The Me.Now. Movement has Gone Pro!

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Andrew Bustamante

It is amazing how fast things happen when support, talent and community come together! In my last post I announced some exciting opportunities in my own Me.Now. journey. Forty days later I am humbled to share the progress.

As seen in the image above, the Me.Now. Movement has gone pro! We have a brand new logo envisioned and designed by Me.Now. Movement member Michael Zanconato. The new logo comes with its own custom font, social media icon (left), and dedicated color palette. I am overjoyed by the logo and the way its design reflects the purpose of our community. And having an icon is just plain cool. Many thanks, Michael!

In addition to our new branding, I am also stoked to be releasing the Movement’s first promo video! Another awesome talent in our community – Austin Spicer – visualized, shot and edited the promo. Austin combined selfie clips from members across the country to introduce our message to the world in video format for the first time! I am grateful beyond words for the passion, commitment and talent present in our group.

You can watch the promo on the Me.Now. Movement Youtube channel. Like it, leave your comments, and share it freely! There are people out there seeking a community like ours but who do not know we exist. Help this video find them…

In my last update I shared that I was working with a literary agent to explore book publishing options. After a few brainstorming and contract conversations, it became clear that the publisher did not appreciate my vision or the purpose behind the Movement. I chose to part ways with the first firm in search of a more visionary partner. It did not take long for new publishing opportunities to arise that valued our mission and commitment to change, not money.

In a testament to collaboration and honesty, I have a new publishing partner and am on track to release a book before Christmas this year! The book will be in ebook format, available on all major digital retailer sites, and will be 100% free for public download. I could not be more pleased to see this project coming to life!

I look forward to sharing updates as we continue to gain momentum. Never give up on doing what you love, what you know is right, and helping others to do the same. One Life – No Compromises.

Divergent Discipline

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Andrew Bustamante

I’d wager a hefty roll of $20 bills that the word ‘discipline’ brings about unpleasant memories for most people. Discipline is most often seen as something forced, or enforced, by an outside entity. I often hear people talk about discipline as a command; “Discipline that child!” Sometimes it’s a consequence – a ‘disciplinary measure.’ I’ve even heard folks talk about discipline as an expectation; “Where is your self-discipline!?” The truth is that commands, consequences and expectations are tools used by those too weak and ignorant to lead, motivate and inspire. True change cannot be directed; it has to be cultivated. And discipline serves better as soil than as scissors in the garden of change.

While discipline can be defined as the practice of compelling obedience through punishment, it has a second definition as well. Discipline is also defined as a branch of knowledge; a higher-form of skill that approaches mastery. It is in this discipline, this skillful mastery, that we find constructive inspiration. Meditation is a discipline. Martial arts are a discipline. Focus, piano, dance – all instances of productive discipline born from positive experiences.

I encourage us to abandon the conventional idea of discipline in favor of a new, divergent approach to discipline. Conventional discipline forces us to punish mistakes. Divergent discipline allows us to accept mistakes as learning points. Conventional discipline divides us into ‘obedient’ and ‘disobedient’. Divergent discipline unites us as a community. Conventional discipline wields shame as a consequence. Divergent discipline promotes perseverance.

Our culture has leaned on coercive disciplinary practices for centuries and still we find ourselves fighting to ‘correct’ one another. We draw lines and build walls to separate us. Instead, let us embrace a new, divergent discipline that empowers us to learn and grow together. Cooperation is a discipline, after all, and our future will grow better if we shape rather than sever its branches

Celebrate the Victories

Posted on January 13, 2017January 13, 2017 by Andrew Bustamante

I’ll never understand why I chose to run my first (and only!) ultramarathon at 31 years old in the sweltering heat of Thailand. Maybe it was the result of too many Singha beers and sweaty nights after living 2 years in Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok. Maybe I should blame my triathlete friend who found the race, gave me the idea and promised to run with me. Whatever the reason, I found myself standing at a starting line with 200 runners, one friend and a random Japanese tourist decked in Hello Kitty attire at 5am on a steamy morning in 2012.

An active runner since high-school, I learned early on that my running talent is utterly average. I continued to run through college and my late 20’s mainly as a means to meet girls and prevent the proverbial man-belly. My health history in Thailand had been less than ideal, plagued with instances of food poisoning, foot injuries and a scary stint with Dengue Fever – a mosquito born disease that cost me significant weight loss the previous year. I suppose this race offered me an opportunity to reclaim some of the magic I felt had been lost to a desk job, entering my 30s and suffering a handful of health setbacks.

Victory – that feeling of winning – is an important motivator for all of us. It gives us the sense that our time and effort counted for something. History teaches us that, ‘to the victor go the spoils,’ and we are encouraged to pursue, ‘Victory at all costs!’ With all the pomp and rhetoric, the real value of victory is lost. Thinking that victory is a conclusion diminishes its utility for the future. Rather than treat victory as a single achievement that marks the end of an endeavor, I propose that we consider victory a mile marker on a larger journey for growth.

My first few steps after the starting gun on that humid morning in 2012 were a victory for me. Every morning run, epsom salt bath, healthy dinner and supportive word from my wife gave me hope and encouragement to train another day for a race that was way out of my league. Before the race ever began, the workouts alone had returned me to health, brought me new friendships, inspired others to exercise and given me renewed confidence. All these were victories, too.

50 kilometers later, after 5 grueling hours running past Buddhist temples, through banana plantations, coconut groves and white sand beaches I crossed the finish line. The race was one of attrition; nearly half of the runners had dropped out of the race by the time I had finished. The heat, distance between support stations and challenging terrain favored tenacity over form. Looking forward to my complimentary Thai massage and chicken fried rice, you can imagine my surprise when I was called to the stage and awarded the 3^rd place finisher medal. While my amateur running career started and ended that day, my journey continues and I always remember to celebrate the victories.