t. He is too busy pumping for you. Talk about same s–t different day! And gosh, the Mitochondria brigade would jump at the opportunity to explore far off countries, read a book or learn another language but they’re too busy managing all the cells. Do it for white blood cells, the tireless soldiers of your body.

I will make sure your bones, blood, brawn and brain have the nutrients they need. Let them shine! I know you have doubts and you’re worried what people will think if you fail at something (believe me, we get showered in stress when you’re nervous) but I assure you, you can slay the Duke of Doubt. I only put that old fart there to keep you from killing yourself. When it comes to chasing your dreams, he’s a scarecrow. He’s a relic. Believe me, I’ve seen him. You’d laugh at the little guy that causes you such fits.

Live me to the fullest. I’m the only life you got. Let’s do this before I have to split unceremoniously one day.

Of course, in your pursuit for “the fullest”, put on a sweater, get your rest and eat right so I can help revive, replenish, and repair this body, because in the words of that music you like to listen to: The chances of being born are so slim, so keep warm; keep warm.

We can be great together.

Sincerely,

Your Life

P.S. Oh and hey, it’d be great if when using that potential of yours you could make the world a better place along the way. I’ve been on a hell of a journey and if the road was a little less bumpy ahead, I wouldn’t hate that.