To Program or To Be Programmed...

If that's the question, CodeAcademy might be the answer. I've signed up, but haven't been terribly consistent and I'm constantly regretting not putting the time in. So, do as I say, not as I do. Lol.

Being able to program/code is an increasingly valuable skill, but more importantly it empowers you to be able to create in this new world of technology and web based learning. Consider it the literacy of the new millenia. Sign up. Do your best. Most importantly, don't stop learning.

Check out the founders Zach and Ryan explain CodeAcademy on YouTube

Read the Inc.  article on the guys and the company: CodeAcademy 30 under 30

Also, here is some music to enjoy while you learn to code. :)


Until next time, keep pushing, keep hustlin, and keep flowin.

Let's make it happen,

--Greg

Premium Grade

Sometimes, I get comfortable in a certain gear. Somewhere around third gear, I suppose. I get to where I need to get to and I go to most of the destinations I want to as well. Life is good and that's comfortable.

There are times however, when i'm reminded of greatness.  Sometimes it's a song, other times it's a quote, but this time it was a speech.  The speaker said "sometimes we get so comfortable in third gear, we forget we have a fifth gear."

It got me thinking...what would happen if I shifted into" fifth gear?" What would happen if I stayed in fifth gear?  I'd probably run out of gas sooner...but... what if changed my fuel?  Here's some fuel that I consider premium grade. A great collection of audio clips over amazing music and imagery to match. Zoom Zoom. :)

"Be Great, Be Powerful Beyond Measure."

Together We Can...Part 1.

Together We CAN...

It amazes me the power of people working together, especially when it's towards a positive goal.  We can achieve so much more together than working individually, yet so often we limit ourselves because we want to "figure it out," "be independent," or sometimes, just not be bothered with the hassle.  I'll be the first one to raise my hand to have been guilty of this, but also the first to say that I'm reminded often of how much more we advance and develop personally when we work collectively.  Does that make any sense?

I'm excited about the concept of working together. From the Civil Rights movement, to Volunteer Match, to Kickstarter, we've seen the power of focused collective action.  One of the most amazing observations of this phenomenon was captured by the quote from Margaret Mead. She definitively noted,

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. " Margaret Mead

Let's make it happen,

--Greg McCoy

A Vehicle

ve·hi·cle

noun \ˈvē-ə-kəl also ˈvē-ˌhi-kəl\

Definition of VEHICLE

1

a : an inert medium (as a syrup) in which a medicinally active agent is administered

b : any of various media acting usually as solvents, carriers, or binders for active ingredients or pigments

2

: an agent of transmission : carrier

3

: a medium through which something is expressed, achieved, or displayed <an investment vehicle>; especially : a work created especially to display the talents of a particular performer

4

: a means of carrying or transporting something <planes, trains, and other vehicles>: as 


I thought it was funny that the last definition of vehicle was the one I was most familiar with.  Two thoughts inspired this post 1) After three faithful years, I finally separated from my 89 Honda Accord. On on to the next one... 
 - The second and more poignant thought was inspired by a conversation I was having on a morning walk/run with my Uncle James, who is originally from the Caribbean island of Dominica.  Although I've know this Uncle who married into the family maybe about  8 years ago or so, sadly enough this was probably the first real and certainly lengthiest conversation I've had with him. Our conversation for most of the run and almost all of the walk hinged on the concepts of getting where you wanted to be in life.  Ironically, we ended up talking about cars and he explained how it amazed him how much people took for granted and how when he was growing up he always got up early because he knew he would have to walk to where he was going.  He explained that he didn't have a vehicle to help him get there. Not a car, not a ride, a vehicle.  Maybe he didn't mean much by it, but I guess it's so rare that I hear that term used, it really struck me as important. Perhaps, my brain wasn't getting enough oxygen or I was maybe a little dehydrated, but that term and the way he said it made me really think about the concept of vehicle and how for myself and so many people I know a car is so much more, for whatever reason. It's more than a vehicle to get us where we need to go, it's a statement of our personality, a reflection of our perceived wealth, and more often than not an acknowledgment of our insecurities.  But should it be so much more than a vehicle?   As I contemplate my next purchase over the next few months, I'm desperately trying to answer this question.  

Until next time, keep the jeep riding. 

--MC

The Good Ol' Days.

Ah, the good ol' days. When we were young. LOL. Remember, those?

Man, I can remember hearing this song and it was just like wow, I can't wait until the weekend and I was like only what?, maybe 13. You couldn't tell me anything though. I was headed to whatever party there was gonna be and best believe that if I paid even just $1, I was dancing the whole night with everyone I wanted to. I wish a muthatrucka would tell me to stand over by the wall and just "look" cool (Shout out to Cedric the Entertainer lol.) See, back then as they say, we knew the value of a dollar. It's Thursday, and I'm already ready for the weekend. What about you?

What was your favorite party/dancing song when you were 13?

Your dreams ain't easy, but you will know.

Ohayoo gozaimasu,

This has been a long time coming and I'm still figuring it all out, but I'm learning more and more each day the value of perspective. Steven Covey talks about "paradigm shift" and how having that can quickly change behavior/understanding. In film, this is known as a "rack shift focus" Behavior change is something we often associate with a long period of time. I wondered why is that so? I think because we usually think about the "hopelessness" of some situations and how nothing has worked thus far. It can't be done and people don't want anything better. Well, I respectfully disagree.

Think about the pebble and the crow who was thirsty.

Think about the man who collected a penny everyday.

Somebody told me the only way to produce more diamonds faster, is to increase the pressure.

Today is Thursday, February 2nd, 2012. Let's have some fun. Comment with your favorite quote, something that inspires you and keeps you going.

Thank ya,

--Greg McCoy

O.K.A.Y. Community Member

More Random Thoughts. Part Deux.

Here's to 2012:

• I love music. I try at least. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUMvqAtAFL4&ob=av2n
• I'm really thinking of camping out this weekend. Any takers?
• It might be good to go offline for a bit before the new year gets too far gone.
• I have a lot to share, but not enough time to prepare, it seems. Plus I'm a poet and I didn't even know it.
• Bill Cosby was/is hilarious and incredibly intelligent and helped motivate a generation.
• Pack light and Think Big.
• Read The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Seven More by Roald Dahl.

let's make it happen.

--Greg