Rob Newberry and a team of organizers have worked hard to bring the first TED-licensed conference to Thailand. TEDx BKK encourages attendees to bring “Minds Wide Open” and will be a platform for sharing ideas openly. The event takes place on February 13th in Bangkok, and all who attend are guaranteed to go home feeling inspired!

It’s important to acknowledge those who help foster your abilities and empower you to pursue the life you want. This Thanksgiving I wanted to share my gratitude to my many teachers, mentors, role models, and friends who have influenced my life and given me their support.

Volunteering with children throughout Thailand is only activity I’ve found yet that is guaranteed to keep a smile on my face. These are some of the most disenfranchised kids on earth, but they exude happiness and love. Find children in need. Go and give your time generously.

A short update from my travels in Laos, upcoming Bangkok events for social good, and a note about Greg Rollet’s new Under 30 Rock Star Business Course. Greg and the guys from Under30CEO will be teaching you how to build a successful online brand starting 1 week from today.

We just had our 4th successful Tweetup for charity here in Bangkok, so I wanted to share that and a few other projects I’m working on this month. Also tune in for my recent calls with Cath Duncan and John Bardos on lifestyle design and living as a nomadic entrepreneur.

Dwight Turner runs InSearchOfSanuk.com, a community focused on making volunteering, microphilanthropy, and contributing to charitable causes easier for anyone in Thailand. Learn how I’m partnering with Dwight to promote fun events for good causes and make a difference in our region.

This economy sucks, and it has a lot of people down, but it’s an opportunity to take your reputation, and your career, into your own hands. Help me empower as many people as I can this year to start a business, build awesome online presence, and live a remarkable lifestyle!

For American Express cardholders, a simple vote today can give 100,000 students $1.5 million for education. No joke and no exaggeration. Take a second and earn some karma!