Inspiration, Gumball and Kiplinger

I wish I had some great excuse for why I haven’t posted since I’ve been to DC but the real reason is simple; I’ve lacked inspiration up until now. While DC is chalked full of awesome things to do, I’ve had a hard time finding my place here thus far. I have done amazing things with amazing people, such as seen John Mayer and Arcade Fire play outdoor concerts, gone tubing on the Shenandoah River, played and danced by the monuments at night and other such great things. However, still in this month here, something is missing.

In Lansing, because I was connected to so many great groups of people, movements and initiatives, such as Gumball, YSG, the TIC, etc. I felt like my life had purpose well beyond achieving 4.0s in all my classes. In DC, despite the abundance of nightlife and culture and the steady job I have, I haven’t felt that connection or purpose outside of my work yet. Everyone keeps telling me it comes with time, but I also know I have to continue to be proactive to make it happen. Last week, I connected with other recent MSU grads, who surprisingly felt very similarly. With this small group, I am making my own Gumball group here in order to fill the void left by leaving the best group of motivators I’ve ever had in my life.

For those of you who do not know what Gumball is, you probably think I’m crazy. Gumball started as a small group of committed and driven young adults, who felt they didn’t quite fit into the typical confines of a University club or group. Instead the students worked outside of the system, meeting at Harpers, a local restaurant and bar, every Friday at 5 to discuss different start-ups, projects, events, initiatives, etc. that they were working on. Typical discussions revolved around collaborating to resolve conflicts or roadblocks these individuals faced. Within the group and the group’s contacts, students and recent graduates were able to create some of the best spider webs of networks of anyone at Michigan State University or in the greater Lansing region. Individuals also motivated the other individuals to remain committed to what they were working on and to act on the great ideas floated around the group. While I’m not sure what this new #gumballDC will bring, I feel pretty confident that it could organically grow into not an exact copy of my old gumball group, but a new unique and inspiring group of individuals.

I know some people can feel inspired after listening to a great song, seeing a great piece of architecture or reading a stimulating book; I don’t. Plain and simple, I’m inspired and motivated by those around me, individuals that push me to find meaning in my life outside of my 8-6 by becoming involved in my community and by being part of a solution to challenges and threats all around me.

I know many in this country and even Michigan found it surprising that Kiplinger magazine named Lansing as one of the top 10 cities for young adults, but I don’t. For young individuals looking to be a part of something, like the change in Michigan from a manufacturing based economy to one characterized by small businesses, creativity and technology, Lansing is the place to be. A city can have amazing culture and nightlife, awesome architecture, abundant jobs and all the other right statistics but if it doesn’t have the intangibles of inspiration and meaning, it’s not going to feel like home for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I still think I can find what I’m looking for here in DC but like my mother says, “it’s going to take time,” and well, effort on my part. Inspiration and motivation isn’t something that just walks up to you and says hello, sometimes you have to look for it.

If you want to read more about YSG, Gumball and other movements in the greater Lansing region, I suggest you check out these articles:

http://www.capitalgainsmedia.com/features/ysglansing0347.aspx… all about YSG in Lansing.

http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/02/from_recession_to_reinvention… featuring Gumball and my friend Eric!

My cousin and I at Jazz in the Sculpture Gardens

Hawaii: Jobs + Natural Beauty= A GenYs Paradise?

Aloha from beautiful Hawaii! I’ve spent the last few days on the Big Island, snorkeling, swimming with sea turtles, viewing spectacular waterfalls and sitting on Hapuna Beach, one of the most beautiful beach in the world (its sand is imported from Australia, however).  

To me, the Big Island has everything a young, adventurous Gen Y could dream of, from thrilling adventures to relaxing places of solitude. However, my brother and I have spotted next to none adventurous twenty something year olds. Trust me; we’ve been on the lookout for members of the opposite sex.

There are plenty of rational explanations for this; Hawaii is expensive and twenty somethings can’t afford it. I also am staying in Kona, a cliché tourist town for retirees. However, I’ve gotten away from Kona to the adventure locations and even went out with local family friends and still didn’t really see GenYers. So, being the nerd I am, I did some demographic research on Hawaii. The best stats I could find ranks Hawaii as the third worst state of out-migration of those with college degrees.  Many newspaper  and scholarly articles also refer to Hawaii’s young talent brain drain. Some articles are optimistic, however, that after years of gaining skills (and money I’m assuming), the thirty something crowd does boomerang back to Hawaii.

Hawaii has all the cultural and physical amenities that Gen Y is typically said to look for: Adventure, a beautiful surrounding, space to build their own home (at least on the Big Island), and an active nightlife.

Snorkeling at Kahalu'u Bay!

There’s also a strong sustainability movement with energy diversification and the use of recycled materials. Also important to note, Hawaii has only a 6.8% unemployment rate, below the 9.5% national average for March, 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So if Hawaii has jobs and the natural amenities that Generation Y is clamoring for… why haven’t I seen any during my stay here?

Hawaii is a perfect example that much more than surroundings and basic jobs matter for us. Meaningful jobs matter and with most people employed in tourism in Hawaii (24%), the type of jobs Generation Y is looking for here, are just not found in abundance. A Gen Y could have a pretty lush life here, working an 8-5 job that paid the bills and allowed them to surf on the weekends and enjoy a good life. However, I am guessing they are still looking for more meaning/challenge to life.

P.S. Don’t worry, I didn’t waste a day out of my fabulous vacation to write this. I got too burnt yesterday to even really be outside today. I guess two applications of SPF 50 isn’t enough for my ivory tinted skin! Blogging with Kona coffee is a wonderful refugee for my pain!

We took a great tour of Greenwell Kona Coffee Farm!