The Introduction

The Opening Word

LIVE unconquered's mission is to change people’s lives, for the better. To help everyone breakthrough to a brighter day, no matter their background, situation, or circumstances. Live Unconquered is about restoring and injecting positivity and optimism into your life – all day of everyday so that you can make the most of it. It’s about having faith; in a better day, in what you’re doing, in where you are going, and most importantly yourself – no matter your religious affiliation. Lu will also take on psoriasis/ psoriatic arthritis advocacy under its umbrella as well, in the form of E. A. R. S. - to educate, create awareness, promote research, and develop support in anyway possible.

Daily Mission Checklist
Develop as a person everyday.
Help someone else grow as a person, everyday.
Be a source of constant inspiration in your environment.
Provide light to areas mired in darkness.
Lead by example and with constant integrity.
Continually bask in education and knowledge.
Appreciate all things – good and bad.
Be respectful not only to others, but to yourself.
Establish and maintain a position of forgiveness.

Six Pillars of Development
Wisdom
Strength
Longevity
Hope
Tranquility
Desire

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for we entertain angels unaware.

Monday, April 25, 2011

The Introduction

"The Dawn of a New Era"

A Word to Those in Need - The Beginnings

The purpose of this blog will be to help all, and give you the confidence and foundation necessary to "Live Unconquered" - to live prosperously, happily, confidently, free of stress and worry, focused on what's important and ignorant of negativity. Don't stress, just shake off the "mess".

I'll kick start my first blog off by asking a favor from everyone. This week, I'd like you to go out of your way to meet someone new, or strengthen a current relationship that's in your life. On top of that, show someone important to you appreciation, especially someone close to you who may feel unappreciated in regards to you. We tend to focus more on the negative than showing appreciation for the positive - and the first step to being positive and having a positive life/ outlook is to show examples of it. You never know, you could make someone's day by saying "Hey, I appreciate you and what you do". Even more, if you know someone who has been working hard (and doing a good job), let them know. "Job well done", or "Excellent work", - it only takes a couple of seconds.

Today was another one of those dreaded Monday's, and worse yet, the Monday following a holiday. For those of you who returned to work today (myself included), we all know how it can be. We dread the return to normal, our bodies are soggy with candy, food, and liquid, and we're a little sleep deprived. As much melancholy as Monday can bring, I implore you to change it around. Try to start Monday with the same attitude as you do Friday (and my apologizes to those with unorthodox work weeks). Start positive, end positive. The beginning of the work week is a detriment to most, but try to serve as the up-lifter for those with a "case of the Mondays".

Relax, don't worry over what you cannot control, and maintain perspective for what you can. Everyday isn't going to be a piece of cake, but don't make things worse by harboring a negative attitude about yourself for everything that goes wrong. Do what you can to fix what you can, but not at the expense of your own sanity and safety. Try to stay within the ethical and moral boundaries that guide us, and always put your best foot forward in whatever you do. Success for you is right around the corner, no matter your situation - just keep working hard and doing what's right. "Live Whole..."

Last but not least - don't ever bow into someone else's pessimism. Maintain a radiant glow about yourself - stay out of drama and gossip (keep your head above the fray) - and be someone that's approachable and level-headed. Avoid being pompous, arrogant, and a person that talks down/ belittles others. Everyone's ideas, thoughts, and opinions are important - even if you think they're laughable. If you're in environments that lean toward the negative side of things - be the positive example. People will gravitate toward you, and you will slowly find that your positivity will take root and spread among those around you. Be a leader in all that you do, it's one of the many steps in living unconquered.

Be prosperous,

J. Junior II (4/25/11)

Live Unconquered

More Information

I encourage everyone to visit http://www.psoriasis.org/ - homepage for the National Psoriasis Foundation, to learn a little bit more about psoriatic disease. This chronic disease not only highlights why should we aspire to live unconquered, but we should live for a cause, live everyday, and live for now. The National Psoriasis Foundation is the United States' leading patient-driven, nonprofit advocacy organization that serves the estimated 7.5 million Americans affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Currently, I serve on the inagural editorial board for NPF and our quarterly publication - Psoriasis Advance. As an active advocate with and supporter of this organization, our objective is the same - to strive for better treatments, access to care, and ultimately a cure for all psoriatic diseases.

Since joining Nationwide Insurance in 2013, I've strived to become more active in advocacy and general community involvement. Working for a company that has volunteering and goodwill branded into the culture has really strengthened my "live unconquered" belief, and I look forward to announcing further ventures and activies before 2014 concludes.

Weathering The Storm

Weathering The Storm is an inspirational, motivational, and faith inspiring book that will work to move you from any and all storms in your life. It will serve to move you out of the rain and help you breakthrough to brighter days. I wrote Weathering The Storm in a down to earth way so that everyone can easily relate, with everyday advice ranging from forgiving to moving forward with your life after tragedy. If your life always seems to be in the midst of turbulent weather, my goal is for Weathering The Storm to serve as a shield and a guide to get you through, and towards the fringes of the light. Written from my perspective as a psoriasis sufferer, I want to use my background to inspire you and invigorate you so that you can step away from storm clouds hovering over your head. Life is too short to be mired in constant stress; Weathering The Storm will move you away from the mess and instead help prove you are blessed – no matter your circumstance or situation.

The road to being a published author has been an exciting and rewarding experience, and I've garnered more support for this than I ever could have imagined. The book was officially released by Tate Publishing on August 28th, 2012. As with any book, we will work hard over the next year to increase the profile and momentum behind Weathering The Storm; remember, the life of a book never ends! When signings and presentations are scheduled, I will post updates and information here. The time has flown by working with this project, but I am looking forward to wrapping up new and more in-depth works going forward. Another thank you to all those who’ve been there during this exciting and groundbreaking process!

The Next Few Steps...

The LIVE unconquered Project
I plan for this LIVE unconquered blog will be transformed into a manuscript and book of its own. Serving as a follow-up to Weathering The Storm, I plan for the book to focus on continuing the progress once you’re out of the storm. It will focus on growing, developing, and molding yourself in the aftermath of tribulations. It will help you focus on living each tomorrow better than today and continuing to have success no matter the circumstance, situations, or environments you did encounter, and prepare you for any troubles that may arise in the future. As I work on the follow-up manuscript to Weathering The Storm and determine the appropriate publishing route, I will give updates and insights just as I have on Weathering The Storm. I have already started putting together the manuscript, and planned to be finished over the summer of 2013.

Psoriasis: A Life Changer
Once completed, I know that this will be the pinnacle accomplishment for me because of the effect psoriasis has had on my life. I started on this manuscript before Weathering The Storm was released, and while I have made some end roads, it certainly has not been an easy manuscript to place. As I become more actively involved in psoriasis advocacy and undergo some changes in my own treatment plan in 2013, I expect I will make significant progress and hope to have the manuscript complete and ready to send off for publishing by my birthday in June. Though it isn’t easy writing about something as difficult and traumatizing as psoriasis and the ripple effect it can cause to your life, I believe those same struggles have helped (and are helping) me grow in the proper direction, and that it gives me a tremendous story that I can share to potentially help others realize that while psoriasis is a chronic disease, it isn’t the end of the world unless you allow it to be.