“GET BUSY LIVING, OR GET BUSY DYING.”

In 2004, I weighed in at almost 310 pounds!  I had never before been so unhealthy - I smoked cigars, had high blood pressure and was pre-diabetic.  Always short of breath, I really was a mess.

Despite my poor health, I wanted to do something I had not done since I was a child - ride a bicycle.  Though I was terribly out of shape I bought myself wheels.  At first it was difficult to get going and I only rode once in a while.  I always thought, however, if I remained faithful to riding I would one day do something I had always thought about - ride my bicycle across the United States.  My wife thought I was nuts.

Convinced I had to do this crazy thing, I began to ride more often.  I commuted to work once in a while, then every day.  I planned routes across the United States and even went on a few overnight trips with friends. I traveled everywhere by bike - to work, the market and was more and more consumed with the dream of traveling across the United States.

In 2012, the year I turned 50, I finally realized my dream.  I started on April 22 from Ventura, CA and ended 50 days later in Cape May, NJ. 

During my trip, I met many wonderful people.  My friend Ray rode the second day of the trip with me to keep me company.  My wife met me in the hotel every night for three weeks of the trip.  My sister Kathy and I trekked across Kansas together, and my son Zach rode for 10 days with me.  I met George Rossi, the school teacher in Kansas who was also a 50 year old bike rider.  Aaron, in Indiana, was so concerned I would get hit by a car he insisted on giving me a ride and we spent a few hours together. 

I will never forget the excitement I had while alone on the road, but could always count on a wave from passing motorists, a smile from a store clerk or texts and posts from my friends reading the “joeonabike.com” blog. 

Now 9 years after I got back in the saddle, I am 70 pounds lighter and no longer have hypertension or diabetes.  I am happier in work, my marriage, my relationships and in my life.

Albert Einstein said “There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

Living life, on YOUR terms, is a miraculous, wondrous thing.

Peace,

- Joe Greene, joeonabike

It was just a few short months ago that I was led to Holstee through means of social media where I discovered & fell in love with the Manifesto. Upon reading, I embraced and shared the concept with everyone I could. Immediately, I ordered a poster, which now hangs in my dining room. I feel like I’ve always been somewhat in tune with its message, however it’s now applicable on a much deeper more personal level.  

New Year’s Eve 2013 brought about change in a big way. At 25 years old, I sat in the doctors office 20lbs lighter being told that I had advanced testicular cancer. The following days were filled with doctor’s appointments, anxiety, and within 5 days I was scheduled for a surgery. What was expected to be an outpatient procedure became a week stay in hospital with immediate chemotherapy. My world became abruptly flipped and distorted. Being bulldozed with such an intense experience left me breathless, but never once did I feel sorry for myself. I instinctively became focused and determined while the Holstee Manifesto burned intently in the back of my mind.

Currently, Ive completed 3 cycles of treatment and have one more ahead of me. I continue to impress my doctors and, according to them, am the first to not get sick on my regimen. I fully attribute my success to my lifestyle consisting of the healthiest foods, exercise, a strong, positive attitude, and a support system including the most amazing family and friends.

Reading the Manifesto daily fills me with the greatest inspiration that I hope to be paying forward. This healing journey has been an incredible gift and I’m so excited to see what opportunities are generated because of it. So many fantastic things have already been falling into place and Im beyond grateful. This new lease on life is exhilarating. Each day is a gift. There is not a moment to waste. Go live YOUR life and smile.

- Brian Hastings

“Nice Guys Finish Last.”

I have unfortunately been the epitome of this statement. In my time, I have been cheated on, dismissed and utterly disappointed in myself from what others believed of me. But never in my life had I realized this statement to be more accurate, until recently.

I would like to peg myself as a romantic.  Unfortunately, that also means I do enjoy being in a relationship.  I found myself wandering around flower shops thinking of someone I could buy flowers for.

One of my most recent relationships, I finally thought that I had found the one.  I even had a bank account set up for a ring.  Granted, I am young, (turned 26 this year) but I truly believed I found someone special.  Turns out… I was not the only one.  We held onto a long distance relationship for 2 years of the total four.  It wasn’t until a week prior to her moving back that she broke things off with me. Devastated, I sought friend’s advice. This friend told me, “Don’t give her up without a fight. This shouldn’t have just come out of the blue.”

So I fought. I put myself out there to figure out what it was that I had done: What drove us apart? It couldn’t have been the distance, I felt, because things seemed to go right when we were around each other. But she assured me she had been feeling distant and she just did not feel the same about me anymore. I was crushed. But somehow still felt some sort of hope.

A week later, I found the real reason as to why she wanted to break things off. Turns out she was with seeing a guy from work, while she was seeing me. A “drunken” encounter of hers led to me hitting rock bottom.

I wish I could say this was the first time this had ever happened to me.  But it’s not. I’ve been cheated on a few times, actually.  It lead me to wonder: Why do girls go for the “bad boy?” When all I hear is complaints from friends about how they’re treated, and how they need a nice guy in their life, guys like us were dismissed. 

I saw my ex girlfriend about a month later. I went to see a mutual friend for her birthday. I gave the birthday girl a hug and went to the bar to order her a drink. In front of me, was a group of guys who were adamant about keeping their bar seats. I ordered between them and awaited the drinks.  My ex and her friend actually started hitting on the group of guys that were in front of me. This was literally before my eyes. I dropped my head, grabbed the drinks, gave them both to my friend, proceeded to walk out the door and to the next bar. 

It was after this encounter, that I finally had an epiphany. And I actually smiled as I met a few of my closest friends at another bar.

That people deserve to be happy.

But it is in that path to find that happiness that reveals one’s true character. For a long time, I did look down on myself.  I felt like if I had been cheated on this many time, then it must be me. Right?

Everything does have a silver lining.  Maybe one day I will find that person that cares about me the way I care about them. They say that nice guys finish last. And although I might have that time, I picked myself up, with the support of my friends and family (Including spending time with my twin nephews seen in this picture).  They made me realize it’s about time I finish first.
 
The funny thing is, if I could have changed my past, I wouldn’t. It’s our pasts that shape who we are today. After all that I got a new job, moved to the city, lost about 50 lbs and have really worked on turning my life around.  I may not have reached the silver lining yet, but I’m MUCH closer than I was.

- Brett Baldwin 

Back in 2011, I was working in a good job and had my life set out before me. Completely unexpectedly, I was struck down by a mystery illness whereby I was unable to stand or walk for 4 months. I am happy to say now that it is gone but the doctors still do not know what was wrong with me and cannot promise it will not come back.

While I was sick, I decided that even if I was wheelchair bound, I wanted to make a difference to the world. So I applied for a Masters Degree in Engineering for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge in the UK. Initially I went and traveled around Europe and Asia and then went back to my old job. I was then shocked to found out I had been accepted and offered a scholarship. Fast forward 12 months, I put my career on hold (maybe?) and here I am studying in the UK. I have literally no idea what I am going to do at the end of this year and I have never felt so alive in my life.

Life can throw out the most unexpected and unusual challenges. How you decide to deal with them will determine how happy in life you are and how much of difference you will make to the world.

- Randolph James Brazier   

I first read the Holstee Manifesto a few years back. It kinda blew me away because it was all the things I knew I should be doing and the reminders I needed, but all in one place. Pretty soon I was printing up miniature-sized copies and posting them outside my neighborhood coffee shop in San Diego because I felt like people had to read it. I used cheap tape and didn’t expect it to stay up for long, but miraculously it stuck to that lamppost for months. Sure, San Diego’s anemic rainfall helps, but I swear it withstood a couple downpours. I also like to believe people did read it and it made them smile, just like me.

Everyone has parts of the Manifesto that they relate to best and here are mine:

This is your life. 

As I’m fond of saying, “It’s entirely up to you how awesome your life is.” Don’t create false barriers for yourself because it’s unlikely someone is working 24/7 to deny your dreams. It’s about not letting other people tell you how to live your life. If you aren’t hurting others, do what makes you happy. Live in nine different countries and learn their languages. Get married and have 3 kids. No one else gets to decide and for good reason - they don’t know what’s best for you. Maybe you don’t always know either, but you definitely have a better grasp.

If you are looking for the love of your life, stop. They will be waiting for you when you start doing the things you love.

This is probably the golden rule of romance, but doing things you love can cure just about any blues and give you purpose. Doing what you love is really just taking care of yourself and when you do that, you’ll attract other happy, healthy people into your life.

Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them.

Having psychic powers is intriguing, but I think one of the best parts about life is not knowing what’s going to happen. It’s exciting to think about all the amazing people out there you’re going to meet and how much fun you’re going to have. Maybe the only lasting thing you’ll create is a friendship, but it could be something way more. A new community or an idea that changes the world.

Today I have an official poster print in my bedroom. The helpful reminders don’t stare me down oppressively to get my shit together, but they’re there for me when I’m frustrated, irritated or just plain sad. A slow read or two helps me restore balance and keeps me upbeat. Since Holstee became part of my life, I’ve moved to a new city and even more recently figured out a way to spend more time writing, something that absolutely makes me happier.

- Kiran Umapathy

When my parents both died suddenly within 3 months of each other, I threw myself into my work, which I love. Nineteen months later, I was exhausted and needed to stop.

On an absolute whim, I applied for a travel job and surprisingly got it! I spent the next 3 years learning about love, life, travel and people. I also met someone who would years later end up being my husband.

I miss my folks all the time, my dad particularly. He was a traveler and I know he would be proud of me. But if they were both here, my life would be so different. And I do love my life. I would never have met the amazing people or done the crazy things if I had not got the job. So in a strange way, my parents lead me to this life.

Holstee’s principles were mine even before I read the Manifesto. This is your life and on this journey there are no practice runs, so go for it. Never think if you miss a few things you can get it the next time around.  :)

- Dawn

This is your life. YOUR life. This was the first line that stuck out to me, because I never felt like I was running my own life. Everyone always told me, “You’re pretty and smart and talented and have a good job and blah blah blah,” but I wasn’t happy. So the line that really struck a chord with me was, “If you don’t like something, change it.” And I realized that I didn’t like anything in my life. So I decided to change it, starting with my attitude. Post-college life was tough, and I developed an eating disorder, anxiety, and a negative outlook on life. One of my favorite quotes is from Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, “You can find an excuse…or you can make it good.” I realized I was finding an excuse more often than I was doing anything about it. So I started doing something about it.

I started taking yoga. I started challenging myself in small ways. I started seeing a therapist, making friends, developing hobbies, seeing doctors, reading books, educating myself, and working my way through. I’m not fully recovered yet, but I’m well on my way, and with the support of friends and family and the HOLSTEE Manifesto, I finally believe everything is going to be okay, which is a huge step for me. I didn’t like something, and I changed it, and that was tremendously empowering. I have the poster hanging in my room and the picture of the Manifesto is the background of my cell phone, so I’m able to have it as a reminder everywhere I go. It’s simple, but it’s so hard, but just believing that everything is going to be okay and letting go is the best gift you can give to yourself.

- Claire Peters