I was introduced to blog about a year ago that focuses on ideas about how to live the best possible life we can, in the battle against conventional beliefs. It is a chronicle of ideas, life experiences, and adventure travels written by Chris Guillebeau. If you have the time I highly recommend checking a few of his posts. While his writings can be a bit lengthy, there is some great inspiration, ideas on how to work more efficiently, and tips on traveling the world…. and who does not want that?

- Rustin Coburn

***

For anyone who does not think REAL change is happening right now, you are looking in the wrong places or you are not awake. A major shift in conscientiousness is taking place before our eyes, and for the first time in human history people around the world are joining together and taking action.

A perfect example of this, is Kony 2012. This has become the most successful online campaign in the history of the internet and went viral faster then any other video…EVER. The video sheds some light on the massive global atrocities of the LRA, but really it is about something much bigger. If the global community can work together towards bringing Joseph Kony and the LRA down, then we can use it as a spring board towards massive change and eventually world piece. For the first time ever, we have the tools and human awareness to do this.

We are truly seeing a new generation of justice and peace. The world we have always wanted is coming.
Get Ready!

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Get in touch with Ink Monstr, who is the official print partner for Colorado Kony 2012, and/or Denver Awareness on April 20th.
Time: 6pm
Where: Commons Park
** Help spread the word by putting up posters across Denver and give a global voice by acting locally

Not in Denver?
Do your part and take action HERE
Cover the Night and get involved on April 20th:

Get involved in Denver with Denver Awareness

KONY 2012 (part 1) :: I hoped you have watched this video, because the powers that be seem to have taken it off the web.

KONY 2012 (part 2) :: follow up and the amazing progress that has already happened around the world

Well it’s official: It’s Spring. One of the best parts about the state of Colorado is the ridiculous number of days we see sunshine every year (see even MORE awesome things about Colorado here), and we are entering the sunniest stretch. While I’m sure many of you are sad to see the snow melt away, just as many are likely ready for warm weather (I’ll admit- it is nice to venture outside without donning a “Michelin Man” outfit).

One of my favorite parts of the change in season is cruising through the streets of downtown: sun on my face, wind in my hair. And I know– as the temp continues to rise, so does the appeal of your air conditioned auto, but I’m writing you today to remind you of the joy of riding a bike.

Do you remember being a kid, riding around your town or neighborhood? Racing your friends… maybe traffic (what, just me?)… Before you had a drivers license. There was pure elation in those moments.

Too many people think of bicycling as a mere means of transportation, or a form of exercise. Both of these associations carry a negative connotation in society today. And while it’s true, a bicycle can get you from A to B and make you huff and puff, it’s also downright fun. (Although, to state the obvious: you will save precious ozone and denero between point A & B, and you miiiiiight shed some o’ that cottage cheese clinging to your ass in the process. Minor pluses… I suppose…)

Now you may be thinking: “I don’t own a bike and they’re expensive.”
But you don’t have to have the newest, flashiest, 42 speed with cappuccino maker and 7″ handlebar LCD installed. Besides, that shit is gettin’ stolen. A bicycle does not have to be pricey, and it should never be pretentious. It should merely be an expression of yourself. If you want something that can go back and forth from trail to road– get a used mountain bike. If you only plan to bar-hop in the flats of downtown (as fast as your .14 BAC permits)– build a single speed. Then spray paint it. Pick up some tassels. Make it you.

If you’re still not sold on buying something, the geniuses at Denver B Cycle made a bike as easy to get your hands on as a Red Box movie. Rent one.

A final incentive to get pedaling is the notion that the bicycle is the most efficient machine man-kind has ever created. In fact: the energy efficiency of a bicycle has been estimated to be the equivalent of the average car doing 1,600 miles on a gallon of gas. And that’s pretty awesome.

So, now that I’ve planted the seed, water it. See if it grows on you. If it doesn’t, no biggie– your car is still in it’s spot.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Today is the start of something great. It’s the first day of a beautiful tradition that celebrates ones masculinity and machismo…
“Do boys start puberty in the spring?” you may ask…
Well, probably. A mustache induced hormonal reaction anyway. Because all the real men around them are now sporting caterpillar lips and walking around with swagger…
That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, it’s Mustache March.

Many greats have sported the stud-stache. Tom Selleck, Geraldo Rivera, Alex Trebek, Salvador Dali, Charlie Chapman, and Yosemite Sam– to name a few. And many lesser have donned the butt-broom, molestache, or some variation thereof… but let’s not be “that guy.”

While no one expects you to stand tall next to these gods among men, this third month of every year allows you the opportunity to show the world the raw and unequivocal power of your upper lip.

The ‘ol soup-strainer is so mighty, in fact, that it has inspired men across the country to use it for a cause. Is it merely an excuse to rock ferociously phallic facial hair? Probably. But the cause is good.

Rather than put on an event, run a race, or bake some cookies, the idea behind this is a TCMBC, or “Temporary Cultural Movement for the Benefit of Charity.” The official movement donates money to The MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) and more hilarious information can be found at http://www.mustachemarch.com/. I fully encourage getting involved in the cause; however I, myself, will be growing simply for the verility…

As for the females reading this post, don’t fret! Even if a combination of fish oil and black-market stallion steroids wont grow ya a dick-duster, there are companies out there determined to help. Try The Hot Pink Mustache on for size! They’ve got mustaches designed just for you

So gentlemen, get your shave on. And ladies- fair warning: your mans libido will increase tenfold this month. Prep your loins.

Let the bash begin!

- Ches Sheridan Arms

I am always curious about learning better ways to be productive and happier. You often hear people talking about being in the “Zone” or having a good “Flow”. Those moments in life when everything seems to make sense and you feel like anything is possible. In those moments it always feels like I have figured something out and it is so simple. Why can’t I always feel like that?

When you are able to have this “Flow” happen in a group, be it work or play, then it is even more amazing. The things we can accomplish together can change the world. What other studies and research have been done on the effectiveness of working together?

Charles Walker, of St Bonaventure University, wanted to test the idea that activities that lead people to a ‘flow state’ are more enjoyable when they are social, as opposed to solitary. Walker was referring to the concept of ‘flow’ as originally researched by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced MEE-hy CHEEK-sent-mə-HY-ee):

from Wikipedia

In his seminal work, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Csíkszentmihályi outlines his theory that people are most happy when they are in a state of flow— a state of concentration or complete absorption with the activity at hand and the situation. The idea of flow is identical to the feeling of being in the zone or in the groove. The flow state is an optimal state of intrinsic motivation, where the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing. This is a feeling everyone has at times, characterized by a feeling of great absorption, engagement, fulfillment, and skill—and during which temporal concerns (time, food, ego-self, etc.) are typically ignored.

We have all had experiences when things just seem to click — perhaps on a sunny spring day with a few friends snowboarding, concentrating on some project, or during an intense conversation — and we feel more alive, and happy. The emotion most associated with flow is joy. Obviously, we cannot be in a flow state at all times, but just as obvious is the fact that the more often we manage to achieve a flow state the better.

Walker started with the hypothesis that social flow states are more enjoyable to the individuals involved than solitary ones. So based off this research we are happier and more in the “zone” when we are doing social activities. Walker devised a study to compare the level of happiness (‘joy’) in solitary versus social activities. If you have the time is a very interesting read. He found that social activities seem to be inherently more satisfying in both work and recreational activities. It is a good reminder that we are social in our deepest DNA, and that we can accomplish great things when we work together.

Solitary flow can be very enjoyable, but still does not reach the same satisfactory levels as social flow. Walker’s research confirms what many of us already know and strive for: Walking together is better then working alone. Of course it is not always easy to find a good team and the right team, but when you do it can feel like anything is possible.  Jim Collins does a very good job of dissecting this topic in his books. The conditions that lead to high performing teams are the same that lead to social flow:

• high attention among the group to the mental state of the others, also known as social sensitivity
• high level of competence of the team members
• a level of competence equal to the challenge confronting the team
• feedback on tasks and performance is immediate
• tasks are interdependent, requiring complementary participation
• a shared sense of purpose, and close identification with the group
• shared responsibility for accomplishing the group’s goal.

So I challenge us all to not give up on being open and continually learning how to work and play together. Sometimes it feels easier to do things as an individual and on your own terms … and I definitely think there is a lot of value to spending time alone. However when you can be supportive, honest, have open communication, and work hard within a team then I believe all your dreams can come true.

Boom!

- Rustin Sage Coburn

As  you have probably noticed over the last four to five months a small group of contributing writers have started to fill this blog up with their creative ideas, and slowly breath life back into the voice of what DVLP was… and is.  The core of what DVLP (a Colorado clothing company that saw international success for 5 plus years) stood for was this; “a continuous journey about enjoying life, having fun, and giving back to our community and planet through creative activations.”

How do you live a better life that makes you happy, makes the people around you happy, and supports a healthy planet earth? My post on the Blue Movement a few months back touches on these ideas as a more structured concept… and a global movement. DVLP continued to search for methods of building a positive community of creative people that could make a difference on this planet. The clothing was our platform to reach people, and while the brand had to close its doors in early 2011, the voice and ideas still live on… and that is why, Ches, Abella, Tyler, and myself enjoy filling this blog with our inspirations, findings and thoughts.

Perhaps some day this journey of ideas will once again formulate into a product like clothing, or something else creative. Until then, thank you very much for reading our blog and actively caring about how you live your life.

- Rustin Sage Coburn

NEXT WEEK:
While contemplating the meaning behind all of this I began to research the value of working together versus working alone. What other documentation and studies were out there? What are the most efficient and sustainable ways to be productive and make a positive difference?
Next week I will explore these ideas in more depth and share a little more about what I have learned.

“You’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re not your fucking khakis. You’re the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world. ”

Ok, so maybe Tyler Durden’s soap box is a bit too tall for me to stand on, but what he’s getting at here truly resonates with me– as I’m sure it does for many of you. The notion is: Don’t let your social status or your possessions dictate who you are.
However, Tyler’s last sentence here implies we cannot do this because we are no better than anyone else. I beg to differ. I strive to do better and be better every day. And in many instances, I believe we can be better by possessing less.

A while back I was geeking out on Mashable(a website that covers digital culture, social media, and technology news) and ran across an article titled 4 Big Trends for the Future of Sustainable Tech. The whole article is awesome and I highly recommend the quick read, but #3 on the list really caught my attention. The concept is “Micro-Living,” and the idea behind it is that we can reduce, or do away with, much of the material goods we accumulate in our lives.

Think of a goldfish in a bowl. If you put a tiny goldfish in a big bowl, it will fatten up and grow to the size of it’s environment.
If you put a perfectly content human in a big space, they find themselves yearning for “things.” They will seek to fill that space– unnecessarily.

I, like many of you out there, am in the job market. There are many questions that arrise when headed down this road: “Do I have the necessary experience?”… “Will this salary support my lifestyle?”… “Could I get away with ‘dancing’ for a little while longer? You know- have some fun… pay off the school loans…” (<–What? No one else?)

But how many of you have seriously asked yourselves: “Would I be willing to relocate?”

I’ve recently asked myself this question and come to realize: No, given the choice, I would not relocate (for work or otherwise).
The state of Colorado is one of the greatest places in our country.
Sure, if given the opportunity to work our dream job in Fiji, most of us would probably jump ship. But let’s be realistic- 40k a year for a middle-management position in Mianus, CT… no thanks. I’ll keep my anus in Denver.

Some of us, however, get in ruts. We begin to think “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” A common theme in my posts to you has been finding contentment, and in continuation of that theme, I’d like to share with you 10 Reasons Colorado  is GREAT:

1. Colorado ranks as the nation’s fifth-best state for business and careers in the latest annual report by Forbes, posted November of 2011. So stick it out, job hunters!
   
2. Colorado consistently ranks in the top 10 healthiest and slimmest states in the country. There’s so much to do! Plus, walking anywhere west of Denver means going up hill.
3. Denver was named the 13th best city for singles by Forbes.com in 2009. We have the thinnest, most attractive young professionals. Look in the mirror… you’re probably getting laid tonight.
4. Boulder is the most educated city in America. Colorado is one of the most educated states. It’s everywhere online… Google it.
5. Colorado gets over 300 days of sunshine every year– the most clear-sky days of any state.
6. Denver is the top city for bicyclists according to Bicycle Magazine and the Huffington Post. One more reason we’re not fat.
   Moreover, I’d like to share: I have ridden a bicycle on both coasts and in many different states. In California you get flipped off and run off the roads. On the east coast you can’t breath from the smog or people assume you’re poor. Colorado is the only state where drivers will slow down for you and wave. Shit- in Boulder they’ll stop at a convenience store and circle back around with gatorade.
7. We’ve got Colfax. In addition to all the different aswesome “scores” you can make within a single-block radius, Colfax is the longest continuous street in America.
8. The Colorado Rockies. Sure, we’ve had some good baseball years, but I’m talking about our mountains. People from all over the world save for years and spend thousands of dollars to ski and snowboard where we do any day we fancy.
9. Colorado loves good beer and has has more breweries per capita than any other state in the U.S.
10. Denver is the sixth happiest city in the country according to market research performed by the fast-food giant McDonalds.

BONUS: COLORADO HAS YOU! The communities within this fine state are filled with healthy, intelligent, open-minded, friendly people.

 What more could you want from your home?

- Ches Sheridan Arms

If you get bored with life ever, then do NOT read this post….it is not for you…

time is but a perception of reality

A few months back I posted a short vision on “How to Slow Down Time“, and today I would like to add a Part 2…. although keep in mind that none of what I am writing about is scientifically proven, or backed up by any “Real Authority”, “Professional Establishment”, or anything else that you might find in-between exclamation marks. It is purely my thoughts and experimentation with life. To be clear, my main focus with this exploration is to learn how to have more time, thus creating true freedom

On the last post I asked if it was possible to actually slow down time, and what this might mean. Time is maybe the most valuable thing we have to offer and gain, and yet why do we continually waste it? I was reminded of this again when watching the movie In Time…. I recommend it.

Why can we not be present and live for the moment upon us? All these wonderful digital devices, social media, messaging tools, etc can disconnect us even more. Have you ever seen a group of friends out at a bar all sitting around a table fixated on their phones? Caught up in what has happened, what other people are doing, or what we might do in the future. So silly when you think about it…. but I have done this myself. Why?

Why can’t we live for right now? What is getting in our way? I ask these questions because there is something deep inside our lack of ability to be present that I believe to be the key to slowing down time.
If you have the courage, I challenge you to the following exercise. Start with one hour a day and build from there:

• Do not worry about any future responsibilities, difficulties in your life, things that make you anxious, fears you may have, anger, frustrations, sadness, or negativity of any sort.
• Do not look at your watch or phone or any electronic device.
• Completely engage yourself in what you are doing or who you are with.
• Think about your own breath, and how blessed you are to have everything that you have.

What do you think? How did time pass for you?

- Rustin Coburn

“The digital revolution of the last decade has unleashed creativity and talent in an unprecedented way, with unlimited opportunities. But does democratized culture mean better art or is true talent instead drowned out? This is the question addressed by PressPausePlay, a documentary film containing interviews with some of the world’s most influential creators of the digital era.”