To start this post off, I just wanted to say that I successfully made it across the stage and graduated yesterday. It is one of the coolest feelings to have finally made it through college and be on with the next step of my life. Absolutely unreal. I spent last night having a blast with some of the coolest people I know, and the day with the family was just great. I couldn’t have asked for a better evening. Today…I wan to talk about our true colors.
I believe that the world is full of color, rather than being black and white. People are made of color, situations are made of many different colors, and our decisions are made of color. I was once told a long time ago that in time, those who are around you will reveal their true selves to you. This can go both ways. People can reveal amazing things to you…and people can reveal things that weren’t apparent from the beginning. In short, there are a lot of times when masks are worn. Don’t get me wrong, they are colorful, but we all have masks that we try to hide behind sometimes.
I was asked a few days ago about this project and answered about how it started of course, but then got down to the true reason for all of this writing. It is about looking at my life every single day, acknowledging the masks that may or may not be worn during that day, being completely vulnerable right off the bat with people about who I am, what my dreams are, who I am seeking to become, and then extracting every single learning point I possibly can out of the day. This writing for me is like note-taking for my life. I get a chance to sit down and really take a look at what happened throughout the course of the day and what I can learn from it. I don’t there is a better way for me to do it.
I have been learning from my mistakes. Over the past couple of weeks, there have been some significant challenges. However, I have bounced back and gained the motivation it takes to really make some great changes. The other day I talked about respect…and it also for me really comes down to gaining the respect of other people. Having the character that people will respect. I honestly think that my writing may confuse or “freak out” (I really have no better word for this…make wary?) people who semi know me. I don’t really mess around here. What I am up to in this life is inspiring other people in the world to live and breathe a powerful and inspiring life. That warrants a great amount of honesty and vulnerability here. Also, it yields completely different results than what other people are currently getting. I really want to be surrounded by a great group of people throughout my life…and right now I have some amazing amazing people walking with me. I know that there are people out there who could be amazing friends with me…but instead of checking in with me as a person…they check in with my writing. There is nothing wrong with this of course, I appreciate it for what it is, and at the right time, maybe we could become really good friends. You’ll know when.
My writing is about bridging gaps and crossing societal boundaries. I want to get into the things that make me tick, that drive me, that make me fall into slumps. I want to hear from people who have things that they are dealing with because we all are dealing with them. No one is baggage free. Everyone shows up to the game with some sort of baggage. But the only way to cut down on that baggage is by talking about it. It is about acknowledging that you have those 2, 3, 5, 10 bags that you are carrying with you to the ticket counter. The airline is going to charge you up the wazoo, don’t add to your insanity by not admitting they aren’t your bags.
The past week or so because school was finished for me I had an interesting rut that I fell into. It was disguised as nerves about college graduation, jobs, etc…but I dug and dug to the core of it. I was comparing myself to an idea. It’s never really been a thing for me to go out and party hard. But in the light of graduation, I would go out with my friends (I still took it easy no worries). But I would see everyone in the crowd doing the same thing. I would see what they were trying to accomplish…and for some reason (I wasn’t thinking straight) I compared myself to that idea…to that crowd drive. It took me a few days because that idea snowballed a bit, but in the end, I sit here going “I don’t want any of that.” That is not on my radar and it is certainly not the way I want to do things. Because in that scene, there’s really no true feeling. It’s all a mask. My god is it colorful…but they aren’t people s true colors. The colors are washed out or manipulated.
I want to be a man who people know exactly what they are going to get. From me, you are going to get love, passion, and a never quitting attitude. This may not be for everyone…but thats okay. It is the route I have decided to take in my life…and I am giving it my all. I am putting everything I have into this. I expect the obstacles and the hardships, but in the end I know there will be major personal success. People will see the banners of my life, and they will see true colors.
Evan Sanders
The Better Man Project\
YES!!! Thank you for taking this on!
Hey Evan, I admire your efforts to become a better man! Thanks for stopping by my blog! 🙂 Best, Kartika
Hey, congrats from a non-traditional graduator! Thanks for the follow–you are exploring some great territory here. Also, I love the Pearl Jam song, “Better Man.”
Also, thanks for following my blog.
Congrats on your graduation and your journey of improvement.
Hi Evan! Thank you for visiting my blog at mikelimon.wordpress.com,and for becoming a follower of my post. There must be something interesting that you found on my post, and for that, I am glad. Congratulations on your college graduation. I couldn’t agree more with you. People do wear mask and in revealing themselves, the are very picky about whom they choose to do so, and how much they want you to know about them. This is a very good observation on your part. Great piece of writing. I look forward to reading more from you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike Limon
Congratulations on two things. The first, for graduating because today that is a true challenge if you want to be a real person very much like what you described in your first two paragraphs. The second- welcome to the human race. For those who wear masks I keep a steady sense of humor to handle, especially if it is on the basis of every day encounters. Those who are in your face and honest I bring out my best thoughts and know they are safe with them. Good luck on this quest. It is definitely worth it.
One constant I have found while on this planet is that every decade gets better. Appreciating and understanding the ebb and flow makes us all better people. You’ll be surprised.
By the way Thanks for following my post.
Congratulations. Hope someone gives you a new box of crayons so you can continue to color your world.
Congratulations on your graduation. You are a very thought provoking person. You put a lot into this blog, which is more an article by it’s length. I liked your mention that we all wear masks at times. I realized that some years ago, and made an effort to remove my mask so people would see the real me. I know I’ve slipped it on again from time to time, especially around people I don’t know.
I have one suggestion with your writing – before you post anything, read through it to make certain you didn’t accidentally omit anything. You have a few missing words, no doubt due to your excitement over your graduation. I felt that excitement running through your blog. Good luck in your future.
Congratulations, Evan, on your new phase of life. When I think about colors, I think of the rainbow. I wrote about the promise of the rainbow. I would like to share the last of it.
I look out my window. The rain has stopped, and the birds are singing. Even though the clouds are still overhead, I know that, somewhere, there is a rainbow. I know that because God gave that promise to Noah.
I think that one reason for the rainbow was God’s way of comforting those early people. He knew that when it rained, they would be frightened in thinking that another flood would happen. That promise gave hope, gave something to look forward to.
Perhaps another reason for the rainbow is to show me that while I am held in a prison of bad times, God turns it into a prism, revealing the beautiful colors. Colors that enhance my experience with Him. Colors that reveal the blessings that He brings. Colors that help others to see not only my rainbow but the “pot of gold” – the benefits of the rain.
I become vibrant because of tough times. I know that such rains will not flood and destroy me but will make me stronger to face future life issues.
I am thankful that black is not part of the rainbow. I need not experience bitterness, confusion, distrust, hopelessness, sorrow and grief. Instead, I feel contented knowing that God is at work. The colors of my rainbow not only benefit me but others that are experiencing the “rain.”
Evan, may the experiences of life make you vibrant and transparent. May you seek God’s plans for your future. May you be a blessing and help to those who cross your path. May you find contentment when happiness has left.
I love it!!!
I like your blog title – and your quest to become “the better man.” It’s well worth the struggle – and I can see you are not anticipating that it always will be easy. I hope you find strength in your decision to use “this writing for … note-taking for [your] life.” As you “sit down and really take a look at what happened throughout the course of the day,” may your reflections be a catalyst for “learn[ing] from it.” I look forward to following the learning process with you – and mutually sharing. Thanks for visiting JanBeek and helping me become acquainted with you in the process. God Bless You!
What a wonderful project! This is an important year for you. Handle it not perfectly but well enough.
Congratulations, Evan on your graduation. i Truely look forward to mine as well. Sometimes i really wonder if i will make it. I feel like i am in someone elses world. i however am trying to make it mine. Very difficult for me to do. I really like what you wrote about colors i think the analogy is great and i to see and understand what you are talking about. hiding behind masks. i do it and i am sure every one does to some point. i do it as a form of protection. You see i havn’t had that great of a life. in fact it was not a good past however i am trying to overcome it. thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Mary
Tomboy Tam, I was reading through the blogs and came to yours. I am 42 yrs old and now attending college. do you have any advice that i might be able to get from you. i am very excited about finally going to college however i am very intimidated at the same time. i am older in a younger croud. looking forward to sharing with you.
Thanks, Mary
Congrats on graduating! And, I think it’s awesome that you are so reflective! Thanks for stopping by my blog and following–I look forward to reading more on your blog!
The world needs more people like you….. Lots more.
Congrats on your Graduation!!! Let’s get it!