Raul Colon - photographer, digital marketer & writer living on the beach in Puerto Rico.

I support causes by supporting individuals.

My 3 words for 2013

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3-words-for-2013-raul-colon-1024x768 My 3 words for 2013

Many people go crazy by creating resolutions and of goals that they probably don’t believe they are going to reach during the first few weeks or days of the new year.

While I was doing my last workout of 2012 yesterday with our neighbor’s husband who is German and lives in Romania part of the year explained how many wanted a new experiences but welcomed the new year with old bad habits. At the moment that particular moment there where people eating and drinking uncontrollably, most of them drunk already, and it was only 4 pm.

He explained that their behavior identified the new years resolutions of having a bigger gut and degrading their health.

Welcoming the New Year with a 6 mile run!

His thoughts made me think of how as a person that is constantly looking to evolve into healthier habits maybe I had to start the year in a new way. I quickly shifted my mind into just waiting for the New Year to make noise and hug people that are near me to lying down next to my daughter (who was sleeping) getting rest to make sure I could get up and run at least 6 miles in the morning.

The 3 Words Concept

For me the past 3 years I start the New Year by choosing 3 words that will guide me throughout the year.

My friend and colleague Chris Brogan introduced me to this exercise. For the past few years Chris publishes a blog post sharing what his three words of the year will be. If you want more detail on how he uses and explains the concept (feel free to stop over his 3 words for 2013 and read through the post).

How I use the Three Word Concept

I use the three-word concept as a guide to focus on certain areas I need to improve on. In previous years I put some post in notes in front of my desk with the 3 words as a reminder. This year I am planning to take the first pictures I take this year add my 3 words and print them out to place in strategic places as reminders. I will create a follow up post on things I plan to do to remind myself of the 3 words that will guide me throughout 2013.

My 3 Words Over the Years

2011 – Renew, Focus, and Complete

2012 – Sharing, Purpose, and Organic

My 3 words for 2013

 

Fluid

I have a tendency to start resisting once something discomforts me. I have been very lucky to have people around me like Melvin, Chris B., Resat, Robbie Vorhaus, and Lucy helping me focus and not resist things that drain energy from me.

I believe that by being more fluid in many personal decisions I can also cover many of the gaps I see need to be filled in my business by using my resources to strengthen them.

I want to have the ability to flow around obstacles and take the form needed to solve most of my personal and business challenges.

Control

Taking control of my emotions ties well with being fluid. Even though I have gotten better at it I tend to allow others to take control of my emotions more often than I should. As C.C. Chapman explains in his book Amazing Things Will Happen you have to be like a duck and continue to move under adversity.

I will also work on controlling when to stop to enjoy moments that will not return. As I was completing the draft of this post on New Year’s Day my daughter approached me with a few requests. I dropped everything and took care of her made her giggle and smile. I knew that you could wait longer to read this post but my daughter needed my love and attention at that moment (and that just could not wait, I hope you understand).

Too many times I see myself and others attacking secondary priorities (ex. Work) and not taking care of their key priorities (ex. Family). Time moves on and people get caught up in mortgages, bills, and other things that take away and drain a family’s resources. Make sure you control how you use your resources so you can be lean and always make those loved ones in your life a priority. We are only here on this earth for a short period of time.

I will also look into controlling some aspects when it comes to business decisions finding a balance in between logic and my gut feeling.

Brevity

In 2012 I wrote less than previous years. I also worked harder to make sure I was listening to others. I like to share stories and experiences but sometimes I take away from being able to absorb the experiences from those around me.

If someone reminded me in 2012 that brevity is highly important was Mr. Chris Brogan. In 2013 I am deeply committing towards being more concise and precise in everything I do.

Which in once sentences means talking less and listening more.

What are your Three Words?

I followed Chris Brogan’s lead for the past 3 years and I have gotten lots of value throughout the year by being able to use these 3 words I choose as a guide to making better overall decisions.

I would love to hear what your 3 words are?

Feel free to share your 3 words in the comments are or a link of where you described them.

Have an awesome 2013 I am sure I will make the best of mine!

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Isla Verde New Year’s Day 2013 with my 3 words for the year.

This pic was taken at Isla Verde Beach here in Puerto Rico after my 6 mile run  New Year’s morning with my running partner Leonardo!

 

 

Science, Rock, Reading, & Eating Well

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IMG_4268-1024x609 Science, Rock, Reading, & Eating Well

I rarely go to local events. I spend more time reading blogs and interacting with people either at the beach or online than actually making it to a specific social gathering.

I have to find valuable reasons and connections to go out and meet-up with people these days. I love music and going to an event like El Independiente created by my friends over at Puerto Rico Indie, connects me with folks who love all types of music and can provide their perspectives on the messages the artists are conveying.

The other event is when Angiemille Latorre sends me an invite to Seriously Creative’s Pecha Kucha events. Since the event focuses on solving some of Puerto Rico’s overall issues, I want to be present to meet people doing many things for our well being.

In the first and second Pecha Kucha I attended, I took lots of notes. But on this occasion, I really wanted to absorb what was being shared. For that reason, I am sharing a quick recap of what I took away from the Pecha Kucha.

Books Politicians should read

The first Pecha Kucha, “The Bedtime Story”, was given by Dana Montenegro. Once again, he did an excellent job of setting the tone and suggesting a list of books that our future governor should read.  I will put a few of them into my own reading list.

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Unfit for Print

Next was Gianpaolo Pietri who presented and spoke about his platform Yasta.pr. Gianpaolo had many ideas to share with the public but the short presentation format worked against him. I did get to know more about his background as an architect, which helped me understand his presentation a bit more.

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I would have liked learning a few the issues Yasta.pr is trying to resolve from the aspect of news sharing. Maybe I can catch up with Gianpaolo and get more detail into what he does in the near future.

Eat and Request Quality Food

Tara Rodriguez, Founder of El Departamento de la Comida, presented the third Pecha Kucha of the night. She gave a continuation of her TedX talk San Juan talk. She mentioned some of the efforts she is working on to make healthy food options more accessible.

One statement she made that resonated with me was how local restaurants want to give customers what THEY feel like offering not what the customer wants or needs.

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The same example she provided happened to me a few days ago on my last visit to PF Changs here in San Juan. They did not want to modify one of their plates that I have asked for on many occasions into a Vegan option. After talking to the Manager on duty and the chef, they ultimately created the plate I wanted and not what they wanted to serve me.

Creating Bad Ass Scientists by Educating with Music

Ignacio Peña gave the fourth presentation called, “El Gran Debate del Planeta Tierra”. Ignacio, a Puerto Rican Musician, is using his creativity and musical talent to educate kids about science and integrating it to pop culture. He is working towards helping kids see that the real challenges come from trying to get more knowledge into our daily lives.

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Ignacio wants to make sure kids understand that being bad ass is being a scientist; someone who is going to find solutions and be disruptive while reaching a goal ultimately helping others with a solution.

I also had the chance to talk to Ignacio about our Blog Papaheroes and he invited me to his event El Gran Debate de la Planeta Tierra that I will be attending thanks to an invite from the producer Simon Carillo.

Another Pecha Kucha Style Experience

Overall it was another night where I got to meet some awesome new people from a diversity of backgrounds and I hope to stay up to date on the projects they are involved in.

PS – Before I left that night I found a very harmless Ghost in one of the chalkboards in the restroom. Creativity at its best.

Vegan Ghost

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It’s Fun to Accept Failure #PechaKucha

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IMG_0159-1024x768 It’s Fun to Accept Failure #PechaKucha

The advantage of collaborating with Mark Hayward for the #140Meetup was getting to meet Dana Montenegro and Angiemille Latorre from Seriously Creative.

Being invited to my second Pecha Kucha served as an opportunity to remind us on finding solutions and collaborating more if we want to improve our environments.

On arrival I chatted with Ramphis Castro regarding the info graphic going around online of money flow from Puerto Rico to the United States. I was happy to hear feedback from someone like Ramphis. As a blogger there is no greater feeling than someone confirming that you created a healthy conversation.

Talking about Fun

Dana Montenegro started the event by setting a good tone for the next speakers.

Change is something difficult to deal with but Dana reminds us how when in Pre-School mostly everything we was fun.

Some of Dana’s examples of how behavior changes where made fun from Volkswagen’s The Fun Theory:

Video: The Fast Lane

Video: Bottle Bank Arcade

Video: Piano Stairs

Video: The World’s Deepest Bin

Video: The Speed Camera Lottery

Before Dana introduced the next speaker he reminded us all that waiting for others (especially government) to solve our problems is not an option.

IMG_0160-300x225 It’s Fun to Accept Failure #PechaKucha

Making Failure a Part of Success

Joaquin Rodriguez Kierce from Neuron Igniters gave the 2nd Pecha Kucha on Failure and although it was his first time presenting a Pecha Kucha it appeared like he does this every day. His message of accepting failure and how failing quickly and in a cost-effective way will help you succeed in the future.

He made the point on how failure is in our heads but an opportunity is lurking around us. He also spoke on how if every Island Resident took a project our Puerto Rico’s future could positively change direction.

Someone from the audience made a very valid point.

Failure is equal to remaining inactive.

Trying something out and going for it should be perceived as a success.

Another example from those who attended was how people wait for a job to be created for instead of creating a job.

ConPRmetidos

The night ended with Isabel Rullán who spoke about the project ConPRmetidos. I really like the idea of how they are attempting to unite many of the social efforts.

I commented how we all need to put the spotlight on those companies that are focused on social good. Many non-for-profits are created for business reasons.

I have to thank Angie, Dana, and the Seriously Creative team for inviting me and helping me get some refreshing insight from those that struggle and live here on the island.

Honoring The Fallen!

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Memorial Day Weekend 2005  – photo credit: Raúl

The first time Lucy and I visited D.C. was in 2005 on Memorial Day weekend.

We reached D.C. at 4pm and walked for hours. We finally gave up bit over midnight and decided to head back to the hotel.

On Saturday we woke up as early trying to do as much as our short visit would allow us.

I wanted to go visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was a priority for me because while in Army basic training one of my Drill Sergeants had been a Sentinel (3rd US Infantry Regiment) a small group of soldiers (less than 550) that since 1937 have guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 24/7.

Rolling Thunder

While walking we noticed the sound of thousands of Bikes or better said”Rolling Thunder“.

Rolling Thunder is made up of people who travel from all over the globe to D.C. to honor the fallen by riding there bikes. I was impressed by the logistics on how all of these bikers where coordinating their entrance into Arlington Cemetery.

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We arrived into the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier when Rolling Thuder was having a ceremony laying down flowers in memory of the fallen. I was also very impressed with the Sentinel’s precision while patrolling the tomb.

One of our next stops was area where they had artists making representations of the fallen service members from Iraq and Afghanistan. I would have never guessed the emotions that would take over me that afternoon. As I walked over to commemorate those fallen soldiers by observing the art and getting to know more about them I realize how much in common I had with many of them.

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More Pictures on My Flickr Set

I had just turned 25, almost 8 years after enlisting in the Army at the age of 17. I was lucky enough that I enlisted and my contract ended just when the Iraq and Afghanistan war needed more personnel.

When I look at the average age of the fallen they where mostly younger than me. I finally broke down into tears when I approached an area where I identified images of servicemen from Puerto Rico. Someone had been nice enough to place a flag over each picture. It really shocked me that an island of approximately 4 million people  with limited rights as citizens had a higher proportion of flags than any other territory.

Looking into a few more pictures, I realized I had known one of the reservists who died in combat. I could not contain myself and it took me quite some time to stop crying (I confess that as I am writing just the memory of that moment made me drop a tear or two).

It could have been Me

I had never lost control of myself by crying in a public place as an adult in front of strangers (who where mostly sharing the same emotions as I was). There I was having a blast that weekend and enjoying my time, learning about history, eating well, drinking, and I realize that I could have been any of those service members who an artist painted in memory of them.

Out of gratitude from that moment on I make sure that every Memorial Day I do something for a service member or their families. I make it a purpose by commemorating the fallen.

Make it your Priority Too

So while you have your BBQ’s think of a few things you can do for those veterans that are still around us.

Here are a 3 quick and easy suggestions:

  1. Donate to the Fisher House an organization helping military families in many ways.
  2. Donate to Invisible People my Friend Mark Hovarth does a great job creating awareness of veterans who are homeless. Look at Jimmy’s and Paul’s Story.
  3. Donate Your Airline Miles.

Most Importantly make some time to learn about those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

7274290628_2102370fea Honoring The Fallen!

Easy Way to Share Video

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Screen-Shot-2012-05-24-at-10.55.42-PM Easy Way to Share Video

On my visit to SXSW (South by Southwest) I was able to meet Jade Kurian president of Latakoo a video service that makes creating and sharing video easier. They also made me create a short video based on my SXSW experience.

Creating Video Easier

The reason I stopped at the Latakoo booth on the Trade Show Floor was because I have huge issues creating video. I know I need to learn more about it and as I experiment I see even more need for improvements.

There are so many moving parts to creating online video include having hardware, software, an idea, connection, and lots of time on the part of uploading the video your sharing.

Video Glitch by Skype Recorder

Jade Kurian was nice enough to offer me an online video interview via skype which I attempted to record using Skype Recorder.

During the interview I learned a lot from Jade and the many benefits that Latakoo offers as an online video platform. A few days went by and when I went to edit the video I realized that the audio on my video was not recorded and my video image was still in one frame. Confirming my learning curve when it comes to creating video.

Since the video I attempted to record seems looks more like a monologue I rather focus on the three key benefits I see in Latakoo.

Time Saver

When you upload a video to Youtube and other services, Latakoo makes it quicker for you to bring any video online. So if you are covering an event for your blog or have a need to bring video up as quick as possible then Latakoo is a the platform you may want to use as your first option.

Security

With Latakoo you can also share videos with a group of specific people such as friends or family members. The main reason I set up a website with security for my daughter was because I did not want everyone having access to her photos and videos. If you are not in the business of building websites and want to have a secure platform, sharing videos on Latakoo can provide that for you.

Remote Collaboration

When you work online sometimes you want to share quality video with someone at another location. With most platforms I know of there are too many steps in the process.

I can also take care of clients in England, Mexico, and all over the United States while I enjoy living in the tropics in Puerto Rico.

Latakoo does great for collaboration when sharing a file of videos remote users and he/she can even edit and polish the video. Latakoo has multiple clients in the Journalism field that benefit greatly from this service.

 

I want to thank Jade Kurian for the time she gave me helping me understand Latakoo and watch this video that she created on some great tips on shooting video for the iPhone.

Feel free to learn more about Latakoo on their website or follow them on twitter @latakoo.