It happens to the best of writers. That feeling strikes most when either nothing comes fourth from beyond your cerebral cortex, due to lack of inspiration, or when there’s so much shit swirling you that your mind locks itself shut, then throws away the key. A good friend of mine has recently expressed quite the lockup of her own, because of the latter mentioned. She’s a traveler who writes a blog about her antics and one thing after another has happened to her while traveling recently. Daily she finds herself dealing with the usual terrifying questions like “Where am I to stay tonight?” and “What am I to do?” Those sorts of questions boggle the mind, creating worrisome and stressful issues that can easily block the mind from its free-flowing art of expression.

     Whether you’re traveling, touring exotic places or at home, living a normal routine, it’s so important to escape for a few moments each day. Day by day, most people on this earth live their lives blindly, moving from one thing to the next, without stopping to appreciate the world around them. It’s easy to get caught up when life is constantly throwing things at you, where it feels as though there’s no time in the day to take care of everything. Therefore people lose sight of the importance of the little things. When you were a child, you were captivated by the glow of fireflies at the dusk of summer and the feeling of the ocean’s breeze upon your skin and the way lights seemed to streak between your lashes when you slowly closed damp eyes. I could say that I am only referring to what I see as it’s all I know – that this only happens here in America, where people wake up, work, come home, then doze off to wake and repeat again. But I’ve traveled enough to know that this happens in places all around the world, but as I sit and take the time to watch the world around me here in the States, I see countless lost people living their lives blindly and without soul.

     When life settles down and you don’t have all of the hoopla and mayhem that accompanies it as often as time seems to fly by, you’re left with time to perceive, ponder and learn. I’ve been living a bit settled the past few months and now that I’m reunited with my friends and family in Ohio, I’ve had the time to sort my thoughts on what I’ve seen. One of the main realizations is that a large amount of people on this earth are living their lives for the wrong reasons, without the natural passions that drive us as human beings. They are living ‘safe’ lives. Lives that are without adventure or danger, the two things that are inherent in our nature. Accompanied by this safe nature is that most people find themselves too scared to truly live their own lives – instead they are letting time pass them by.

     It’s practically every human’s dream to have freedom and happiness, but one of the more difficult things that unbalances this perfect dream is the fact that we need to have money to sustain ourselves. Often (especially in the States), careers consume our time, freedom and happiness. At times, it feels as though it’s a losing battle (‘me versus the world’) and it certainly can bring you down. But never fear, there is always a way – as long as you have passion, you can always figure out a solution! However, before over 35% of the world (56% in the Americas and 74% in Europe) started regularly using the internet, a major lifestyle alternative like this wasn’t always a possibility.
     It’s more than possible (now-a-days) to have a business that works for you while you stay home or out traveling the world. The even greater part is that this business method requires little-to-no overhead (under $100 typically) or many employees (if any at all), and requires very little upkeep each week (under 10 hours a week typically). This phenomenon is becoming a popular movement (often referred to as one being a ‘digital nomad’), because for most of these self-made entrepreneurs, all they have to do is fire up a laptop, sift through their communications and watch the money roll in (depending on the structure that is right for you). Success isn’t overnight, because the work is mostly on the front-end, but once you realize your direction and get everything setup, you’re basically good to go. Micro-businesses like my own (www.eyeandpen.com) can be run anywhere in the world. I write for my travel blog every few days and I work with people like you, who have dreams and hopes of a better, simpler and more fulfilling life.
     It may sound too perfect or too good to be true, but as technology advances, so do the possibilities for those (like me) who have begun to feel unhappy and stagnant with the traditional corporate career lifestyle. To begin a micro-business like this, you need to figure out what product or service that you can offer, and one that also helps others – in focusing on helping others, businesses succeed. If being a blogger, running an online business or a hybrid in between is something that interests you, speaking with me may be exactly what you need to get a jumpstart in the right direction. It’s never too late to take a chance, especially when the prize is improving your quality of life. Click here for a free 15 minute consultation with me, I will help you with your direction and goals, your options and steps, as well as the ever important (and seemingly daunting) task of how to do it (or implementation)!

     Like many, I've lead a life of detriment - tough losses, the kind that shatters your entire being. From loss of family and friend to love and dreams. However, no matter what labyrinth of hallways await nor how many doors are bolted shut, I will continue to fight for a life that I will never look back upon with regret.
     I am asking for donations to fund Eye & Pen and my future travels. The need has arisen because of the incident that happened to me in September 2012, where I was on a mission to find my true home - a place I've never known. I thought, why not try paradise on for size? Fate had a different plan.
     While in the El Yunque rain forest of Puerto Rico, my rental car was the victim of a smash-and-grab robbery by a local gang. The thieves stole everything from me, all of my money, camera equipment, passport and clothing. Basically, they stole the clothing off my back. I was forced to return immediately to my family in the states and I’ve been struggling to recover ever since.

    Like many people, I’m a sucker for a good inspirational quote. I’ve long had a section as part of this website that’s dedicated to my favorite quotes. I typically publish a new favorite each week and as of late, I’ve felt that it’s time for me to dedicate a lengthier post to showcasing some of my more memorable favorites.
     To start - as a bonus I guess you could say - I would like to share one of my own that was previously only published via Twitter.
“Travel is about cutting all ties and ditching all preconceived judgements, and getting truly lost - because only then can you find yourself.” – Brandon Elijah Scott