hey, mau here

greetings from a cafe in tokyooooo 🇯🇵🍡☕️

haha man.

there are so many things i could write about right now...

this last week has been super hectic... yet so incredibly fulfilling.

• spending quality time w my mom
• exploring japan
• getting lost on trains
• not being able to read food menus
• getting people enrolled into the story sprint
• having the kickoff call!! (and seeing everyone's beautiful faces)
• updating the materials and prepping everything for the next 4 weeks…

the last few nights i've slept like 4-5 hours 😅

but i absolutely love it!!!

not gonna lie, one of the coolest things about being here right now is the fact that i literally created this.

no one else.

all me.

like my mom and i had this trip planned for months now...

but at that time?

i had no idea how i was going to pay for anything.

i had NO money.

all i had was enough to pay for rent that month.

but…

every single day i wrote in my journal that by the time Japan rolled around, i'd have enough money to not only come...

but TREAT my mom.

and, sure – it didn't turn out EXACTLY as planned…

but because i aimed high...

i ended up having two of the best back-to-back months in my life.

i fully expected it to happen…

and in my opinion, that's why it did.

now, i'm here – enjoying the time i have with my mom, who i haven't seen in over a YEAR…

and i got us reservations to a 5-star japanese wagyu restaurant tonight 🤤

and no –

i'm not saying this to brag....

i think it's just a testament to having unwavering faith that what you're doing will work...

wayyy before there's any physical proof.

staying delusionally optimistic,

and refusing to settle for a life that's only a fraction of what you know you're capable of.

but that's just the start of it...

the one thing these last few months have really taught me?

is the power of shifting your focus from personal gain – to GIVING.

leading up to these last two months, my goals were never about me.

they were about:

• being able to treat my mom.
• sending my dad money so he doesn't have to struggle.
• and helping people share their stories and show up as the real them online...

because in my opinion…

this is how we make the biggest impact on the world.

and i truly believe that when you align your goals with doing good for others...

then not only does everything get so much easier –

the trials. the tests. the setbacks.

but God will continue to pour into you, because you're pouring into everyone else.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” — Luke 6:38, NIV

it's kind of a spiritual law or something like this :))

so...

here's to continuing to improve the lives of the people around me and living this crazy ass experience that we get to call life.

oh – and enjoying a fat, juicy, wagyu steak tonight w my mom ;)🥲🥩

ok.

that's it.

much love!!!

mau