Came home to start again, Returned to where my life began, Right where I need to be

When the bottom falls out,
Lost with no place to go
Won't wallow in frustration
Instead, I will set out For the only destination
Where all is forgiven... Home

Came home to start again, Returned to where my life began, Right where I need to be

The title of this post is part of the chorus to a song I am writing inspired by the following…

"Keep Looking Up " A Poem for my son

The gift that I am metaphorically illustrating with this digital art is confidence in your own abilities, belief in self and faith to persevere and keep trying. This is the gift I would like to give my son, the brightest star in my sky.

Jamison, if at first you don't succeed... Tye, Tye Again!!!!! (Shoes, that is) I love you more than all the fish in the sea, all the people on land and all the stars in the Sky and all the way to the moon and back too!

This original digital art was created on my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1" Tablet (2013 Edition) using Photoshop Touch, Autodesk Sketchbook Pro and PicsArt!

This is an original poem and artwork. Do not reproduce without permission.

Something Inside Us...

“Sometimes we have the absolute certainty there's something inside us that's so hideous and monstrous that if we ever search it out we won't be able to stand looking at it. But it's when we're willing to come face to face with that demon that we face the angel.”  - Hubert Selby Jr.

Refuse to be a prisoner to meaningless opinions...

So True...  I refuse to be a prisoner...  

Think what you may but it won't change me.  Only I can change me and only if and when I feel the need to change...  

The only opinion of me that matters is my opinion of myself!  

Also, what others think of me is none of my business!  :)

If you love so much it hurts... Maybe you have too much compassion?

Here are some inspiring words by Mother Teresa...  and an inspiring Graphic By Me!

Blank Wall Transformed!

Post by Malibu Ninja Über Geek.

The Best Super Bowl Commercial Ever...

Normally I hate commercials but the Super Bowl commercials are usually the exception to my rule.  This year I wasn't impressed with any of them really, except this one!  This makes me want to get a puppy and a horse...  :)

The Difference is Why...

"They laugh because I am different... I laugh because they're all the same! I'm proud to be a geek but I am no sheep!" -Malibu Ninja

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SoulPancake Activities - The Difference is Why- 1 month ago
Quiet people listen more. Shorter people are more grounded. Bookworms are more well-read.  Wallflowers smell better. OK, maybe not necessarily that last one.
Embrace your inner oddball. List all of the best things about being different.

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I am not capable of being ordinary, only extraordinary. I have always been a little different.  Like a mis-matched shoe that is obvious to anyone who cares to look. 

Have never followed the path those before me have beaten but instead set out on my own to blaze a new trail.  I can’t say that it was always the best option but it was always my decision, rarely influenced by anyone or anything outside of myself.  My route was not the path of least resistance but most of the time it was that of most resistance and often my own choices kicked me in the ass and punched me in the eye!

Jesse Ruben is a super star, the proof is in the e-Cards!

In the music industry, you know you have "made it" as an artist when some one creates an e-Card with your name across it and posts it on the various social networks to circulate! 
Usually the circulation follows some outlandish public debauchery; like being spotted having a romantic dinner with a married man (if you happen to be a female artist) or maybe a photographer is snapping photos after a drunken bar brawl and you “accidently” knock him out with a right hook (if you happen to be a bad ass male artist).  My point is, that in the music industry popularity is rarely based on your actual talent or the message your music is sending but almost completely on your party animal image. 

Seems a bit like high school doesn’t it?

Jesse Ruben on the other hand doesn’t do drunken debauchery or bar fights and still has gained a huge following in recent years.  See e-Card for proof!

Congratulations Jesse!!  You have reached the big time! People like you so much that there is a Jesse Ruben e-card!  If that isn’t fame, I don’t know what is.  The bonus news is that said e-Card isn't offensive and doesn't portray you in a negative light at all!

Ding! Ding! Ding! We Have A Winner!

Neil Hilborn Slam Poetry

Back by popular demand, Neil Hilborn. Now with 80% less beard.

***This guy is awesome!  He is not just entertaining but insightful, some think he is crazy but I believe his is crazy genius!

Quotable Moment

In response to a friend's status about jotting down his ingenious breakthrough ideas, then not being able to read his own handwriting later, I had a "Quotable Moment". 

I thought I would share my awesome words of wisdom since they are so few and far between... 

"The best ideas are often recorded in the haste of excitement and then later undecipherable!" -Stacy M Price 2013

Don't allow Expectations to Ruin You *Wiz-Dumb Pai*

So many people go through life attempting to control every aspect of their day to day lives.  They plan everything in their minds and expect their plans to become reality.  They expect what they consider to be perfection.  Even if they don't expect exact perfection, they do expect close to it.  Through their predictions they are sure that events will go smoothly for them.  Predicting every outcome so all will be right in their world! 

These people predict what will happen, how it will happen and how they will react to whatever it is.  Then they spend their day manipulating everything and everyone around them in an attempt to produce their desired outcome.  When whatever it is doesn't turn out exactly how they believed it would... well, they become enraged or depressed.

 

When you set expectations you are throwing a metaphorical wrench into the engine of your life. 

Zennie, The Cool Face

Zennie, The Cool Face - Representing Peace, Love, Balance, Unity & Happiness

The Cool Face Design is a collaborative effort between myself and Johnie Pai. Johnie came up with the idea of a face using the yin yang and peace sign as eyes and somehow incorporating a heart and smile.  I made the concept a reality and then painted it on a canvas jacket for him (shown below).

You are correct!

Johnie Pai & Wiz-Dumb Pai

Johnie is an amazing man; he has patience like no other, is a great listener and gives awesome advice when you need it.

He is the best kind of friend to have; a supportive, honest and trustworthy man. He will always make himself available to lend a hand when someone needs help. He is selfless, compassionate and considerate.  If he was about to eat his only sandwich and realized you needed it more than him; no matter how hungry, he would give it to you and go without.

Johnie would give up anything and everything to improve someone else's quality of life. I have personally witnessed him making so many sacrifices, most without a single complaint, so that others can have what they want or need. Even when his efforts are never acknowledged or appreciated; he still gives and gives, never expecting anything in return.  He will suffer endlessly, if it means that you don't have to.

Not only is Johnie genuinely empathetic but he actually feels the exact emotions that people around him are feeling. He absorbs your undesirable feelings (sadness, pain, anger) and suppresses them.  You are free from that emotional burden while in his presence. Just being around him relieves physical pain as well and stress; I relax when he walks into the house.

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Quote of the Day:      “Comedy is tragedy plus time.”  --Carol Burnett

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Sometimes I wonder how Johnie has become so insightful, so patient. I know that he has been through a lot in his time on this earth, he has made his share of mistakes and had his share of triumph.  Most importantly, he has learned from his experiences. 

Johnie will freely admit that he isn't perfect and has made plenty of stupid mistakes as everyone does. "Those who have never made any mistakes have never tried anything new" -Albert Einstein.  Those mistakes are behind him, a lesson learned and he never dwells on what could have been different.

He understands people, animals and nature more than anyone I have ever met. He has this innate ability to "read" people but amazingly he never passes judgment. Within 5 minutes of meeting someone he has a good idea of what they are about and where they are going in life. It doesn't matter if you are the president or a homeless person he will always treat you with respect and kindness and won't pass judgement.

He sees every person is a unique individual, understands that just because they may have chosen a different path in life than most that it doesn't make them good or bad, wrong or right.  Everyone is on their own crazy journey and who are we to judge one another when many of us have been in situations we weren't proud of.

Most times Johnie knows that something is bothering me just by hearing my voice, I don't have to say it.  He sees right through me, even when I am not myself.  Johnie knows what to say to lift my spirits and put me back on track when my train has derailed.

Johnie's intuition is so accurate it is scary. I cannot count how many times he has said something like "I have a feeling…” followed by his “prediction”. I always argue with him and I always have to eat my words. Never has he been wrong. See, if he is unsure of something he won’t say anything at all. So when Johnie does say something it’s because he knows it to be fact, so you better listen.

His outlook on life is so bright. Johnie is a dreamer, head in the clouds but somehow still has one foot firmly planted in reality. Johnie knows that dreams can come true, if you believe in yourself and take the time to follow the path that leads to achieving them. His Philosophies are simple but profound and they have had a positive effect on many lives already.

For months, I have been trying to convince Johnie to allow me to share his thoughts online with people who might benefit from them. Of course, he is very humble and thinks that his musings are not worth sharing.  He says "someone has thought the same things before, it's not like I am the first". 

I enjoy reading his "Johnie-isms" and I tell him that many others on Facebook do as well. So why not blog it up? It couldn't hurt. Finally, he agreed and here we are!

I will feature Johnie's Wiz-Dumb right here on Malibu Ninja Über Geek. Eventually I will have a separate “Wiz-Dumb Pai” blog up and running, which will be specifically dedicated to sharing Johnie’s Wiz-Dumb! I hope you enjoy his philosophies and musings as much as I do!

When Personal Space is Invaded, Peace of Mind is Desecrated... *Wiz-Dumb Pai*

Your personal space is YOUR own personal business; I believe that is why it's called "personal space".  Personal space should be acknowledged and respected.  I am talking about both the space your body is currently occupying also known as your “Personal Bubble” and the space that is your private area: where your belongings reside, where you sleep and get dressed, for most people this would be their bedroom. 

There is the line (don’t pretend you don’t know where the line is), do not cross it.  Most people understand these boundaries and they respect them.  They also expect others to do the same in regards to their personal space.
Yet there are those lovely self-absorbed people that will throw that door open without a thought and waltz right in to your personal space without an invitation.  Then they will act all shocked and surprised when you call them out on their lack of respect for you and your personal space.

Wise and Inspiring Words

Albert Einstein (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Some of my Favorite Quotes…

“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on it's ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life believing that it is stupid.”-Albert Einstein

"You are the brightest star, Jamison" A Poem for my son

"You are the brightest star, Jamison"
A Poem I Wrote for my son (inside a journal I made for him)..

With this journal record your hopes, dreams,
fears, even your worst nightmares.  Release
the words and find your freedom...
Jamison's Extra Special Journal
By MalibuNinja

You are the brightest star, Jamison
A blinding light hotter than the sun

You keep me laughing even when mad

I am proud to be your Mom, so glad

My love is endless, can't be contained

My patience however, you always drain