life

by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

Better questions

The thought struck me hard. Like a lightning bolt.

Maybe I don’t need the answers. Maybe I need better questions. 

The pursuit of knowledge. Of truth. The way forward. 

Will I ever know all? No. But, I will know more. 

And my quest began. My mind ached for knowledge. More and more. 

No time to relax. 

I poured over books. Took classes I thought I didn’t like. Read everything, always. And I didn’t form opinions. 

I analyzed. Looked for patterns. And searched. 

That was how my days were consumed. Bit by bit. Each story, article, and headline. Consumed, analyzed, and categorized. 

Will I ever find answers? 

… 

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

Speaking with Words

My voice comes out in my writing. 

Writing is my favorite medium.

Words Matter. 

I relax when I can put a framework to my ideas. 

I enjoy the concepts behind big words. 

But I love reading the concepts put in simple terms. Is that a contradiction? 

Possibly, but that’s what fulfills me.

The constant struggle. Complex ideas, written simply. Simple and rare. Simple is hard. 

No one said it had to be easy. 

Some people like video, song, or dance. 

But I like writing. You get to judge me by my thoughts. Agree or disagree, either way I’m already in your head. And that’s what makes it fun. It’s my responsibility to do my job well. So you can enjoy the reading, no matter how complex. 

I write for the future. 

To document the place I was and to illuminate the way forward. 

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

IF

What comes to your mind?

For me, the dual identity of the word.

What you put in ends up being a self-reinforcing feedback loop.

Example. If I do this, then I will get that. 

Following that logic one step down.

If that thing is good, then all outcomes are positively reinforcing. 

The exact opposite is also true.

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons, Founder Journal

No

I will say no. Every single day.
It’s a promise. 

Saying those two letters allows me to say yes to my life. 

No, thanks. 

To fast food, reruns, and sitting on the couch spaced out watching TV. And to the many other things that take away from the good works I have been called to do.

And that’s what it feels like to me. A calling. That higher purpose to provide value. Speak my mind. And help others through my example of success. 

Hard days are normal.

Yet everyday is a good day. I woke up on this side of the grass. And even under a foot of snow; the grass is greener. 

So, you want my answer?

No, to what you are offering. And yes, to what I want. 

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

Words Matter

Do you remember the song? 

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” 

Well, that is a children’s rhyme. Adults know the truth. Words Matter. 

What you say matters. How you say it matters more. And why you said it is the culmination.

Be thoughtful. Think. And say what truly counts. 

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

It’s All Good

 

The world pressing down on my shoulders and riots in the streets.

Yet I still feel ecstatic, no matter what. I will be good. Confidence? Cockiness? Maybe a little of both.

It’s this irreducible axiom. Sorry, translation; it is all good.

My base premise is that the world is good.

The fire, life, pain, suffering; each is an aspect of this great life we get to live.

So, yep there is bad shit in this world. No doubt.

My advice?

[Tweet “Give the pain no respect. Go after your happiness. You have one life, only you can live it!”]

People say to me they would love to live in my rose-colored world.

JUMP IN, the water is warm.