The Dream

The dream, the dream.

What is the dream?

Day in and day out.

Consciousness fades in and consciousness fades out.

Sometimes this game of life is wicked.

Sometimes this game of life is bliss.

The dream is not a preset or predetermined ending in mine.

No.

The dream is much more than a mere thought – or even a point at which we reach.

You’ve heard it before and you will hear it again – it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey on which you embark to get where you are yet to be.

Though by all accounts I am still very young, I’ve been tested time and time again and I’ve learned to understand that in life we will always have obstacles. Always. Things may go along smoothly for a short while but there were will always be another wall to climb or another boulder to navigate.

Handling these said obstacles are what build our foundational character.

There are those whom allow these obstacles to dictate their life and their actions and then there are those who decide that they will not allow these things to vanquish their dream and will press forward, head on, relentlessly until victory and happiness are attained.

I write this today because I am in state of awe and love and excitement.

I am riding perhaps the biggest high of my life.

Now let’s move in a bit deeper. Let us pause the artsy style of writing and be a little more clear.

Last June I was lying in bed reading The Laws of The Cage by Urijah Faber and Urijah is talking about taking a risk in life in order to find your true happiness and true potential - to really find true success.

“The kind of risk I’m suggesting in this book has nothing to do with bungee-jumping, or eating a cricket, or jumping in a frozen lake. I’m talking about life-changing risk, the kind that makes you take a deep breath, question everything you’ve ever thought about your life, and still – even after acknowledging that standing pat would be easier and safer – putting your head down and charging forward into the unknown.

It’s the kind of risk that turns your life from a poorly focused, passion-free existence into something happier, more positive, and far more fulfilling.” – Urijah Faber

I read this and my world changed. I immediately knew what it was that I had to do.

I made a promise to myself that day. I promised myself that I would be out of Florida by that time next year. I made a GOAL to myself. I told myself that no matter how many other goals and promises I’ve let myself down on – I can always accomplish what I put my mind to.

I was not sure where I would move or how I would do it but I told myself in a year’s time that I would move out of Florida to either California or Colorado.

The year has now come and gone and by 11 months I kept my promise to myself. I conquered one of the biggest goals of my life – I left behind everything I had ever known back home and moved out of Florida.

I have been residing in South Carolina temporarily with family and now, now I truly can enjoy that dedication and will power that I’ve held onto.

In two weeks’ time I move to Colorado and I could not be any happier or more excited to begin this new chapter in my life.

Ever since I saw my first MMA fight when I was 15 I was hooked. Immediately captivated by the sport. It was so raw. So real.

When I was younger I had always wanted to learn Karate or some other kind of martial art but parents could never afford it.

Then in 8th grade I found wrestling and to this day wrestling will always be my first love – wrestling turned me into a man.

Muay Thai is something I have dreamed about learning for a long time. The Thai style of boxing was so exciting and fascinating to me.

The Art of Eight Limbs.

Battling with your fist, elbows, knees, and shins. A true warriors sport. An art form that beautifully demonstrates the combative dance of humans.

By moving to Colorado I am accomplishing far more than just one simple goal of moving out west.

No, no.

Im accomplishing life dreams.

I will be privileged and honored to learn Muay Thai under a true master, a legend, and world renowned coach, Duane “Bang” Ludwig.

Bang Muay Thai.

I have desires to compete and to fight; however, my deepest desire is to become a better person - To help myself learn and grow with the discipline that any martial art takes.

I was also recently accepted into the exercise science program at the University of Northern Colorado – learning the exercise physiology and nutrition of the human body is beyond captivating to me.

You see, not only am I chasing a life-long dream to move out of Florida, I am also chasing a dream to learn Muay Thai and leave nothing to question in this life.

I fully intend to finish the few classes I have for my bachelor’s degree but learning Muay Thai and competing has been a dream of mine for a very long time and NOTHING will keep me from pursuing that dream and making it happen.

This journey has been hard, humbling, fun, sad, and crazy and yet I am so very thankful for the many things I’ve had to endure in such a short time of life for they have molded me into the man I am today.

I am writing all this to simply say that it does not matter who you are, what you’ve been through, or where you are at – no matter what you want in this life, you can make it happen. Decide what you want and never give up.

Now as I was saying before, The Dream is the journey.

I could fail at everything I hope to accomplish in Colorado and I could smile happily knowing that I tried OR I could always wonder what if…

The dream?

The dream is the happiness we find in conquering our deepest desires.

In leading a fulfilling and rewarding life.

For me, I’ll be on the other side of the country in an area I’ve never been to, at an altitude that I’ve never experienced, and around no one familiar and could be happier.

This is the ultimate test.

I plan to enroll at Ludwig Martial Arts and pour everything I have into learning this martial art and this way of life.

I plan to be promoted in ranking after 45 days of straight training.

That is a personal challenge to myself.

Always have goals for yourself.

Always strive to be a better person than yesterday.

Work for your own personal happiness.

Chase your dreams friends, we only live once.

Onward, to dreams, happiness, and adventure.

“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.” – Miyamoto Musashi