🌐 Justin's Blog

Set yourself free by freeing yourself of expectations.

I've tried my hardest not to expect anything in life, because that's when I get hurt the most, or angry, or just let down. It has been something that I've been aware of, but I've failed to really practice it in my every day life the way that I should. Because you know what? It's hard. It's hard as hell.

It's not that I expect things of other people. I mean, I expect the basics like everyone does (to be treated with respect, for example). But I do expect things out of my life. Or, I expect something that will come to pass. And when that doesn't happen, it has a way of tanking me. This is especially true if I have a repeating expectation for my life.

Yet every notable philosopher says that the key to happiness is to let go of these expectations, especially if they are outside our control. The fact that their words live on through the ages likely means that they were onto something.

This short post is my reminder to practice acceptance first. Expectations put me into a land of hypotheticals. Acceptance forces me to be present, and that's the way I want to live my life. That's when I'm at my best.

#happiness

Patience is a virtue, but in business, it can also be a weakness.

Entrepreneurship is often about finding balance. If you're building a product, it's understanding the number of features you put into a major version to make it newsworthy, versus causing too much confusion. Or, if you're in services, you balance the time you spend with each client so that you maximize your time, but the client doesn't feel ignored.

Opportunities are briefly open doors. If you don't walk through them when they're open, they could shut, and you'll be locked out forever.

The trick is to always be on the lookout for these doors, and to take advantage of proper timing. Those that do this more often than not end up winning in their respective markets.

If You Move Too Slow, You Lose

When I'm working with my clients, I always stress the importance of having a sense of urgency. If they have a good idea, they need to execute. Otherwise, it could be too late (for a variety of factors).

If you move too slowly, your competitor may beat you to the sexy new feature.

Or, you may enter into slower sales months around the holidays, and your message isn't heard.

Or, your competitor has their own release, and they make more noise than you.

I could go on, but the point is that you can only control your timing and nothing else. If you keep waiting, you keep losing future business.

"Never put off today what makes you money tomorrow!"

Money isn't everything, but it's the solution to many issues. Putting off competitive initiatives for too long hurts your ability to grow your business. I think at its core, we understand this as entrepreneurs. But why do we do it?

If you have some level of success already, then a large part of that can be attributed to being in the right place, at the right time. While this sounds like luck (and it is on some level), the reality is that you increased your chances of being in that right place at the right time by the sense of urgency you had in the ideas you implemented.

But then something changed. You got comfortable.

I've been guilty of this, too. It's easy to achieve a comfortable level of success and then slow down too much. Taking a more measured approach is well and good, but it's very easy for this to slip into a form of laziness. You already have predictable income for the business, so you don't need to “rush” anything, and as a result, you miss the timing.

Move Fast, Stay Sharp

If you're reading this, it's probably because, deep down, you know you've been moving a little too slowly. Maybe you've convinced yourself that you're being “strategic” or “waiting for the right moment”, but more often than not, that moment never comes unless you're the one to create it.

Success doesn’t wait around. Neither should you.

The best businesses aren’t just the ones with great ideas, they’re the ones that act on them quickly. So whatever it is you've been sitting on, such as a new offer or campaign, you need to move now! Get it out into the world. Iterate if you must, but don’t wait for perfect.

Because in business, speed doesn't just matter. It wins.

#entrepreneurship

The market has spoken: Tesla is poison.

For as long as I can remember, Republicans have championed capitalism's free market as the ultimate standard. The premise is overly simplistic: let private companies compete for offering the best service or product. I could explain why this actually isn't beneficial in certain segments (the most obvious of which being health insurance), but I'll refrain for now.

The point is, billionaires like Elon love the free market because they attribute its existence to their financial situation. The market speaks loudly, and boy is it fun when it loves your business.

But now, we see that the market has had a change of heart towards Elon and Tesla, and the fact that he can barely stand it is hilarious on many levels.

Billionaires Have Low EQ

The problem with billionaires is that their emotional intelligence has been stunted. They live in a bubble of yes-men and continuous praise because everyone wants something from them. Suddenly, they start to believe that they're the smartest and funniest person in the room.

Elon suffers from this more than most billionaires, and it explains why he is on the verge of tears when talking about how “unfair” the treatment of Tesla has been by the “radical left”.

Sorry, Elon. The market is not radical. It is a mirror. Your core customer base (liberals) disapproves of you, and therefore the products that you sell. You should see this as a sign to change, but since your inner circle will continue to tell you how great of a guy you are, you will label this free market feedback as some sort of conspiracy theory.

Karma

Elon celebrated hacking away at the programs and departments that hundreds of thousands (millions, perhaps) rely upon for assistance. Employees of these programs are out on the streets. All the while, Elon danced on stage with a chainsaw.

But the moment that he starts to lose some of his livelihood, he calls people like Governor Tim Walz a “creep” and “huge jerk”. I'm sorry, but I simply cannot get on board with a narrative that the richest man in the world is actually the victim here.

If the market disapproves (and votes with their dollars), then you either make fundamental changes or go down on your ship – though at this point I don't think there is any change he could make that would save Tesla now.

#politics

A simple quote that I really like.

Sometimes you come across a quote that really speaks to you. I think I saw this on social media, but wanted to publish here for future reference. It's a good reminder that we are not the result of what happens to us, but rather how we react to it.

"Healing doesn't mean that the damage never existed. It means that the damage no longer controls your life."

#happiness

A soul's journey in the desert.

Lorena and I just got back from a five-day trip to Sedona, Arizona. It was our first time visiting, and I have to say, it was really nice!

The last time we were in a similar landscape was when we went to a wedding in San Carlos, but this was also right next to the Sea of Cortes. Admittedly, I didn't take the time to really appreciate the surroundings as we were rushing around a bit and the trip was only for a few days.

I'm typically not one for desert landscapes as my preference leans towards beaches, while Lorena likes the mountains. Our trips up to this point have incorporated one or the other. After this trip, that remains the same, but I think it's safe to say that we both have an appreciation for the beauty of the desert!

Working on our Higher Selves

While we took time for some small hikes, the major reason for this trip was for us to participate in a handful of self-discovery activities. Each day we had something scheduled.

We had some sessions together and individual ones revolving around meditation, mindfulness, inner-healing, and spiritual guidance. It was a unique and new experience for me – I really enjoyed it and would definitely do it again! For example, we did some “life purpose” sessions, massages, mini-hikes to see places of spiritual significance (called, “vortexes”).

I'm realizing at this point of my life that doing self-work should always be a priority, and it never ends. We are constantly learning and evolving over time who we are, and taking moments to set aside the noise of life to focus on yourself is always worth it.

I can't say if we'll be back. Not because we didn't like it, but we'll likely choose other places to visit for a new experience. If you haven't been to Sedona, then I highly recommend it, especially if you're into hiking and nature.

#personal

A new addition to the family is almost here.

Lorena and I just visited Connecticut, this time the trip was for her older sister's baby shower. Our visit was short, a little less than a week.

It was great to see everyone, including her cousin and her family, who came from Chicago. What's wild is that I realized this is the first baby shower I have ever been to (it only took me 40 years).

I have this weird way of noticing “ends” and “beginnings” in life. Once the baby is here, it marks the end of an era in a way, and the beginning of a newer, bigger family. Our nephew is happy too for the changed because it means that he finally gets that younger brother that he has wanted.

We are now getting ready for our trip to Sedona, Arizona. It's the first trip of the year, and first one in a long time, that is just for us.

#personal

I need a break from the everyday insanity.

I need a break from all things politics. 😵‍💫

I don't know about you, but I find it incredibly exhausting seeing the headlines and outrage every day. I've been keeping tabs on all the executive actions, congress inaction, court cases and more. Lorena and I have donated to organizations that litigate against the current administration's nonconstitutional edicts, and we support independent liberal content creators.

But day after day watching our democracy getting ripped apart, and it's starting to impact my mental health. So, before it gets any worse, I'm taking a step back to catch my breath.

For starters, I am:

1. Turning off my Bluesky's “Trending” feature
2. Staying off of my Mastodon account
3. Using my other YoutTube account
4. Muting political words/topics on Bluesky

Someone on Bluesky recommended that I also check out the Freedom App, which helps you to limit time on certain apps (such as social media). I'll look into this during my current break as well.

The plan is to go a week without getting caught up in the day-to-day of the political shit show that we have in this country. I'll be back with more energy and a clearer mind. At whic point, I'll keep donating, and I'll keep speaking up. Fascism simply cannot win.

#politics

I made it.

I considered not even writing anything today, I think in part because I wish to just treat today like any other day. I feel old, not in spirit, but in the eyes of my younger self.

I remember quite vividly being 22 years old and meeting someone who was 30 when working an internship in college. They seemed so old to me. Like, they were married and well into their career... and they were only 30!

Never did I think I'd make it to this point. It was always a “grown up” number. The “you're officially old” age. Yet, here I am, and If I'm honest, it freaks me out that there is now a “4” in front of my age now, because I don't feel old.

I am Grateful

One of my favorite quotes is by Mark Twain:

“Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.”

I see just how much weight these words carry now, especially as I think about the people in my life that are no longer around, but should be.

I am so incredibly grateful to be alive. I am grateful for the life that I lived in my 20s, because by the time I reached my 30s, I felt like I was ready to enter into adulthood. My 30s had both the absolute worst days and best days of my life. I am grateful for both, because they have given me the growth and perspective that only come with age.

The Future

I don't know what the future holds for me, but that's nothing new. In fact, that's one of the lessons I've learned: stop planning life because ultimately we control nothing. My life to this point has gone a path that I would have never predicted.

What I do know is that I will continue to grow and learn. I'll live with an open heart, compassion & empathy, and love – for both myself and those around me. Every day is a reminder of just how lucky I am.

So here's to another decade. I hope that I'm lucky enough to reach 50.

#personal

He's really messing it up, and none of us are surprised.

Real talk: it has been a pretty shitty start to Trump's term. We are seeing increased inflation, rising prices of goods, deteriorating international relations, human rights violations, Nazis in key positions, and well, him just being a flat-out liar.

At this point, whatever Trump says, just assume the exact opposite will happen. It's no wonder he has abysmal approval ratings as of this post's date.

But Let's Not Forget...

• Escalation of Trade Wars: The imposition of tariffs on imports from countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China has led to retaliatory measures, disrupting global supply chains and increasing costs for American consumers and businesses.

• Rising Federal Deficit and National Debt: Significant tax cuts, particularly benefiting corporations and high-income individuals, coupled with increased government spending, will substantially expand the federal deficit and national debt.

• Deregulation Impacting Environmental Protections: The rollback of numerous environmental regulations has raised concerns about increased pollution and long-term environmental degradation.

• Undermining of Democratic Institutions: The dismissal of federal inspectors general and attempts to expand executive power, mass layoffs, and firings are breaking the foundation of our country (and hurting the people who rely on them).

• Increased Income Inequality: Economic policies are poised to disproportionately benefit the wealthy, exacerbating income and wealth disparities.

• Negative Impact on International Relations: Unilateral decisions, such as imposing tariffs and withdrawing from international agreements, have strained relationships with traditional allies and trading partners.

• Erosion of Worker Protections: Some of Trump's executive actions have been viewed as undermining pay growth and eroding working conditions for workers.

Fighting Back

Trump's cognitive decline is only going to accelerate, which means he could actually become more dangerous as he becomes further disconnected from reality.

I've been reflecting on what we can do, personally, to help counter this administration's horrific policies. It can feel a bit hopeless at times.

However, there are organizations out there that regularly take on these atrocities in court. Lorena and I have been donating to these causes and plan to continue doing so, so that the legal teams can keep doing what they do: slow down, and in some cases, eliminate the policies altogether.

The goal now is to get to the midterms and win back some seats in Congress. The Democrats have some work to do if that is going to happen, but if it does, then we can begin to put more effective floodgates on the constant stream of chaos we've seen coming out of the White House.

#politics

You probably don't need to take that pill. Just dial-in your nutrition.

I've never been one to think much about what I ate, except for perhaps the number of calories. You know, the easy stuff like eating pizza every night is bad, while eating chicken and broccoli is healthy. From what I can tell, this is how the majority of people think about food.

In 2023, that all changed.

In late Spring of that year, Lorena was diagnosed with Graves' Disease. It's a form of hyperthyroidism with some pretty shitty side effects. It's incredibly disruptive. The struggle was real. Adjusting to the reality, trying to find answers, and working on getting better.

This is Lorena's story — the ups and downs, and hurdles along the way. But don't worry, it has a happy ending.

Can Graves' Disease be Cured?

According to the medical industry, no, it cannot. The remedies have remained largely unchanged regarding their approach. The options are:

• Destroy the thyroid with radioactive iodine, then take a synthetic hormone for the rest of your life.
• Remove all (or part) of the thyroid, and then take a synthetic hormone for the rest of your life.
• Leave the thyroid and take a drug (methimazole) for the rest of your life.

These are the only medical options that they give people.

I should note that while it's true it can never be cured completely, it is possible for Graves' to go into remission. This can happen for some people after using medication to get the thyroid back into normal range, but recurrence does occur, and doctors don't know what causes remission and recurrence in the first place.

Unfortunately, it's also not known why some people are able to achieve remission while others are not as lucky.

Graves' Disease Diet?

Lorena refused to believe that this was all that she had available, so she started doing her research. Western medicine is great, but it is one-dimensional. It's an industry built around medicines, prescriptions, and treating symptoms instead of the root cause.

She's always been an advocate for alternative health options in conjunction with Western medicine, especially as it relates to the food we put into our bodies. Yet, every single endocrinologist we went to (and we went to several) brushed aside the notion that her nutrition could change any of her outcomes.

Lorena didn't let that deter her. As she continued to take the medication to get her thyroid levels into acceptable levels, she read everything she could find about nutrition and diets that support the body in healing from Graves', which involved cutting out certain foods and incorporating others.

Testing the Theory

In December 2023, Lorena took herself off the medication that keeps the thyroid levels within range. We were hopeful as she was being pretty diligent with her diet.

Unfortunately, within two weeks, her symptoms came roaring back, and she had to start taking the medication again.

Most people would have given up, including myself. But she didn't. Honestly, her determination to find a path forward that didn't involve surgery and meds for the rest of her life was something I've never witnessed.

Finding The Answer

Lorena took a break in the beginning of 2024 from trying to find a solution. She had to let the medication get everything back into range, and we were busy with a wedding in January and another in February.

But come the Spring, about a year after her initial diagnosis, she came across the book Thyroid Healing. Without getting into all the details, it promotes eating certain foods and avoiding others. There is a heavy emphasis on juices as well, especially drinking celery juice every day.

In July, Lorena took herself off of the medication. I'll admit, I was a bit nervous. I hated seeing her suffering from the symptoms, but she had a quiet confidence that everything would be okay.

Two weeks went by, and still no major symptom changes.

Then four weeks.

And then two months.

In late September, she got a blood panel done prior to her next doctor's appointment, and the results that came back were astonishing: everything was within normal range! Like... everything!

The only thing she changed was her diet. She was off medicine, and her thyroid was seemingly working just fine. We went to her endocrinologist, who officially confirmed that she had achieved medical remission of her Graves' Disease.

To make sure it wasn't a fluke, she had blood tests again in January of this year, about four months after the previous one. And once again, everything came back in the normal range.

Nutrition is Everything

I've seen how hard Lorena has fought. We had our moments of joy, and some really defeating moments as well. We grew closer as a couple through the hardship, while at the same time, I feel like I was taught a very valuable lesson: medicine is as much an art as it is a science. We don't have the answers to everything, despite doctors believing they do. And look, I love myself a confident doctor.

Western medicine is not the be-all, end-all. We are experiencing more disease today than ever before, and a large part of the reason is due to the food we put into our bodies. I'm not just talking eating organic, either (thought obviously important). It means knowing on a deeper level how foods impact your body and ability to resist illness. Just by way of example, maybe certain foods cause more inflammation in you than others. Those should be avoided. Not sometimes. Always.

This post is a bit lengthy now, but I wanted to share Lorena's journey, and what we had learned over that time. No matter what you're battling, give your body a fighting chance. You always have supplemental approaches to health to complement Western medicine.

#health