3 Tweets from @erwinmcmanus

Sam — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:52:32 +0000

These tweets sum up Story of Yellow well. Thanks to Erwin McManus.

Step one to live your story: Know who you are and who you are not.

Step two to live your story: Know what you’re about and what you are not about.

Step three to live your story: Know what you must get done and what you must leave undone.

Black Card Circle Foundation Dinner at the Montage, Beverly Hills

Sam — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 05:24:37 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to donate my photography services for a Black Card Circle Foundation event. It was an intimate night to spotlight two great people I love.

Charles Lee from !deation and Andy Bales from Union Rescue Mission. Here are some pics from the night.

Other guests include, Ben Morrison (Punked!), URM Board Chair David Dow, actress Pauley Perette (NCIS), actress Danielle James (True Blood), Lotay Yang of Black Card Circle Foundation and many other amazing people.

Re-post: “Confidence”

Sam — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:54:47 +0000

Here is another re-post from my original yellow blog. I would figure that this would feel old, however it was a great reminder to me.

This post was originally published on Dec 18th, 2009

Confidence

Yellow has been occasionally known to represent timidness, fear and/or passivity. I choose the opposite.

One of my favorite blogs to read as of late has been Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite’s movement called “People of the Second Chance” or POTSC. I have been feeling like I am living in a parallel world along side them. Almost every post has been deeply related to the things I have been privately journaling about and prepping for this blog.

Recently, Mike Foster wrote an entry about “Don’t shoot your future in the foot.” [Go ahead and take the time to read it.]

I was first to comment,

So true. I have recently learned to embrace the “misdeals”, failures, and false starts in my life. I would use them to “set up shop” in the rubble. But more recently, I have discovered a new sense of confidence that actually comes and is fed by the rubble. Great thoughts guys.

This post provided affirmation of the idea that’s been brewing in my head and journal.

GAINING CONFIDENCE FROM PAST FAILURES

I have been in a season of study of my past failures and false starts. And what I discovered was that I had, what Mike poetically called, the tendency to “set up shop in the rubble of [my] life.” I seem to have loved using the rubble from my past failures to sabotage the possibilities of my future. I was great at playing the “Someday” card. [Another recent entry from Jud Wilhite]

However, as I learned how to embrace the misdeals, failures and false starts of my life, I have gained a new set of confidence. The confidence from remembering how God always pulled me out of the rubble more refined, more experienced and more authentic. The confidence from the tough lessons learned and the pain associated with them. This confidence develops a boldness that allows for calculated risks, firm decisions, and unwavering faith.

A great example of this is my wife Tina. We married within 9 months of dating.

Before her, I had a good number of relationships. The many years in many failed relationships really added to the confidence that Tina was the one for me. I knew in 11 days of dating that she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She had everything that I learned, through the failed relationships, I needed and wanted and also knew that I was a better boyfriend, fiance and husband because of the mistakes. And most importantly, I had an unwavering faith that God had placed her in my life to journey together through this long story called LIFE.

In his entry, Mike Foster shared this story.

Winston Churchill was asked if he thought history would be kind to him.

He answered, “Of course history will be kind to me for I intend to write it.”

I like it, but here is my twist. I do intend to write my own history… the history that God is writing through me.

Here is a brief video from my wedding and the famous wedding entrance video that even “The Office” spoofed. Enjoy.

One Response to “Confidence”

on 18 Dec 2009 at 4:45 pm1Kevin Shepard

Yellow is also often associated with cowardice (i.e. a “yellow-bellied coward”). That you are not, my warrior-friend! Way to redeem a much-maligned color as you encourage us to allow Christ to redeem our weaknesses and failures! (Also enjoyed your wedding vid… thanks!)

Clearing the rubble,
Kevin

Here’s to the Crazy Ones

Sam — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:43:47 +0000

Update: Core Value “Give Generously”

Sam — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:29:43 +0000

I recently updated the generosity portion of Story of Yellow’s Core Values.

Give GENEROUSLY
Meeting expectations is one thing. But to exceed it is divine.
Give out of Love, not obligation or guilt.
Give because you believe in the possibilities.
Give not only your time or money, but your art.

Significance: Simply Stated

Sam — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:48:11 +0000

Have you in a conversation, said something that surprises you? That phrase with such simplicity, articulates what you been wanting to say for weeks, months or years.

Today, in a lunch conversation with a new friend, Chad Markey, I said something that actually felt supernatural.

“Life is not about becoming significant, but discovering your significance.”

Chew on that a little.

There is a dangerous trap in doing things just to be significant. I think that is where burn out and discontent happens. You try to define your identity with what you do rather than who you are. You find comfort in the clarity of your title or role.

However, as you slow down, and pay attention to the Beauty all around you, you will see that many things that are beautiful is beautiful because they simply are who God design them to be.

Flowers are flowers. Birds are birds. Babies are babies. It’s not necessarily what they do but who they are. We have been losing sight of seeing ourselves as unique, beautiful creations that God loves so much.

In that Love, we are significant.

When we bask in the deluge of His Love, our love for people become supernatural. It’s gets easier to love people when you yourselves are experiencing His Love. The overflow of His Love motivates us to move to action. The same Love that doesn’t waver no matter how much or little you do.

So will you start or continue your journey to discover your significance?

The Beginning: Story of Yellow

Sam — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:07:57 +0000

Today is my last full day of my 5 day vacation in Palm Springs. It has been a wonderful time with friends and family.

One realization from this vacation is that when there isn’t much to do, you end up losing yourself in your thoughts and memories. And one memory I got to recall in my conversations was the beginnings of Story of Yellow. So in light of that, I bring you a series of posts that are simply re-posts of from the original blog with some update/commentary to lead it.

This was the beginning of Story of Yellow.

**This post was published on October 29, 2009**

Story of Yellow: Why?

Lately, at an increasing rhythm, I have been going through my “Identity Crisis”. It began as a yearly ritual, which turned into a monthly and now a weekly pain-filled contemplative ritual of self-destruction and restoration. And before it becomes an even more frequent event, I started to look at WHY I was going through these crises more frequently.

Sophia turns ONE!

“Sophia, how old are you?” as I overly smile and gesture with my index pointing up… “One.”

I would repeat this over and over hoping that one day she will actually imitate me and say “One”.

Just what seems a moment ago, I was tearfully holding her tiny body against my chest and gently singing “I love you baby” to now desperately wanting her to say “One”. The time as the proverbial saying goes flew by fast. And in this thought, I began to think of how little I paid attention to the sacred but fleeting moments of Sophia’s first year.

I realized as many do, that we have lost the discipline of paying attention. We get so caught up in the rituals of motion, the busyness of providing, planning for the future that we forget to actively observe what is going on in the now.

And this is why “Story of Yellow” is so important to me. How often do we actively seek out or observe the yellow in this world? I like yellow and I always have, but I’m looking to completely become a fanatic of Yellow. I want to study it, wear it, write about, paint it, connect with other Yellow fanatics, and truly LOVE yellow.

Now replace Yellow with GOD. That is the parallel journey I am going on. One blog, www.storyofyellow.com, will focus on “Yellow” but this blog, http://sam.storyofyellow.com, will be a spiritual journey in discovering what it means to actively seek and listen for God in the daily world I live in and see the Holy Spirit moving.

You are reading this post because you have been personally invited to journey with me. Share with me your thoughts as well. Love to start a conversation.

COMMENTS FROM ORIGINAL POSTS

1Seiko

Painfully true and wonderfully expressed.
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 5:15 pm2Sam Song

Thanks Seiko. Painful and Wonderful. Good words.
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 5:32 pm3Ted

I love where you are going with this. It’s about distilling what’s important in life and focusing on those things to have better quality of life with God, family and the people I pass by during the day.

I have also been trying to focus on the here and now. I’ve noticed that so much of my life has passed by without me noticing. Lately I’ve been spending more “in the moment” time with my wife and kids and they definately notice and love me being so engaged with them. I love the time with them more than I thought I would now that I am actually getting to know them more and enjoying them as God’s creation. I’ve also noticed how much more patient, generous and caring I am for my kids when I am able to slow down and appreciate them and try and see life through their eyes. For me it’s all about becoming less busy, removing the unimportant things that keep me too busy – from my life so that I can have quality fully engaged time with people I care about… and learn and apply important things of life along the way.
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 5:42 pm4jane

Hey Sam,
Thank you so much for ur invitation.
I am honored to be a witness of this amazing journey of yours!
I am excited for you and your family, and i’ll be praying for you and hoping the share my life journey with you and your lovely family as well~
Thanks brother, for having the courage to boldly open up ur life and honestly share it with us!
I’m excited~
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 6:26 pm5Kevin

Thanks for inviting me along your journey, Sam! Hmmm… my favorite colors span the indigo~blue range of the spectrum… all complementary to yellow. I wonder what that means?!? ; >

I’ve been embarking upon a bit of a midlife-crisis-journey of my own lately, as I’ve begun a new chapter of life out here in SoCal, and as I’m continually challenged and inspired by many in the Newsong community… including YOU, as recently as Monday (@Artisans: “Why are we here? Is this what we do, or WHO WE ARE???”). I want to learn to live more transparently in community… thank you for leading by example here. I’m excited to join this journey with you, and look forward to our travels together!
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 7:00 pm6rickEy

Sam, you i love ya and i feel we’re on some weird parallel connection. I’m very interested in observing this journey with you and hopefully observing what is going on around me in my life as well. On another weird note, in high school some friends and i started this thing called Yellow Shirt Friday. It started as just a couple of us (4 or 5) wearing a yellow shirt every friday and then it spread to the whole school (6th-12th graders). I pray that this yellow movement can have similar and greater momentum.
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:07 pm7Sam Song

Ted,
Thanks man! Yeah, as I started to strip away unnecessary things and began to focus, life has not necessary become easier but more meaningful. It’s still hard.
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:09 pm8Sam Song

Jane,
You been there from the beginning. I still remember the recruitment video we made with you. I’m really looking forward to see what God is trying to say to me and us. Thanks for reading and wanting to be a part of this journey.
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:10 pm9Sam Song

Kevin, as I have said repeatedly, I really enjoy talking to you. You always bring so much to the table. Let’s see where this next step takes us, yeah?
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:12 pm10Sam Song

Rickey,
Nice. You are the originator of Yellow. I might have to make some t-shirts for us all and have us wear it on Sundays. That will stick out so much. You and I are always on the same wavelength. You,out of anyone, shares and knows the pain.
edit this on 29 Oct 2009 at 11:54 pm11John

Sam, I felt resonance when I read the story of yellow. I was also beginning my journey of actively seeking and listening for God in the daily world we live in, so I’m definitely on the same wavelength brother!
edit this on 30 Oct 2009 at 12:31 am12Sam Song

John,
Thanks for checking it out. Yeah, I have a feeling that a lot of people I know is starting or have been feeling the same way. We’ll see where God takes this. It’s been so much fun just discovering the Yellow in this world. Thanks again.
edit this on 30 Oct 2009 at 5:27 am13pongtastic

thanks for sharing bro. i feel you bro. leads us down the yellow brick road!!!…but not what it represents in the wizard of oz
edit this on 30 Oct 2009 at 1:17 pm14Sam Song

Abe,
Thanks Bro. Just curious what does that yellow brick road represent in the wizard of oz?
edit this on 30 Oct 2009 at 1:50 pm15Tony Kim

You go boy! Love it and thanks for creating for you and inspiring others.
edit this on 03 Nov 2009 at 7:32 pm16April

Sam, I love the saying in the 12 step communities: BE HERE NOW. there’s no where else we can really be besides the place our bodies and souls reside in this moment. ONE DAY AT A TIME is how we get there. Thanks for sharing and inviting us into your journey…that’s an incredible mark of you character.

Re-post: “Search for Significance: The Untold Story”

Sam — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:25:49 +0000

I decided to re-post this entry from my original blog, because I needed to reminded of this truth. I had initially separated the two (sam.storyofyellow.com & blog.storyofyellow.com) because I didn’t want my faith to be a deterrent to potential clients as I started this company. However, I came to quickly realize that this is exactly NOT what Story of Yellow is about. It’s about being Authentic and Personal, and yet I was hiding my Faith.

Have you ever said to God, “Thanks for the vision and inspiration, I’ll take it from here.”? How moronic is it to think that but yet I know I and many others do it constantly.

Here is an excerpt from it. Click “Read Original” to read the full post.

——

SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE: THE UNTOLD STORY

Originally posted: November 9, 2009

I know many others share this sentiment with me,

“I want to be significant! I want to make a difference in this world.”

I talked about it. I tweeted quotes about it. I traveled to conferences in search of it. I preached about it. I had bought and read books about how to do it. I desired to start non-profits, sell t-shirts, throw concerts to make sure I was making a difference. My desire was to create a Legacy of Good Works.

——-

Click “Read Original” to read the full post.

The Mad Hatter: Tony Kim

Sam — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:18:14 +0000

Tony Kim’s secret to success is this. He asks for the impossible.

Four years ago, in another life, he asked me an impossible question. He asked me to quit my current job and work for him as the Media Arts Director of Newsong Church. He asked me to take a 50% paycut, work for a church (those who knew me back then knows that was crazy talk) and leave a company I so dearly loved.

Then about two years ago, he asked me another impossible question. He asked me to take his old job as the Creative Director of Newsong. WHAT?!

However, those things that were “truly impossible” is my reality of today. And thanks to him, my life will never be the same. I have experienced a life full of wonder and miracles.

I recently saw the new “Alice in Wonderland” movie and Alice said a line that sums up how Tony thinks.

“Sometimes I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” Alice Kingsley

Have you made a habit of believing in the impossible? Making the impossible possible?

I think you have to be a little mad to really live it out. Tony is the Mad Hatter.

At first, as Tony began to experiment and shift our staff into new paradigms of what it looks like to serve the church, I thought he was a little crazy. His infusing of Seth Godin and TED Videos in our staff meetings, The Volunteer Revolution, CATAN tournaments (which I am still the king of) and complete autonomy at first felt chaotic and out of control. However as things begin to settle, something beautiful is emerging from the dust.

Tony, props to you for leading us to embrace the impossible.

“There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter.” – Mad Hatter

======

Tony is the Executive Pastor of Newsong Church, Irvine

Tony has also created and leads Design Stars: A non-profit initiative of Newsong Church whose vision is to provide free home extreme makeovers for deserving families in the OC.

He also blogs daily at Creative Leadership and is one of the contributors for BabbleOn5.

FUN FACTOID: I married his assistant.

iPad and Velcro

Sam — Fri, 28 May 2010 07:52:08 +0000

I love this video and how two opposite items (low tech/high tech) can come together to bring more versatility to a product. It’s a great symbol of what can be accomplished with collaboration. Plus I have this thing with Apple products.

Oh BTW, This dude Jesse who made this is amazing!

iPad + Velcro from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.