Who Do You ‘Write’ For?

May 23, 2013 By 1 Comment
Twitt

hannah

Photo of Hannah Young

By Kenton Sefcik

 “You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.” ― Saul Bellow

 

It’s true that I write for you, Dear Reader.  It’s true that I write to augment my career.  It’s true that I write to get my crap out.  It’s true that I write to leave a legacy behind, because words and articles and books in print are forever.  However, there is one very important reason I write:

Life is fragile.  As I get older, I hear more stories of cancer, Huntington’s, ALS, stroke, heart attack and other conditions and diseases that are taking people’s lives.  I hear about the freak accidents like slipping and hitting one’s head.  And with all of this I can’t help think about my children.

What would happen if I left them tomorrow?  What would happen if I didn’t wake up?  What happens if I acquired some incurable disease?  What would I leave them with?  What could I give them to hold onto?

I write so that my children, and the generation after them, have a blueprint to follow; an ‘idea book’ of sorts where I’ve collected my thoughts, passions and muses for them to get to know their father.  I want to set an example that clearly shows that what we’ve said all along can be done: you can have, be, and achieve anything you want.  There are just a few simple rules in doing so.

I want to show them with nothing more than hard work, effort, passion, drive and creativity, the world is theirs.  I write for them, and I bring you, Dear Reader, along for the ride.

 

Kenton Sefcik is a father, husband, Registered Acupuncturist, published author, public speaker and martial artist. You can read more of his ramblings on his website Harbour Health. You can contact him via email at harbourhealth(at)gmail.com or subscribe to his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/harbourhealth

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Give it Away

April 4, 2013 By 3 Comments
Twitt

hannah3

Photo of Hannah Young

 

By Kenton Sefcik

“Give it away, give it away, give it away now.” – Red Hot Chili Peppers

As an artist (painter, writer, musician, martial artist), it’s expected in  society that you’re to give it away – that there’s really nothing of value.  There’s a reason many people’s lives echo the saying, “Starving artist,” yet we know the difference.

Recently, I got a gig writing for the most  respected acupuncture and Chinese medicine resource on the internet.  AcupunctureToday.com accepted me as a regular columnist. I’m now in a group of highly motivated and highly respected writers and practitioners of alternative and complementary medicine.

As soon as I found out about this opportunity I told my whole circle of influence. Unfortunately,  some people started to judge the position after asking me a horrible yet  common question, “Are you getting paid for your work?”

Being the  honest person I am, and nonetheless knowing exactly where the thought process  of their question was leading, I responded, “No.” Let their opinions fall  where they may.

They can’t see my vision. They can’t see what I’m  building. They can’t see that in one year, or two years, or five years from  now I could be selling my books like hot cakes on a cold winter’s morn.  I could be travelling the world speaking to health care professionals and small business owners. I could be taking everything in my field to the next level.

It all starts with a single step in the right direction. So what’s a starving artist to do? Everyone wants to get paid and have recognition for their work. But before we can get to that point it’s important to, without any strings or some sales pitch attached,  give it away.

Recommended reading: Evil Plans: Having Fun on the Road to World Domination by Hugh MacLeod


 

Kenton Sefcik is a father, husband, Registered Acupuncturist, published author and martial artist. You can read more of his ramblings on his website Harbour Health. You can contact him via email at harbourhealth(at)gmail.com or subscribe to his website at Harbour Health.

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Changed the Whole Game

February 26, 2013 By 2 Comments
Twitt

hannah2

Photo of Hannah Young

 

By Kenton Sefcik

 

Do you remember when you were a little kid and your parents told you that you could be anything you wanted to be? Then what happened? You grew up, and got a job just like everyone else. You had children just like everyone else. Then you told your children that they could be anything they wanted to be.

 
Where does this cycle stop? It stops with you.

 
I’m a huge fan of education, but nowadays you don’t need a writing degree to write a book. The old traditional way of doing things is gone and there are nothing but resources available – most of the time for free – to reach your goals.

 
In fact, most of the time it has to do with sweat equity more than anything else. I fear that the course, certification or hoop that you think you have to jump through is there because you put it there yourself. Perhaps it lends itself to some self-validation, or more often than not, it’s because you’re stalling.

 
So if 50 Cent can transform himself from street thug to rapper to business owner and philanthropist – you can too. Stop making excuses, putting up roadblocks and self-sabotaging your dreams. Get. It. Done.

 

 

 

Kenton Sefcik is a father, husband, Registered Acupuncturist, published author and martial artist. You can read more of his ramblings on his website Harbour Health. You can contact him via email at harbourhealth(at)gmail.com or subscribe to his website at Harbour Health.

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It’s Time to Wake Up!

January 23, 2013 By 3 Comments
Twitt

hannah

Photo of Hannah Young

By Kenton Sefcik

“What’s your why?” – Eric Thomas

The alarm goes off.  It’s 5:30 am and I’m tired.  I would honestly love to roll over and go back to sleep.  Thoughts of hitting the ‘off’ button on my alarm bring joy and happiness to me – rolling out of this bed, away from my warm blankets and wife do not.

I know that I will have to get dressed in the dark and in the cold. Stumble to the bathroom and brush my teeth.  Ram a contact into an eye that doesn’t want to open.  I know it’s freezing outside.  I wonder what combination of uncomfortable clothing I’ll have to wear to stay warm.
I think of my wife.  I think of my children and how I want them to never settle.  I think of my family, my friends and my word.  I think of my training partners who expect that I have superior conditioning.  I think of the possibility of another fight.  I think of some faraway dream that I want to come true that I haven’t realized yet.  I think about how I’m getting older and time is running out so I better hurry up.
I think I’ll get out of bed.

Kenton Sefcik is a father, husband, Registered Acupuncturist, published author and martial artist. You can read more of his ramblings on his website Harbour Health. You can contact him via email at harbourhealth(at)gmail.com or subscribe to his website at Harbour Health.

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Every Year: Getting Younger, Going Faster

December 27, 2012 By 3 Comments
Twitt

 

“There is no such thing as talent.  There is pressure.” – Alfred Adler, Austrian Psychotherapist

 

Photo from Keyks

By Kenton Sefcik

 

And every year, I hear so many people complain about getting older – so I’ve flipped it.  Every birthday I’ve ever had, starting when I turned 30, I pretended that I’m getting younger.  I picture in my mind’s eye how much more vibrant and full of youth I am and what that looks like: high energy, a very healthy lifestyle, lots of drive and a ton of positivity.

 

Keeping my youth in mind, I also play another game – I pretend that I’m seriously running out of time.  I take a few days and remind myself of my personal vision – what I want out of life.  This game puts a little extra pressure on me and helps to wash away any fears I may have; because if I’m running out of time, I’ve got nothing to lose.

 

Those two games I play in my mind might sound contradictory, but I feel they aren’t.  They are part of a healthy mind, body and soul that is necessary to continue on living.  So instead of getting down about turning the big ‘whatever,’ embrace it all.  And eat birthday cake, of course!

 

Memento mori!

 

PS: This post goes out to our very own – Alpha Sanford: Happy birthday today!

 

 

 

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