“To ‘choose’ dogma and faith over doubt and experience is to throw out the ripening vintage and to reach greedily for the Kool-Aid.” -Chris Hitchens

When you’re riding high and everything is going your way, step back and think about what’s important in your life. I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. I feel like Clint Eastwood right now. I think about all the key moments in my path to success. What defines you is what you stand for. I’m going to create a challenge for everyone right now...amuse me!

I’m involved with my alma mater, Syracuse University, where I donated a life skills and financial literacy platform for all student athletes. I think about a cold night at Cuse a few years back where a few of the star basketball players slept in cardboard boxes on the quad to really experience the perils of life. This is a humbling experience to say the least. Several players made it through the night and they realized how precious life really is. They were grateful to be receiving an education, housing, and meal plan and for having the ability to play for an elite basketball program at a renowned university.

I have to admit, I was quite impressed by these players...Baye Mousa Keita and Rakeem Christmas...don’t take life for granted and drink the kool aid. I’m going to challenge you to come out of your comfort zone. Come up with something that will challenge your mettle. Create a game plan to see the other side of life. Go out of your way to humble yourself every now and then. I promise you will be better off for it. Remember, we are all in this together. Have fun coming up with the challenge. I’ll give you a few ideas to help you think:

1. Go to a thrift store and buy some clothes - wear them every once in awhile
2. Be like the boys and sleep in a cardboard box
3. Pretend you lost your wallet for the day and make do
4. Pretend you lost your car for the day and make do
5. Talk to a homeless person, hear their story, and buy them a meal
6. Pretend you live on welfare and figure out how you’re going to survive
7. Use your imagination and have fun with it

You get the idea. I love this stuff. I hope this helps you define who you are.