Growing up, I always looked forward to Fridays. Not only was it the last day of school for the week before the weekend would start but it was also the night I would always go to Blockbuster Video and try to rent that new release that just came out. It was something I would usually do every weekend and always something I felt I looked forward to doing. It was also a very hit or miss experience because I never knew if they would be Sold Out of the movie I wanted to rent until I would arrive to the store to rent it. Getting lucky and grabbing the New Release I wanted was the best feeling and always part of my Friday night jam. Whether I got Lucky or not, I would always walk out with a bunch of candy or a video game or two and always enjoyed that Blockbuster experience. Having Blockbuster less than a mile away from my house was also awesome to have and is one of the things I miss most about my childhood.

Today, the convenience of finding the movie I want to watch and clicking a button is as easy as possible. Between Theaters, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Disney Plus and iTunes I am surrounded with every possible way of watching what I want at the exact time I want without much work involved. The glory days of renting movies in person and Blockbuster are over and the digital age has really taken over. But, is this rapid advancement of technology moving too fast and do we want this continuation of technology for the future to really continue? Do we want absolutely everything to become easier with just a click of a button, snap of our fingers or the sound of our voice? Between Alexa, Siri, Netflix, Smart Phones and constant Messages, It feels like sometimes this advancement of Technology has just made life more complicating and not as simple as I once remembered it.

It’s been a while since I have last written here and have been wanting to sit down to write again. This year certainly has had its share of ups and downs and while we are still facing multiple challenges I have been thinking more and more about this concept this week. While, It certainly has been cool to see where technology has taken us today and I love being able to click a button and watch my favorite film. But honestly speaking, I would be lying if I didn’t say sometimes I miss those glory days. The Blockbuster experience was always one of the highlights of my week and sometimes I wish we could just rewind time.

I recently saw someone at Target with a “Be Kind, Please Rewind” T-Shirt and it made me think of this some more. While Blockbuster used this slogan as a way to encourage customers to rewind films before returning, It made me think of what Rewinding the Past might look like in my life. While I am finally pretty happy where my Life is right now, I have to admit I have had my good share of regret, struggles and remorse for having certain feelings, comparing myself to others or seeing myself behind the norm of others and always struggled with wanting to rewind the past. Unfortunately, rewinding the past wasn’t an option but staying busy always seemed like the right solution and way to avoid my truth and I spent several years doing so and thinking it was my best approach. What I have concluded is being Thankful and showing Thankfulness, Taking each experience day by day and celebrating the people you love every step of the way is the best approach to Living! Today, I am grateful for each and everyone who has played a part in my life and continues to do so and have guided me in the right direction of where I am now. Rewinding the past would look very different today if I hadn’t experienced what I experienced and am Thankful to God where and how he has brought me now and continues to use me in.

Thoughts to Consider:

• Would you want to rewind the past? If so how would you use the past to change your future or your perspective?

• How can we have a balance between Technology and our Spiritual Mind? How can we use Technology not as a distraction?

• While many say Blockbuster struggled because they failed to keep up with Technology the last remaining Blockbuster in Oregon seems pretty popular? What do people miss so much about this? Are we longing for community or just trying to relive the past?

• Sometimes obsessing with regrets and the past will prevent you from growing and continuing your future. How can we make ourselves at peace with the past in order to move on and live new glory days?

• Ultimately, God is in control and while many things might happen for a reason God can use any situation for his glory and kingdom…even the ones you might be ashamed of or afraid of admitting.

If you are looking for a great place that will inspire you and make you really appreciate nature, you will want to check out the Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas, Florida. I had visited this park a few years ago when I was attending UCF and I always felt it was a little hidden treasure near Orlando. Upon arriving to the park, the first thing you will notice is how quiet it is. At the park you are surrounded by nature at its finest and the only noise you will hear are natural birds, fish and wildlife in a very natural habitat. Let’s face it, it is hard to find a place today you feel you can escape to. What I mean by this is, we are surrounded by noise everywhere we go. We live in a place and culture that everything we need is around us and sometimes we don’t realize the noise that is part of our daily lives everyday.

A few months back I wrote about Living in Social Media. Technology has become a great thing and while I love the things my iPhone can do, I feel I am guilty of Living in that Social Media World and sometimes forget about everything else. Sometimes we get so sucked into what we are doing and or what we need to accomplish or do that we don’t realize the time we are wasting and what is really around us.

In 2020, one of my New Years Resolutions was to Travel more. I said to myself that I wanted to find time and see Cool places to visit to get away from all that noise. The truth of the matter is that I had time to do it, I just needed to set my priorities to make it work amongst my daily life. Just like that, MikeManTravels was born. While I am using technology to help share my experiences for every place I visit, it feels like I am finally doing something I should have done years ago. MikeManTravels is a Blog/Vlog and YouTube Channel that will be all about that. From Inspiring Stories to Beautiful Destinations, MikeManTravels will showcase all this and more in a way to teach, inspire and showcase Great Places to Visit. If you are on Instagram or YouTube please consider Subscribing @mikemantravels

I am excited to see places I have never been but also visit familiar places I have and really share my experiences there. For my first Vlog I decided to go back to a place I felt was away from all that noise. The Orlando Wetlands Park is perfect for bike riding, hiking, bird watching and more. It is a place where photographers, nature lovers and passionate people meet as well as several educational groups. It is a place that will take you deep into the wetlands and really put you steps away from exotic birds, alligators, turtles and some of the most beautiful Florida landscapes and wildlife. If you go on a Friday or Saturday they even offer tours to really experience the wetlands.

Orlando Wetlands Park is located at 25155 Wheeler Drive, Orlando, FL and is definitely one of the Coolest Places to Visit in Florida.

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A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the Media Event for the Disney on Ice Road Trip Adventure Tour coming to a city near you. It was my first event with Bisbee and Company, a public relations group in Orlando and it was an awesome experience.

If you aren’t familiar with Disney on Ice, it is a jam-packed show filled with some of your favorite Disney characters and songs from Disney films. Some of the films included are Toy Story, The Incredibles, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Moana and my personal favorite The Lion King. The Lion King has always been one of my favorite Disney films so I was very excited to see it performed on Ice with the amazing skaters. The music and show was so special and it really left me wishing I could ice skate the same way the performers did because they were really amazing!

Disney on Ice Road Trip Adventures was a very colorful and visual stunning show that had performers in all areas. This was not just an Ice Skating show but a show that involved many acrobats, dancers and skaters from around the world. I was lucky enough to have front row seats and was even able to interact with the performers from the Ice. Spoiler Alert, I was chosen to be part of the show in a very special scene on the Ice 🙂 It was definitely fun.

Being one of the first to see the show was a very special experience but spending the day at Feld was even more amazing. When I was invited to attend the media event I had no idea what to even expect. I had heard of Disney on Ice but had no idea the work and commitment required by everyone who makes this show to come to life. It was great meeting the cast of the show, having them show us demonstrations, tricks and speaking with them one on one.

Skaters, dancers, gymnasts and staff work tirelessly together for months and months to make this show happen. From the special costume details to the way the set is designed, every part of this show is unique and that is clearly seen during the show. Feld Entertainment manages and makes all this happen but this isn’t the only show they are involved with. In fact, I had no idea that it was all part of the same studio that brought Ringling to Life. That is, The Ringling Brothers and Bailey Circus! When I was a kid Ringling was real and going backstage to see all that is left of it brought me back to just that.

Although the Circus is finished touring for now, the Ringling brand is still very alive and strong. While the Ringling Museum has many important parts of the original Circus many of the costumes and set designs are still at Feld. Going backstage, It was so neat to see the hundreds of costumes and inspiration from the original Circus. It was so neat to see the thousands of garments, hats, capes, and more that still bring back dozens of childhood memories. I believe the greatest show on Earth will return and can’t wait to see it in an all new way!

“Word gets around when the circus comes to town, don’t it?”

Cormac McCarthy

Special Thanks to Feld Entertainment for the amazing tour and opportunity. Also Special Thanks to Jennifer from Bisbee and Company as well as Christine Fox for the invitation. In the meantime, check out Disney on Ice in a city near you (Disney on Ice) Keep an eye out for my next adventure with Jurassic World Live.

A wise snowman once said “Winter’s a good time to stay in and cuddle but put me in summer and I’ll be a Happy Snowman”

-Olaf The Snowman from Frozen

Can you believe we are heading straight into Summer? That means, we are already half way through 2019 and are heading into what most of us consider as a very busy time of year. By now, if you live in Florida you are certainly feeling this early heat wave going on. This entire week my car has been showing temperatures already greater than 100 degrees and Summer is just starting. I have a feeling this will be a very very hot Summer!

Right about now, most kids are getting ready for Summer break. When I was a kid, summer break meant vacation time. Summer break meant a time where I didn’t have to worry about grades, homework or waking up late and missing the bus. Summer was the perfect time and I was free. Thinking back, it was probably just as hot as it is today but I loved Summer none-the-less probably because of a different perspective. It’s funny how changing our perception on certain things can really change our mind, attitude and way of living. We think of perception or our perspective as a way we view the world, something simple and easy that can be adjusted or changed. But our perception can be a choice we make about what we accept as being true. So, with that said…how can our lives benefit by changing our perspective a little? How can we be more united because of this simple idea? A few days ago, I was drowning in heat but it was a simple friend who reminded me to not think about it and really change my perception.

Like it or not, the heat is part of what Summer brings. It was meant this way and I certainly am going to make the most of my Summer and listen to that happy snowman.

” I don’t know why but I’ve always loved the idea of Summer and Sun and all things Hot….” 

Questions to Consider:

• How can we change our perception/perspective to really value life/others more?
• How can we try and stay focused even through seasons of hardship or trials?
• How can we use these thoughts and information to help others?
• What do you look forward to this Summer?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring is finally here! Although most of the country is not feeling it right now the Spring season has officially begun. Growing up in Florida, I always felt like I had a love/hate relationship toward this time of year. I say that because while I love most of the qualities Spring has to offer (laying the foundation for my veggie garden, the amazing Florida weather, and Easter time) I also know that it is the time of year that I suffer from some really terrible allergies and that is not fun. But, spring time always means much more than just this. Spring time always reminds me that something special is about to happen and I don’t have to worry. Spring time always reminds me of the most powerful stories, greatest sacrifices in time and ongoing opportunities for new life. This and more make Spring one of my favorite seasons.

It has been a few weeks since my last post and it seems like a lot has happened. While I dedicate my time working full time at the bakery making all sorts of cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more, I also spend a lot of time handling customer requests, researching better ways of using social media, and keeping up with the latest cake trends and events. While both my parents are the exclusive artists behind the bakery I am quickly finding my place as the marketing guru behind the bakery and that is a huge part of my story.

Our Stories in life are an interesting thing that can hold great importance. Whether they are passed down from our families or they are of our own shaping, our stories can inspire our greatest challenges, fuel our dreams, and provide that extra sense of purpose which we need. Last month, I was invited by NASA to attend the State of NASA Social out in the Kennedy Space Center amongst a limited number of attendees. I had applied on the website a few weeks before and filled out what seemed like an endless application filled with lots of questions about my personal story. A few weeks later I was excited to receive a confirmation email saying I was officially invited to attend. Although, I didn’t know much about the current situation of Space or what was going on at the Space Center I was excited to go and learn as much as I could. When the day finally arrived I drove out to Titusville and was ready to spend the day with the NASA team.

During the event, I was provided with the opportunity to:

• Tour Kennedy Space Center
• Watch the live broadcast of the NASA Acting Administrator’s State of NASA briefing
• Speak to NASA officials from Kennedy to learn about our year ahead
• Meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media

Spending the day in NASA was one of the highlights of my life and I was able to meet a whole new group of passionate individuals from across the globe with amazing stories. It was awesome to be in a place that so much history took place in and remember the dreamers and doers (not only astronauts, but engineers and passionate individuals behind the scenes). To my surprise what I took out of it the most were the endless stories filled with love and passion towards what they are doing for the future. Changing the world requires time but I believe in everything they are working towards and am excited to see where they will take us next. The people who took us to Infinity and Beyond are the same people as you and me. They are the dreamers of our kind with a great story and testimonial behind them. They are the optimists in society that never complain and always see opportunity to serve the world. No matter where your story has led you, remember tomorrow is new!

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do” Steve Jobs

FOREVER REMEMBERED Exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center

If telling your story transforms one person…isn’t that worth it?

Easter is just a few days away and I find it appropriate to share with you one of my favorite Biblical stories. If you aren’t familiar with the story of Paul…prepare for some spoilers ahead. Basically Paul (once known as Saul) was a man that went against God and would plot and kill Christians without any regret. He was one of the most well known murderers of the time but soon would be transformed. Transformation can happen at any day, time, place and moment and we must remember that God can change anyone! I, repeat…God can change anyone and he did with Saul/Paul. The truth of the matter is that when God transformed Paul, he became one of the leading followers of the Gospel and that is pretty cool. This Easter I find myself thankful for each and everyone one of you. I hope you all have an amazing holiday and are able to spend it in community among family, friends and loved ones. Thankfully, I know my story is amazing even if it never makes it into a best selling book or film.

Questions to Consider:

• What is your story?
• How can your story help someone?
• Are you afraid to share your story? or feel your story is not important?
• Imagine if the dreamers before you didn’t share their story they had? Would we have accomplished so much?

Photos of my NASA Experience 

Snap, Tweet, Retweet, Post, Repost, Follow, Hashtag, Like, Comment, Tag, Share or Catch Pokemon are all words our society is now familiar with on a regular basis. Whether you’re on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Periscope, Snapchat, Youtube, WhatsApp, or just like to play Pokemon Go, the way we communicate with our friends and family are changing.

In my last blog, I spoke briefly about how technology today has helped our waiting process. More specifically, we now live in a time that we don’t have to wait weeks or months to find news about our family or the world and that is a good thing. But does this available technology have a cost? I mean it’s a wonderful thing not having to wait anymore and be able to send messages and have replies in seconds with all kinds of text, photos, videos, and emojis. But is it really all good? Are we losing out on valuable conversations and adventures because of it? Are we less aware of what we are passionate about because of our lack of concern of the world? Are we becoming a society that we are ok with having more screen to screen interactions rather than face to face? Are we not experiencing the moments and reaching our state of flow because we live consumed? Finally, are we living in social media and not in the world?

“The more social media we have, the more we think we’re connecting, yet we are really disconnecting from each other.”  -JR

As much as I love social media, I feel completely guilty of sometimes living in social media and being absorbed by it. That is, I am always thinking of my next post even before I arrive somewhere and am always thinking of how I’m going to get my message across for my followers. While this strategy and thought process isn’t completely bad it has allowed me to miss out on several opportunities to understand life at its best because I’m not really in the moment. I think staying in the moment means appreciating your surroundings and really experiencing that brief period of time for what its worth.

One of my good friends in life is an avid surfer. In fact, I don’t know anyone else that is as passionate about surfing as he is and when I can I love going out to see him surf. Danny goes surfing quite often (everyday if he could) but every opportunity he gets to surf is like a new day. As soon as I see him hit that water…everything is passion! I truly believe we can make life that way also as we center our lives around the very thing that brings us meaning, purpose, and joy.

“Follow your Passion, It will lead you to your purpose.” Oprah Winfrey

This week, I had a little bit of car trouble. If you know me personally you probably heard what happened and that I got stuck at our local Library waiting for AAA to tow my car. At first, I thought it was just the battery and that I had accidentally left a car light on while I was working. But soon enough, it ended up being the starter and we had to tow the vehicle to a local repair shop to get it repaired. A few hundred dollars later, a new part and within a couple hours, I had somewhat of a fixed car again. Needless to say, It wasn’t my best day. After the repair, I had a lot to consider. Should I keep fixing the car to the best that I can? Should I sell it online or to a local car dealership? Should I get another vehicle? What is the car even worth anymore? The truth of the matter is that while my car is thirteen years old and is nearing 200,000 miles I still love it and maybe because of a more purposeful reason.

While social media can be a distraction for living in the moment, social media can also be a platform of connection that is a wonderful tool for sharing ideas, photos, life experiences and ultimately helping others. As I discovered with the idea of waiting: technology and social media can be both positive and negative and really can lead to change. My refrigerator on wheels has delivered hundreds of cakes, has helped many people move and has been a great tool for traveling on adventures and using it as a focal point to maintain face-to-face conversations. Its brought me around the country seeing and exploring aspects of life that are truly remarkable and has allowed me to stir up conversations and moments. Staying in my Element has provided me with opportunities to be part of some cause of change and has allowed me to gain experiences and interactions that make living alive fully immeasurable.  This week was a pretty historical week for Americans and the world. While the Winter Olympics started off with a sign of hope for peace and unity, the world watched as SpaceX launched the most powerful rocket since the 1970’s and we now have a car in space. The role of social media has played a large part of this endeavor and I find it fascinating to see where our technology can take us. Today, I am excited to see more signs of exploration but we must remember to have boundaries between that technology and our daily lives if we truly want to live. Do we really need a sign at the beach saying they don’t have wifi? Are we really expecting beaches, national parks, and mountain ranges to provide Free Wifi? I don’t know about you but I don’t want to see it come to that. While I love my iPhone, Social Media and the ability to have information at my fingers I also want to reflect on greater encounters of life and sometimes turn off all the noise.

Questions to Consider:

• What does living in the moment look like in your life?
• Are you guilty of living in Social Media?
• As technology gets better…what are ways we can keep focused and never forget what living in the moment actually looks like?
• What are steps we can take to not absorb ourselves in social media/technology?