In the very beginning, or at least around October 2012 when I had decided to begin blogging about the food and culture from my travels, I encountered one of the greatest challenges every blogger inevitably must face: What should I title my blog? After long brainstorm sessions, numerous conversations with family members and friends, and lots of research, I had a good and solid list of potential blog titles. Of those included:
“Little Girl, Big Mouth” (although I thought that this could be misconstrued) “The World on My Plate” (this Wordpress site www.theworldonmyplate.com already exists) “Chopsticks and Sandals” (too geographically limiting) “Delicious Diaries” (Too 3rd grade) “Scrumptious Stories” (Too 4th grade) “Treks and Treats” (Too 5th grade) “The Pursuit of Tastiness” (Already exists) “The Pursuit of Deliciousness” (Deliciousness sounds too strange)
Although my blog would have a focus on food, I also wanted to capture more in my travels. I wanted to capture the stories of a culture, the heart of the people, and the beauty of living life to its fullest. I wanted my blog title to capture this, so I wanted to title it “The Pursuit of Everything.”
But after a very quick Google search (it’s interesting how quickly Google can make you happy or sad), I found that "The Pursuit of Everything" was already taken. Curious, I clicked on the site and I was led to an inspirational blog and a delusional man, AJ Leon, who calls himself a misfit.
Similar to me he’s nomading around the world, blogging about his travels, and has great hair that is occasionally tied back when it’s time to get serious. But more importantly, AJ and I believe in living with intention and contributing something positive to this world before it’s our time to kick the bucket. Obviously, this is not a post about food or culture, but I wanted to pass this story on to you because I think you have a lot in common with me and AJ. I also feel like AJ’s story will help you accomplish your dreams, whatever they may be, and I did just write a post on dreams. It’s an understatement to say that AJ’s journey and writing is inspiring, but I don’t know how else to quite say it. So here’s a word from AJ:
My name is AJ. I used to be an unremarkably average financial executive in Manhattan. I made six figures, had an outrageous bonus and a corner office.... On December 31, 2007, I left my six figure, crazy bonus, Manhattan corner office job. Not for a raise. Not in a vertical move to another company. Not to get a change of scene. But to stop, once and for all, living some other dude’s life. That day I realized two things. There was more to life than working a job you hate, and more importantly, there was more to me than could ever be expressed in a place with so many rules. If you read this paragraph and have no idea what I’m talking about, you should probably not bother going further, but for the rest of you, this book is an ode to the misfits.
You see, I believe that you, like me, were not meant to live a life of convention and conformity. I believe that you were put here, at this very moment, to change the world in a fashion that only you can. These essays were written while on my own path to doing just that. And I hope beyond hope that they will in some small way help you to find yours.
While AJ is traveling/blogging the world in 1080 days, running his company Misfit, Inc., getting kids in Tanzania on Twitter, helping villages in Kenya, raising money for schools in South Sudan, he is also launching his first book, “The Life and Times of a Remarkable Misfit,” but he does need some help. If you think you’re a misfit, are curious about his guy, or you are still reading, CLICK HERE.
I’m sad that I couldn’t own www.pursuitofeverything.com because AJ beat me to it, but I’m happy that in the search for the perfect blog title I found a fellow misfit, dreamer, and friend. I hope you’ll enjoy AJ’s story or pass it on. After all, the only people who’ve actually succeeded in changing the world were all misfits.
I also like to think they were simultaneous foodies.
As always, stay hungry, Louella