30Aug 2017 by aryask@gmail.com

Why Forward

self-awareness, storytelling
The sun was out after a stretch of stormy days in Chengdu, China. I was working at the English center and had a small group of high school students. We were discussing core values. As a warm-up I asked, “what do you look forward to this week, this year?” One student had a shine in his eye and described his plans to travel to Russia with his friends. Another was keen on joining a potluck at a friend’s house that week. One student, Jeff, was sitting in the back of the class with his head slouched in his phone. When I called on him he sincerely replied, “I don’t look forward to anything.” I reminded them, “we live in a noisy world and many people talk, yet few communicate and communication…
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05Jul 2017 by aryask@gmail.com

A good look in the mirror

purpose, self-awareness, storytelling
“Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.” - Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher For many years I struggled with self-doubt and social anxiety because I held too many distractions. It's a classic self-shame story: I used to suck and now I suck less. Eventually, I realized that we live in a noisy world and many people talk, yet few communicate. What I grew to accept and love was the gift of conversation. It became clear that deep connections are not based on take or blame, they are full of joy and empathy. A friend once told me, "Time flies when the senses are full." Leading an inspired path means doing what makes you come alive. And it is the way…
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28Jun 2017 by aryask@gmail.com
Getting creative

Getting creative

creativity, flow
Creativity means making something new and meaningful. It's a celebration of being alive. Creativity is a birthright. A gift to the world. it's a process. The process is the insight. Creativity is the natural flow of things. The hard part is getting out of our own way. Creativity happens when we trust the process and let go of how we think it's supposed to be. Let go so your gift can flow freely. Why be creative? Because it feels good to be alive.
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21Jun 2017 by aryask@gmail.com
Moving with a purpose

Moving with a purpose

discipline, leadership, purpose, self-awareness
Here's a review I wrote for Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win. Extreme Ownership is a good look in the mirror to live and lead at the highest level. It contains war stories with leadership lessons and I have newfound respect for U.S. Navy SEALs. It checks off on what I count as a good book: vivid imagery, some humor, raises goosebumps, brings tears, and practical for livelihood. On the final analysis, it’s not written by a Hemingway but it does come from the heat of experience. It works because it’s real. The book harps the tune "it's all about the mission”. You got to know why you're in it to begin with, believe in it fully, and continually execute on it. That’s what a leader does.…
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11Jun 2017 by aryask@gmail.com

Self-awareness on the airplane

Uncategorized
I'm on an airplane reading a book on my iPad. the book is titled Extreme Ownership written by some Navy SEALS captains. Excellent book with war stories and leadership lessons. I have newfound respect for those guys. Anyway there is a photo in the book with a ton of ammunition laid on the table, a poster of the SEALS skull patch, and pictures of SEALS lost in combat. I'm zooming in and around the photo when I notice the person to my right gazing over me. I realize I'm a Persian man on an airplane looking at fire arm and death symbols. I immediately put away the device and turn on a cartoon on the seat monitor to balance the equation.
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