The Joy of Manpri's

Ah the joy of manpri's. You know shants, clam diggers, or any other name they may go by. For years they have been considered a fashion faux pas by American "manly" men. Over the past couple of years on our Disney World trips I started to notice that many of the European men were wearing manpris. They seemed quite comfortable, as I would have imagined, and very secure with their masculinity. I started my manpri hunt but came to realize that most Americans were not yet ready to accept this particularly comfortable article of clothing as "mainstream." Those that know me are aware of what little concern I have for the"mainstream' so my hunt continued. Finally, after two years of trying, I found my source. In America we had to come up with a way for these pants to be respectable from the male point of view. So they are called "climbing" pants. Mountain Hardwear. Whatever they are called, I will call a spade a spade. They are MANPRI'S and they are awesome. Don't fear them, embrace and accept them. I love my manpris and always will.

New Blog

I have just started a new blog in addition to this one. This one will remain invitation only so that I can continue to be more personal, so don't worry about any weirdo's gaining access. At the same time I want to make sure that I don't shoot myself in the foot marketing wise out of my own petty fear. The other blog is called The Fearless and Joyful Life. It will be a little more professional and centered on marketing but I will certainly be myself. So visit it often to see what's new and continue to visit here for a more personal side of mine and my family's lives. By the way, Kelli I wasn't trying to steal your title! I just realized how close our titles are. I am so sorry! If you want me to change my title, I will. Let me know. OOps!

Inspired?

 Sitting with my family tonight I was suddenly struck with a feeling of overwhelming joy and gratitude. They,through just being themselves, allow me the opportunity to always be aware of how good my life is. At any point I can think about or get around them and be immersed in absolute love. Shelby is an incredibly gifted and headstrong nine year old. She definitely marches to the beat of her own drummer. Wendy, with her beauty and intelligence, constantly pushes me to be a better person. I know that the three of us enhance each others lives and bring each other joy.

Any person has the choice as to what will affect them. Anyone can shift their perspective and become inspired at any point. For most it is a matter of rising above whatever self-centered fear they are choosing to allow to control their life. Along with my family, I am surrounded by people who are in a constant state of self-improvement. Because I choose to connect with such forward moving people I am never able to justify remaining in a state of self-pity. I'm not saying that I don't try to from time to time, I'm saying that I can't justify it. 

To find inspiration is simple. Existing in an inspired state is a habit. It has to do with how we choose to think. When I am thinking about the people I love, everything I have to look forward to, the wonderful memories I have, and the beautiful world I live in I am inspired. I must remember that I can get to this blissful state whenever I want. I only have to remember how.

Drama Queens and Real Rock Radio

I spent the past week in St. Louis, which is one of my favorite places in the world. Great food, great people, and the best radio station ever; K-She 95. Nowhere will you hear as much Sammy Hagar, Rush, or REO Speedwagon as you will in St. Louis on K-She. I love it. They thumb their nose at what is supposedly "relevant" in music and play what they love. Rock on K-She.

I went to St. Louis to do another seminar based on my book and a book signing. It also gave me the chance to spend some time with the staff at Crossroads, an adolescent drug treatment program in St. Louis. Leading up to the week there was a little bit of fear of possible disruption. There are a few people who were at one time associated with programs like the one I own who have left and made it their life's purpose to sabotage the work that we do. Being the sensitive person that I am, if I get any indication that someone doesn't like me, I become very bothered. Most of the time that is a very easy emotional state to deal with, but if I get caught off guard it can send me into a tail-spin.

I did go into the week feeling very prepared. For one, I love my book. Being able to share myself that intimately has been extremely rewarding. The seminars have been an extension of that feeling and every time I do one I feel as if I have grown immeasurably. Although I had never done a book signing before, I had a lot of confidence going in because Kerry and Jim Winkelmann had done an awesome job of preparing the event. It was set up at a great coffee shop, Wired Coffee, and the Winkelmanns took care of invitations and other details.

For the entire week Mike, Megan, and Desiree were awesome. Every detail was taken care of. The hotel that held the seminar was perfect. Everything along the lines of organization was extremely smooth. I was able to focus on the tasks at hand because I didn't have to worry about anything else. Following through with these events was a huge deal. The terrorists had been threatening to sabotage both events. They sent letters and made phone calls to the hotel. They called the owners of the coffee shop. For the first time I was able to see these people through objective eyes. The hotel manager and the owner of the coffee shop saw these people for what they are; terrorists holding on to sour grapes. They didn't feel at all threatened and were more annoyed than anything.I was able to meet Rose Jonas who gave me great perspective on the whole situation. Not only were there no problems at either event, there was a ton of validation that if I choose to become afraid at the threats of angry and irrational people, I am being a drama queen. The only action taken by these people was a guy that used to work for me taking my picture with his cell phone and then scurrying off. Wow.

Getting to spend time with the staff at Crossroads was a big time highlight of the trip. What a wonderful group of unbelievably talented and exciting people. They have a tremendous amount of power and do great work with the families who come to them for help. As they continue to gain more confidence their ability to provide solid guidance will only continue to grow. It's fun to be around people who so clearly love what they do. 

As I mentioned before, what a wonderful week. Hopefully it was as beneficial to other people as it was for me. I am home now very satisfied and grateful.

Exciting Times

What a busy few weeks! The in-laws just left on a European cruise, our good friends, the Traaseths, just left town, and tomorrow I leave for St.Louis. First of all, what a wonderful week we had last week. The Traaseths came down from Minnesota in search of a new home. Most of us know what a frightful time that can be, wrought with insecurity. Unfamiliar surroundings coupled with the pressure of buying a home is a daunting situation to face. Wendy, Shelby, and I hoped to be able to provide a little bit of security and calmness to this family at a strange time. By the way, the Traaseths are a family we met through the Live and Learn unschooling conferences. 

Not only were the Traaseths able to use our home as a base, their children stayed at our house most of the week. What a pleasure and joy. I have dedicated my life to helping teenagers and their families, so to be able to open my home to three wonderful children, and for them to feel comfortable and secure, was truly a gift for my family and me. We haven't known each other for too long but our families really connect. Wendy, Shelby, and I were able to open our lives with ease and the Traaseth family made that so much easier just by being themselves. For that, we are grateful.

Tomorrow I head to St.Louis. I get to spend some time with some people that I haven't seen for a while. To be able to visit somewhere to share my experience with so many people that I love is an honor. I have been doing a series of seminars for about seven months based on my book and St. Louis is my next stop. As a part of this trip I get to spend a lot of time with the staff at Crossroads. This is an unbelievably dedicated and loving group of people. I can't wait to get there.

The bottom line with all of this is that I get to live a very exciting life. Whether it is through the people I have grown close to as a result of my work or through the relationships I have built through the unschooling community, I always have a ton of experiences to look forward to. I am fortunate to have a beautiful wife and wonderful daughter with whom to share these experiences. What I would share with anyone is to be true to your passions and to always pursue those things that bring you joy. Although situations will come up that are scary and decisions that are difficult to make, your pursuit of happiness will always prevail. Anyone who tries to sabotage this pursuit does not deserve your mental energy. Do not give it to them. Live your life and enjoy what you do. Rock hard!

A New Review and a Giant Whatevs

This is a copy of a review of my book that is in the current edition of Midwest Book Review. Having a positive review in this publication is a big deal because Midwest Book Review is very reputable in the publishing community. Here is a part of the review:

Why struggle? It's needless suffering that many people go through with their relationships when they could be happy now. "Relationships for the Intimately Challenged: Connecting with Family, Friends, and Co-Workers to Create a More Joyful Life" is a guide to help all readers make the most of their relationships instead of pettily fighting over the problems that come up through the course of life – to celebrate the joy that is there to begin with to make relationships tighter and more fulfilling overall. "Relationships for the Intimately Challenged: Connecting with Family, Friends, and Co-Workers to Create a More Joyful Life" is highly recommended to community library self-help collections and for anyone who wants more out of their relationships.

I was really excited when I saw this. As we all know, doing something new can be very daunting and scary. One of the best lessons in this whole "I'm An author" thing is that it reminds me to put my money where my mouth is. I talk all of the time about the importance of taking risks and following your passion. This is something that I believe in very strongly. The fact of the matter is that I am a giant wimp. Despite being a wimp and at times wanting to crawl in a cave and hide, I continue to take risks. 

To my fear, I give a giant whatevs. It doesn't need me to feed it. By giving it a whatevs I empower my self to continue to take the risks that are necessary for me to continue to grow and change. I am fortunate to lead a life that enables me to be surrounded all the time with people who tell fear to f-off and give it a loud, resounding whatevs. I love ya'll and have an extraordinarily wonderful evening!

Have a Little Fun

The past few weeks have been very interesting for me to say the least. From being terrorized to having dear friends deal with real tragedy, it has been an emotional roller coaster. Through all of these circumstances I have been reminded of what is, and always has been, important to me. Near the top of the list, of course, is having fun. Along with the emotionally trying situations there have also been some fun, weird, and rewarding events as well. 

First of all, about two weeks ago I decided to shave my head for the summer. Joining me in this endeavor were Glen and Matt. I had no idea that I would be that into having a shaved head, but I LOVE IT. I may never go back. Maybe it will just be a summer cut but we'll see. I am pretty into it.

Also, a few weeks ago Wendy, Shelby, and I went to one of our favorite vacation spots in the world, Pigeon Forge, TN. Yes, the famous home of Dollywood and countless variety shows that no one has ever heard of. The capital of high culture in the mountains of eastern Tennessee. If you haven't experienced Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, TN. you are seriously missing out. Try to imagine Branson, MO. without the lake but in the mountains. By the way for those of you out west, there are REAL MOUNTAINS in the south and the east. 

Any way, on this trip we experienced two things that I have never done before. One thing we did is the Zorb. Check out the link, it is awesome. It is a huge ball that you get inside of and get rolled down a hill. The other thing we did is called Fly Away. It is kind of a sky diving simulator. You are inside a tall padded room with a fan underneath the floor that blows at about 120 miles per hour. I have never been sky diving before but it was definitely a fun sensation. All three of us loved it. The entire trip was a blast and we were able to just completely relax. We played miniature golf, went to an aquarium in Gatlinburg, and drove up for a day in Knoxville. It was a wonderful week for all of us.

Finally, after a couple of strange days after we got back, we started preparing for the Traaseths from Minnesota to visit. The Traaseth family are a fellow unschooling family who we met at the Live and Learn conference a couple of years ago. Shelby really connected with Kyra, a girl close to Shelby's age. Over time we have gotten to know the family better. Wendy and Shelby visited the Traaseths a couple of months ago at their home in Bemidji, Minnesota. Now, through a wonderful series of events, it appears the Traaseths are moving to Georgia. Wendy,Shelby, and I have always talked about how fun it would be to have a like minded family that lived close to us. Now, not only is that happening, it is a family that we love and they may be moving into our neighborhood! What a wonderful turn of events.

The lesson in all of this for me is to remember to remain aware of where I allow my attention to go. When I focus on my faith and knowledge that the universe is all rewarding and filled with love and life, things go better than I can ever imagine. When I am focused on my hurt, fear, and anger it feels like the shit never stops hitting the fan. I suppose that is true when my head is lodged so far up my own ass that the only fans I have are covered with shit. The point is that I love my life 99% of the time. The 1% that I don't, I have no one else to blame but me.

Everyday it is vital that I find a different version of shaving my head. Whether it is trying something new like Kathy, taking leaps of faith like Kelli and Tim, or facing life with the courage of Marcos and Ashley, I have examples all of the time. So friends, let's keep each other fired up. Let's do what we love and you know the rest!!!

Love, 

Clint