There are limits to everything we want to do, or can do.  These limits are real and they are not as easily solved by just reading some random quote by some famous author that would be one hundred and thirty five years old today.  Just because you post on your social media page that “I’ll never allow someone else to decide if I’m going to be in a good mood today” doesn’t mean that you automatically will be in a better mood.  You have to take the steps it takes to make the quote happen for you.  I firmly believe that we set our own limits, but, if we actually listened to our own voices once in a while, those limits change.  You have to change the limits yourself, I guarantee nobody else will change them for YOUR benefit, only you can do that.  (example)  I want to race Formula One race cars, and I am sure I would be DAMN good at it.  What is keeping me from doing it?  All you have to do is ask ME,  and I’ll give you a thousand excuses why I cannot do it.  (wink).  #myaumakua #doityourself #quitwhining #cupcakesaregood

Today, a couple of guys came in the branch looking for me.  A customer of mine recommended they come down and see me to discuss their project and explain the materials they would need.  After talking for a little while about their options, one of them mentioned that he had lived in Hawaii for quite some time.  Anyone who knows me will know what happened next.  I asked him where in Hawaii he lived and he told me he has a house on the island of Kauai.  I then decided to quickly print off one of the flyers I made advertising my book and figured these guys would be good to pitch to.  I went outside and handed them the flyer and both of them instantly knew what Aumakua is.  The both had stories about this wonderful belief and we stood outside and shared.  I was so happy to see the positive response they both had.  I hope they buy a copy and give me their opinion.  It made for a really fun day having made this little connection.  It also got me thinking about how I really need to get my wind-up and pitch down so I can throw more strikes and not just throw pitches.  #aloha #myaumakuabyjasondolson #beautifulkauai #myaumakua

At no point in my virgioning “Authoring Career” did it occur to me how monumentally difficult marketing would be.  I mean, through the years I have been groomed and bred that a career, or much less an occupation in “Marketing” would or could be even the slighetst bit worthwile.  “The only one’s that make it in that game ar the people that come up with the big slogans and such.”  The facts are in and I for one will tell you that marketing is a bitch.  Marketing yourself, yeah, give it a try.  How about marketing something you created…even worse.  I am going to give the professionals a try I think, at this point, when it comes to my book, “My Aumakua.”  I have a lot of dreams, hopes, sweat, and effort, wrapped up in this story.  My Aumakua is just the beginning, however, there is more to come, more that is in the works as we speak.  So listen, if you are listening, help me with the marketing part by telling a friend about my book.  Sometimes you just need a little help in getting the word out.  Come to that, if any of you happen to know Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, tell him this is a story he would like to read.  I’m just tossin that out there.  #TheRock #myaumakuabyjasondolson #alohafriday @aloha

So, today, I’m looking out the door of my office and thinking about a lot of different things.  I was thinking how hard marketing is, even though it seems like it would be really easy.  I was also thinking about the rain that was coming down at that moment, although not hard, but nevertheless, down it came.  I was thinking, while looking at a puddle with lots of bubbles caused by the rain drops, how it’s the simple things in life we should look to for happiness.  It occurred to me at that moment how rain is not just a simple thing, in fact, it is a monumental thing, especially if we had to go without it.  Some things are taken for granted way too often and way too easily, no?  I realized a real appreciation, I have had before, just re-kindled, for the rain today.  Appreciate all the little things because they might be monumental to someone else.  I actually thought about how it would feel to be looking at the rain from a hospital bed like the kids in St Jude Children s Research Hospital might be today.  Look, you really never know what someone is dealing with out there, so when you are faced with a situation, “Roadhouse Rule Number One”is “Be nice.” @StJude #StJudeChidrensResearchHospital #RoadhouseRules #myaumakua #AlohaFriday @DAV @Aloha

Work was a little crazy just before I had to bolt out of there to make my eye appointment.  Luckily I made it on time (just after a quick dunk in the holiest of water for a session).  At the appointment, I asked questions, every step along the way.  This time, this process was going to go the right way.  When I wasn’t positive about what was needed from me, I asked.  When someone said “put your forehead against this” I said “Okay, but what is going to happen?”  You see, having served in the Army, I have a slight distrust toward the medical field, mainly because asking questions is highly discouraged, you do what you are told.  It’s actually kind of ironic how people all over our country would love to see socialized medicine because it sounds like it would be great.  Well, I have seen it while in the Army, and it is not what we all want.  We want the best, and that is not it.  Anyway, back to my appointment today.  The doctor took her time with me and was very attentive and accommodating to my needs.  I was very impressed and very pleased with the whole process.  As usual, my “insurance” didn’t seem to be all that useful, but hey, a discount card is a discount card.  Am I right?  I have always wanted to be a writer, secretly, but now that is out in the open.  I guess I may as well look the part.  Thoughts?

Sometimes, I am just completely out of questions.  I’m not saying I have all the answers, no, just that I have no questions.  Sometimes my curiosity is in neutral and I just feel content either knowing what I know or waiting until another time to ask.  Today was a good day and I am looking forward to tomorrow.  I am going to get my eyes examined and fitted with a new pair of glasses. Doesn’t sound exciting to you?  I completely understand, but in my case, I have put it off long enough.  I have a lot of questions for the optometrist I can assure you.  Have a good Tuesday.  #newglasses

The simple rule of work, all work, is, “Cheap, fast, good, you can only have two.” I firmly believe this to be a true statement.  Think about it, if you want something cheap and fast, it will be poor quality.  If you want something cheap and good, well, it’s going to take a while.  If you want it fast and good, you better be ready to pay a lot for it.  There is a cost to everything and sometimes I think that there are an awful lot of people out there that don’t even realize that.  There is a cost attached to someones time, and effort.  An example would be complaining about the prices at your grocery store, they are too high.  Are they?  Do you know how much a shopping cart costs?  How about the guy/girl that walks around the parking lot for 10 hours a day retrieving all of the carts we are too lazy to walk twenty feet to the corral, built for efficiency’s cost?  These costs are minuscule compared to the total cost of running the whole grocery store.  We as a country, and as a people, better start realizing that we cannot have it all.  The only way to make a bunch of money with very little effort, is the lottery.  Good luck.  Success is not related to money however.  As soon as we dial our mindset back a little and realize this simple truth, only then will you see the prices drop.  Supply=demand right?  Who want’s, or knows how, to be a farmer? (supply).  Who needs to eat? (demand).  I sure hope someone out there is learning how to grow our food and do the hard work it takes to accomplish this instead of hoping to miraculously become a Kardatian. (sp..Like I care). #getyourhandsdirty #agriculture #beafarmer #standupamerica #dirtisgood #findarealhero

I came home from work and squeezed in a quick, XBox workout before dinner.  I’ve really been putting some effort into toning up a bit.  Just as I took my last bite there was a quick knock at the door.  I walked over and spied through the peep-hole and saw nothing.  I opened the door ready for who knows what and saw the UPS guy at the bottom of the stairs.  He looked back up and waved a hello saying “UPS, Have a good evening.”  My box of books have arrived.  This whole process of writing, editing, re-writing, re-editing, re-writing again, only to sweat even more through the arduous process of self-publishing has made the experience of my books arriving to my door, amazing.  The feeling is beyond compare.  I mean, graduating from Army basic training comes close, but not quite there.  I’m sorry if it seems to be the only thing I talk about when we talk.  I truly cannot help it.  I have more sweat equity in this book then even I can measure.  Please, check it out and then comment on Amazon or wherever you can.  #myaumakua #myaumakuabyjasondolson