As many of you know today is my birthday. I don’t really want anything – which I am sure is frustrating for my family. About three years ago I came to the conclusion that I was going to do everything possible to live my life to the fullest instead of just talking about it. And despite not knowing how it would turn out, and still not knowing how it will eventually turn out, I am pretty happy so far with the results. My leap of faith brought me out to Hawaii, allowed me to learn how to surf at age 33, start volunteering with a great group in Coaches Across Continents, revive my love of soccer coaching with BIFC and UH-Hilo, and has allowed me more time to travel to various locales around the globe. 

But the best thing of all from this decision to abandon the conventional lifestyle is the new relationships to go along with all my existing ones. I have met hundreds of new friends who have their own ideas, views, and perceptions of the world. Their thoughts have influenced my own and convinced me that the world is a good place and that anywhere you go you can be safe, happy, and content. Relationships make the world go round. It is our interactions with people, not our accomplishments, that determine the value of a life. 

The second best thing to come about from my leap of faith is the excitement in not knowing how it will all turn out. There is great anxiety in change. The known world is very comforting and routine has a way of putting us at ease. It is why changing jobs, homes, and relationships is very difficult. But having been through momentous change on a daily basis I can assure you that there is something very liberating that comes with new experiences. You see things from a different perspective, you hear varying ideas when you speak with new friends, and you have new stories to tell along with your old ones. All you need is faith in your abilities to land on your feet and the knowledge that the world is full of good people and kind souls who will look after you when you need it most. 

Now somewhere along the way I have developed what I believe to be the secret of life. It really isn’t that difficult. All you need to do is to figure out what makes you happy and to pursue it with reckless abandonment. I highly encourage everyone to find out what makes you truly happy. It might be your family, traveling, working for charity, sports, a hobby, or all of the above. Now figure out how to make that a bigger part of your life. Strip away all the unnecessary elements of your life and focus on increasing your time pursuing what makes you happy. When you do that, your enjoyment of life will increase and your frustrations will decrease. It really is that simple. 

For me that has meant traveling the world, helping people through soccer, and having new experiences on a daily basis.

I stated earlier that I really don’t want anything for my birthday. That’s not quite true. What I really want is for people to follow their dreams and to truly enjoy life as much as possible. I want people to help others as selflessly as they would help their family members. Chase your dreams. Have a new experience every day, even if it is as simple as trying a new food. Or if you need a cause to contribute to and like giving presents, how about donating to Coaches Across Continents (click here!)

I know that I have yet to speak about my experiences so far here in Namibia. I have not told you about my work with Special Olympics Namibia or traveling to my 35th country on my 35th birthday. Next time I promise to give you more of my personal experiences, Choose Your Own Adventure Style (coming next week!)

Before you log off, here are some other very notable people who share my birthday (make sure to get to the bottom!)…
• Tim Allen (Comedian, Home Improvement)
• Ban Ki-moon (Secretary-General of the United Nations), great quote: “For most of the last century, economic growth was fuelled by what seemed to be a certain truth: the abundance of natural resources. We mined our way to growth. We burned our way to prosperity. We believed in consumption without consequences. Those days are gone. In the 21st century, supplies are running short and the global thermostat is running high. Climate change is also showing us that the old model is more than obsolete. It has rendered it extremely dangerous. Over time, that model is a recipe for national disaster. It is a global suicide pact.”
• Red Grange (“The Galloping Ghost” University of Illinois and Chicago Bears fullback)
• Florent Malouda (soccer player for Chelsea and the French National Team)
An best of all…….
• The Olsen Twins – Mary-Kate and Ashley! 

Finally, an on-going mission for you guys! (only if you didn’t do it last time).
1. Go to Coaches Across Continents facebook page and “like” them.
2. Subscribe to my GetJealous blogs by entering your email on the left!
3. Send me questions for my June Q&A mailblog.