Worth the Price

FACT: The tip of a bullwhip moves so fast that it breaks the sound barrier. The crack of the whip is actually a tiny sonic boom.

Success: 1) The favorable or prosperous outcome of attempts or endeavors. 2) The attainment of wealth, position, honor, or the like. I personally had always looked at success solely as the achievement of goals that had previously been set, resulting in a reward; usually that of riches or fame. But I recently came across a quote the other day that got me to rethink what success truly means. The quote read, "Success is not owned. It's rented, and you have to pay everyday."

This added new meaning to saying 'the high price of success.'  It is something we buy with hard work, sweat, and how we choose to spend any free time.  It is not simply something that can be put on the back-burner and hope to be maintained.  Success is as much a part of who we are, as it is an achievement of our goals.  One may be rewarded with the distinction of 'a successful person' because of a combination of diligence, dedication, consistency, and earnestness that they exhibit.  Being successful is a title the world may bestow upon us, but is it the place of others to decide if we are successful or not?

Take an often used example from the movies... Man #1 is a business man that is quickly rising to the top of the company ladder, but at the same time his family life is decaying because of the lack of attention his kids and wife receive.  Man #2 is a modest employee that has been working at this same office for 10 years and maybe has been promoted a couple of times, but is still far down the hierarchy of the company.  But he has a loving wife, kids that are excited and give him monster hugs when he gets home, and genuine happiness.  People in the business world may deem that Man #1 has found success in life while Man #2 is merely getting by.  When in reality whether or not they've reached success is something for them to decide.  If Man #1 is simply attempting to gain money and power, no matter the cost, he could say that he is successful.  If Man #2 is wanting to find a balance between providing for his family and spending the time necessary to raise his kids, he could say that he is successful.

In the end each individual determines whether or not they are successful.  If somebody were to feel that they aren't successful, just remember that tomorrow is a new day and you can choose to pay begin paying the rent on success.  That price may be high, but it is definitely worth it.

Introducing Alex

Fact: Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts (at 90 degree turns) do.

So I guess I'll just kinda tell y'all what this blog is going to be about.  First I'm going to begin every post with some fact, some may be funny, others may be interesting, and some might just be completely random.  Now most people know Alex Hoffman as the social guy who is friends with everybody, the sports nut, and guy with a quick and witty sense of humor.  I'm hoping that people may get to better know the Alex Hoffman who loves to make others smile, the one who is always willing to lend a hand, the devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the man who (despite his love of being super social) likes to take time to himself and reflect on life, religion, people, the world, and whatever else comes to his mind.

Well today is Valentine's day.  But for me it is, and will always be, something even more.  4 years ago today I began the greatest journey that I have encountered to this point of my life.  On February 14th, 2008 I was set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  The 2 years that followed was a time of great growth in my life.  When I returned home I may have looked nearly identical as to how I looked when I left and I may have had the same sense of humor and personality quirks that define who I am, but nonetheless I was a changed man.
I had learned to care for the needs of others before my own.  I had learned how to take care of myself and live on my own.  I had felt the joy of helping others make decisions in their lives that brought them great happiness.  I had felt the agony of seeing people fall into the depths of despair and hopelessness.  The Alex that returned home was still the same Alex, just upgraded... perhaps you could say it was Alex version 2.0.
I'm forever grateful for the experiences I've had in life up to this point, for the changes that I've made in myself and have helped make in others, and for the opportunity we all have everyday to make a difference (in our own lives or that of others) for the better.  I guess you could say that I'm working on Alex v 3.0 daily, there are still some upgrades I'm trying to install, but progress is definitely being made.