PUREFIX

Always see the good in others. For when we do, they live into...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:58:40 -0400

Always see the good in others. For when we do, they live into our projection. When we relate to others at their highest potential, they are afforded the space to expand into that potential. How will we choose to create people? Let’s create more good!

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

Last week, Ignite Good took over Pure House for their Ignition...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:49:58 -0400

Last week, Ignite Good took over Pure House for their Ignition 2013, sponsored by Huffington Post. Yesterday morning, I received this image above from my buddy Martin Montero. It wasn’t until yesterday afternoon that I realized it was taken from Pure House. I love how small & connected our world continues to be.

Impossible is a funny word. It seems so concrete. Like, it’s impossible to be in two places at one time. Many would agree. But then, everything is perspective. What is ‘to be’? So often, I am physically in one place while my mind has traveled to distant lands. This might be semantics but the elusive nature of ‘impossible’ holds true. Impossible is what we make it. Life can be impossible or it can be like walking on a bed of clouds. Rising up from oppression can seem impossible, yet so many do. Recovering from ‘terminal’ illness can appear impossible, yet so many of us do it. It is possible. It is all in our mindset.

When I was a child, I suffered from a severe brain tumor. The doctors said it must be removed immediately, yet the prognosis was not good. They said, ‘IF’ I made it out of the surgery alive, I would be on machines for the rest of my life to assist my breathing and I would not be able to move the left side of my body again. Hog wash! I didn’t believe it for a moment. In my mind, I was an Olympic Gymnast and I had goals. Nothing was getting in my way! Long story short, I made it out with all my functions intact and through sheer will I made a full recovery; except for the fact that I’m freakin’ crazy as hell! I did not realize until much later in life that what I had experience was the power of the mind to overcome adversity. My will had pushed through ‘the impossible’. We all have this power. Let’s eliminate the concept of ‘impossible’.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

Let the waves roll in! Love is always there. Waves may wash...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:11:04 -0400

Let the waves roll in! Love is always there. Waves may wash away our connection from time to time, yet new waves return to us new love.

Life can get heavy and overwhelming at times. We get stuck in our heads, pushing emotions down and away, only to emerge later unexpectedly. It all seems to much to handle.

When we slow down and calm our minds, our connection with our feelings re-emerges. When we sit with our feelings, we integrate and align head, heart & body. Our energy becomes clear. We feel ourselves whole and complete, beyond the mind. We are pure! Let’s stay here.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

Communication brings humanity & the world together. Nothing...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:37:42 -0400

Communication brings humanity & the world together. Nothing happens without words. But so much of communication never happens with the mouth. So much of what is communicated between people exists in non-verbal communication. Our bodies speak worlds of expressions and feelings. And those are interpreted by others through a filter of perception. People perceive us to be one way and then human nature has us form a perspective or judgment on that perceived behavior. So, we don’t even need to say anything and people are perceiving us. There is no escaping it. Thus, it’s important to be conscious of the energy we are generating. Are we thinking happy thoughts or sad ones? Are we remaining positive and optimistic? Are we generating anger? Are we overwhelmed or relaxed? All of this is perceived by others. And then others react & respond to us based on these perceptions.

But words do matter. In my experience, communication is much more about listening that speaking. When I listen closely to what someone is saying while also witnessing there behavior, body language and general energetic state, I am much more prepared to generate a conscious response to the totality of their communication, verbal and non.

When we listen with all of our senses, we are much better equipped to respond to any situation with more complete understanding. A critical component is conscious response, verses reactive communication. Is our communication being triggered by some emotional response or our we choosing a response from a balanced energetic space? The choice is ours.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

It’s been a whirlwind weekend in the Napa Valley...

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 14:02:27 -0400

It’s been a whirlwind weekend in the Napa Valley celebrating my dear friend Mark Litz’s wedding to his wife Eugenia. This place is to-die-for gorgeous. Opulent, no doubt! But, oh so good! I don’t drink, but there is so much more to enjoy than just the wine. The food everywhere makes the mouth water upon the first scent. I’m enjoying breakfast at French Blue in St. Helena now. Sitting at the bar infront of the open kitchen and mesmerized by the craft & service.

I decided to camp this weekend, which has been a total gift. Runs in the mountains, overlooks upon vineyards, scents of grapes, birds chirping away, cool breezes, the works. It was funny coming back from the wedding in my suit to my tent. I love my crazy life!

I have met some really wonderful people this weekend and ran around with my new friend Kai from vineyard to vineyard. All these places are ‘by appointment’ only, but we just rock up, crash the party & see what flies. Oh so fun.

This mini-break away from NYC was just what I needed. I was considering canceling at the last moment, as things with our new business have been ramping up at rocket speed and my team really needs present. But after a 2am meditation, I decided that I needed to make the trip work as being present for my dear friend’s wedding was really important to both me and him. I’m glad I made this decision, although it has meant that I have been working all weekend. Thank goodness for technology. I was managing the renovation of our most recent property from 38k feet above earth, thanks to Virgin America’s nifty on-board wifi network.

Nature has a beautiful and elegant way of helping us put things in perspective and to reduce the impact of potential stressors on our energetic state. All I need to do is take in a deep breath and feel the breeze on my face and all is perfect as it is.

I now know what I need to do when I get back to New York. This web of chaos and mayhem has begun to untangle itself and my strategy to transform a challenge into an opportunity has become clear.

I am grateful for this time away in this special region, celebrating life with friends; new and old!

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

The world is a stage, we are all artists. - Steven (my A/C...

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:35:24 -0400

The world is a stage, we are all artists. - Steven (my A/C repair man)

There’s too many of you, not enough of me. - Wendell (upon being asked if he could be photographed)

Everything is an opportunity to learn and grow. It seems that everywhere I turn there is some inspiring lesson awaiting me. Yesterday’s big one came from Steven, the A/C repair man. Upon noticing that I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of his diagnosis, he offered the morsel ‘life will go on without us; there is nothing to stress about’. Steven kept throwing out beautiful one liners for over an hour and by the end of it, I was back in my calm state.

I love that everything in life is about perspective and the choices we make about which thoughts we will give power to. Last night, one of my house guests was talking about a book she had just read called Man’s Search for Meaning. She shared how the author had analysed the effects of seemingly insignificant decisions on our life. For example, in the Nazi concentration camp where the author had been imprisoned he noticed that on average, those prisoners that decided to wake up only a few moments later than required would die within 48 hours. Not because of their physical condition but rather that this signified that they had given up. She went on to go into further detail, but the point was clear; the mind is powerful beyond our imagination. How will we choose to use it in this gift we call life? Will we allow ourselves to suffer or will we become artists, crafting our experiences as our creative destiny? The choice is ours!

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

A picture speaks a thousand words! Which way are we headed, we...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 07:58:31 -0400

A picture speaks a thousand words! Which way are we headed, we the people or we are one? Look where ‘we the people’ has gotten us. As it is said, when something is not working, do the opposite.

‘We the people’ are one with nature; there is no separation. Everything is linked synergistically. When one species dominates over another, the system falls out of balance. This natural system we live on called Earth has a built in capacity to recalibrate itself to remain in balance. It does not favor one species over another. As such, if one species is harming the whole system, eventually the system will eliminate or correct the harmful species. This is the law of nature. And we see it play out before us each day. That is, if we are watching closely with open and aware eyes.

It seems clear today that our planet is quite out of balance and this is primarily due to a species called Human Beings. Interestingly, it has come to a point that we are killing one another off at rapid rates. Is this nature’s way of recalibrating balance into the system by killing off a cancerous eliminate? Yes, sounds harsh, but only from the perspective that Human Beings are more valuable than an ant, air, deer, water, birds, bees, etc., etc., etc. Oh, our hyperactive egos!

Isn’t it time for us to reconnect with nature and to realize our unity with all? When we look out into the world and observe with open eyes, it’s clear that all things flow when we are in harmony with nature. So why do we resist? Because we like our Prada shoes, our big cars, our big salaries and cushy jobs, our bragging rights? For what do the serve? Our ego?! Is happiness really feeding our ego? Or is it restoring unity with nature? Feeling oneness, love and compassion for all living things?

Let us all ask ourselves these questions and witness our actions. And before we take any action, may we ask ourselves whether we are serving a common good for all life.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

We keep holding on while the wheels keep turning; the perfect...

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:01:40 -0400

We keep holding on while the wheels keep turning; the perfect metaphor for the life of an avid cyclist.

I have vision for the world and it fuels all that I do. As I must be the change I seek in the world, my life is guided by a set of intentions for how I will live my life. They give me structure and a foundation upon which I manifest my visions. Things seem to be going quite well!

I am learning that while it is important to set intentions and remain focused on the vision we have for the world and our lives, there is a fine balance between attachment and simply allowing. When we become personally attached to our visions such that our happiness depends on them coming to fruition, we set ourselves up for disappointment and potentially significant suffering. Conversely, when we hold our visions yet let go and simply allow them to manifest themselves, there is a lightness & freedom that wills them into being. Our emotional state is liberated from the outcome. We are at peace, regardless of what happens. This is the way of the peaceful warrior. I am a student of these learnings. Care to join me?

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

Everything is connected! We attempt to compartmentalize our...

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 09:06:49 -0400

Everything is connected! We attempt to compartmentalize our lives to make things ‘easier’, but it’s not working. We are social creatures and thrive on our connection to one another and the greater cosmos. We create lives that seek security and that insulate us from danger. This lifestyle has disconnected us from nature and our fellow man. We have unintentionally opposed the laws of nature. When we look at the world around us today, we see clearly the unintended effects of our actions. We do not live in a silo. We need one another and we need to remain connected to all that surrounds us to thrive as human beings. Nature proves that we are one; all part of the same system. Individually unique in our journeys through life, yet united in our shared experience of life itself.

This morning I had a delightful conversation with a new guest that is staying with me. I so enjoy opening my home to others and am grateful for the opportunity to learn from all of these travelers from around the world. They all have unique stories and perspectives, yet we always seem to find a common ground; something that we share. We share stories and learn from one another. We are strangers, yet we are somehow friends. It is magic and I love it. Today I will bring a few my guests together to go dancing together with me. What a life!

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

Heart open, music floods in! Scratch the surface, smell the...

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 09:02:10 -0400

Heart open, music floods in! Scratch the surface, smell the roses, feel the pain, fall into the void and experience the bliss. Love is all that exists. Perspective changes everything. How will I relate to my experiences? The choice is mine. Will I fall into a pool of sadness or will I rise above, onto a bed of clouds? Will I remain balanced or will I allow the winds of change to sway me with each & every blow?

Experience has taught me many lessons. Practicing balance is the one that keeps ringing true in each waking moment. These past weeks have tested me in every which way. Thankfully I have built a chest of tools that aid me in those moments that challenge my patience. Yoga, meditation, connecting with breath, dance, running and the sorts all bring me back to a place of peace. I remain calm and measured in my response. I am so grateful to have gained these tools that help me remain balanced and connected to my deepest intentions.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

Chaos & Order; my two best friends! While...

Fri, 31 May 2013 09:27:04 -0400

Chaos & Order; my two best friends! While diametrically opposed energies, their tension creates worlds.

Over the years I’ve thought allot about this concept and these past days, even more so. Sometimes life is like a box of chocolates and other days it’s simply like a series of four-alarm fires. And in the end, it’s always about how we deal with it all. There are always going to be stressors in the world. Will we let them invade our energetic field or will we remain calm and balanced in the eye of the storm? This is where chaos & order meet.

The eye of the storm is where the real magic happens. Will we spin out of control, or will we harness the chaos and transform it into something new? When life is all honkey dory, there is no need to change things up. There is no impulse for growth. Yet when things get tough and start crumbling before us, we have two options. We can crumble under the pressure or we can rise above, get creative and allow something new to emerge. These tend to be the times when we are most creative. Tension breeds creativity. But only if we remain balanced and clear headed. When we get lost in the dark clouds of the chaos, we cannot see the order. In these times, we are called to rise above the dark clouds and look towards the horizon. We must seek to recreate order at a hire level. This is the process of growth. Magic happens here. Let us all create more magic together!

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

I woke up this morning and these words started ringing in my...

Thu, 30 May 2013 08:34:09 -0400

I woke up this morning and these words started ringing in my mind…People are people so why should it be that we get along so awfully. Good to know Depeche Mode is alive and well in my mind. Timeless!

I’ve been super fascinated these days by the blog Humans of New York. So much so that the inspiration is seeping into my dreams. It’s fascinating to hear what comes out of the mouths of every day New Yorkers.

It seems so clear that all we really want to do is love and be loved. So, why then do we behave so awfully to one another so often?

I reckon it is because we have become so consumed by our emotional scars from yesteryear that we have lost our ability to remain present in the moment. We are reactive beings that have fallen victim to our habits, behavioral patterns, perspectives, beliefs, judgements and overall programming. Instead of being in the moment and feeling fully whatever is passing through us, being with that feeling and allowing it to pass without holding onto judgement, we react in the moment instead of remaining calm and choosing a response that is in alignment with our deeper self. By reacting, we project whatever pain, suffering or joy out into the world that we are feeling at that moment. When we remain balanced, we are able to choose a response that is not emotionally charged in such a way that is not in direct alignment with our higher intentions.

If we desire to live in alignment with our deepest values and intentions, it is critical that we learn to become balanced observers of our emotional content, so that we may consciously choose how we would like to be in the world. By being the change, we shall witness the world around us transform. Let’s be that and do it!

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

Que Sera! The future will be! Wax Poetic. I believe. And...

Wed, 29 May 2013 09:42:00 -0400

Que Sera! The future will be! Wax Poetic. I believe. And life will go on. Nothing to change. Just be. Feel & flow. And grow! Feel the prescience glisten within. Sip its nectar. Dance in its delight. Nothing too serious. Enjoy it. Learn from it. Integrate it. Move on. There is no end, only a never ending journey. Who’s along for the ride?

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

If you don’t know Humans of New York, you must! Soooo...

Tue, 28 May 2013 07:59:55 -0400

If you don’t know Humans of New York, you must! Soooo awesomely addictive! People are so inspiring; especially New Yorkers. This town is full of interesting people whom migrate here to make something special of their lives. New York is both the most American and most un-American of towns in this crazy country. While mostly made up of non-natives, it is overly ambitious, confident and entrepreneurial; all very American qualities. There really is nothing like New York. There are very few places on the planet where the energy is so palpable that you can literally feel it dance on your skin. It pulses through us, enlivens us and carries us to place we may not have expected.

I came to New York on a whim nearly 17 years ago and never looked back. These years have flown by and have undeniably been the most transformative years of my life. I came here with a childhood dream. I wanted to help my friends make their dreams come true. To do so, I thought I needed to make a bunch of money, retire young and then do that. Naturally, NYC and specifically Wall St. seemed like a good place to start. So that’s what I did. Seven hundred dollars in my pocket and my lonely bag packed, I made the wild journey from my childhood home of Florida to NYC. For the first several months of my time here, I slept on a friend’s sofa which I occasionally shared with a little mouse that crawled up from the sewer. It was a wild time to say the least. While my soul didn’t mesh so well with the Wall St. ‘money thing’, it forced me to use what I had to manifest my dream much earlier than expected. Today, I can truly say I’m well on my way to reaching my childhood dream, although my perspective on ‘the friends’ I want to help has expanded to all that seek to promote a common good for all. I am so grateful for New York’s role in shaping my beautiful journey.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

It’s Memorial Day! A day for barbecues &...

Mon, 27 May 2013 09:04:47 -0400

It’s Memorial Day! A day for barbecues & celebration. For what? Who will we memorialize today? Our great fortune stands on the shoulders of others who stood before us; envisioning, creating and upholding the beliefs that we hold collectively as a nation. These are certainly worthy of a day of honor; when we remember their efforts and celebrate our nation.

Today might also be a great day for us to consider the value of sending our young men & woman off to war, so that they may one day be memorialized as well. What are they fighting for? The military, our way of life, or is it something else. Maybe they are fighting for oil, control and the almighty Corporate America? Do we believe in these things we fight for? And do we need to be fighting anyway? What happened to being the change we seek in the world? Imposing beliefs by force certainly hasn’t been so successful. Maybe it’s time for another way. Maybe we should consider standing for what we believe in, but not imposing those beliefs. Diversity is what makes the world go round. And it is not our responsibility to police the activities of others, even if we feel what they are doing is unjust. Force applied to force simply does not work. Haven’t we seen this to be true in our anti-terror tactics that simply breed more terror?

On this Memorial Day, let us collectively honor the past while contemplating a new path forward, were each of us stands up for what we believe in and live in alignment with these beliefs. Let us stop trying to change others, but rather be ourselves completely.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

What a weekend at brotha Casey’s Race Brook Lodge!...

Sun, 26 May 2013 11:11:28 -0400

What a weekend at brotha Casey’s Race Brook Lodge! Singing, dancing, cooking, stories, farming; to name a few. I finally put my Prada boots to good use tilling the field in the rain. Potting seeds, planting herbs, designing the crop layout; the perfect balance to my Brooklyn-lifestyle. Last night’s Kirtan at Sruti Yoga was mesmerizing. Our entire crew seemed to float all the way back to our barn domicile, where we capped of the evening with singing and dancing to childhood classics. This morning we ran over to the local organic gay farmer to get some fresh eggs & veggies for our home-cooked breakfast, where he explained how stinging nettles are cooked in more countries than I could possibly remember. I love the Berkshires; by the way! There really is not much better than a home-cooked & shared meal amongst friends on a Sunday morning, in a barn, as the sun floods in from the lush forest.

I value community as one of our most valuable resources and components to a worth living. In a rapidly evolving world, it is our friends that provide the security and stability to sustain ourselves through turbulent times. We come together to share our skills and resources by supporting one another. The impact of community on my life cannot be quantified yet the quality of my life is infinitely improved. I am forever grateful and continue to invest in nurturing its blossoming fruits.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

I escaped the city and am hanging with a few dear friends this...

Sat, 25 May 2013 09:29:53 -0400

I escaped the city and am hanging with a few dear friends this weekend up in the Berkshires. It’s rainy, luscious and green. I’m sitting in a beautifully restored barn infront of a wall of windows; watching the rainwater race through the brook outside. Some friends are enjoying a delicious morning yoga session just next to me as I type away here. I feel warm, cosy, full of joy & grateful for this experience.

Earlier we spoke about this incredible transformation occurring around us, seeping into just about every aspect of our lives. It is such an inspiring opportunity for growth, yet challenging all the same. Change is never easy, but with a positive attitude, it is always exciting. Together, we are meeting this challenge and opportunity graciously with our hearts open. We do not know where this path we are on will lead us, yet we meet each experience as an opportunity to learn, grow and transcend It’s always about the journey, not the destination. We have faith, although it is not blind. We are learning to love ourselves and embrace our gifts and unique skills. We understand our abilities and use them to propel us towards the life we intend to live. Our faith is balanced by intention and conscious action. We are grounded in reality, yet our eyes (and hearts) look towards the horizon. We know where we are going. Although we do not know our exact route, we are confident that we shall arrive at the destination. And surely there will be course corrections along the way. We are agile and adaptive. Knowing when to pivot is critical and part of the joy in life. We expect the unexpected and are ready to stand in wonderment of the moment. Like children, we embrace the new with open arms and are always ready to play. Come play with us!

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

Love songs…they are oh so adorable! I love my...

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:56:37 -0400

Love songs…they are oh so adorable! I love my ‘love’ morning playlists. They set the tone for my day and send me off into the world connected to my heart space. They remind me of what life is all about…loving thyself and loving others.

It’s so easy and enjoyable to love, yet so hard & painful when we let go of love. So why have so many of us lost this love? Maybe it’s still there, we just lost our ability to feel it. Maybe we have numbed ourselves, in an attempt to avoid feeling pain. But this numbing goes both ways. When we play with our experiences to manipulate our emotions and feelings, we numb ourselves from the good feelings along with the bad ones.

Many say our goal in life is to be happy. I don’t think so. I think all we as humans really want is to feel, feel something, feel anything; the good and the bad. All of it! When we learn to embrace all feelings, we can truly experience peace on earth. This, I argue, is what we are seeking as human beings; not just happiness.

People, let’s stop craving. Let’s stop avoiding. May we all just be. Enjoy all that life serves up. The good with the bad, for it is ALL GOOD! Drink it all in.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

‘My mom has made me feel like the most special guy on the...

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:09:46 -0400

‘My mom has made me feel like the most special guy on the planet every day of my life.’ On this day, his mother has something even more for which to be proud. Her son just sold his most prized creation to Yahoo! for $1.1 billion. Yep, this is 26 year old David Karp, founder of Tumblr.

This story is even more beautiful & interesting because David seems to be a guy that was brought up in such an environment where he was empowered to follow his dreams and go with his instincts. A high school drop-out, Karp seems to have always played by his rules. And at 26 he runs a company with 175 employees, most his age.

This is the new world we live in. There are no boundaries, except for those we create for ourselves. And the rules of engagement have completely changed. It can be hard to know what our next move should be when everything we once knew to be true is no longer. And so, it is critical that we remain grounded, awake and aware, yet always with our eyes, ears, head and heart focused on our dreams. They can and will come true if each conscious action takes us one step closer.

It’s Internet Week in NYC. I have some guests staying with me from Prague that represent this new age of digital nomads, building their business on planes, trains and foreign lands. They are home here. Absorbing and embracing the new, they represent a new class of global citizens that will become our new world power; one forming outside of nation states. This will be an interesting transition that is among us now.

Last night I attended a gathering of social & tech entrepreneurs that are building organizations that embrace business principles and adapt them as a vessel to do good in the world. It was nice to be the older guy in the room, speaking with the next wave of visionaries that will carry the torch into a much more just and peaceful world. I am so grateful to be part of this exciting movement. Join me!

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!

I was the target of some madness last night. It was in...

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:32:50 -0400

I was the target of some madness last night. It was in interesting experience to witness. As I remained calm and clear headed, the subject paced back & forth, spewing out agression in the form of unkind words and distorted facts. While I was the target of this individual’s anger, it was clear that I was not the source. Instead of taking this aggressive communication personally, I remained calm, connected with my breath and continued to witness the sensations on my body. At first, I felt some contraction in my body. I was mildly shaken, but mostly saddened. I knew I needed to remain firm and stand my ground, yet I also felt compassion for this individual’s discomfort. Instead of reacting to this attack, I was able to calmly choose my responses with full awareness of the impact of the words I chose. Unfortunately, the individual was not able to calm and have a conversation that might lead to an amicable resolution. Instead they hardened, closed and ran away. I chose to enter a quite place and meditate, clearing my mind. Connected with my heart space, I arose from my silence feeling love and compassion for this individual. I continue to send love. I am confident the situation will resolve itself with grace in time.

Pure Love & Light,

RYAN!