Over 5 months later, and I look back on my posts and my home page and what my life was like months ago. Not a lot has changed, but everything is different. I have a new home, I chose a new direction, I led myself down a different path. And I can't bring myself to change my homepage or rewrite my "about me" page, though I am not exactly the same as I was just months ago. One day, when I have accepted my choices, I will change those words and rewrite who I am. For now, you can read about the new me in this post.

I am truly amazed by my ability, but continuously question my logic, to just wake up and change my mind and my direction when things were already perfectly right. I can't explain my reasoning or my choices but all I can do is continue the ride with an incredible smile knowing that somewhere along the path this was exactly the way it was supposed to happen. I trust fate in knowing that whenever I have stepped into complete darkness there has always been something solid to stand on and an open hand that is always willing to teach me to fly.

I have a desire to begin to chase the things I want, without knowing exactly what it is I want.

A few months ago, I wanted a change. Not knowing what that meant, I quickly packed up my life and moved alone into a one bedroom to chase the independence I still think I need. While I have always continuously thrived off of the stress of change, I am still learning to accept my decisions for what they're worth. I can't say I made a mistake but I can say that I still do not know what gave me the desire to step into complete darkness when everything had played out exactly how I envisioned. I got everything I wanted, and in the end, that wasn't enough.

I look back on my New Years Resolutions, and one in particular stands out to me... "Get a Fresh Start"... For what it's worth, I have accomplished that goal in a different way, without knowing this would be the way that fresh start would begin. I no longer strive so desperately to move to a new city, for I have already started a new life on my own. That "once in a lifetime" opportunity will come someday, but for now, this "once in a lifetime" feeling of strength, by becoming okay with the silence, being alone, having no one to catch my fall, and accepting the feeling beyond my comfort zone, is enough for me. I am learning how to be happy and content by myself, something I always found in someone else. This fresh start has been a learning experience, and something I know I will look back on and pride myself in having the ability to swim into open water, not knowing where the next shore will be.

As incredibly hard it is to share my life with the world, for fear of judgement, I feel better sharing my thoughts knowing someone in this world might be feeling the exact same way.

Within my resolutions, I stated that 2013 will be the year, the year for something new. Although I had no idea this is what I meant, I am confident that life always works out the way it is meant to be.

Always,
A King

Every year, no matter who we are, we all have one thing in common at the very end of the year, and beginning of the new... We write or even just think about our New Years resolutions; Our dreams of what we will achieve or who we will become in the next year. I want to share my New Years resolutions for those who might be inspired to create something similar for their own.

1. Self-Brand Myself
I hope to start off my resolutions by developing a brand for myself. As part of creating an outlet for my creativity, I hope to create a name for myself in the competitive world throughout this world wide web. We all know thousands of consumer products, commodities, and celebrities, but the ones we remember most, and the ones we buy, are those brands we can relate with, or those who have developed a name for themselves. Who are you, if the world doesn't know you? 

2. Become More Active
Yes, I am pretty sure this is one of the top resolutions for most people. But for me- I am really hoping to become more active in the community, engage in different environments and be a part of more surroundings. I hope to join some sports leagues, attend some classes and be a part of more opportunities to learn new hobbies. In college, the opportunities for these things were so easy, intramural sports, clubs, and the already attending classes, but in the real world, finding these opportunities outside of our daily work routine becomes something you have to chase down. I hope to find these opportunities around me.  

3. Get a Fresh Start
I know this seems vague, but it encompasses a wide array of dreams. I have lived in Washington my entire life. To some- this is not very long. To me- this is far too long for someone who dreams of picking up and starting a new life in every city I step foot into. I am so inspired by those who have the story to tell of moving to a new state. I ask far too many questions to those who have got that opportunity, and look down at the ground when asked "Do you never want to leave?" because of course, I do. I have had the incredible opportunity to travel to new places almost every month, and have some pretty amazing trips in my past, but it is just not the same of picking up and moving to somewhere new. I thoroughly believe that "once in a lifetime" chances have to start somewhere. Why not now? 

I know throughout the month, and even throughout the year, I will have many more resolutions to write in the books, but for now... 2013 will be the year; The year for something new.

Every day I sit down to write a post, I second guess my every word. As I have already mentioned before, in my one year late post, I wonder what makes my life so interesting that people will want to read my story? So as I sit here to write this post today, I reflect. What do I want to share? What do I want to gain from talking to the world?

I want to inspire.

I want to lead.

I want to influence.

Everyone has a story to share. However, besides sharing the simple life of A King, I want to be able to teach the world about my passions; about my love for making a difference. I want to inspire someone to see the world differently, or see themselves differently. I want to lead by example and push at least one person in a direction to make a change, or chase a dream. I want to influence someone and have a lasting effect in their lives. It doesn't matter to me if I influence only one person in this world... At least I made a difference in their life.

So where do I start?

I have a passion for learning; for being challenged, so as I share what makes A King, I hope you will share insight as to how you feel about my post, my life, or how I can learn from you. While I hope to inspire, lead, and influence, I also hope to BE inspired, led, and influenced.

Please share.

Always,
A King

Bella and Leo work together to push our buttons. Leo will push things on the floor for Bella to eat, or spread around the house to make a mess while we are away. Which is exactly why I could not start my story without sharing who these two personalities really are.

Bella is the baby. While Leo may be younger, Bella gets her way every time. Yes - I know this is the incorrect way to train a dog, but when I don't have the patience to listen to the pitiful whimpering cries asking for her heater to be turned on, a few extra kibbles, or to go to Starbucks, I tend to resort to giving in to what she wants. Yes - she is completely obsessed with the word Starbucks. Think twice about saying it, unless you are really planning to take her. Because I promise... she will not give up on wanting to go.

From the moment I saw that 1 pound, less than 8-week-old chihuahua, she had my heart. She is a part of my every day, and a main part of my story.

My story begins with the love of my life, and our two companions that make every day both rewarding and chaotic. Yes - The duo can make or break our peace and quiet after a very long day or week. 
 
Leo is both lazy and adventurous. At times, he can be this sweet and sleeping ball of fur, then the next minute he is chewing up your headphones, breaking your favorite glass vase, pushing your coffee cup off the table, ripping up your furniture and carpet, or biting your toes in the middle of the night. It is completely fitting to share the duo beginning with the biggest trouble maker...
Leo.
 
He will occasionally pop up in posts, as he is both photogenic, and a brat.  :)

It's been almost one year since I have taken the time to write something. Little do you know, there have been countless times I have taken the time to stare at a blank blog paper reviewing all of the things I want to share to the world... even if no one is listening... or reading. 

But within these countless stares, I can't think of anything that I feel the world would actually be interested in reading, which is why this post is one year late. What makes my day so important to share? What makes anyone's day important to share? With the ever increasing social media world, everyone is in competition trying to get their day, or their words, or their experiences out there for someone to read, someone to listen to them, or someone to follow them. 

Well here I am- struggling to compete with the millions out there hoping someone in this world is actually interested in hearing what I have to say.

Who knows.... Maybe I do have a story to tell?

But if no one is interested, at least I have an outlet for my creative, and always-ON mind to release some of my thoughts. Because it is completely exhausting to have a brain that doesn't even want to turn off when I desperately need the sleep.

From this day on... I will create a name for myself in this competitive world of always-on conversations. With a passion for inspirational moments, motivational songs, moments never to be forgotten, and creative bursts of energy, I will share my life through words and photographs.

My beat? You'll just have to read...

Always,
A King

Recently, I received a letter mailed to myself from myself, which I apparently wrote back in high school, focusing on the dreams of my future and where I hoped to be in five to 10 years. 

While I'm not sure who truly sent it out or even remember when I wrote it, I realized that most of my dreams in high school are still the same to this day. I must have been just as ambitious about my future as I am now. However, I realized that most of the things I couldn't wait to come true in my future, have already come true.

I have the love of my life sitting right beside me who stands next to me through thick and thin. Marriage is in our future but in no hurry, since over four years have proved to me that I will be with him forever.

Dog and cat? Check. Little Bella and Leo make life hilarious, interesting, and a bit hectic sometimes, but nevertheless they make us both laugh for sure. I can't wait to fill our hearts with having children.

Within my letter, I mentioned that when reading it I will have just gotten back from the trip of a lifetime. Interestingly enough, a few months ago, we got back from traveling to London, Paris and Barcelona. Can you say dream come true?

I'm not sure if it's fate or destiny that all my dreams are coming true, but I do know that it feels good knowing that I will never feel like I missed out on anything I hoped for. I always seem to be someone who comes up with so many awesome ideas and then in the midst of pursuing them find something else that takes my mind away. Maybe it's a.d.d.... maybe it's knowing that my future will never be less than interesting.

My biggest goal in high school was to be happy. Seems fitting? Makes me happy just thinking that I had my best interest in mind when I wrote that.

Now to another future me... I hope I continue living free, make the world around me smile, and continue to check amazing things off my bucket list, which I will definitely write about along the way. But as for my bucket list? It continues to grow everyday....

Always,

A King