The "Yes" Revolution

---------16 year old student, practicing philosophy, and creating a culture. Join me!--------- Began 4/4/14 / / Ends 4/4/15

[theyesrevolution]

Exhausted- Day 14

I don't know about you guys but when I get an itch to workout after a couple days of doing nothing, the recovery burns. It's interesting because I want to workout so I feel better, cause if I don't do anything two days in a row I start feeling bad. So I get up and do my biweekly vertical training program, and then I crash on the couch even more tired than before. I've hit the gym or vert workouts all 5 days this week. It's awesome. I love working out. It keeps me sane, gives me something to push out the stress with. If you guys just want to start working out, haven't done much, try something like this Sit-ups 4x12 Jump as high as you can 4x15 Push-ups 4x8 Bikes 4x15 And I swear you will get those endorphins rolling, and start feeling better ASAP. Works for me, physical energy just starts making me feel better. Idk. Kinda getting bored of posting.

[theyesrevolution]

Competition- Day 13

Sometimes in life, when you want something really really bad, you're going to face someone else who wants something really really bad. When you're at home, sitting and watching tv, they're out there busting their ass to beat you when you meet. And when you both come together, with all things being equal.. He will beat you. Because of the preparation he has put into it. That alone sends fear down my spine of coming short of the goal. There's nothing more that I want that to meet someone equal to me, look them in the eye and know that I have put more sweat on the hardwood, more dents in the garage, more marks on the wall, then they have. Because the direct result of that is... There is no chance in hell that I am gonna lose to him. That killer instinct takes over, and you become ruthless. You have to have that mentality to make it in this life. If you don't do it, someone else is already doing it. How do you want to feel when you look him in the eye for the first time? Scared? Intimidated? Or steady, aggressive. Just a thought :) Nearly been two weeks!!

[theyesrevolution]

10 Things I Learned in the Last Month- Day 12

Due to certain life events, and a vastly wide misperception of me, I have decided to take what has happened and use it as a boost towards the right path in life.

People are not always who you think they are.

You are not always who people think you are.

The best revenge is success.

It's more powerful to respond calmly than to explode.

The easiest way to get things off your plate is to deal with the source.

Opinion is the lowest form of human intelligence.

The rumor mill is made of whatever people want to hear.

Unfortunately, in life you lose a couple friends due to things.

However, those same things will also let you know who your real friends are.

The most powerful opinion of you is your own.

As regards to the last one...

If you have a negative opinion of yourself, how are you ever going to prove anyone wrong? Be confident! You respond better in every situation when you are unprepared and act. Too much thinking will mess you up. SO stop thinking about it! YOU know what kind of person you are. Quit listening to your conscience.

Hopefully these 10 things can help somebody out there make better decisions than I did.

And I'm happy to say that this is my "shirt post".

THAT'S RIGHT...the shirt is untangled :)

So I'm never letting these thoughts cross my mind (or blog) again.

I look forward to reading some other #shirtposts ;)

[theyesrevolution]

Opposition- Day 11

The road of living Yes is not easy, my friends.

Everyone deals with rejection, and success. However when one of those is bent by slyness, it can really affect some types of people, including myself.

To make sense of this post, I recommend you go back and view Day 4 if you haven’t already.

My big bud Zack, primed and ready to win himself a Junior Class President title next year. Running against a girl that I no longer have any respect for.

This girl went and talked to the ASB advisor and went on about how she feels weird running against Zack. The advisor told her to think about it as if Zack didn’t have a disability.

Which promptly made this girl break down in tears because “she just wants to be included” and she “just knows Zack will win”.

This grinded my gears so damn hard…think if I was running against this girl. She wouldn’t run crying to the ASB advisor over this! She would have to work her ass off to win, cause you know I’d be busting mine.

She is scared because someone who is more worthy of winning president will win fairly. This is an election for a reason, and her actions today frustrated me more than anything I’ve ever experienced.

Not when I’ve worked to get my friend on the ballot. You don’t try and pull that kind of thing. It’s unacceptable to be that person, especially in an election. This is a fair vote of our student body, and now that I’ve seen your true colors, hell if I want you to be president.

But hey, life goes on, tell myself to relax :)

I’m curious if anyone is taking this to heart? Anyone experience any unequal treatment towards someone just because of a disability?

Lesson: every person on earth deserves the same respect, and you need to...

Worry about the things you can control, and the rest will take care of itself.

[theyesrevolution]

New Week- Day 10

10 days into yes life!! Amazed I've kept up with it this far. Anyways, as the 2nd week in the revolution kicks off (WOW), a lot of new adventures start this week. I start training for summer basketball this week, and on top of that I begin running for senate. As well as pursuing a job this week! Both of which I am extremely excited to both begin and where this will put me when it's done! Senate is but a stepping stone to presidency. I really want to be president @ MVHS. I feel like I could make a huge difference at the school as a senior. Hopefully, if everything works out, being ASB President senior year will push me up and over the other college applicants. Why prez? Cause someone asked if I was running for prez, and this is a revolution guys ;) This week is already gearing up to be one of the most influential on my next two years of high school, and I can't wait to wake up tomorrow morning and get started! Best part is??? Guess! Shirts almost unwrinkled ;)

[theyesrevolution]

Appreciation- Day 9

It's important to appreciate all the small things that you experience in your life. Whether it be a small thing like the sun being out today, or a bigger thing like winning the lottery, in the grand scheme of things, compared to everyone else, it's just a small drop in the continuum we call life. Every major event in our life is smaller than anything that could happen. Yes, they matter, and affect our lives, but they do not compare to any of the events experienced by humans for 30000 years before us. They are one and the same. That's a cause to celebrate right? Even though we as a people move on and create new things, all of our major experiences are not new. It's all been done before! What's new? Celebrate the little wins in your life, and watch as they grow from little wins to huge victories.

[theyesrevolution]

Friday- Day 8

1 week down of the yes year. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think? Anyways, my thoughts on today. Landed yet another DJ gig, and had my buddy Zac officially nominated today!! I'm so excited for this kid and to see where he goes. Everything is starting to slowly fall back into place and make more sense now. My life was shaken up pretty badly there for a while but now all the problems are solving themselves. Anyways, I'm tired and it's a Friday, so I'm going to cut this short and let you go today without a quote. I know, I'm sorry. Tomorrow's post will make up for it ;)

[theyesrevolution]

Weekly Recap: 1/52 (Day 7)

I've decided to start a weekly recap blog, to go over the new things in my life that I have created as a result of this religion I run.

In the past week, I've:

decided to run for office

decided to help my good bud Zack run for office

landed a golf match

landed a gig DJing for the SOAR dance

made things right with the people I care about

had a completely normal day

made a new friend while waiting for my car

and last but not least:

hung up a shirt ;)

started a revolution

gained 7 followers!

Pretty dope week, I'd say? So much happens in a week, especially when you take it all in and embrace all of it. It can really change a person, too. I'm so proud of these writings and I hope you enjoy reading them. Pass them on to a friend who needs some inspiration or use them yourself. My main goal is to be an example, a leader so you guys start implementing "yes." If this is what happened in a week...what is a year gonna look like?

Thanks for reading the first week in the yes life! Enjoy the rest of the year!

Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. –Napoleon Hill

[theyesrevolution]

Climbing- Day 6

How’s that shirt coming?? Hang that hanger*** somewhere you can see it every day, cause the minute that guy relaxes you’re putting that shirt on and having the best day of your life!

Besides that- the yes life. Finally reaping the rewards!!

Something satisfying about giving Zack his form and having him come over and give me a hug for getting him that form.

On top of that, the homies and I snagged him over 20 sigs today, so your boy Zack is well on his way to making it big.

Besides that, he’s inspired me to run for a senate position next year, as well as to become more involved with the Life Skills kids. I’ve got myself a gig DJing their SOAR dance next month, and I can’t wait to spin some tunes for Zack and his buds.

A lot of great things are stemming out of this. I feel like a lot of relationships with my close friends are profiting from this as well. And I mean, this isn’t called a revolution just so you guys can watch me do this. I have to say yes. Why not try to willingly implement that into your life? Just a thought…

Join the revolution?

A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of a sheep.

[theyesrevolution]

Automaton- Day 5

Day 5 leads me to so many new opportunities, don't get me wrong.

I've opened so many doors with this new perspective of life. I'm a part of all these new things in my life and it is so intriguing to see where my life takes me.

Nothing happened today for me to glean anything worthwhile for this. No wise anecdotes; no clever metaphors.

Except for the fact that nothing happened. No obscure acts.

We tend to see this as automaton, constant, or unchanging. "Boring." However, we spend so much time constantly analyzing our lives to see what can be made better, instead of coming to terms with what we have and who we are. My life has been a constant mess for the past month, and today has been the only day since then that everything feels...normal. That nothing really affects me how it used to. Isn't that reason to celebrate?

I love the feeling of getting in my car after school and having no second thoughts about something I could have done, or should have done, or how I feel about something. The beauty of living this experiment is that I am constantly leaving it all on the table. There's no more anonymity in my life, as of today.

To iron out the other side of things, that's another story.

I know today is short, but...

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” -Amit Ray

...the minute that shirt unravels, you know damn well I'm on to the next.

[theyesrevolution]

Inspiration- Day 4

In the start to my Yes Revolution today…

Instead of trying to be an inspirational force to everyone else, I thought I’d share someone in my personal life who inspires me.

His name is Zack.

Today at lunch, while with my friends, one of them spoke up, and produced a form out of his bag, and told us all he was running for president. We all were very excited to see how his candidacy worked out for him. He was going all over the cafeteria, getting signatures from every kid in the lunchroom, all with a big, bright smile on his face.

I was so excited for my bud! He was actually going to run for student office, and I thought that that was amazing in itself. To see his drive to put his mark on the school, to change the lives of us as a student body.

Zack has a mental disorder.

It makes it hard for him to relate to other people, to communicate his thoughts and wishes clearly to them.

Which is why I’m so damn proud of this kid deciding to run for president.

Zack, hear me out bud. I know you probably won’t read this, but right now, I am making a promise to you, that even if you aren’t elected, that for only one month, one week, or even a day, that you will be president of the student body. The look in your eyes and the smile on your face today, as well as the desperation I saw in you when you lost that form…this is something that you truly want to do. If your disability prevents you from becoming the president of this school, then I don’t want to go to a school where you don’t have the same right as any of us to run for office.

The first major milestone in my YR: making Zack president of MV (edit: junior class). .

I sort of like wrapping up everything in a quote I find, so here goes:

Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t do something. When people can’t do something themselves, they’re gonna tell you that you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period.

And a tip to leave you with today..find a crumpled up old shirt and put it on a hangar. When you can’t get something off of your mind, hang the shirt somewhere you will see it everyday. Make a promise to yourself, that the minute that shirt becomes unwrinkled and straight, that thought or feeling you have is not allowed back into your brain.

Because, eventually all the time you spent jammed in a corner, unable to get thought out of your brain; eventually, the threads unwind.

[theyesrevolution]

Asking for Forgiveness- Day 3

In my yes life today, I made the attempt to make things right with my friends, my dad told me instead of texting and doing whatever to try to make things right with them that I should just pick up the phone and call them. I was so worried and upset that everything was ruined between my three best buds, my wolf pack.

What went wrong? Well, the mixture of everything was around the gist of my friends and I making some poor decisions, and then when parents and supervisors caught wind of it, I was labeled a snitch and a tattler, which was farthest from the truth. We all hit the fan at the same time. So in light of that, I wanted to clear my name with my friends in hopes that it wouldn’t affect the bond I have with my teammates and my best friends for the last 3/4 years, and let them know we all went down together. I’d never tattle on my guys.

I learned a very valuable lesson today: your brain will always make things worse than they really are. I don’t know how I had it worked out in my head that my friends would be that crazily mad at me. I called them all and without a doubt just made everything right. They’re my friends for goodness sake. Why would something come between us? If anything, I feel closer to some of these guys now.

Point of me saying all this: your brain overthinks everything. An important part of this lies in “The Power of Now”- of simply watching thoughts passing through your brain instead of actively living the thought. Your mind is a tool, and it is not worth it and will cause more unhappiness if we are always living our thoughts in the first person.

Let your mind relax once in a while, and observe the thoughts passing through your brain.

Familiar means less time because less change. Therefore I can lengthen my life by staying out of doctrines and ruts. -Hugh Prattner

[theyesrevolution]

Solitary Confinement- Day 2

After starting this blog last night, I realized what an endeavor I've set in front of myself. To post every single day, without remorse for who is reading, regardless of the follower count, and to chronicle my life for the next year and how it changes? All because of one stupid word?

Setting out this morning, I had one true thing in mind, and that was to push myself to write everyday. Not as punishment, but because of the way it pushes your brain to expression. To use this tool, as Eckhart calls it, as a tool to express emotion and thought. How it should be used, in its purest form.

Who would even want to read some teenager from north of Seattle's blog? About his attempts to transform his whole life by simply accepting new opportunities when they arise? I guess we will find out...

Today was a great day. Something has changed inside of me, made me more productive because of the start of this blog. I truly enjoy putting feelings on paper and I hope you all enjoy reading all this.

--

As for my yes life, today, I made a new friend.

I needed to get some work done on my car today, and taking it to the dealership, I faced the long. dreadful wait while they serviced my car. I wanted badly to watch sports on the TV behind me, but there was a man intently watching the news. I felt trapped, trying to watch the game on my phone.

Texting my father, he goes, "Ask the guy if he wants to watch the Mariners. Most people in there are just staring."

The blog flashes through my head, and I get up and walk to the other side of the couch.

Little did I know I would be meeting one of the nicest and most supportive people I've ever experienced.

I talked with John for about an hour and a half, about everything you can imagine. The game, the final four, the players, many different coaches, legacies, personal sports, golf, basketball, high school, keeping grades high, waterskiing, his children, and his 60 year old college physics teacher.

After the fact, his car got done before mine, and he left. "Good luck, Mr. Ethan."

Today played a very important lesson. Who knew the chances of this man being in the dealership as the same time as me, as well as I would be meeting someone who made my two hour wait feel like 45 minutes?

The chains that bond us are more mental than physical.

I thought I would be trapped for three hours, yet a mere sentence or two later (Do you mind if we switch it to Mariners?) I only had to wait 45 minutes.

Solitary confinement...or was it really? Today's lesson: shyness is often over-exaggerated, and we are more afraid of strangers than we should be.

[theyesrevolution]

The Beginning - Day 1

Not all those who wander are lost. - J.R.R. Tolkien

Hi. My name is Ethan, and I am on the pursuit of happiness.

I am set out to alter the course of my life, for better or for worse, and to gain some kind of understanding on how acceptance can change one's life.

You may ponder to yourself, why such a noble quest? Why such a valiant desire from a kid that has barely experienced life as we know it? He's 16, what on earth does he have troubling him that he needs to have a pursuit of happiness? Shouldn't he be enjoying his young years, free from stress and worry?

However, any kid reading this my age (thank you for reading), knows that that is not a possible way to live a childhood in this day and age. The solution, for me, lies within "The Power of Now", by Eckhart.

Eckhart goes on in his novel to explain in the beginning dialogues of his expertly written novel to share his ideas of how we perceive our life, how we deal with pain, and how to view life from an outsiders perspective, freeing ourselves from our own brain's constant stream of thinking.

"Say yes to life- and see how life starts working for you rather than against you."

Herein lies my adventure. Not because I have a poor predisposition, but because I want to experiment with the turns my life takes when I begin to start saying YES.

From a comedic standpoint, you have seen this portrayed by Jim Carrey, as he wanders through his job as a loan officer and pursues a relationship with a girl, all through this mindset of "YES." To be honest, while humorous, didn't his sad, boring, somewhat depressing life take such a huge turn?

Sure, it blows up in the end. But my goal is to stop resisting the change in my life. To start accepting these new opportunities that I am given while I am young, so I have a wild and crazy life to look back on when I grow older.

My name is Ethan, and this marks the beginning of The Yes Life. Please join me. Thank you for reading.