Are You Prioritizing Building Meaningful Relationships?

 

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in our personal pursuits and put our own needs first. However, there are some individuals who genuinely prioritize building meaningful relationships, valuing people for who they are as individuals, and forming deep connections. These people tend to prioritize empathy, kindness, and compassion in their interactions with others.

On the other hand, there are those who prioritize their careers, building their social status, or gaining power and influence. For these individuals, the relationships they build may be more transactional in nature, and they may prioritize what they can gain from others over forming deep connections.

It's essential to ask yourself what you prioritize in your relationships. Are you focused solely on what you can gain from others, or are you committed to building long-lasting and meaningful connections? The truth is, prioritizing meaningful relationships may require some sacrifices on your part, such as investing more time and energy into others, but it's worth it in the end.

When you prioritize building meaningful relationships, you will attract like-minded individuals who share your values and priorities. These people will be your support system during challenging times and celebrate your successes with you. Most importantly, they will be the ones who truly know and accept you for who you are.

As for me, I am lucky to have found someone who shares my values and priorities in building meaningful relationships. Her name is Angela, and she is the light of my life. I prioritize our relationship above all else, and I am committed to building a strong, meaningful connection with her. Angela is my support system, my confidant, and my best friend. I am grateful every day for her presence in my life.

In conclusion, building meaningful relationships should be a top priority for everyone. When we prioritize building deep connections, we open ourselves up to a world of love, acceptance, and support. So let's commit to building meaningful relationships, investing time and energy into others, and valuing people for who they are as individuals. Who knows? You might just find your own "Angela" along the way.

Understanding and Combating Conspiracy Theories: Exploring the Emotional Needs Behind Beliefs

 

This morning on my way to work, I heard a radio ad for a show about government secrets. It made me realize that conspiracy theories are becoming more popular and mainstream these days. They're all over social media, from Facebook to Twitter. So, I wanted to write about how we can combat this trend.

 

First, let's talk about why people might believe in these theories. The truth is, it makes them feel good and safe. They might feel like they have a purpose in life to make the world a better place, or they might feel smarter than other people. Or, they might feel less scared because they have a community of like-minded people. But ultimately, it's our insecurities and fears that drive us to crave these theories. And yes, that includes you and me, whether we realize it or not.

 

When we're stressed, our brains crave rewards, which is why many of us have been eating more during lockdown. It's not just limited to food though. We all crave things that make us feel good. People who believe in conspiracy theories might have high IQs, but they still have a need to feel good, just like everyone else. Intelligence alone doesn't bring happiness, and we've all given in to our vices at some point.

Especially now, when good feelings are hard to come by, it's understandable to want something that makes you feel good. It's like that classic line, "Don't do this to me right now, I need the fantasy!" But it's hard to convince someone to change their beliefs, and even harder to realize that we might be just as susceptible to certain beliefs.

People won't change their minds unless they feel respected and have an incentive to change. If someone tells you something that goes against your beliefs, it's natural to lose respect for them. This can be especially damaging if you turn out to be wrong about something important. But if you want to change someone's mind, you have to give them a reason to believe that thinking the way you do will make them feel better.

It's important to understand what insecurities are driving someone to believe in conspiracy theories. Try to give them what they need emotionally in a healthy way. And most importantly, reflect on your own beliefs and insecurities. If everyone took the time to do this, the world would be a better place.

 

There isn't "the one" in the world.

Happy Halloween!
Recently I've come across people that don't believe in one "ideal" partner. (Spooky right?) What I mean to say is people that don't believe there is "the one" in the world. These people believe that love is something that is cultivated and you can learn to love anyone. They say they can meet a handful of "ideal" candidates that meet "ideal" unnamed conditions and then, boom! They could spend the rest of their life as long as they both choose to put effort in. This is not only false but dangerous!

Maybe these people know they are being pessimistic... maybe they think they are realistic.. maybe they think it's all just a game we play until we find more of ourselves in the people they look for, I DON'T KNOW. But I think we can agree on if every time your partner said "I love you" they said instead "I could learn to love you... probably" you would understandable run. When dating someone who thinks they could create love with anyone you should question how strong willed they are, how passionate they are, or how flighty they could be...

As for me I think there are always "ideal candidates" But out of those there is always one that is the most ideal. If both of you don't believe you have found the most ideal person there will always be (no matter how loyal) at least some part of one of you looking around for better. You BOTH deserve to feel special and loved! Especially by your partner! Otherwise what is the point of exclusivity.

Life is magical. Anyone that tells you differently walk away; you don't need that kind of negativity in your life. I found THE ONE! And I have never been happier. People always tell me "Marriage is hard work" both Angela and I agree that we don't feel this way. It is said "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." I say "Choose a spouse that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." 

This post is a message of hope. I love my wife more than anything in the world and I have found my perfect fit. I truly believe that there is love like this out there for everyone. Every day of my life since I met Angela proves that true love does exist in this world. If you haven't already, go out and get your happiness. It's waiting for you.

5 Qualities that Make an Ideal Travel Companion

This last road trip was just Angela and I and I have to say it is not possible for someone to love anyone as much as I love Angela. She is THE PERFECT trip partner. I have a burning passion for my wife. She is everything I could ever dream of and more. But why is she so perfect to be around 24/7? I compiled a list of what I find to be the 5 qualities that make my wife my ideal travel companion.

1.) Reliability
It can be like pulling hair to get commitment out of people and sometimes that commitment means nothing to them. I put this as number one because without it you can't really have a travel companion. I can't tell you how many times I've made plans and people have backed out at the last second. Angela is always down for adventure and I know when we make plans she will be there with me.

2.) Flexibility
While travailing sometimes things do not go as planned.  The quality of bending the plan easily without breaking down is a must. It's OK to be someone that has to plan everything down to the minute but based off of traffic, road closures, or any number of things your travel may not go as planned!!! Open mindedness and ability to roll with the punches is so important! Yes trips can go horribly wrong but sometimes bad experiences can build great friendships.

3.) Fun Loving
One of my many favorite things about Angela is her smile. Everyone has heard the phrase "misery loves company". Well conversely I love the phrase "laughter is contagious". When you lose your keys and are looking for them people can very easily not notice something else they lost earlier. This is because we find what we are focused on. So the good news is if you are with someone like Angela that is always looking for the most fun, you are probably going to find it. The bad news is if you travel with someone that looks for reasons to complain... they will find that too.

4.) Respectful
A travel companion must be polite, considerate, and civil towards people. It is embarrassing when you are with someone and they don't tip at a restaurant. Or disregard decisions we make together. I am so grateful I have someone that isn't always looking for a fight. I've heard way too many stories of bratty argumentative people selfishly fighting tooth and nail to get what they feel entitled to. It shows me a lot of respect that Angela can communicate with me openly.

 

5.) Patience
Life to me is all about the experience and I know I only get so many. Things can take longer than anticipated but regardless Angela can accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry at me. This way she is then able to have good communication and we can validate each other's annoyances; things that could have been bad experiences become fun stories to tell or inside jokes, bringing us even closer.

I realize having a perfect travel companion is subjective based on an individuals personality. I've heard several people say the best person to be with is someone that lets you have space. I personally feel like that would be so lonely. I love my wife so much and I love every second I spend wither her vacationing or otherwise. <3

Colorado Road trip

Life has been hectic! We have embarrassingly let our yard go and we are getting a new roof. We went with a Mist White energy star roof to help with reflect heat right back at that pesky sun! Being a homeowner is harder than I thought it would be. This adulting thing is crazy but worth it. Figuring out all of this stuff with my amazing wife is a better journey than I could have imagined. Irresponsible or not, we still prioritize some time for ourselves.

Okay, so if you have read my last few blog posts you know we have put some mileage on our cars! This time we went to visit our friend Erika at her new job as a zip line instructor in Colorado. We had Friday off so we left Thursday after work. We almost booked a night at the Luxor on our way up because on week nights its only like $80 with resort fees included. Unfortunately, by the time we decided to do it they had no vacancies left.

Seeing Erika is always amazing. She is such an easy going and fun person.  We knew we didn't have very much time with her so we went out to eat and then quickly picked an adventure to set out on.

We found the highest paved road in North America! Mt. Evans is the highest summit of the Chicago Peaks in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. At an amazing 14,265′. It is the highest place I have ever been!

When we got about an hour from Breckenridge It started getting beautiful! Angela and I travel a lot and we always agree that where we live is the best. This time however we really started seeing ourselves being able to live there. When we got home I checked on Zillow and... We have expensive taste. Everything we saw there was well over a $1,000,000.

The only negative I can think of from our trip is McDonald's discontinued cherries on their milkshakes! We are so happy that we are able to do all of the amazing stuff we do! I love my wife with all my heart, and with all of me. I hope these adventures never stop!

Crater Lake and Walmart Robbery!

Angela and I took a road trip this last weekend to Crater Lake! It's always and adventure when I'm with my favorite person ever! Magic things like this guy driving this very derpy car happen regularly.

What we didn't think we would witness was Walmart being robbed at 3 a.m.! These people apparently filled their cart full of cloths and ran out of the store as fast as they could. I didn't know that store doors that slide open can also open outward. While we were walking up they slammed though the door as hard as they could and shoved the stuff in their trunk and drove away. We spoke to an employee inside and they said they were the "DUMBEST thieves in the world". Apparently they had worked there before and "everyone knows who they are".

Everything else about the drive was beautiful! This is a photo of Mt. Shasta we took on the way up.  

We both had never been to Crater Lake before and it was definitely worth seeing! As always it was over 2,000 miles of driving in one weekend. Think how far we would go if we had a whole week off!

Let’s face it, laying poolside for a week might be fun but it doesn’t exactly do wonders for the soul.  Sometimes you just need to pack up and escape! I mean, Britney Spears in that one movie discovered she’s a pretty good performer on a road trip... so anything can happen!? 

And not to mention the places you get to see just by driving far away from any airport is so worth it! Angela and I invested in a dash cam. With as much driving as we do, we see a lot of people doing very dangerous things on the road. When I record something exciting I'll be sure to post it here on my blog.

Disney Skyline Lounge

As all of you know that keep up with this blog Angela and I love Disney. Yesterday we got to do something truly special. We have annual passes and its always so nice to just wonder around with no sense of urgency and just soak in the atmosphere. People watching can be so relaxing when everyone around you is so happy.

That being said sometimes it can get very busy and you just need to take a step back. This is where the Skyline Lounge comes in. It was the perfect experience for people like Angela and I. We are introverts that envy those of you that are extroverts.

We arrived at the Tomorrowland Expo Center (Previously The Innoventions Center) at 7:45 Just as they tell you to on Disney's website. The told us that we needed to check in at the events stand next to the flying souser food stand.

When they let us up it was more like 8:10 P.M