Ok - so I’m probably not qualified to tell you what to do with your life. I am after all, an eccentric, crazy bastard from Maine. :p

If you’re happy, great, keep doing what you’re doing. But, maybe you’ll get some inspiration from what I have figured out.

I’ve Learned That

I’ve realized that life is beautiful, and life is great. In the last 8 months, I’ve become a better person - I’m more patient, free and joyous. I’ve made a lot of friends and connections. I’ve learned to appreciate the little things, like fresh air, hiking in MDI or exploring New York. I’ve learned to slow down, not rush, stop and smell the flowers, cook, clean, watch movies and finish books. I’ve been humbled, but I’ve had my self-esteem and self-love grow. I’ve experienced both ecstasy and depression, but I am better for it. I’ve learned to listen to my body, eat well and take care of it.

I’ve Learned Not To

I’ve learned not to give myself such a hard time, not be such a perfectionist, and that I don’t need to be #1. I’ve learned not to disregard the value of my independence, my freedom, and my time. I’ve learned not to neglect exercise, writing, reading and reflection.

At the same time, I’m the same person I was before: my essence never changed. I just learned some new things about myself and the world, accentuated characteristics that I enjoyed and wanted to exhibit.

On Money and Wealth

I’ve realized that I am a very social, unique-being, that my essence, soul and laughter can’t be molded into a corporate culture.

I realized I don’t want to get rich quick and retire when I’m 30, but I like the idea of hustling and enjoying the ride.

I’ve thought about what I would want to do if money wasn’t a factor. I’ve gotten ok with disappointing my parents. I’ve realized you can’t bring money with you to the grave; all you have is your legacy of the people you touched, lives you changed and how your happiness radiated upon them. Life is just a collection of cool, joyous experiences.

I realized I don’t need a lot of money to survive, but would like some nice things - anything more would probably just be increasing my carbon footprint. I realized money is abundant, it comes and goes, there are a thousand ways to make a lot of it, so you might as well get it doing something you love.

I learned to to trust my abilities to learn to do whatever I want.

I’ve realized there are many ways to be wealthy, not just with money. You can be wealthy with friends. You can be wealthy with love. You can be wealthy with health and joy, and those you can bank on.

I realized I want to work on something I care about deeply for the rest of my life, but it probably doesn’t involve sitting in front of a computer screen all-day or helping the ultra-rich get richer. I realized I don’t have to pick one thing or be sure that’s what I want until death do I part. I’ve realized I want to do something meaningful, something I am passionate about and something that gives my true gift to society, utilizing my creative energies.

I realized I always want to continue to learn, explore and build.

Where I Am Now

So after giving many years of my life to honors classes, an Ivy League education, and working on Wall St., I am in a period of transition, where I am relearning how to live, refocusing my energies to my passions of DJing, comedy, people, and learning about the world while also making money, acting, promoting, playing poker, investing, trading stocks, fundraising for a mutual fund and pursuing other business ventures. Some of these like poker, I’m not doing because its terribly meaningful to society, but because it pays the bills until the other areas of my life take off.

If I ever want to go back to the white-collar world, I can go back to business school, or use my track-record from investing to launch a small fund, which I already have an offer to do. I know the journey will not be easy, but I will learn to cherish the journey, and gain comfort in my own ability, perseverance and intelligence, knowing that every day in every way, I’m getting better and better. Time is on our side, especially if we take care of ourselves, and we always have the will to improve.

I Think, Therefore I Am Onion

David Deida compares life to an onion with many layers. There are a series of concentric layers you must fully consume, peel away and satisfy before moving onto the next journey of your life. The outer layers you strip away are the most shallow and/or possibly related to you’re parents: if your dad was a fire fighter, maybe you wanted to be a firefighter… or an arsonist.  

At the core of all the layers lies your true core purpose and calling. For example, in order to become a religious man and dedicate your life to God, you might have to go through a stage of alcohol and drug use, womanizing, chasing money, etc. before your true purpose and identity are revealed.  

For now I feel like I’ve shed my finance layer, and am ready to move onto a layer of pursuing a dream of DJing.  Maybe later on, I will come to the layer of the onion that values stability and wants to raise a family. For now, before committing myself to a white-collar, 80-hour-a-week, Wall St. job, I need to satisfy this layer of pursuing my current dreams in music, comedy, entrepreneurship and being young and social.

Valuing the Journey

Despite my round-about journey, I don’t feel like I’ve “wasted” time.  I have no regrets, because I am where I am today because of my past, and I am happier than I have ever been. I have no fear, because I know I was born naked in this world with nothing to lose. I have no worry, because I know the world is abundant and the possibilities are endless. Some people say, “I’m a dreamer,” but I’m not the only one…

I encourage you to live life passionately and free from fear. There aren’t enough people in society who follow their passions. Too many just struggle to get by, fearing that if they follow their dreams, they will become a penniless loser.

Some people are completely happy and value their security, and that is fine, too. But be wary of stagnation, extremes or sloth. Use your best judgments. Weigh the pros and cons, risks and rewards. Be true to your senses. Always have a backup plan, but remember that when you are no longer afraid, you can begin to live. And if you do free yourself from fear, you might be really, really happy, and feel free for the first time.

A Renewable Resource: Passion

The world needs more passion and more passionate people. We need more people to show and realize its beauty. The world needs more people doing something meaningful. We have too many people just selfishly trading paper on Wall St., marketing products we don’t need, litigating things that we really don’t need to sue over, working for industries that don’t take into account their destructive costs to the environment, or playing poker just because the money is good. Many of these are zero-sum games, that do nothing meaningful for society, but are included in our GDP numbers - although they detract from our true wealth as a nation.

People compromise - they become advertisers when they want to write. They go into artist management or sales because they wanted be an artist, often because they don’t believe in themselves enough. We need more artists to show us how to enjoy life and how beautiful it is. We need more doctors. We need more scientists and innovators. We need more teachers to get more of these types of people. This economy begs for entrepreneurship.

Sure, no one is hiring - so you do the hiring - hire yourself. We need risk-takers in this society and economy, if we are going to innovate, grow and create a better world for the future. My generation is one that has seemingly great uncertainty, and the only way for us to conquer the many challenges that lie ahead is through innovation, perseverance, and unleashing our creative abilities into things that are meaningful to society - and that we are passionate about.

What are you passionate about? What are your hobbies? What did you want to do when you were a kid? Why not try it? What do you have to lose? Would you be better off, knowing that you tried to pursue your dream? Don’t put it off any longer. Someday is now. And knowing that you tackled your fear, you will be happy that you couldn’t have lived your day more courageously. Celebrate life every day.

If anyone is struggling with the question, “What do I do with my life?” I have a great reading list to share, including a NY Times bestseller, What Should I Do with My Life?, David Deida’s, The Way of the Superior Man, The How of Happiness, and The Secret. And I’m always here to talk. Let me know what you’re thinking in the comments below.

Email me at tysonklo@gmail.com if you want to chat, add "Tyson Lo" on Facebook and follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tklo, and get updates on New York City, the Secret, Party Events, DJ Gigs, Music/New Mixes, Financial/Investment Advice, Philosophy, Comedy and Writing.