We are small but POWERFUL; powerful yet not in CHARGE. While we cannot control the ACTIONS of others, we are responsible for our REACTIONS :D

Gone with the Wind

“Anyway the wind blows

Is-a fine with me

Anyway the wind blows

It don't matter to me”

-Frank Zappa

Life flows like the wind. Sometimes, the wind is blowing behind you, hitting your back, and you are literally being pushed forward. Everything you do is effortlessly done in harmony, almost as if you are in tune with the Universe and all its forces are on your side. You socialize with finesse and your movements are like a prowling leopard. You feel bold and radiant. You think clearly and have rhythm. You’re on point, on your game.

Sometimes, the wind switches direction. The wind blows TOWARD you and everything changes. Mundane tasks become difficult and you are sluggish. You choke on your words and trip over your feet. You lack confidence and grace. You don’t feel that you are maximizing your potential and it’s frustrating. Kind of like walking home in a strong wind, you feel the resistance. It’s as if life is rejecting your very movements.       

Sometimes, a big gust comes, unexpectedly, and blows you off track.

The cycles in life, much like the real weather forecast, is a mystery of life. One could theorize that it is because you did something wrong. Maybe it was something you ate or drank (or didn’t drink – like WATER!) or something you smoked… Perhaps some guilty feelings are distracting you. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe you just have a lot going on in life!

You must understand that it is in no way because you lack the capabilities to live a productive and prosperous life. There are many many factors that play pivotal roles in how we live our lives. Things like the weather, proper nutrition, stress, moods of loved ones, and the attitudes and vibrations of those around us can be extremely influential. They do not dictate our lives but they can certainly have an impact.

Just do your best. Always do your best – then you have nothing to regret. When you try your best, under grueling circumstances, you build immunity to those conditions. (For more on this concept please read POSITIVE CALLOUS)

It’s growth. It’s all about growth.

So keep on truckin’   

Small Under the Sky:

Photo Credit: Sparks of David Photography

It all happened on the night of May 11. It was the night of my birthday and a large group of about 15 people, including me and my friends, were all camped high up in the mountains of northern Israel. Another person in the group, who I had never met before, also had their birthday that night and we celebrated with a double birthday party. We didn’t all know each other but a huge bonfire gathered us together as we got into the birthday spirit. Drinks were poured and stories were told. We laughed and sang and horsed around, all without a care in the world. I really enjoyed myself and I appreciated the presence of my friends and the others around me. 

At some point, I approached the other person who was also celebrating their birthday that night. Already having something in common, we had a nice conversation and soon delved deep into each others lives. We recognized many similarities in our families, interests, personalities, and journeys. I was fascinated by the striking similarities that were apparent in our lives. The fact that we were born on the same day enthralled me and the irony that we had met, under these circumstances, intrigued me even more. How is it that two people, born on the same day, could have so many resemblances?

I started to think that it was all part of some cosmic happening, some orderly constellation. It was spooky and mysteriously thrilling. I glanced up at the stars in bewilderment. If something between two small specks of “dust in the wind” could be so cool, then what about the complexities in the universe at large? 

I felt small.

When the fire died down, my friends and I got our sleeping bags and set them in the grass to gaze at the stars. It was a clear night and the sight of looking up at the stars, on a secluded mountaintop, was awe-inspiring. Deep in thought, I stared up at the beautifully adorned sky and prayed that I would see a shooting star. I witnessed multiple meteors and my heart leapt each time I traced their fiery trails across the sky. I found myself staring into the abyss we call space with my mouth foolishly open. It was jaw-dropping.

Then I saw it. Up, in the cluster of stars, was a formation of 5-7 lights that resembled a “V”. Protruding from the right side of the light formation was a blinking red light. The formation was traveling fast with the red light keeping its pace as if it were attached. It was odd and very chilling. I remembered a documentary I once watched on The History Channel about UFOs. This definitely fit the description. 

“Hey guys, I just saw a UFO!!” I yelled excitedly. We all had a nice laugh when I couldn’t point it out to them because I had lost sight of it. I told them what I saw and explained that it was probably some sophisticated military technology; A quiet drone or some other warfare. After all, we were in the middle-east, a very hostile environment, and Israel is known to have one of the strongest, most advanced, Air-Forces in the world. 

Again, I felt small.

There was clearly something way over my head. There were secrets of men and women more powerful and knowledgeable than myself, the many mysteries of politics, science and religion, and unanswered questions from centuries ago. Add that to the unexplainable frenzies of my personal life and it’s enough to silence anyone. I felt minimized, ignorant, and insignificant. A classic case of ego-death.

We've all felt this way before. That our efforts will never be enough; we just don’t have what it takes. So many are bigger and better than us, why should we even try?

We must all realize that we are unique. There is nobody on the planet that has the same combination of physical features, thought processes, experiences, talents, desires, values, and creativity as we do. Nobody is exactly like us. We can offer our fresh output and that is cause for celebration.

Our thoughts and ideas ARE important. People CAN be affected by our actions and they ARE interested in what we have to say. The world needs our talents! Our friends, family, and acquaintances CAN benefit from our feedback and constructive critique. They need our care and affection. They need our love.

An automobile is compiled of many different parts, that when united and working properly, turn a chaotic piece of machinery into a powerful and productive apparatus. If one part is missing or faulty it is simply a box of steel. Every part is important. 

The same is true for us. Our energies are needed for the harmony of the universe and we are all of great importance. If one of us was missing or malfunctioning, things just wouldn’t be the same.

We can make the world a better place and it all starts with us. Never underestimate how valuable you are!

 

The Golden Rule (Part Two)

“Treat others how you want to be treated”
 – The Golden Rule

As important as the “Golden Rule” is, it cannot be put to practical use without some preliminary steps taken to ensure the effectiveness of this lifestyle. In order to be treated in the manner we wish, it is key to first ALLOW ourselves to be treated that way. I believe that a different variation of the above phrase is just as important (if not more) in the pursuit of a prosperous life:

Treat YOURSELF how you want others to treat YOU!

Would you want your friends, family members, spouses, BF/GF, teachers, or others, to never FORGIVE you if you screwed up?  Never THINK about you? Would you want them to never BELIEVE in or CARE about you? Never TRUST or LOVE you? Never TALK to you?

HELL NO.

If not, then why do that to yourself?

We cannot possibly expect others to treat us a certain way if we don’t treat ourselves that way.

This fundamental concept is what will set the tone for how others act towards us. By taking the lead and acting first, we are allowing our desire to be treated properly come into fruition.  We can make it a reality - It all starts with us.

The Golden Rule (Part One)

“Treat others how you want to be treated”

 For thousands of years, this well-known phrase has been a point of departure for many people wishing to live a prosperous life. I do not know the origins of the phrase itself but variations of this “rule” can be found in the scriptures of many religions and ways of life including Christianity and Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. Other variations of the phrase, with the same concept, can be found in Judaism, Confucianism, and Islam. For others, it is a simple and effective way to live life.

How does it work? It may seem simple and self-explanatory; however I believe that this philosophy is a more complex system than what meets the eye. 

First and foremost, when someone chooses to practice this way of life they are identifying how they want others to act towards them. This, too, may seem simple but not everybody thinks about how they want to be treated. For example, some people absentmindedly expect the best and for everything to work harmoniously as if everybody else is in-tune with their desires and schedules. Only when they are harmed or things don’t go their way, do they identify that they don’t wish to be treated that way.

How you act towards others (for better or worse) subconsciously lets them know how they should treat you. In a healthy social situation, people mirror the actions of others. A smile is reciprocated with a smile and people can sense your comfort level and can feel that way around you. The opposite is also true. If someone acts obnoxious to a stranger, chances are they will be treated the same unless the other person is kinder, more dominant, or just ignores them. While this may only be true on a short-term level, it can be very important as we develop friendships and relationships. As they grow in time, the connections that we have with others are greatly effected by how WE act towards them.

I recently had a conversation with someone and it slightly troubled me. The topic was respect and during our dialogue he said:

“It’s easy, man. If they respect me, I’ll respect them. It’s simple as that.”

I found it intriguing that he was waiting to be respected before he would give anybody respect. Perhaps he should try making his wishes a reality by taking initiative and doing it first. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” As Gandhi so eloquently put it. He should be proactive and not wait for others to initiate respect. He shouldn’t expect it to just come to him.

The same is true for us. Don’t EXPECT others to be kind or caring to you as if it is your rite. Rather, set the tone and make it known how you want others to act towards you. Be an example and take the lead by showing others how to properly treat people.         

THIS I BELIEVE

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”      -Socrates

Have you ever had the feeling that you are right and everybody else is wrong? Or, despite the fact that nobody believes it, you are certain that you saw, heard, felt, or experienced something?

There are approximately 7,000,000,000 people in the world and everybody thinks that they are right. This phenomenon is not new and it is a natural (healthy) occurrence to hold our individual beliefs, thoughts, and priorities as important truths.

Our beliefs are the craft of our own unique knowledge, perceptions, and experiences. We are proud of our views and often stand up for them. They are dear to us and sometimes, it’s all we have.

Occasionally, our values may clash with the philosophies of others. As close as our beliefs are to us, they may start to crumble in the face of opposition. We may not be as comfortable or confident in what we believe in, when we are bombarded with inquiries that question what we hold to be true.

The key is to be confident in your search. Some people may try and persuade or intimidate you to accept their beliefs or put you down for yours. I believe that those people aren’t confident in their own philosophies. Rarely is someone so sure of their truth that they want to share it with the world and help them “see the Light”. (It is a rarity but not unheard of.) Rather, when the aforementioned canaries get everyone to believe what they want they feel more comfortable with their thinking.

Socrates (469 BC – 399 BC), the famous and influential Greek philosopher, was all too familiar with opposition. In fact, he died refusing to retract his words. Socrates was labeled as “impious” and was charged with blaspheming local gods of the city and corrupting the youth of Athens, Greece with his philosophical musings. Socrates was then convicted by a majority of 501 jurors and was sentenced to death by poison. While the world lost a scholar to a nation’s blindness and fear of revolutionary thought, Socrates emerged, posthumously, as one of the most influential philosophers of all time.

Perhaps we need not be as adamant and stubborn, when faced with death, due to opposition of our ideas. Maybe we do. Irrespective, in today’s day and age, (assuming you are not living under some dictator’s regime) you have the freedom to choose and formulate your own opinions. This doesn't mean that we should be close-minded and dogmatic. If you come across an answer that destroys your question or learn something new and want to incorporate it into your belief, then so be it. That’s how you had formulated your previous notions.

Our intuitive talents play a remarkable role in our lives. They are something that nobody can minimize and often they hold our most honest beliefs. Be brave and bold when it comes to your personal philosophies. They are part of you. Don’t be too open and never be too closed. If you set realistic goals, you are bound to find what you are searching for.

THIS I BELIEVE.

Just Keep Going

“You never know what's around the corner. It could be everything. Or it could be nothing. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you've climbed a mountain.” 
― Tom Hiddleston

Sometimes, we can't see how far we have come and how much our triumphant accomplishments have effected ourselves and those around us. We feel that we have nothing to be proud of and those venomous feelings of insecurity and low self-worth start to creep in.

Just Keep Going. 

A wise man once told me: "Never forget where you have come from and where you are going."

When you remember a time when things were really dreadful and you then snap back to reality, it gives you a unique perspective of how far away YOU have distanced yourself from that negativity. How much things have changed. 

Just Keep Going.

For better or worse, things always change - there is no neutral in life. If you feel neutral, chances are you're heading down. So, keep going! 

Just know that your positive atmosphere is setting the tone for others to be themselves and pursue their dreams. People recognize your confidence and they feel secure around you. Whether or not you acknowledge it, you are a leader - a beacon of light. 

You have every right to be damn proud of yourself. 

"I'm Sorry"

Sometimes, we screw up. Sometimes, we hurt others. Sometimes, we're just wrong.

When we do, it sucks for both parties. Nobody likes to be wronged or harmed by another and little can compare to the terrible feeling when WE are to blame. 

When we were young, most of us were taught the importance of saying "I'm Sorry" if we harmed someone else. It's proper and sensitive and it is the right thing to do.

WHY? Does a simple phrase make the pain go away? Surely not.

"I'm Sorry" is more than just an apologetic cliche, it's a formal acknowledgment that you are taking responsibility for your actions. It means that you are not ignoring or blocking out the fact that you made a mistake. It's recognizing how powerful we really are (for better or worse) and not letting our egos deceive us into thinking that we are perfect. 

When we make a mistake it's important not to just brush it off. It takes a certain maturity and confidence to admit to others (and yourself!) that you were wrong. In the end, it only makes us stronger.

When we harm a loved one, the terrible feeling that we are the cause of another's pain is increased ten-fold. However, when you have the courage to acknowledge the fact that you were wrong and apologize - it brings you closer to your loved one. You have had a growing experience together. 

Learn from your mistakes and take responsibility not only for the good you have accomplished but also the bad. Love yourself unconditionally and don't be afraid to admit to yourself that you were wrong. And NEVER be afraid to say "I'M SORRY!!"

What Do I Have To Complain About?

I was on the train the other day and I wasn’t in the greatest of moods. I had a lot on my mind. At the next stop, a homeless man stepped on the train and took a seat directly across from me. At first, I didn’t make note of him. I just kept thinking about my personal life, responsibilities and lacks, and plans for the near future. As I was mulling around and lost in my mind, I lifted my head up and took a long look at the homeless man in front of me. His shoes were tattered and his clothing crumpled. He had wild hair and the skin on his hands was cracked and peeling. He was a small, broken, man

“What do I have to complain about?” I thought to myself. “Look at THIS guy.”

I tried to imagine what his life was like and put my problems up against his. He probably doesn’t have a home for shelter and to grow in. He probably doesn’t have much family to consult and find love in. I assumed he didn’t have a job or very many friends, or a lot of excitement in his life. He may even be battling an illness or a drug addiction.

“What do I have to complain about?”

There I was, sitting on a subway, on the way to work. I had just come from my brother’s apartment and had a meal and a shower before I left. My problems were not the lack of basic necessities such as food, shelter, money, or family and friends, like they were for the homeless man. Mine were frustrations of everyday privileges and gifts not playing out how I had liked them to. The fear of TOO MUCH responsibility, tremendous lacks and needs not fulfilled, and confusion and lack of clarity regarding the abundance that I have in my life.

“What do I have to complain about?”

And then something really strange happened. My stop was next so I gathered all my belongings together and stood up. I had forgotten that my ipod was on my lap (I do this ALL the time!) and it fell along with the earphones, onto the floor.

While my ipod was mid-air, right before it hit the ground, a man came into my train through a door that connects the cars. Just as the doors were slamming shut, my ipod’s headphones landed directly in between the closing doors, and severed them in half!

The whole ordeal took less than 4 seconds. While it was an unavoidable bummer that my headphones broke, but it was a pretty spectacular chain of events.

Then I remembered the homeless man. My ipod’s headphones were replaceable and they were an accessory to a gift (worth hundreds of dollars) that I received from a family member…

“What do I have to complain about?”

It’s important to take inventory and always be grateful for the abundance we have in our lives. Don’t take the basic and easily overlooked necessities in life for granted. View yourself from afar and truly acknowledge the beauty you have in your life.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

INDIVIDUALITY:

Photo Credits: Sparks of David Photography 

We are all unique in our own special way. Be bold and show the world who you REALLY are.

The Moon and The Eyes

His Eyes were wide

Like a full Moon

They hid the gloom

And the rushing tide

They lit up bright

Like a full Moon at night

Illuminating the way

For a positive day

A gateway to the Soul

Yet the Doors are closed

A woman with a key

To complete him whole

Like the sun and the Moon

He thought they were a team

But then he woke up

It was all a Dream

(The above poem is meant to be read twice as it portrays a cycle.)

The cycles in our lives can be compared to the cycle of the Moon. Sometimes, the Moon is full and we are bright and glowing and everything in life is Harmony and gold.


Other days it’s half Light, half dark, as the Moon has reached its “first quarter”. Some days, the quality of life is just a tiny sliver of silvery Light in a dark sky or a “Crescent Moon”. 


When the Moon reaches the end of a cycle it is not visible at all. This is called a “Dark Moon” and we have all experienced this day in regard to our lives.

   

When The Light is not visible, at whatever point in the cycle, it has not completely disappeared. We all have the ability to generate “Light” by focusing on what we have and the positive we have accomplished. We can choose to look at the love that is present around us and choose to reach out and access it. We can CHOOSE to recognize the abundance we all have in our lives.

Close your Eyes and find the light within yourself. Build on it and let it fully encompass your mind and body. After all, the Moon is just a reflection of the Sun. The Sun’s Light is never extinguished; it is simply the Earth and Moon that rotates…  

Resentment and Forgiveness:

For years, I struggled with resentment and would not let go of those who had hurt me in the past. I would literally work myself up by sautéing my mind in negative memories. Sometimes, I wasn’t even aware of what I was doing to myself.

Don McLaughlin, an influential mentor of mine, was the first to shed light on the issue. When I asked him about resentment he, ever so frankly, explained the following:

“When you constantly think about those who have hurt you and replay the events, it zaps your energy and occupies your mind. Not only are you giving them so much undeserved attention, you are preventing the event from becoming a memory and cannot learn or grow from it. This can only lead to you not being hurt ONCE by the perpetrator, but you are allowing them to hurt you over and over and over again.”

These words stuck with me as I had experienced it in practice. I then embarked on the constant journey of forgiving and trying to move on. Ultimately, it paved the way for greater things as I had, simply, made room in my mind for more positive things. It is something I practice everyday no matter how big or small.

My message to you is FORGIVE. Don’t try and forget because you never will fully. Learn from everything and everybody – even if it’s what NOT to do. Clean your mind. Make way with the old and welcome the new. Forgive those who have harmed you and, most importantly, forgive YOURSELF!

Don't Give Up!: A True Story

I recently had an idea for a large scale, random act of kindness project. I bought a handful of flashcards and wrote inspirational messages on them to be distributed to strangers. I am an avid runner and at first I would run with the flashcards and fling them into the air letting my messages flow with the wind to their destined targets. I later decided to personally give the flashcards out, in public, to people who looked like they needed them.

My project produced amazing results! I got a lot of positive responses, mainly in the form of a smile or a “thank you”, and people seemed genuinely touched by my efforts. Some did not and refused to accept the flashcards. One lady, who I gave a flashcard that read “:) SMILE! :)” responded “Smile? WHY??” in a very cynical way. I continued walking as I realized she clearly needed that specific message.

One day, as I walk through the park, I see a Jamaican man sitting on a bench. He is on the phone and looks up in despair as I walk by. I had located my next target. I casually stroll around the park again until I came back to the man on the bench. He is off the phone now and has a distant look in his eyes. Clearly lost in his thoughts, I approach the man and hand him a flashcard that read “Don’t give up!” He took the card and froze. “Thank you” he stammered. I smile and continued walking. I knew that one had found its mark.

As I walk along, I think about what I had done. It fills me up with happiness because I know that my little kindness really impacted the Jamaican man and many others in a positive way. God only knows how far that can travel.

About a week later I was jogging through the neighborhood (I am in New York now). I wasn’t in a particularly great mood and jogging usually lifts my Spirits… Not this time! Even as I jogged, my fears and personal issues occupied my mind. I was irritable and anxious and very impatient for what the next positive thing life had to offer. I kept going as my pump-up song started to play on my ipod. My jog turns into fast run as I sprint down one of the busiest streets. In the distance, I see an old man distributing flyers. I am fast approaching and I know he will offer me one as I fly by. “Hell no, I don’t want one,” I thought.

Sure enough, as I run closer to the old man he stretches out his arm and offers me a leaflet. Time had slowed at this point. At first I ignore the flyer and my body language strongly says so. Then, in a split second, I change my mind and furiously grab the flyer as I bolt past him. I continue running as I looked down to quickly glance at the flyer, having every intention of crumpling it up and throwing it in the face of the next passerby.

I looked down and my knees buckle. In bold letters the flyer read:

“DON’T GIVE UP!”

My attitude quickly changes. I smile and eventually start to laugh. I guess my random act of kindness really did travel far.

DON’T GIVE UP!!!!!

Never Give Up!

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

For every moment you spend worrying about the FUTURE, your PRESENT is turning into your PAST.

People come into your life for a reason

This is fascinating!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=bLltt5cPDOc

An Open Mind

Age is a number that represents the amount of time someone has spent in this world. It in no way represents how much knowledge or experience one has gained during that period. Keep an open mind and learn from everyone and everything. Even if what you learn is what NOT to do, that's half the battle..


Never hesitate to learn from a child. Sometimes their honesty and simplicity is what we really need.

Keeping Afloat with Goals

We must make goals and pursue them regardless of what comes and goes. This will keep us focused and driven, no matter how we are feeling.We cannot be at the mercy of our moods.

Emotions are the most beautiful thing in existence. Unfortunately, that can also be the ugliest. We all experience bouts of confusion and insecurity sometimes - that is life and life is progress. But don't lose your identity. Hold onto your positive accomplishments with all your might. Never lose sight of your direction - as abstract as it may be - and remember that every effort and every little step is creating new opportunities for the future and paving your road to excellence.

Love has the potential to break all barriers. But it is yourself whom you must love first. 

COOL CREATIVITY:

Photo Credit: Sparks of David Photography 

This is my friend SPPENCER. He is flowing as he plays his guitar. As you can see, Sppencer has worked himself up into a blissful state through CREATIVITY. We can all achieve this state of bliss through our OWN CREATIVITY. Each and every individual's CREATIVITY stems from their personal experiences, preferences, and state of mind. If you recognize and are aware that what you are CREATING (whatever that may be) is a manifestation of your effort and personality, it should fill you up with a sense of  great accomplishment and joy. 

WATER

Water is what gives our bodies the vitality to stay in motion. Approximately 70% of the body weight is water and one of its jobs is to transport nutrients throughout the body as well as aid digestion and the removal of toxins in the body. It is VERY important to get enough water in our bodies so we don’t get dehydrated. Many times, when our bodies are not running at full capacity, we are dehydrated. A Doctor once told me that the majority of times that people are HUNGRY they are actually THIRSTY! Irritability, digestion problems, headaches, and overall lack of motivation can all have their roots in dehydration. AMAZING!

There are numerous reasons for dehydration. Changes in weather, caffeine, alcohol, and drug use, a long shower, strenuous activity and exercise, or quite simply, not enough water intakes, are all contributing factors that can dehydrate the body. It’s important to keep aware of your activities and notice when you may need to drink a cup (or two or three!) of H2O.

“STAY THIRSTY, MY FRIENDS.”

F*@!

There is a word that should be completely removed from our vocabularies. It's harsh, gross, and can do irreparable damage. It can ruin lives and destroy all momentum. 
It's a terrible four-letter word and it starts with F


The word is FEAR. 

GOOD bye

I have never met someone that was good at saying goodbye. It proves how connected you are with the other person when it's difficult to finally part ways. Be grateful for the love and friendship that you have in your life and keep in touch by reaching out and initiating contact.

All about creativity

Great interview with a GENIUS:
http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/12302

Listening

Just lending someone an ear and and giving them some time can change their life. Never forget the people you have helped and always be grateful to those who've helped you.

Influence

I believe that those who propagate and impose their philosophies on others have lost passion in their own journey. Be HONEST and formulate your OWN opinion.

Speak your thought and you will receive anew.

Smile - Its worth it :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dgadTcVu60

Its YOUR world

The positive that one does should not just be cleaning up the negative. Brainstorm, and create new opportunities to better your world.

Positive Callous

A callous is a hardening or insensitivity to something through repetition. When a guitarist first places his fingers on the cords, it is foreign and painful. Through repetition and practice, the skin on the guitarists finger’s become hardened and he develops a callous, or pachydermatous. This allows the guitarist to play with more freedom and grace.

When we are in a predicament, everything we have built for ourselves is put to the test. It is an intense situation and all our energies may not be focused on preforming our best. For example, if someone is dedicated to remaining positive and optimistic but they are faced with something seemingly unbearable, they may slip into negativity and despair. What they don’t realize is if they can maintain their positive feelings in these conditions, at the peak of their capacity, they can do it anytime, anywhere, and in any mind-state. Through pursuing one’s philosophy, in rigorous conditions, immunity to those conditions develops. If we go through an unpleasant experience, while holding on to our dreams and goals, we grow with them, driving them deeper into our psyche.

I was once at the home of a musician who was recording and working on an album. During a break, he was explaining to me how he has terrible anxiety/anger issues and takes prescription medication (on top of other remedies) to help manage it. At that moment, a pencil rolled off the table and landed on the floor. “I’m relaxed now and with friends and good company.” He said. “Usually, that would really get at me and I’d flip out.” I had a thought. I explained that if he were to try and hold on to his other therapeutic tools (other than meds) and break on through the event, he would prevail. Having beaten the challenge, despite all the triggers, he would build a type of immunity to it. The next time a situation came up, with circumstances of the same caliber, it would be insignificant.

When we are faced with a challenge we should view it as if we are paving the way for bigger and better things. By holding on to our values, regardless of the situation, we build immunity and a callous to the challenge. This builds stamina, endurance and helps us grow. It leads to higher capacity and more opportunities which, in turn, lead to more experiences, pleasure, and happiness. 

Growth: Through the Ages

When a baby is born its perception of life is very narrow. It cries when it wants anything or is uncomfortable or lonely. The baby is fed, bathed, clothed, and washed up after. It overall can not provide for itself. It can’t even walk! With time, as the baby develops, its brain builds the capacity for speech, play, and even independence.

As the years go by, the baby advances in all areas of communication, creativity, and of course, the body. The baby learns to socialize with others and express its needs. It draws pictures and builds with blocks and makes messes. It crawls, and walks, and runs, and falls; all with the naiveté and innocence of a newly born child. After a certain amount of experiences, even at a young age, the child starts to realize that there are new realities in the world it was thrown into. The child learns cause an effect and becomes conscious of his actions and their consequences. Reward and punishment, not only in a disciplinary manner, become a pivotal part of his life. As the child grows, so does a callous for pain and pleasure. The things he once enjoyed no longer excited him and what was once a great source of pain, became seemingly insignificant. Thus began the pursuit of bigger and better things. Through trial and error the child builds a keen understanding of what suits him best. Naturally, the child gravitates towards what is pleasurable and distances himself from that which is painful.
   
However, there comes a certain point in life when the child has an epiphany. He realizes, in his pursuit of pleasure, that in order to achieve a certain level of pleasure he needs to face an amount of pain. This pain is a tool to achieve the desired pleasure and thus becomes a steppingstone in his journey for the pleasure. When the child understands this system he becomes a little man.


As the little man uses these tools of pain he begins to grow in many areas. He builds the stamina and capacity to take upon himself greater responsibilities which in turn lead to greater pleasure and pain. The little man continues to have experiences and has a greater awareness of the life he is living. At any point he may be faced with a foreign or uncomfortable predicament which will require an immediate reaction. The little man then realizes that what he feels like doing and what he needs to do may contradict each other. He then begins to differentiate between his intellect and emotions; thinking and feeling. When a small man is consciously aware that his future greatly depends on how he reacted to foreign and uncomfortable situations he becomes a man.


As a man goes through life growing and living, he will inevitably experience many feelings and moods. Through the good times and the bad, he will face life with his intellect and emotion. At any given time he may choose to THINK-THINK, THINK-FEEL, or FEEL-THINK. Always using the intellect, FEEL-FEEL isn't an option. When a man lives life in control and not at the mercy of his moods, he becomes a great man.

Staying Positive

The following is a true story:

In my school there is a short black man named John who works as our janitor. John (and I don’t think this is his real name) came to Israel from a country in Northern Africa to pursue a livelihood. He scrubs the toilets, mops the floors, and picks up the trash. He even plants flowers around the campus -all with a big SMILE on his face.

 One particularly grey and gloomy day, I walked outside my dorm room as John was mopping the floor in the hallway. I stood there for a moment and watched as he tediously swung the mop back and forth. The night before, some kids had gone to a tie-dye party and brought supplies back for some late night fun. Hanging on a line from one room to the other across the hall were shirts, pants, boxers, and socks with all types psychedelic designs on them. Below, the floor was covered in all sorts of different colored paints. John turned to me with a big SMILE and in broken English asked “They. color. clothing?” I laughed and confirmed that they had indeed been coloring their clothing but I had no part in it. John shrugged and with a SMILE turned to continue mopping. Not in the greatest of moods, I tried to compose myself for a challenging day. I walked down the clean hallway and just as I was heading out the door I turned to him and asked “John, how the hell are you so HAPPY all the time?” He looked up and with a big SMILE responded “Whaahtt?”Recognizing the language barrier I approached him and said animatedly “SMILE, big SMILE!” “Ahh!” he replied “Yes. Always – that’s how. It’s done.” He finished and stood there, noticeably proud of himself, nodding and SMILING.

Feeling encouraged, I continued my day with a bright outlook and a SMILE to the day’s challenges. The days went on and when I would see John I’d wave or say hi to him. Whether I would see him cleaning up after meals or planting flowers along the walkway between buildings, I was greeted with a SMILE. I was soon getting a daily dose of inspiration from a Sudanese man who hardly spoke English. Night and day, rain or shine, this guy always had a POSITIVE atmosphere. It was truly inspiring.

 The other day the unfortunate and terrifying news had spread around that John’s 17 year-old brother, en route to Israel, had been captured by terrorists and is currently being held hostage. At lunch, this was the topic of conversation and when John walked in a hush fell over the cafeteria. As he walked by, John showed no signs of negative emotion which caused someone to ask rhetorically “How did he come to work today??” I walked into the kitchen to get something and was greeting with the same SMILE as everyday like nothing had happened! I was floored. How does someone go through that and continue on with his chores like any other day? I approached John later that day and asked him about what I had heard. I spent some time with him as he struggled to find the right words in English. He confirmed the story and told me the terrorist group had been given a sum of money but had sold his brother to another group which now demanded $36,000! He said the group had called him the other day and threatened that if they didn’t receive the money they would kill the boy. He continued on about how he had warned his younger brother not to try and come to Israel because of the danger in the surrounding areas and his fears had come true. It was hard for me to keep my composure just listening to him tell me the story. What really got me was how optimistic he was. He explained it was impossible for his family to pay that amount but his plan was to get friends in America to help him. “The rest,” he said as he pointed to the ceiling, “Is God”. John shrugged and with a SMILE, he turned and continued on his way. 

I don’t know what will be of John’s brother, but I hope for the best. What I do know is that John’s determination, despite his terrible situation, to keep a positive attitude and take care of him-self and his responsibilities is truly admirable. If I had gotten any inspiration from John before, it’s doubled. I don’t know where he gets the strength to be so positive and optimistic but if he can do it, I can.

  

Never let your emotions override your intellect

We THINK with our minds and FEEL with our hearts. Sometimes we FEEL like we don't want to get out of bed in the morning but we KNOW we have responsibilities and must face our realities. If we're wholly driven by our hearts, life could be a disaster! One may not FEEL like paying the bills or stopping for a red light but the KNOW what needs to be done.
Harmony is the balance between the mind and heart. Think about it. How do you feel?

And.....We're back!

hope to get some cool stuff up soon

Staying Focused:

"Don't focus too much on the trees to the point where you forget the forest"
-Unknown

Details serve as a means of enhancing a 'bigger picture'. But some details are so vivid that we can get distracted from what's REALLY going on. Always look for the ESSENCE of the topic at hand. This will keep you alert and focused...

Creativity:

Creativity is taking the tools that we have and using them to build something. We can create words, food, children, peace and tranquility, friendships, moments, movies, airplanes... The list goes on and on. It all starts with realizing the uniqueness of our thoughts, ideas, and inspiration. We can act on them and pursue them into realities. Focus on your strengths and grow with them. They're yours! The idea is to not lose focus or get distracted from your main goal.


Remember the inspiration! :)

Inspiration:

Inspiration comes and goes...


We can be inspired to do anything: clean our room, start a project, connect with an old friend, get spiritual, exercise, take action, etc. etc. Whatever it is it all starts with that one spark. We get excited and our intellect is infused with emotion, creating this burst of momentum. If acted upon it can be glorious! But sometimes it fizzles out and skepticism starts to creep in. All sorts of fears come to the mind and the energy we should be using to follow through turns sour. Where did it go?? We were so driven two minutes ago! argh! lol
The key is immediate action. Time is valuable. Don't miss out on an opportunity especially when the inspiration literally falls into your lap... If you are inspired don't lose it! Hold onto that spark and never forget the main goal. Remember the feeling and how excited you were at the time.


...Don't lose it!  :)

THE ILLUSION OF FEAR:

(This discusses personal fears not fear factors set up by law enforcement, schools, parents, and the media)


Fear is something that can break all momentum, inspiration, and excitement. There are many types of fears: Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of the unknown, fear of oneself, phobias, etc. etc. etc. Where does fear come from? Of course we can be influenced by factors around us but the actual fear comes from within.
AMAZING! The biggest thing preventing us from doing what we want to do is OURSELVES! Many times we could have a spark of inspiration and want to spontaneously do something but a second later our minds are flooded with all sorts of 'fantasies' and predicted thoughts of the future. We think about the outcome of the event or what may follow (even before it happens...) but how could we possibly know the outcome before it happens? We can definitely think about how things may 'play out' but how many times have we contemplated the future but were 100% WRONG?
Fear is an illusion. Don't get blind sighted by the negative thoughts that can prevent you from being you!


NOTE:
This obviously needs a balance. There are healthy fears that prevent us from running into a lion's den or throwing ourselves in front of a moving train. Those fears are needed to survive and should not be overlooked...

Thoughts:

Just as we can choose to replay scenarios in our head, we can choose to ignore them completely. It is a matter of finishing or 'riding out' the thought that pops up. Notice that when you are zoned in and focused on a particular task, anything that gets in the way can be pushed aside. It's when we are not preoccupied that we become more susceptible to being influenced by.... OURSELVES! Does anybody else control our thoughts?? The human mind is a powerful tool. Scientists say that with all the "action" going on in galaxies and planets and stars in our universe, nothing compares to the human brain. Know that you have this tool and that it is in your control to take it where you wish.

Balance: (pt.1)

Balance is what makes the world go round. Without it we wouldn’t be able to channel our energies and act accordingly. We wouldn't be grounded or leveled and our emotions and thoughts would be morphed into one chaotic mess..
The world we live in is fast-paced, intense, and full of extremes. The trick is to balance our lives and harmonize with the things around us. This does not define conformity! We are all unique and should take pride in this. We tend to live in extremes with an "all or nothing mentality". When it comes to the human ego one should not be overly arrogant but not have 'ego-death'. Nothing can stop a balanced ego and healthy self esteem....




To be continued...

Listen to the Silence (A poem about self-discovery)

Let your thoughts run wild
Like the mind of a child
Picture for a moment
Fantasize if you must
A world full of peace
A world full of trust
You may think
"Another messenger with that hippie crap"
But Lennon was right
Imagine that...
Armageddon, 2012, doom and gloom
Why do you think it will be gone so soon?
We'll be fine
We've got time
Soon it will all be sublime
Because the gloom is in the head
Fighting with all it's might
Torturing your dreams in the middle of the night
It fills the mind
With sorrow and self-doubt
Drowning your desires
Clouding your heart's shout
But listen closely
And you will hear
A muffled calling
That will become more clear
Follow that direction
And the battle will be won
But hurry, because
TIME
WAITS
FOR
NO
ONE

Positive:

The key to happiness..
Think, and it will be.

Resentment:

Resentment can suck the positive light out of anything.
No matter how much time passes after the event it will remain fresh (if not more intense) if you constantly review it in the mind's eye. It serves us no good! The other person has moved on in life while you constantly hurt yourself by replaying the scenario over and over again. Nothing can be more counterproductive than living in the past. The only purpose our past should serve is a memory we can learn from. That's the only productive way to move forward in life after the event. It's essentially the only thing we can do with it. It cannot change!

Past, Present, Future: Know where you stand!

A wise man once told me "Never forget where you came from or where you are going". What great advice to live by! Know where you stand in the grand scheme of things. I believe that our thoughts are composed of either (past) memory, (present) awareness, (future) fantasy, or imagination (dream) created by the mind. We can be aware of which category our thoughts fall into and act accordingly. For example, Past (memory) cannot be changed and only learned from. How sad it would be if one where to constantly live life walking down memory lane and completely oblivious to the world around them!
The future is something that we cannot even contemplate because it has not happened yet. How many times have we predicted what will happen and were completely wrong?
What we are all looking for is awareness. Awareness is living in the present and being foucused on the life around us. We are free to live life in the present and not get distracted with the surrounding factors that make up the thrilling life that we live in. With so much going on we need to stay alert and focus on our goals..

Know where you stand!!!

DEPTH

Lets break it down. What's the essence of LIVING?
I think the essence of living is growth.
When we were tiny newborn babies, our perception of life was very narrow. We cried when we wanted anything or were uncomfortable or lonely. We were fed, bathed, clothed, and washed up after. We overall could not provide for ourselves. We couldn't even walk!  But think how much has changed since then? How much has been accomplished?
After a certain amount of experiences, even at a young age, we started to realize that there are new realities in the world that we were thrown in. The years go by, advancing in all areas of communication/socializing, creativity, and of course the body...

Fast-forward to the present.

Just reflect on how much you have grown.

Feedback…?.... Tell me what you think!

                     {PEACE}

Just started this blog, still putting it together. Any tips?