The Catalyst

Hello Good People,

Although I have realized this for a while, I must reiterate the fact that we live in a crazy world. I used to think there were rules in place to keep everything together. But the more I live the more I work out to my own satisfaction that anything can happen at anytime for no reason at all. The good news is I, and hopefully you, realize how crazy the world is. I believe that as long as you recognize how crazy and unstable the world can be you’ll be ok. As soon as you start trying to make sense of the world, you’re screwed.
You may be saying to yourself, “Rallo, what do you mean when you say the world is crazy?” Just look around and you will see the craziness is its ridiculous splendor. I never understood how a 20oz. soda costs more than a 2-liter. I can’t understand why the government let drugs in the country and prosecutes the people who use and sell it. Why do we kill people that kill people to show that killing people is wrong? Is “New York” (from I Love New York fame) cute in an unattractive way or is she unattractive in a cute way? I could go on all day but I realize that some things don’t deserve an explanation. Being human, I have a tendency to want to ask the eternal question, “why?” Then I get frustrated because I can’t find an adequate answer.
It’s natural to ask questions. As children our questions are rather simple. Why is the sky blue? A knowledgeable parent would say that the sky is blue because of light refracting off of debris in the atmosphere. Sure this question may be difficult for the uninformed but the answer is a science book away. Problems arise, however, as we get older and our questions get harder and the answers become vague. What is my purpose? Where was I before I was born? Where does my mind go when I’m sleep? And of course, what happens after I die? The answers to these questions depend on what you are willing to believe. I believe the world is a wide-open smorgasbord that will give you your fill if you’re willing to ask for what you want without worrying about the details. We sometimes concern ourselves with details because deep down we all are control freaks. Our attention to detail can function as a facade so that we don’t make an attempt to accomplish our goals. We won’t pull the trigger on an idea because we have to wait until we have ALL the answers and everything is PERFECT. We use the excuse of not being ready because half the time we are just scared of failure. The truth is your situation will never be perfect and without failure success is impossible. Most millionaires never knew exactly how they were going to become successful. They just knew. I don’t know how electricity works but I don’t have to know how it works in order for me to make an attempt to switch on the lights. We should approach life with the same carelessness. I’m not saying you should not plan. Planning is imperative. But it doesn’t take 10, 15, or 40 years to develop a strategy.
As I always say, embrace the chaos. The world is a ruthless place. You can’t even go to school without worrying about getting shot. When I was in school, the biggest crisis was teens killing other teens over Air Jordan tennis shoes. Now, kids shoot up schools for attention. You have criminals going on a shooting rampage, in a courtroom no less, and don’t get me started on suicide bombers. Security is a mirage, people. You should never feel that you are ever safe. Of course, I don’t want you to constantly worry about death. But you do have to realize that tomorrow is not promised. Every night when you get home you should be grateful that you made it. Don’t get used to taking life for granted. This world does not owe you a (fill in your own blank) thing and it will constantly remind you of that fact. Meditate on this word, satori. Satori is a Latin term that translates loosely in English as “attention to the moment”. All you should be concerned with is right now. The future hasn’t happened yet and the past can’t hurt you (unless you want it to but that’s another topic). It is a possibility that 5 minutes from now a maniac can end your existence and the next thing you know you’re walking the esplanades* of Heaven asking, “What the (fill in your own blank) just happened?” Like I mentioned before, my goal is not to scare you. I just want you to be aware that trying to make sense out of the universe is futile. Nothing makes sense. The sooner you take heed to this fact the better. As long as you try to make sense out of life, you’ll continually be confused. Have faith and live your life to the fullest every single minute of every single day. Remember: Faith is about letting go not holding on.

“Time is not a line, but a series of now points.” - Taisen Deshimaru

Dream Big. Live Bigger.

The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/


*Word you’ve never heard…

esplanade /ESS-pluh-nahd/ noun - a level open stretch of paved or grassy ground; especially : one designed for walking or driving along a shore