It All Starts with “Hello”

"Hello, Hola, Hallo, Shalom, Hei, Marhaban, Ni Hao, Namaste, and Preevyet." To you, these words might represent different languages. To me, they are gateways—each one an opportunity to connect with diverse individuals and vibrant cultures, helping to expand my view of the world in ways I never imagined.

I still remember when, back in third grade, a new student named Enrique joined our classroom. He was an African American boy from Chicago, while our classroom was primarily made up of Caucasian and Asian students. As everyone stuck to their cliques, I noticed Enrique sitting alone, looking a bit out of place. Without thinking much about it, I walked up to him, introduced myself, and invited him to join me at recess and lunch for the rest of the week. From that first “hello,” our bond grew through laughter, sleepovers, and shared moments of trust. What began as a simple gesture blossomed into a lifelong friendship.

A few years later, I met Matvey, a new teammate from Russia who had just moved to Bellevue, WA. With only a few words of English, he was reserved and unsure how to communicate. I saw him struggle with the language barrier, and something in me wanted to make him feel welcome. After our first soccer practice, I went home and used Google Translate to learn a few basic Russian phrases. The next time I saw Matvey, I greeted him with “привет, меня зовут Алекс” or “Hi, my name is Alex” in English. His face lit like someone who had just heard the best news of his life. With feelings of joy and a pleasant surprise, he responded with his own “hi, my name is Matvey.” That moment marked the beginning of a close friendship, both on and off the soccer field.

In 2019, during an Honors Biology trip to Panama, I had another opportunity to bridge cultural gaps. Our tour guide, Gabe, and our bus driver, Paolino, seemed to view us as just another group of entitled American tourists. Wanting to change that perception, I greeted them in Spanish, saying, “Hola, mi nombre es Alex,” and made an effort to learn about their lives and culture. Over the week, our conversations deepened, and I discovered the richness of Panamanian culture—the food, the traditions, the diversity of the people, and their passionate love for fútbol, something we shared as fellow fans of the game.

With more than 7,000 languages spoken around the world, it’s easy to feel as if our differences divide us. But through my travels and interactions, I’ve learned that making even a small effort to speak someone else’s language can open doors and create connections. While English is widely spoken, it can sometimes be seen as a barrier, especially if we approach the world with a me-first attitude. That’s never been my way. By stepping outside my comfort zone and learning phrases in various languages, I’ve built bridges across cultures and made lifelong friendships with people from all over the world.

Looking back, I realize that many of the friendships I cherish most began not with shared interests like soccer or school but with language. Language was the first thread that connected us, and it continues to be the bond that keeps us in touch. While some people see language as something that divides us, I’ve found that it can do just the opposite. It has the power to bring us together, to help us understand and appreciate one another’s differences, and to create lasting relationships.

In addition to my fluency in English, German, and Spanish, I’ve made it a personal challenge to learn words and phrases in many other languages. This willingness to engage in unfamiliar ways of communication has opened up opportunities I never would have had otherwise. It has allowed me to experience the world in a deeper way and to connect with people from diverse linguistic backgrounds, from Hebrew and Finnish to Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, and Hindi.

Every journey I’ve taken, every conversation I’ve had, has been a reminder that the simple act of saying "hello" can unite us in ways we often overlook. Whether in a crowded city or a quiet town, in a classroom or on a soccer field, language has the power to bridge the gaps between us. It’s a universal connector, reminding us that, despite our differences, we are all part of the same human story. And through these words, I’ve learned that no matter where we come from, we all share the same desire to connect, to belong, and to understand one another. And it all starts with “hello.”

Pictured here is my good friend Gabe and I at the incredible Panama Canal in 2018

The Hidden Treasure: Unlocking Life's True Wealth

As a young, audacious man with a burning desire for success and a determination to make a lasting impact, I often find myself longing for greater wealth. The dream of financial freedom, the kind that opens doors and brings opportunities, feels like the pinnacle of success. In my mind, it’s easy to imagine that wealth in the form of money would solve many of life’s challenges, bringing comfort, security, and the freedom to pursue every ambition. But as I reflect more deeply, I realize there is so much more to wealth than what’s in a bank account.

Real wealth isn’t simply about financial resources; it extends to every meaningful connection, every healthy day, every small moment of joy and laughter. This is a type of wealth many of us already hold in abundance, yet we often fail to fully appreciate it. There will come a time in our lives, no matter how successful we become, when we would trade everything we've accumulated to experience these simple yet invaluable moments once more. It’s only when we look back that we realize that wealth, in its truest sense, encompasses far more than money.

Imagine reaching that pinnacle of financial success. You have achieved every goal, your career is flourishing, and you are financially free in ways you once only dreamed about. Yet something feels incomplete. You might find yourself with all the resources you once chased, but without the warmth of some of the most important aspects of life. Maybe you miss the chance to call your mother, to hear her voice and tell her you love her. Or maybe you long to go on one more walk with your father, to feel that quiet comfort and companionship that only they can offer. At that moment, no amount of money could replace the wealth of having those relationships in your life.

Health, family, friendships—these things are precious forms of wealth that time and circumstance can take from us. The truth is, when you’re young and focused on building your future, it’s easy to overlook these forms of wealth that are already present in your life. We may tell ourselves that there will always be time later to reconnect with loved ones or to take care of our health once we’ve reached our goals. But life doesn’t always work that way. The people we love, the health we enjoy, and the simple joys we experience day to day are not guaranteed to be with us forever.

In chasing financial success, we sometimes forget that every moment we have now with family, friends, and loved ones is a precious gift. True wealth includes the ability to call a friend, share a meal, or laugh with those who matter most. These things may feel small or everyday, but they hold an irreplaceable value. The day may come when you look back on your journey and realize that the moments spent with family, the friendships you built, and the health you enjoyed were more valuable than anything money could ever buy.

As young men with ambitions, it’s natural to pursue financial freedom and strive for success. And yes, there is much to be gained from achieving those goals. But let us also recognize and cherish the wealth we already possess. Let’s take the time to appreciate our parents, our friends, and our health—things we might one day wish we had appreciated more fully.

Wealth, after all, is not just a number; it is a measure of the richness of our experiences and relationships. Financial success will be one part of our lives, but it should never overshadow the importance of the people and moments that make life meaningful. Embrace the wealth of today. Tell your family you love them, laugh with friends, and take care of yourself. In doing so, you’re honoring a wealth that no amount of money could ever replace.

The Success Mechanism: Unlocking the Human Mind’s True Purpose

A recurring thought that often percolates in my mind is why humans are seemingly the only creatures that experience depression. It’s a curious question, especially when you consider the rest of the animal kingdom—driven by a natural sense of purpose and engineered for success by a creator. Every creature, from fish navigating upstream to bees building intricate hives, is guided by an inherent mechanism that pushes them to fulfill their roles. Maxwell Maltz explores this concept in Psycho-Cybernetics, explaining that this “success mechanism” is not unique to humans; it’s a principle embedded in life itself. But humans, he argues, are the pinnacle of this design.

Unlike animals, we aren’t solely guided by instinct; we have been gifted with a mind that allows us to reason, imagine, and create. Humans can visualize goals, imagine different futures, and pursue aspirations that go beyond mere survival. This gives us an extraordinary edge—other creatures may follow their success mechanisms by instinct, but we can rise above and actively shape our lives according to our own desires. We can define our own success, molding our futures with purpose. Maltz’s concept of the “success mechanism” lies at the heart of this gift, a tool embedded within each of us, ready to be directed toward whatever we choose.

However, this gift comes with a unique challenge. Unlike animals who instinctively stay on course, humans are susceptible to self-doubt, negativity, and distraction. While all creatures are endowed with this internal guidance system, only humans possess the ability to misuse it, to overthink, or to be consumed by fears that pull us off track. The same mind that can serve us in achieving our dreams can also lead us down a path of self-sabotage and despair. This dual nature of the mind can either elevate us or trap us in cycles of frustration and limitation. As Maltz describes it, this misuse of the success mechanism activates a “failure mechanism,” which emerges when we allow our minds to be guided by negative patterns of thought.

Too often, people unknowingly activate this failure mechanism by feeding their minds with self-doubt, insecurity, and limiting beliefs. Instead of embracing our innate capacity for growth, we drift, allowing negativity to take root. In this way, the mind—designed to work in our favor—can become a source of suffering. Yet, this doesn’t have to be our fate. Maltz emphasizes that the human mind is like a guided missile: once it’s locked onto a target, it constantly adjusts its path until it reaches its goal. If we focus our minds on positive aspirations, empowering beliefs, and a clear vision of success, the mind will guide us toward that vision. But if we allow it to be driven by fear and doubt, we only set ourselves up to fall short of our own potential.

The reality is that many people live in a state of autopilot, their minds clouded by societal pressures and negative thoughts. Instead of guiding us, our minds become a source of distress and limitation. But we have the power to reshape this: by choosing to live with intention, setting positive goals, and building a strong self-image, we can direct our success mechanism toward a fulfilling life. Maltz teaches that the choice is ours, and the first step is taking control of the thoughts and beliefs we allow into our minds. Every positive vision, every empowering thought, fuels our success mechanism and defines the direction of our lives.

It’s easy to conform, to drift along the path of least resistance, where society and circumstance shape our beliefs. But true success is rarely found in conformity. The people who make a meaningful impact, who live lives of purpose, are those who swim against the current, who reject limiting thoughts, and who choose to think independently. It’s challenging to go right when everyone else is going left, but that path leads to a destination few ever discover. Those who bring real change are the ones who consciously feed their success mechanisms with purpose and positivity.

In the end, Psycho-Cybernetics reminds us that the mind is always working, guiding us toward a target. But it’s up to us to decide how we direct it. Will we let it drift, leading us into despair, or will we program it to work for our dreams? The decision to take charge of our thoughts and beliefs is a privilege and a responsibility, holding the potential to unlock the greatness within each of us. Embracing the power of the success mechanism is the path to a life of meaning, fulfillment, and achievement.