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

I support causes by supporting individuals.

Only Follower I Worry About part 3, Perfect Brother

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IMG_5185 Only Follower I Worry About part 3, Perfect Brother
Manolo, Mauro, Raúl, Alex, and Birthday Boy (Javier) @ Fashion Institute of Technology Dorm Rooms

A small tradition in my blog every October 13th, 2012 is to write and dedicate one post to my younger brother Javier. My first post was on how I want to be a leader for him and the other one was on how he is a great parenting coach.

Since 2004 I have to say that at this time of year I am usually near or have been near my brother to spend at least a few days with him. It has been over a year that I hugged and kissed my brother I have to say I am longing for one of his bear hugs.

Today’s is my younger brother’s Javier’s Birthday and I would have loved being physically near him. Even more importantly getting a birthday hug and kiss from his niece while spending time with him would have been an awesome gift (even for me). I guess will have to use the magic of the Internet since my brother is in Connecticut and we are in Puerto Rico.

Being a fan of my brother makes me sometimes a bit angry when I can’t be as close to him as I wish. But reality is our interests are different; our lives grew apart, but he still has part of my heart.

My parents returned to Connecticut in 1998 and at that moment I stayed in Puerto Rico while my brother went with them. From that moment on spending time with my brother has equated to a few days a year. This year we are at zero days of spending time together and this is something difficult for me.

My battle this year is to stay close to my brother at least in spirit and heart by trying to get a hold of him on his busy schedule. He has the bad habit of his brother (me) of being a workaholic and forgetting other things need to be balanced.

I understand him completely because sometimes our responsibilities take charge of us.

In life we have to sacrifice something to be able to enjoy others. If I want to live near the beach and have my daughter grow up in my homeland, that means she is not going to be close physically to my younger brother.

I love my brother dearly I wish him the best. I want to see him succeed. Sometimes (or maybe most of the time) I am a pain in the butt. The only reason I act this way is because I want him to be better than me.

My brother’s qualities are ones I wish I could absorb from him. His way of dealing with people and leading a group is something I might not ever learn or be able to replicate.

As I look back and see how much I ask of my brother I realize that I really have to apologize because I ask so much of him. Sometimes I forget that I too have my faults.

My apologies Javi. You are an awesome human, great dad, remarkable son, cool co-worker, sweet grand-son, funny tio, and the perfect brother.

Some people might not agree that people are perfect but in my case you are the perfect brother for me.

Thanks for teaching me so much even when you might feel your not meeting my expectations. My love for you Javier is unconditional and I will always have you close to my heart and be here for you.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Hermanito!

The only follower I worry about Pt 2, My Parenting Coach

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I rarely create follow up posts but I guess this is an exception to a post I wrote a year ago (The only follower I worry about).

In a world where too many are extremely worried of who is following (Twitter), friending (facebook), or circling (Google +) and forgetting about genuine engagement I am always making sure that my family is closest to me.

Like I wrote last year the only follower I worry about losing is my younger brother Javier. Before I wrote the previous post I was getting ready to be a Dad. The only experiences I had while being one was taking care of our black Labrador Juanga. Javier on the other side although younger than me to took the challenge of being a Dad before me.

On many occasions I end up being the person giving my brother Javier advice and throughout the year I have to say that he has end up teaching many things so it has been an even exchange of thoughts, ideas, and other very useful life lessons.

My Brother as a Parenting Coach

When @danielalcolon was born last December my brother came in for a few days after she was born to meet his niece and also help out. During those days I injured my back and thankfully my brother took care of some of my tasks. Being a new dad kept me at a higher pace than my body could handle and for that reason I ended up in bed for a few days. Thankfully my brother was there to help us and even change a few of Daniela’s diapers.

I also learned many parenting tips from my brother on what baby wipes to buy how to cycle them out and not buy the same brand to limit the probability of an allergy. That and many useful tips that as a father for 9+ months I have used and have helped me greatly.

The Workaholic

I have to also thank my brother for not making me feel like I am the only human being in the family that is thinking of work at all time. Although my older brother Luis is part of the Workaholic Colón clan I see how my younger brother does focus a lot on his job and does whatever needs to be accomplished.

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My brother Javier preparing me a Pizza

The best Slice of Pizza Hut Pizza I have tasted

I have never been a Pizza Hut fan but I guess when my brother’s hands make the Pizza then it changes scenario completely. Last week I was visiting my family and had a chance to see our grandma America who is very ill and I went to his job place that is currently the new PIzza Hut in Bridgeport.  While being there I asked my brother to prepare me the veggie pizza. Maybe I am biased but it has been the best Pizza Hut Pizza I have ever had and it was made with my brother’s hands.

Seeing how detailed oriented my brother is at his job fills me with joy. I am very proud that he is working at a place where he actually enjoys what he does while he earns a living.

How Connected Javier and I Are

While I was in Bridgeport my brother Javier accompanies me to an event of my client the Puerto Rican Parade of Fairfield County (prpfc.org). We both got ready in separate places and when we met up to take off to the venue I realized that my brother was wearing the same color shirt I was going to wear. I never wear that shirt but that day we ended up wearing almost the same color shirt. We had an awesome time meeting great people I had interacted with online but had not met in person.

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@bambambpt, @rj_c, & @javierrcolon (my brother)

Being so connected to my brother seeing how every year we get an older but learn many lessons. Some lessons we learn together but most of them we are on our own. Seeing how he makes better decisions every day to improve his lifestyle and the opportunities ahead of him.

Once again I don’t want to lose the following of my brother so I make sure I also follow him. Overall I have to say that when it comes to dealing with other people he is a much better leader than I am. He has a unique way to get people to relate to him and understand what he needs. On my side I just speak my mind and try to help those around me wishing someone were interested in listening to what I have to say.

I see my brother who can quickly gather a few individuals and get them going with a lot more ease than I can.

Thankfully most readers like you in my blog are more focused on creating relationships and not on how is following your or the count. But there is no better feeling than being connected to those that matter.

No matter what the situation is I don’t want to lose contact with my brother and the rest of my family. I want my brother to follow me because I am also willing to follow him.

Online channels can bring lots of good and bad things. Thankfully technology has helped me stay closer to my brother since I only get to see him for a few days a year.

My brother’s drive is the same drive I have to get ahead. We both take different roads but we are both seeking opportunities to find what each of us thinks success should be like.

I send many positive vibes to my brother and his family and once again saying Happy Birthday and words really can’t express how proud I feel of him.

Thank you for being an awesome brother and may the future bring you more positive things (just make sure to share them with me, LOL just kidding).

I Love You Javi!

 

 

The Only Follower I Worry About!

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I make sure everyday I can lead the way for him!

Out of the people that I follow on twitter or any other channel I Do Worry if this Person stops following me!
I remember 26 years ago on this date being 4 years old and receiving news that impacted me in a positive way.
I remember my Uncle Carmelo was getting married and my mom had been rushed to the hospital earlier. As we where getting ready for my uncle’s wedding my Dad gave me the great news that my Younger Brother Javier had been born.

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The Earliest Photo of me and my brother bonding

From that moment on I have felt a strong responsibility in protecting my brother and providing him with whatever he needs. Yesterday I wrote a post on this blog related to the obsession of people wanting followers for the numbers.
I still don’ t get why people are so obsessed with having random people following them when in some occasions they don’t really care about other people and those other people don’t care about them.

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My First Puerto Rico Boy Scout Camp Out with my Brother,

Ponce, PR Summer 1992

Being that today was my brother’s birthday I noticed that I would worry if Javier stops following me.

The main reason I worry if he does not follow me is because I sincerely care for him and love him. Throughout the years my brother has become a man who I admire for all the great things he does.

He has a great heart and is a very sacrificed father.

I have always tried my hardest to serve as an example for my brother to follow. On many occasions I might have failed him (nobody’s perfect) but overall I think I have done a fairly good job.

I remember when we where kids and he always looked up to me for everything. He would tell kids at the park how great I played basketball, football, baseball, and that I ran faster than most of them.

Reality was that my brother was blinded by love and he saw me as an action hero even though I was average at sports.

He was such a great follower that even when growing up in a rough neighborhood when we ran into trouble he would not think twice into stepping into harms way to make sure I was ok (even though he was a lot younger than me). He became fearless and his primary motivation was to protect his older brother.

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A Good Example of My Brother Protecting Me

During my 30 years I have lead people in many scenarios from the Army to IT Consulting projects but I have never felt better satisfaction than being a leader for my brother.
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Quality Time with my Brother September 2007
I only wished that he was closer. I don’t think he understand how grateful I was that I got to spend a lot of quality time with him this past week. Having the opportunity to go see a Broadway play was one of the peaks of my complete month of traveling but what made it more special was his presence.
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“In The Heights” Broadway
Before Watching in the Heights on Broadway October 3, 2010
So please join me in leaving birthday wishes for my youngest brother Javier.
I really love him.
Although I know this blog post will not top your friends Birthday Cake from last year but at least I tried.
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So if at any moment I need to worry about losing a follower it would be losing the trust and following of my youngest brother. But something I have realized is that I have also always been there for him as his #1 Follower and I love him dearly.

More Photos of My Brother and I

Happy Birthday!