Today’s post is from real life ninja trainee, Izzy Arkin.
So bear that in mind before you leave a comment telling him how you could kick his ass. Unless that is, you want disemboweling as you sleep.
Note: I’m fairly sure Izzy has never disemboweled a sleeping person, but I’m pretty sure it will be in his schedule at some stage, so you’d better suck up and be nice.
By the way just a quick heads up that after the great response from my previous post, I will be starting a free uStream channel on Thursday 5th July at 7.00pm EDT.
I will then aim to run them every two weeks with the times rotating between 7pm and 2pm. Watch this space for more details and thanks to all of you that bothered to comment.
An American Ninja In Japan
“You’re going to do what?”
“Are you speaking English?”
“Fool! You are Crazy- With a capital C!”
Hi, my name is Izzy. Nice to meet you.
I quit my job in America.
I moved to Japan.
I am trying to become a ninja.
What’s your dream?
The Background
Dateline: October 2009, Los Angeles, California
I pulled over to the side of the road and did the only thing I could do… I broke down in tears. I was in the midst of getting my masters degree, moving up the leadership pipeline, and right in line to run my own school.
I did everything I was supposed to do and yet…
Here I was, on the side of the road, wallowing in tears… Not my proudest moment.
I had spent the last 4 years teaching in the inner city of Los Angeles.
The previous 3 years I had enjoyed the work but as I had gotten older things had changed, I had changed, my feelings changed. I could analyze it, but that would be a waste of your time and mine.
Let’s just focus on the outcome – I was a stressed, depressed mess.
Over the course of that year I never would make it to my alarm clock. I felt massive anxiety every day. To put it lightly, I wasn’t pleasant to be around… And with all that being said -
That was the greatest year of my life.
WHAT!?
I’m sorry. Did you not hear me? I’ll repeat myself.
That was the greatest year of my life.
So at this point you might be thinking “First this dude claims he wants to be a ninja, next he’s equating a great year with being depressed… W-T-F!”
What’s Going on Here?
Yes 2009 was the most painful year of my life. It was a struggle. I could barely sleep, I was intensely anxious, and I was slowly falling apart… for a little while.
Around December of that year, I realized things needed to change. I couldn’t keep living my life like that. I was unhappy. I didn’t want to be unhappy.
From a purely logical standpoint, if I want my life to change, than I have to change my behavior. So that’s what I did.
I read every “discover your purpose” book I could get my hands on. I refused to work on the weekends. I started taking afternoon hikes. And slowly the onion started to peel. As my behavior changed, I began to change.
Are you doing the same thing every day yet hoping your life will be different?
Somewhere in the process I started developing weird ideas and ambitions. I started imagining a world in which I was no longer a teacher, I was traveling the world… I started to ask the question “What do I want to do with my life?”
But I didn’t just ask it… I also attempted to answer it.
If all you do is ask the question, but never attempt to answer it, how will you ever know the answer?
Eventually I realized what I wanted to do…
I would pursue my childhood dream: to become a ninja.
Now Do You Understand?
At the time I had no idea, that this would eventually land me in the countryside of Japan, learning a new language, immersed in a culture that simply blows my mind… But that is another story.
Do you see why I say 2009 was the greatest year of my life?
I was forced to step back from my life, question everything, and make choices that have led me to this very moment.
I like this moment.
The Point of All This
Why do I share this story with you?
Because I want you to realize it is possible to pursue your dreams. You can take the worst, most painful moment in your life and use it as fuel to go do crazy shit.
There is no magical super secret formula (Tim’s note: except my book of course). I am simply one person who has chosen to pursue his dream.
I got sick and tired of feeling sick and tired… So I changed my life
If you aren’t happy with your life, why don’t you change it?
Words Are Just Words
We can all sit around and talk about “what we want to do”. That is the beauty of talking… 99% of the population can do it.
The chasm between success and mediocrity is filled with action not words.
Yes, I am sure there are reasons you should hold back on your dreams: you don’t have enough money, you’re too busy, you’ll do it next month, blah blah blah…
I’ve done my research. It turns out there is an excuse 100 percent of the time…
But there is a problem with excuses.
If you believe your excuses you will never achieve your dreams.
At some point, you have to acknowledge that maybe, possibly, perhaps your excuses can be overcome.
I am not saying there aren’t valid reasons to hold back on a dream. There are excellent reasons. But please recognize that this is a choice and not your lot in life.
It is Easier To Start Than You Think
The pursuit of a dream doesn’t start with quitting your job, throwing your middle fingers in the air, and escaping to a foreign country… It starts small, tiny, miniscule.
Do you want to write a book? Write the first page. Do you want to lose 50 pounds? Go on a run. Do you want to travel the world? Save a dollar. Do you want to educate the world? Spend your Saturday at the local library reading to kids.
It all starts with a seed. You need to plant the seed, water the seed and allow it to grow with time.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today”
– Anonymous
What will you do today to move towards your dreams?
Bio: Izzy is a former teacher from Los Angeles. He got tired of the traffic, the grind, and the stress. He quit his job, and moved to Japan to pursue his childhood dream: to become a Ninja. You can read more about Izzy’s journey at The 30 Year Old Ninja, where he writes to inspire others to pursue their dreams. You can also connect with him on Twitter or say hello on Facebook.
This post took me 7 seconds to accept. In fact I actually asked Izzy to write it, so impressed was I by his story. But what do you think? Let us know in the comments.
Awesome to see Izzy around here!
Izzy’s story is truly fitting for A Daring Adventure. I guess we all become truly impressed when we listen to his story. I guess having 2 great friends connect is something I really love seeing. :)
And I’m pumped he wrote the post. I can honestly say if I’d heard that 3 years ago it would have been in How To Be Rich and Happy!
“If you believe your excuses you will never achieve your dreams.” <– that is a great quote right there!
I agree Wendy, shall we steal it? ;-)
I’m going to steal this one – The chasm between success and mediocrity is filled with action not words.
Steal away :)
As long as I am able to break a brick with my fist sooner than later I will be a happy man.
Too late I already applied to trade mark it!
If a local restaurant can trademark ‘Happiness Here’ then this should be easy.
As a teacher this is what I wish for all of my students, that they fulfill their dreams. Izzy, your courage to take a chance is truly inspiring. I can’t wait to share your story with my students.
I thought as I started to read that you were going to say:
“As a teacher this is what I wish for all of my students would piss off to Japan too” ;-)
Glad that wasn’t the case Candice!
Amazinnnngg! (Please excuse the multiple letters for emphasis!)
Who says following your dreams is a cliche? They got meet this guy!
Go for it Glori although I think you need a few more of these babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First off thank yiu everyone for the support. I really appreciate it. I have to apologize. I am out camping and my iPhone won’t let me give individual replies. But I really want to address what everyone has said.
Alex thank you for reaching out and connecting with me to let me share my story a few weeks ago. I really appreciate the support man.
Wendy excuses are crazy because there are a bazillion of them. There is an excuse to not do anything. If we buy into them then we are settling for mediocrity.
Tim you can steal it but you then my new to do list time will be changed from “disembowel a human” to “disembowel Tim”
Ms. Morales I am really excited to see you here! Please share the story with your students… Then everytime they act up let them know that your friend Izzy will come after them if they don’t get it together.
Glori it can be cliche all day but I’m still goning to do it :) and so can you.
Great story. The link at the bottom to Izzy’s site is broken. Cheers, Tony
Hi Tony. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. Thanks for letting us know about the broken link.
Thanks to Tony and Vishnu for letting me know, I’ve sorted it.
Great story bro. I love everything you are saying. Through adversity came opportunity for you to be you.
Love this “the chasm between success and mediocrity is filled with action, not words”.
Thatta Ninja
It’s too true Kostas. I’m a believer that starting is the mist powerful thing we can do. Once we take action we gain new experiences. With new experiences comes new learning and with new learning comes new opportunity… But it can never happen if we don’t start..
Izzy is a man worthy of anyone’s respect and admiration. He’s a great ninja too. I don’t have any bad thing, over the top joke, or backhanded compliment to make today on your blog Tim other than thank you for this brilliant up and coming ninja (who hopefully has no idea of my physical home address)
Glad to hear Izzy’s following his dreams and taking small steps to make it a reality!
:-(
Thanks Vishnu.
You should know that it is on my official to do list to find your physical location. The first thing I would do is find that dog you took the picture with and play stick with her. Then I would check out the awesome view. Last I will steal your wallet.
My boy Izzy! You are an inspiration. BOOOP! <3
Thanks Joslyn :)
You and Master P are two of the greatest folks I know. I send you and Jimmy P an electronic fist pound.
A massive, thanks to Izzy for providing an outstanding post, right up there with Vishnus from a week or two back.
Thank you Tim. I Am really appreciative that you gave the opportunity to write this post.
I salute you Izzy, brave and courageous, determined and focussed. Looking forward to being able to get into your site (opening page is there but unfortunately none of the links to the About, Ninja Toolkit, etc works). I’ll bookmark it for next week because I truly want to see how it is you actually train to be one of those cool ninja dudes.
Thanks Tim for posting this, and good luck with the uStream channel. I can never figure out how I fit into your timezone…, so not sure I’ll be sleeping or awake or working or at home when you will be live. If I figure that out I’ll log on :) Mary-Ann
Hi Mary Ann :)
thank you for the kind words. Though to be honest I don’t feel brave or courageous. I’m just a dude who really wants to be a Nina :)
I checked the site out. I don’t know what happened. All the links should be up and working now.
When you head on over leave a comment so I know you were there. I hope you enjoy it.
Hi Izzy, have dropped by and left you a note. Also referred this to a 30 something friend of mine whose 8 year old self is telling her to go follow a dream…, she is seriously moving on with that, thanks to your guiding light. Cheers, MAH
Awesome Mary! I got your note. I’ll go ahead and reply right after this. If your friend feels compelled encourage her to send me an email. I would love to hear her story/journey :)
I agree with everyone else…this post is FULL of quote-worthy lines! In addition to the ones mentioned, I love this one: “I am not saying there aren’t valid reasons to hold back on a dream. There are excellent reasons. But please recognize that this is a choice and not your lot in life.”
Yes, yes, yes! It can be really hard to swallow sometimes when you realize that you’re doing all the things you’re doing BY CHOICE, and that you don’t HAVE to do anything. But knowing it’s a choice is the first step toward making different choices. And even if you’re not ready to make a huge step toward your dream yet, knowing that it’s all a choice makes it eventually possible.
Great read, Izzy! I think the world would be a better place if more people remembered and went after their childhood dreams. Good luck!
Hi Lynnn,
Realizing that we have a say in how our lives turn out is so powerful.
I would add to that action is the mother of all creation. I can believe its possible, recognize its a choice, and then still do nothing.
You point this out recognizing its a choice is step 1. Step 2 is go do it :)
I used to love creating plans with detailed analysis. Now I still am a huge advocate of a plan but I think it is more important to have an okay plan and start then spending months or years concocting the perfect plan.
I’m really glad you enjoyed the post.
Amazing story, love, love, love it!!!!
Thank you Julia! I am really glad you “love, love love it!!!” :)
Damn these semester exams,made me lose all the good stuff :D Wonderful article,trully inspirational.It makes you realize the true power of the human will in the hunt for the ”fuel” of life,which is are own dreams.God bless you Izzy :D
Tim,I missed you mate :D
Thanks Lefteris,
I like how you put it “the hunt for the fuel of life”… I have never thought of a dream as “the fuel of life” but I would agree with this statement. We all need a purpose for living.
I can attest that in following my dream it has definitely giving me an immense amount of fuel. I feel so excited every morning to take on the day.
Well I missed you too matey!
Do you get the summer off when you finish your exams?