Cherney’s Life Story

Before I left for France I wasn’t sure what I was going to find. There were so many questions I wanted to have answered, things in my life I wanted to figure out. As I sit here, in my apartment, I see that questions I asked were not the right ones. The answers I found, were not to the questions I asked.

I found a new lease for life, and an appreciation for all that which has been given to me.

My time in France, especially my part in Reims, was inspiring. The people I met, the friends I made, helped make clearer all things I must face in my future.

When I left for France, I never spoke of the goal I was striving to reach when I returned. I said that when I returned from journeys, I will take on a new responsibility in my life. I will take that extra step that will separate me from the rest of the pack. I was going to make decisions that would today seem hard, but will take me down the path I believe is correct. When I returned, I was going to set myself up for success in all that I do. No longer will I take the back seat to my life; I will engage in my future through the hardwork of today. There are things I need to accomplish, and things that need to be completed.

Today, I write in my blog a commitment.

There is a new found appreciation for all the good I bring to the table. Seeing the excellence of others, while in France, helped me to align my sights on where I am talented. I might not be the best at any on thing, however, I do understand, more clearly, where my gifts are placed. I always wondered what separated me from the rest of the pack, as I never felt that I was the best at anything. I learned these last 5 weeks what really makes me special, and it is in those skills I need to pay particular attention.

The fortitude in my new found strength will not faultier. I had the chance to speak and learn from so many different people these past few weeks. They confided in me their personal fears, their aspirations, their dreams. Many, as I was surprised to learn, where closely similar to my own. Did the MBA education put these thoughts in our head, or did we always have them? Maybe our education has helped solidify them and brought them to the surface.

There is a conviction in my word today, that I have never felt. Today’s blog is more of a statement, an expression of where I am heading. I woke this morning reborn in many ways. Removed from the foreign environment that I lived in, I can start to understand what I learned. I value greater what I have, who I am, and what it means to be me.

I don’t want to say that I am a leader, a visionary, or anything really outstanding. I am just a young man with a desire to learn, to be molded, to question the process. There is nothing wrong with not knowing, but there is something wrong without having a life plan. If you don’t know where you want to go in the next 5 years, maybe you should ask, “where do you want to end at the end of your career?” Work yourself backwards, maybe then will you find the answers you are looking for.

There was a character from the cartoon Alice in Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat, that said something like, “if you don’t know where you are going, how will you ever know if you are taking a step in the right direction.” You must have a vision or some sort of goal if you are ever going to reach for what you want in life. Otherwise, you are just walking in random directions.

In the coming days, I am going to draft plan that will help me reach all the potential I believe I am capable of. There is so much I want to do, and many things I believe in. I am going to work backwards, and see what I need to do today to reach that point. I need to put myself in a position to succeed, not hinder my natural abilities.

I grew up in France. Like Australia, a new part of my soul was found. I am a better person because of the journey I undertook.

It is time for me to take on the responsibilities that I have shied away from many years of my life. Time to make my career my own, it’s time to be that adult I never wanted to be.

Vision and Opportunity

I have one truly simple, yet difficult, vision in my life.  To find happiness in all that is given to me.  Through that, I believe that I can make the world a better place.  The relationships I create, and the people’s lives I touch will be the measurement of this vision.  What this really means is that in ever capacity in my life, I need to be a positive influence with those around me.  In doing so, I know great things will come my way.  Whether it is a job, love, money, or something else I might covet, none of these can be realized unless you are happy with yourself.

Marketing and Implementation Strategy

The only way I know how to reach this vision is to live out your dreams.  Do not put your life plan on the backburner.  I will be differentiating myself through the passion I exhibit in my everyday life.  Not many people in a job interview can say that they are choosing the path they have always wanted.  By not settling for anything less, the drive that inspires me will shine brightly for all employers to see.

Risk and Mitigation

Minimizing my risk and establishing milestones will be important to the success of my vision.   I need to have a plan in place that will help me reach this goal.  The best thing I can do is to follow through with my dreams no matter how hard they might seem.  Because I want to live internationally, I understand that I should spend some time overseas living before I take a larger leap of faith.  I am going to be such a thing this summer, while in France.  I will be a foreign exchange student.  While overseas I will begin the process of my next dream, obtaining a working visa for Australia, and look for jobs in Europe.  One day at a time is really the only thing I can do.  Obtaining a quality education will the cornerstone that this foundation is laid on.

Board of Directors

The three most important people to have in my life to help me reach my long term goal include: My Mother, My Mentor, and long time friend in Aussie land.  Each of these people have, and will, contribute greatly to the success of my future.  I would choose my mother because she is one person I can always rely on.  If I am ever in a bind, I know that she has my back and will support me in every way she can.  She has overcome great obstacles in her life; here wisdom is always needed.  My mentor (and friend) has always been a sounding board in my life.  He was a former teacher of mine, who taught me many valuable skills.  I turn to him whenever I am in need of assistance and guidance.  His perspective on things is always valuable, as he has lived, what I consider, a very fulfilling life.  Finally, my friend who lives in Australia.  The lifestyle he lives, and values he has, I am envious of.  He enjoys life, and all that it has to offer.  Through this, he has been given many wonderful opportunities.

I have heard so many people say that they are looking for happiness.  Or the “pursuit of happiness.”

Today, I kind of questioned this.  Maybe the pursuit is the part that keeps us from happiness.  I think you find happiness in each day, there isn’t a pursuit. Either you are happy, or you aren’t.  You will never find it, if you are looking for it.

Okay, I didn’t figure I would have time to write in my blog today, as I have this really awesome evening planned.. but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to talk a little turkey, or philosophy in this example.  I thought the quote a little odd, considering its timing.  This years Christmas letter touches on the philosophy I am about to quote.  Strange, right?

If you are new to my blog, I must tell you; I am a sucker for philosophy.

I read a quote in the paper this morning, it was from a philosophy professor at the U of O.  It said that “life is not about being comfortable, but being comfortable with discomfort.”

The article was referring to a person in town who was having to undergo a major change in life.  I think we are all undergoing some sort of change in our life.  The only question is do we try to embrace it, or run from it?  I know which one is easier, but I think it is important to recognize the choice that we will grow the most from.

I don’t know about you, but being comfortable with discomfort is not some type of skill you can pickup over night.  I think you have to work at it.  The more you are outside your comfort zone, perhaps the easier it is to deal with the discomfort.  I want to say that this called self awareness, and self acceptance?  In other words, to know who you are and to be comfortable with that knowledge.

What do you think?

The first day of winter break is in the books, and I couldn’t feel any better.  I kind of giggle as I write this, because I know that I don’t have any homework, or papers, to worry about.  It is actually an odd feeling.  What on earth am I going to do with all this extra free time?  The truth be told, I actually have a lot on my mind.  .. .  more so than I care to write about tonight.

What I will confess is that I have plenty of time to work on French.  My plan is to do an hour and half each day.  Today I was in one of the French class rooms, and I looked at a students project.  I could actually understand what they were saying.  The funny part was that it was a french three project.  Now, I couldn’t read it all. . but I certainly understood the idea of it.  Again, I couldn’t reproduce it. .  or speak it. . but I could read parts of it.  It made me feel pretty proud of myself, and furthers my commitment to the program I am working with.

Someone I know should be getting a package pretty soon.  I am very excited to be sending it off to them.  I hadn’t sent anything to them in a long LONG time.  I hope they like it.

I have really stepped up my giving this year.  I can’t tell you how good it feels to give.  Not giving for the sense of getting (reciprocation), but the other pure type the honest type.  There IS NOT a better feeling than the feeling of knowing that you put a smile on someone face, perhaps you made their day . .  or even their life just a little bit better.

I discovered wonderful this feeling, and I don’t ever want to give it back.  Granted, I can’t do everything in my mind. . but I can do little things, and I can do them often.  Over the course of the next week, I plan on playing a Santa. . and deliver some holiday cheer to my friends around town.

I am not going to write my Christmas letter, not yet. .  I will publish it sometime in the next week.  I have so much to write, and be thankful for this year.

One of the nice things about my focus in business school, is that it will make a difference in the world.  No offense to the accountants, or financial managers in the world. . but I think sustainable business practices will make a bigger impact in the world.  I hope to land a job, where I can make things better for all of those in the world.  I may only work for a wind energy company, or a green paint company, or whatever. .  the key is, whatever I am doing, it isn’t going to be hurting the environment for future generations.  So in a sense, I am giving them the planet I was born in.

Do I sound like some crazy environmentalist?  I am not trying to, I just am passionate about it.  I am excited to finally find something I could really sink my teeth into.  This area of study is hard enough that a person may never be able to achieve their goal. . but the time spent trying to reach it is where the excitement, and enriching feelings comes from.  I know what I believe in, and I know what I love.  Being able to preserve that for someone else is a very powerful form of giving.  What type of things are you doing to help the planet?  What are you doing to give to your great grand kids?

I don’t want to sound like I have fallen off my rocker, but tonight  I think it is important for me to get a little passionate about something.  We all need something to believe in.  What do you believe in?  If you were writing about something you believe in, I’m sure you would sound a little crazy too.

This could be one of the reasons I enjoy going to school each day.  I am gaining the value skills to make my dreams a reality.  The only thing holding me back from reaching my goals, are two things; experience, and myself.

Life happens so fast. Like the moment the sun kisses the horizon, it doesn’t last long.  If you don’t live for the moment, it will forever pass away, and you will be left wondering where did it go?

I may have written this before, but I want to say it again.

It is not what you doing your life that matters, it is what others think of you when you cross their pass that does.  When you are gone, all that is left behind are the memories of you.

Doing something for yourself provides you with lasting memories.  Memories that last only in your lifetime.

Doing something for someone else, gives you the chance to touch the life of someone else. How would you want to be remembered?

To be remembered in a good light, has to be the one of the best things.

Give everything you have everyday, and live your life like it was your last day.

I heard some lyrics from a Nickleback song, that really meant something to me.
…

If today was your last day
If tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have
If today was your last day

….

If today was your last day
If tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have
And would you call old friends you never see
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies
And would you find that one your dreaming of
Swear up and down to god above
That you’ll finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark
On ending a broken heart
You know it’s never too late
To shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
Cause you can’t rewind
A moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
Cause the hands of time
Are never on your side

….

Just a little sliver of the song.

I don’t know where I am going with blog. . aside that I am renewing my vow to be the best person I can be.

It is the holiday time again, and I get to give. . .   Giving has given me some of he best memories, and moments, in my life.  I look forward to those feeling again.   It is one of those things that makes me feel really good and complete at night.

I am going to be giving more of me this holiday season, than ever before.

I woke up in the middle of the night last night, and these were the words I was hearing in my head.  “Faith is not about knowing what is around the next corner, but rather accepting that whatever is around the next corner could be anything.”

Where did that come from?  How could a person wake up in the middle of the night with that on their mind.  I had the computer next to me so I opened it up, and wrote it down.   What is interesting is this.  This isn’t the only time I have had moments like this, I just never write them down. . and then I forget about it the morning.  Because I was able to write it down, last night was kind of special.

Of all my friends, I would call Ethan the guy who is the biggest philosopher.  He has a degree in philosophy, so that has to mean something.  They guy is also the most religious person I know.  I would like to think he knows a thing or two about philosophy and faith.  I should send him a message seeing what he thinks.

Oh, if you haven’t noticed. .  I have had a lot more free time this weekend to write.  I have to admit, I really enjoy it.  During the work week, my creative juices aren’t flowing as much as I would like.  When I have four days off, the brain starts to let go of the stress and words come to my mind.

What does that saying above mean to me?

Please excuse me as I write my ideas.  But, what I really want to know is what this saying means to you.

I have used faith in many different applications over the months.  I still believe that faith has something to do with believing in something you can’t control.  Does faith mean that only good things come your way?  Personally, I don’t know.  Not such good things can happen, I think you just have to find the good in those situations.  I understand that it can be really tough, I never said it was easy.

But not knowing what is going to happen next is what faith is all about.  You have to accept the fact that you have little control over what is going to happen next.  The only thing you can do is accept it, and go with it.  Even if it may seem hard, or something you don’t want to do.  Choosing that path, the one that was presented to you, is the only way to go.  Not listening, I think, is the wrong thing to do.

What do I mean by not listening?

Let’s say you are walking into a room, and there are two doors.  You were planning on walking through the left door because it will take you were you want to go.  Plus, the right door is locked. . so you could never enter it anyway.  Well, on your way to that left door, you trip and find a key hidden in the cracks of the floor.  The key is to the door on the right.  At this point, you are left facing a choice.  Do you go through the door you intended, or do you take the other one?  Having know idea where it will lead you, opening the right door means (in my simple example) that you are listening.

As I was saying, not listening is wrong.  You should never turn your back to opportunities, challenges, or situations that seem difficult.  Encountering times like these, in my mind, is really special.  They are defining moments in our lives.

The second half of my saying is the part that is really putting me in a loop.

(I lost it all.  Yeah, I had this whole second part of my blog written. . but I lost it.  Okay, I get to write it again.)

I hope you don’t mind me expanding on my ideas for the second part this little saying.  I kind of just want to write this morning.

I think the second half of this saying is the most interesting.  To have faith, you really have to follow it blindly.   When you question faith, you are no longer following. . but trying to lead your own life.  When we try to take the reins of our life, we all too often become lost.

Following faith is a little easier when you believe in something, and hold on to something simple.  Family, friends, and that something special to you.  Holding on to something simple is easiest because you can have a good grip on it.  You are very likely to lose the hard or difficult, because it is tricky and can be misleading.

For me, school is that special thing.  It has opened doors that I would have never imagined.  I am holding on tight to my education.  I am finding that the path I am going down is good.  I am being challenged everyday, I am meeting new people, and I am learning more about myself.  Really, everything I am doing is because of my focus on school.  Kind of a weird idea, but I wouldn’t be where I am because of it.

I have faith that my school is the correct path for me, and I look forward to where it will lead me.

Anything could happen today, or tomorrow.  Faith will give me the strength to handle it all.  To say that I am not scared, would be a lie.

I think accepting the unknown is the biggest leap of faith.  Trusting that whatever comes your way was meant to be, and then listening to it is tough.  Not knowing is also the most exciting part about life.

Could we say that living a complete life means we followed faith?