It’s Been Awhile

So guys it has been a bit. There has been a lot that has changed over the last six or seven months. So here you go. Let’s give a quick recap about what has been going on in my life, as well as the life of AOLA!

So as most of you know about a year ago now I started this new blog and brand called AOLA (Adventure Often, Love Always). The idea was to bring you guys on this journey that I am on and to tell you about how I live my life on adventure, with love, and with a purpose. The first few posts were just that, a glimpse into my life, and to show you the little things that I had been up to and the little adventures I had been on. What’s different you say? Well, that’s just it, nothing really. My goal is still the same with this blog, but there are these dreams that I have for this brand, blog, and eventually other mediums of communication that I really want to get going.

But where do I start? That has always been my problem. I am a big ideas kind of guy. I really thrive on thinking about the future and what is next. I really love thinking about what could be or where things are going. I like to look at the map ahead rather than the place I am at. And that is great most of the time. The problem is when it comes time to implement these great ideas, I don’t even know where to get started.

That is about to change. I am going to jump off the cliff. I am going to start the things that I have wanted to start, and I am going to take you along with me. What are some of those things you say? Well, let’s talk a little about some of the ideas that I have had over the years.

The first was this blog. Back when I was younger I was always drawn to stories. I have always been a storyteller, and loved to talk with people and even write about these ideas that are in my head. In fourth grade, I was named the most likely to be a novelist. So that is what this blog is going to be about. To tell my story. To bring you along with the story, and hopefully give some tidbits of info along the way that can help you really live out your adventure. So this is the start, this is the beginning, and this is the medium in which I feel most comfortable.

The second is a podcast. It has been on my radar, and one of my best friends has been pushing for me to start it. I have made a little progress here, but it has not gotten off the ground yet. But it is next. It will be similar to my blog. It will be a storytelling platform through spoken word rather than written word. For those of you, like me, that don’t have a ton of time to sit down and read. You will be able to join in on the adventures by listening to these stories. You could do this while on your way to work (if you are in the office again), you could listen to these stories at the gym or maybe while you get ready for your daily activities. Either way, the goal is to allow people to join in that won’t have the ability to sit down and read all the things that are going on. So that is next. Be ready, because I will be announcing things very shortly.

The third thing is this idea of a space for creatives to come and collaborate together. I have always admired the creative arts and I have dabbled with some spaces of creativity. I have often considered myself a creative, but not been able to draw or paint or sometimes even come up with creative ideas. Sometimes I have this creative idea, and I get stuck. So that is where this idea has come from. An online space for the creative community to share their ideas, and to collaborate together. A place people can talk and share and show what they are working on. Eventually, a place where people can come together and talk about the things that help drive them to create. A place where creatives can feel at home. In a world that is driving everyone to be the same and think the same and do the same, I want to help show that we are all made as individuals, with different ideas and different purposes. This space is going to be a fun and enjoyable place that people can come and hang out and really invest in. That people can really invest in others. I call this group “The Creative Collective”. It may not be something that is started soon, but it is in the works. It is on the table. It is ready for a few of us to see the vision and really move it forward.

And the last piece of this is the biggest of all. It is the thing that I have had on my heart the longest It is the thing that I am most passionate about, but also most scared of doing. It is the culmination of all the creative ideas I have had. This will be announced later. At the moment I am not ready to really talk about what it is or how it is going to fit into the bigger picture. Just know that there is something big that will be coming further off in the future.

I write all of this so you know that though I have not been posting things, the ideas have still been flowing. The adventures have still been happening. And know that I am still living life on Adventure while living out a life of love. That will not change.

As far as these adventures. Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks as I blog out some of these and really show you what has been happening during these last few months.

Thanks as always for joining in, and I appreciate your continued support as I try to fulfill some of these dreams that God has placed in my heart.

So here’s to Adventuring Often, and Loving Always!