Success

Success is a lifelong goal. Everybody seems to want to be successful in one way or another. Success is often associated with a positive result or end-goal, but I believe that success can have a lot to do with the journey to a goal. Not all goals that are set are met. Maybe it's because we set our sights too high or maybe it's because we just failed to achieve what we desired.

I want to feel successful. If others don't think I'm successful in life but I do, then I'm sure I'll be happy with the results. Nobody is viewed by everybody as successful. Perhaps the biggest determining factor for success is personal accomplishment. If you feel good about what you have accomplished then you should feel like a success. You should set your goals up a notch and strive to accomplish even more.

As I strive to be successful in life, I like to look at the examples of people I classify as a success. One such person is Shay Carl Butler from Pocatello, ID. If you've toured my blog before, you may have seen links to some of his YouTube videos. This man is a self-described social media expert. He is in his early thirties, married, and has four kids. I'd estimate that roughly one million people in this world would recognize his name (that's probably less than 0.2% of Americans). That's a pretty small piece of popularity when compared to someone like President Obama but pretty large considering it's twenty times the number of people that live in his city.

Three to four years ago Shay was making ends meet working multiple jobs including installing granite counter tops and being the night radio DJ for a local station. With three kids (at that time) he was doing all he could to keep his family afloat. One day he learned about YouTube and was up all night searching and watching videos. Soon after, he decided that he should make some videos himself. He arose almost overnight as one of YouTube's stars. Thanks to Google Ad revenue, he quit his jobs and works "full-time" as a social media expert making videos that hundreds of thousands of people watch everyday. He loves his life. He is successful.

Now what I like about Shay is that he recognizes where his success came from. Sure, a lot of it had to do with the fact that he works hard at putting humorous/adorable/exciting content up on the web everyday. He realizes that the only reason he is successful is because there are others out there who watch and like his videos and shamelessly promote them. He is happier (not waking up at five to install granite everyday has its benefits), his family is happier (that or he has improved his editing skills to make them appear to be happier in the newer videos than the older ones), and his viewers are happier (video comments are often gushing with happiness).

In the 1000+ videos Shay has uploaded in the past few years (no, I have not seen all of them), I had never seen him cry until today. Due to his internet successes, a singer named James Blunt used one of his photographs (a shot of his daughter flying through the air) as the cover of his new album. He was featured on Jay Leno and this is a video of Shay watching on television.



He looks pretty happy to me. And this leads me to my conclusion of what success is. Shay is not successful because he achieved his goals of providing for his family. Shay is not successful because he spends his days doing what he loves. Shay is not successful because one million people in this world know everything about him. Shay is not successful because his daughter was on Jay Leno. Shay is successful because he set goals, achieved them at levels much higher than he ever anticipated, and recognizes that there is no way he could have every achieved them on his own. And for that he is extremely thankful.

I want to be like Shay, not because he is well know, has a great job, or has an enviable beard. I want to be like Shay because he is grateful for all that he has and realizes that in spite of his best efforts, he doesn't even deserve it. Success is accomplishing your goals, being proud of yourself, and realizing that there is no way you could have accomplished what you achieved on your own.

Ryan Pearson - A Documentary

Some men are more interesting than others. Though few actually know him, Ryan Pearson is one of these men. This film delves into his life so that you may learn to appreciate him just a little bit more. An intimate and spectacular exposé, Ryan Pearson - A Documentary will leave you knowing more about Ryan; whether or not you actually enjoy this knowledge is a story in and of itself.

CJ The Musical

Everything good in life is worth waiting for, right? After a lengthy production time, CJ The Musical has finally hit the presses. If you didn't think this site was already overcrowded with bromance, this video will seal the deal.

Spencer and I had a roommate named CJ who went on a mission. We missed him so we came up with the idea to make him a video letting him know that life wasn't as good without him. Here is the final product that will be sent off to CJ himself. It is full of cameo appearances from some of CJ's good friends and a few others who were happy to be filmed for the sake of disrupting missionary work. I'm sure CJ is proud of each and every one of you.

It is full of inside jokes so to those who don't find it funny, I give my two-fold apology

1. Because you are missing out on some heart-healthy laughter
2. Because you don't know CJ (he really is that great)

Without further delay (seriously, what's another paragraph - you've waited this long) I present to you CJ The Musical!

Christmas Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

As the eggnog hangover comes to an end, we send our deepest wishes to you this holiday season. The year 2010 was spectacular for Nathan and Spencer. We are so proud of their great and many accomplishments. Nathan and Spencer have been geographically separated for the past several months. This trial and hardship has only served to deepen their relationship. Absence truly makes the heart grow fonder!

While you hold this letter with your hands, we want you to know that some hands are more special. Spencer and Nathan both had the great honor this year to touch (or be touched) by some of the greatest hands this world has ever seen. The NFL all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, Jerry Rice, grasped each of their hands firmly and spoke words of kindness and respect on one occasion. (Thanks Bryan for making this dream come true.) Nathan was also fortunate enough to be touched by the hand of the NBA all-time second leader in scoring and leader in free throws made, Karl Malone. The Mailman stroked his chest and said, "I like your shirt man. Old school."

These extraordinary events have caused both Nathan and Spencer to have an increased desire for athletic achievement. Our video gaming has decreased and our video living has increased. They take to the court most Tuesdays and Thursdays (weather permitting) and have improved much over the past year. Spencer recorded a record five blocks in one game and has mastered the art of dribbling. He continues to hone his baseline hook and soaring floater. Nathan continues to improve with increased shooting percentage, dynamic footwork, and a low post presence making him a force in the paint. Also, in a recent flag football game, Nathan recorded his career longest pass reception for a touchdown (62 yards/48 YAC) and Spencer tallied a benchmark 50 career interceptions.

Spencer's beard is also doing quite well. Despite being called the bearded buffoon on occasion, he has remained optimistic and diligent in growing out his beard for Halloween and dance party costumes, terrorist negotiations, and female repulsion. Repulsion is our business. And business is good. Aside from the few naysayers, Spencer's beard has received accolades from the Utah State University Huntsman School of Business Dean, Spanish professor Extraordinaire and esteemed poet Kevin Krogue, and the Student Body President of Hillcrest Elementary School in Logan.

Although we hold a strict no bravery policy, girls (and boys) continue to make their way into our social circles. On dates we promise fake cuddling but real pizza. We have continued to befriend as many people as are willing to take the plunge and have enjoyed invitations to several parties, weekend excursions, mission farewells, and family vacations. We are pleased to announce that combined friendship increased 32% over the past year making it third place behind 2009 and the year Spencer met Bunna (100% increase). We attribute that increase to the demand for Spencer's magic show, the young impressionable age of our most recent friends, and the mystery of whether or not Nathan is seeing someone. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our social successes and entertainments. We are extremely appreciative to those who provided us with Jazz tickets, spectacular board games, movies and television shows, taggings on Facebook, lodging in Southern California, car rides to activities, delicious chocolate cookies, trail mix, relatives' hot tubs, and little smokies. We couldn't have done it without you!

Despite the wonderful times and treasures, not every moment was one that one wishes to remember. Spencer's heart was broken on several occasions by girls, pizza companies, and cats. He is doing much better and has come to terms with the fact that girls desire abstinent missionary service after dating him, the economy is affecting everyone, and cats (like him) prefer female companionship.

Both received high honors and graduated this year from Utah State University. We are so proud of them! Spencer and Nathan are currently unemployed.

Happy Holidays,

Spencer and Nathan

Love Based Music Video

Rarely would I highlight something from Idaho (less Justing Bieber), but since my friend is the film editor on this (I did not meet him in Idaho) and it is really really well done, here it is. I have some more stuff from him on my www page. Check him out.

The Competitive Spirit

I enjoy the Seinfeld episode where Jerry takes us down memory lane to his high school days. He reunites through precarious circumstances with his athletic rival Duncan Meyer. Duncan asserts that during a schoolyard battle over a decade before, Jerry cheated to win a footrace between the two. Duncan claims that Jerry had a head start in this history-defining race and challenges Jerry to a rematch. Jerry has lived for years bearing the title of champion and is weary of a re-race for fear that his infamous race-winning legacy will die. He boldly declares, “I choose not to run!”

I, much like Jerry, fear the recoils of a failed accomplishment. As a youngster, I enjoyed playing video games. I was content playing the excellent games provided for me on my Super Nintendo. Mario and I had many great days of princess-saving and swimming through pipes. When I reached middle school, I made some friends that also enjoyed some electronic entertainment. I was invited to play what I thought was going to be some more blissful plumbing. To my surprise, there was a new invention. Multiple people could now play games simultaneously. It was no longer me against Bowser; it was me against my friends.

To say it was an even matchup is a completely misguided statement. I was blasted from one end of the facility to the other every five seconds. My trusty shells and fireballs were replaced with a pistol that was lucky to get a shot off before my screen turned red. I was obviously not fit to be a secret agent. I thought things would get better once we put in a game that included my comrade Mario. The game lived up to its name and fists, hammers, and giant fire-breathing dragons smashed me repeatedly.

The world of gaming was no longer the same. I could no longer ‘try try again’ until I succeeded. I did my best and I had more than enough practice because my friends loved to invite me over for target practice. Oh, I’d ask for help and advice and they would give it to me – by showing me how it was done. I did do one thing right – I continually sacrificed myself for the enjoyment of others. My friends were the happiest people in the world.

I decided that I was too far behind in the set of current popular games. I saved up and bought a top-of-the-line, newly released Nintendo GameCube. I stayed away from the type of game I had learned to loose, and got the new Tony Hawk game. I played it by myself and enjoyed the days of personal achievement.

The day arrived when my friends urged me to game with them again. They were desperate for blood and they knew that I would be the release they needed. With the cards in my hand, I issued the skater’s challenge. They accepted and gaming ensued. With confidence and experience at my fingertips, my friends were baffled. I, like Jerry, was accused of having a head start. They took to practicing, but it made no difference. I had already mastered the techniques and lifted the target from my back.

New games have emerged and new challenges have been made, but I stand firm and emphatically decree, “I choose not to play!” I am no longer the entertainment. I am a champion, head start or not.

Happy Festivus.

Why Twitter?

You may have noticed that on my main page I have my latest tweet streaming. Yea, I know, Twitter is really only for people who actually have something to say like professional athletes, cable news anchors, and movie stars. I know I don’t fit the mold. It’s just that I recently saw this TV commercial and I really don’t want to be left behind.