A Thanksgiving Thoughts on my Hard Childhood Past. Part 1 of the Thank You Section of Upcoming Bio-Testimony

This week's thanksgiving, I would go different in my usual annual Thanksgiving Blog, something deeper, dark and personal. Before I begin Chapter 1 of my upcoming Biostimony (Biography/Testimony),  I have 3 sections of who I would like to thank, first is when I was growing up from 6-18.

Let's dive into the chapters of my life, where I'm peeling back the layers and sharing the story of my recovery. This writing journey began four years ago, took another swing a year back, and here we are again, fingers crossed that this is the one. Spoiler alert: It's no walk in the park. This time around, no scripts, no dictated flow—I'm baring it all, starting with a big, heartfelt "Thank You" to the people and places that shaped my journey. Why gratitude first? Well, the world insists you can't write until you've hit your peak and can inspire someone. Challenge accepted.

Me at age 5 with Papa, Lola,
Julie, Lina and Tess

Big shoutout to Raul*, my neighbor, who took me on a psychological rollercoaster. Thanks for the mental gymnastics, buddy. Joey* and his high school gang friends, you brought both the physical and mental challenges—I'm grateful for the lessons. My father's very closed friend's brother Bj* (not his real name) added a plot twist I never saw coming.  (* As an adult now, I can classify them today as bullying, child abuse, sex fondling, drugs and their names maybe true or not to protect them, but some already know or I have forgiven them or they have passed away).

My kuya Ben (my only legal brother), well, he introduced me to a wild ride of illicit substances at the ripe age of 17. Thanks for the unconventional life lessons, utol and I missed you dearly, I wish we had more time together . And pap, the maestro of daily alcohol appreciation, who took mama away from me —thanks for showing me the ropes.

Age 6 or 7?

Surprising, right? I genuinely thank these folks. Despite the unhealthy living, the hard experiences, and the actions that could be labeled atrocious, they didn't break me; they built me. It was a choice I made, a path I forged. Looking back, I realize it made me stronger.

 Ever notice those who've dodged so-called "evil" deeds but somehow turned out worse? I've seen it. Our past, the circumstances—it can make us better or worse. And here's a twist: failure in life, far from being a setback, can be the key to success. Society might say otherwise, but hey, I'm flipping the script.

 So, there you have it—the opening chapter of my upcoming Biostimony. A genuine thank you to those who made some questionable choices for me growing up (that I can currently remember). And spoiler alert: more love and gratitude are coming their way - those who gave me a hard time in life, in the next chapters, covering ages 19 to 57. No grudges held, just love for these characters who shaped my journey.

I think I'm 16 here.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of this wild ride—I promise it's a revealing very personal story worth telling.  And also, how I actually recovered from these hard & abusive lifestyle not just in those younger years but in the recent past.

All I am saying is, be thankful to every circumstances, dark or happy.  Don't limit our "thanksgiving" to positive highlights and success in our life.

 

Few Thoughts About Mental Fitness

I've been out of the active duty military for almost 9 years now and I would like to finally acknowledge (like many retirees suffer but deny) and share my journey with my mental health after serving 23 years from the Navy:

• The transition from military to civilian life can be very difficult. Service member like me lose the structure, routine and camaraderie of the military, which can be psychologically jarring. 

• Many retirees struggle with a loss of identity and purpose after leaving the Navy. For decades our work defined who we were and gave our life meaning. Finding new sources of identity and purpose as a civilian can promote mental wellbeing.

• Some common mental health issues retirees face include depression, anxiety, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder from past experiences. Getting help early for these conditions is important.

• Reconnecting with friends and family may be challenging after years of separation during military service. Rebuilding these connections can help counteract loneliness and isolation.  

• Finding meaningful activities and structure to fill the void left by a Navy career is crucial. This could mean a new job, volunteering, hobbies, interests, education or travel.

• It's normal to go through a period of adjustment after retiring from the military. But if difficulties persist for months, seeking professional help from a psychologist or psychiatrist may be needed.

• Veteran organizations, church and support groups like Celebrate Recovery can provide camaraderie, resources and a sense of community during retirement. They also help combat the isolation some veterans face.

• Practicing mindfulness, meditation and other stress management techniques can boost coping skills and resilience. These skills were likely deemphasized during one's Navy career.

Hopefully these additional details provide some more nuanced perspectives regarding mental health and wellbeing after retirement from the Navy. Admitting to myself that I have issues is actually comforting and writing it and being vulnerable about it can maybe help others to open up too. 

Exercising My Right As A Free Man

As a Filipino American, I'm voting for a Democrat or Republican man or woman who believes what I believe that: 

- God exists and not afraid to express it.

- There are only two genders. LGBTQRSTU is a lifestyle, community and a feeling of expression. 

- Fossil fuels are necessary for human progress. Tesla or solar / natural power is an alternative. 

- Treating a specific race unfairly is still racism. It's actually worst. 

- Having no border is the same as having no control over who enters a country. I'm an immigrant and I love them. I encourage everyone in the world to come to America, legally. 

- Parents have the authority to decide how their children are educated. And those who had college loans must not be paid by the taxpayers. 

- The nuclear family is the best way to govern society. Not media nor government. 

- Capitalism helps people escape poverty.

- The U.S. government has three branches, not four. And it's for every American not just those in power. 

- The U.S. Constitution is the most powerful defender of freedoms ever created. Let it continue to be the role model of every kingdom, country or empire. 

Most liberals believes the very opposite because their minds were controlled by media, power, liberal school and government. I would vote for any one who have the strength and courage Democrat or Republican, to fight those for my family I see them with R. Kennedy (Dem), Vivek or Trump or someone who can save America and fight for the freedom or against atrocities of every nation.

Now, it's off my chest. Moving on. 

My Thoughts on the Future of Branding: How Artificial Intelligence is Shaping the Industry

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Since 2018, unbeknownst to my client, my companies: Mvoss Creation and FusionMeet  have been relying on Artificial Intelligence (AI) using a self-editing videos and graphic designs done by computer for most of my content creation.  Surprise? Well, don't be.  As branding will continue to transition to computer based strategy as more and more creative artist are discovering the use of AI.  I am not an expert on this technology but I have used it and can speak about it based on my experience

Branding is an essential component of any successful business strategy. It is the process of creating a unique identity and image for your company or product, which helps you to stand out from your competitors and connect with your target audience. However, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the future of branding is changing rapidly.

AI is transforming the branding industry in several ways. Here are some of the ways AI is shaping the future of branding:

Personalization

Personalization is a critical aspect of branding. It helps you to create a unique experience for each customer, which can lead to increased engagement and loyalty. With AI, you can personalize your branding efforts to a much greater extent. By analyzing customer data, AI can help you to identify individual preferences and behaviors, which can inform your branding decisions. For example, AI can help you to create personalized product recommendations, messaging, and advertisements that resonate with each customer.

Creative Content

AI is also transforming the way we create content. With AI-powered tools, you can create engaging and personalized content more efficiently. For instance, you can use AI to generate creative visuals, write compelling copy, and develop new product ideas based on consumer feedback.

Social Media

Social media has become an essential component of branding. AI is changing the way businesses use social media. By analyzing social media data, AI can help you to identify trends and patterns in consumer behavior. This information can help you to create more effective social media campaigns that resonate with your target audience.

Brand Reputation

AI can also help you to manage your brand reputation more effectively. By monitoring social media and other online platforms, AI can quickly identify any negative comments or feedback about your brand. This information can help you to respond quickly and effectively, minimizing any damage to your brand reputation.

Customer Service

Finally, AI is transforming the way we provide customer service. With AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, you can provide 24/7 customer service to your customers. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

In conclusion, AI is transforming the branding industry in significant ways. By embracing AI, businesses can create more personalized, engaging, and effective branding strategies. As AI continues to evolve, the future of branding will undoubtedly continue to change. The key is to stay ahead of the curve and be willing to embrace new technologies and trends in the industry.

If you are interested to discuss more of these topic in detail for your company workshop or individual consulting, contact Commercewise by Tony Astro at tony@mvoss.net