Bon Jour,
One of the strangest occurences in human endeavor is our tendency to miss the point. You know the drill. You're telling a story and there's always that one person who focuses on minute details and can't see the overall picture. Or, you're involved in a spirited debate and your opponent brings up irrelevant data to mask the fact they don't know what they're talking about. It's frustrating because once someone has missed the point, chances are, they will never get it. Throughout time we have learned a lot about our existence. For the most part, we know how our earthly bodies function. We know that, with science, certain phenomena can be explained. We now know that tornadoes, earthquakes, and avalanches are not punishment sent down from Heaven but the effects of climate changes. Although searching through the known has its benefits, I have always been interested in the unknown. I have the heart of an explorer. I like to find out new things and spread the knowledge. To discover, my friend, is the key to a more fulfilled life. And to live a fulfilled life is the point, right?
Now, when I say discover I don't mean you have to go on an Indiana Jones-type of expedition. A simple way to explore is to read. With a book you can travel around the Universe without leaving your room. There is so much I have a learned about life and myself by picking up a book. There is no sensation equivalent to learning something new. Like they say, "there's nothing like your first time". I like science and history. My home is chockablock* with books ranging from quantum physics to ancient cooking. I know my interests are boring subjects for most but don't miss the point! The point is to read what YOU are interested in. When you develop your interests you can continue on to explore the next level.
The next level is self exploration. Since self exploration sounds naughty, I'll use the term mind exploration. Some would argue that mind exploration should come first. I disagree. I believe we are born with a blank slate. Over time, we learn to become who we. Your personality is a direct reflection of what you've experienced with your 5 senses. You are the sum total of your experiences. You want to know why you're always sad? It's because you've gotten so used to feeling bad that it is "normal" for you. You don't expect much so you don't get much. That is why it is key to know and accept ourselves. When we "find" ourselves, we can finally be honest. We can finally admit that we procrastinate. We spend more money than we save. Sometimes, regretfully, we follow our emotions and not logic. Congratulations, you aren't perfect! That doesn't give you the right to not appreciate yourself. We are raised to be humble. We are raised to not bring attention to ourselves. Don't rock the boat. Be honest, most of us were raised to "fit in". It isn't until we are older (and crazier) we realize that we don't want to fit in. We want to be accepted for who we are. Little did we know, we could have been ourselves and no one would have known the difference. Take the time to explore your mind. Decide who you want to be. (Remember that there are NO wrong answers) How do you want to dress? Funky, colorful, and/or modern. How do you want to look? Sexy, vibrant, and/or demure. What kind of friends do you want? Supportive ones or the associates you already have who always have some foul (fill in your own blank) to say. Explore yourself to find out which one of these scenarios works for you. It may take time but it's fun. Discovering YOU is an exhileration that can't be matched. If you only knew how awesome "you" are...
Don't spend your life "fitting in". Be the "YOU" you were meant to be. There are so many people who are missing the point of life everday. Everybody can't drive an Escalade. So quit working so hard just to say you own one. You think you were meant to work so hard that you can't enjoy the fruits of your labor? You think you are supposed to be so tired that you can't play with your kids? You mean to tell me that you are destined to be scared, stressed, and unhappy on a daily basis? My friend, that is not living. Don't miss the point of life by focusing on situations that you can't control (and won't even remember in a few years).
"A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the 'why' for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any 'how'." --Victor Frankl
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
*Word you've never heard...
chockablock /CHAH-kuh-blahk/ adj. - very full
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Catalyst
Hello everyone,
There is a saying that states that the road to Hell is paved withgood intentions. I don't think that it is necessarily the good intentions that lead you down the path of destruction. I think its the natural inclination of human beings to live their lives based offof the past that lead people astray. Now, it is one thing to look at the negative effects of our salad days* in order to not repeat it. Itis a different thing to hold onto an idea that is clearly faulty merely because you don't won't to admit you were wrong.
We've all been in the situation in some form. You said you wanted tohang out but when the weekend hit, you were tired. You told yourfriends you would hang out so you go, even though you would rather goto bed. You end up going out and bringing everybody down because you don't want to be there. Now, no one is having fun. Alot of good that did. You should have just stayed at home. But you didn't, did you? Ok, you don't like that example. Let's use something that hits closerto home. You said your vows at the alter. 6 months down the road you both know that you made a mistake. But no one wants to admit it. Your parents told you to wait. Your friends told you that you weren'tready. But you were in love. Notice I said you WERE in love. But once the high came down you realized that you two can't see eye to eyeon ANYTHING! Funny how perspectives change when you have to be around a person day in and day out. Now, there is a decision that has to be made (and choosing not to make a decision is a decision in itself). Do you call it quits and admit that you BOTH made a mistake? Or do you save face by staying in a fruitless marriage just because you want to be right. Nobody wants to hear, "I told you so." If I've said itonce, I've said it a thousand times: Being right is the Booby Prize in life. It's better to find out what's right than who's right.
Alot of times, we hang on to decisions we've made in the past because we like to be a man/woman of our word. I know our word should be our bond. But if you're like me, sometimes you change your mind. And when you change your mind, there is always going to be that one person there to remind you of what you said previously. I'll let you in on a secret. What you said in the past was how you felt THEN. It may not apply now. If it doesn't apply now. Why hold on to it? Has anyone ever tried to put you in check because you changed your mind? I guess I'm the only one. Anyway, people want you to stick to what you said. They want you to be the same old you. If you start changing then they're going to have to start changing. But it is my right to change my mind anytime. As an actor, I come across other artists. Every week, I hear someone say I'm quitting my job to pursue my dreams. I applaud that. But I also know that is an incredibly hard task. I've seen people literally struggle because they won't admit that they bit off more than they could chew. There is this guy (that I only seem to see when I'm in front of a mirror) who suffers from this condition. I know having a 9-5 isn't glamorous but it pays the bills. Being a starving artist isn't cool nor is it commendable. If your craft can't feed you maybe you should put in a few resumes. We all know it's not forever but for right now get that paycheck.
The past can haunt in many ways. Of course, repeating past failures is pointless. But, as I mentioned, staying faithful to a counterproductive idea for the mere fact that only YOU think its flawless is contemptibly ignorant. Which is easier, holding on or letting go? The answer to this question is the key to life. Use it to open the door to your aspirations.
"We can spend our lives letting the world tell us who we are. Sane orinsane. Saints or sex addicts. Heros or victims. Letting history tellus how good or bad we are.Letting our past decide our future. Or we can decide for ourselves. ...maybe it's our job to invent something better."
--Chuck Palahniuk
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
http://www.rallostyles.com/
http://www.blestbabyproductions.com/*
Term you've never heard...
salad days /SAL-ud-DAYZ/ - time of youthful inexperience or indiscretion
There is a saying that states that the road to Hell is paved withgood intentions. I don't think that it is necessarily the good intentions that lead you down the path of destruction. I think its the natural inclination of human beings to live their lives based offof the past that lead people astray. Now, it is one thing to look at the negative effects of our salad days* in order to not repeat it. Itis a different thing to hold onto an idea that is clearly faulty merely because you don't won't to admit you were wrong.
We've all been in the situation in some form. You said you wanted tohang out but when the weekend hit, you were tired. You told yourfriends you would hang out so you go, even though you would rather goto bed. You end up going out and bringing everybody down because you don't want to be there. Now, no one is having fun. Alot of good that did. You should have just stayed at home. But you didn't, did you? Ok, you don't like that example. Let's use something that hits closerto home. You said your vows at the alter. 6 months down the road you both know that you made a mistake. But no one wants to admit it. Your parents told you to wait. Your friends told you that you weren'tready. But you were in love. Notice I said you WERE in love. But once the high came down you realized that you two can't see eye to eyeon ANYTHING! Funny how perspectives change when you have to be around a person day in and day out. Now, there is a decision that has to be made (and choosing not to make a decision is a decision in itself). Do you call it quits and admit that you BOTH made a mistake? Or do you save face by staying in a fruitless marriage just because you want to be right. Nobody wants to hear, "I told you so." If I've said itonce, I've said it a thousand times: Being right is the Booby Prize in life. It's better to find out what's right than who's right.
Alot of times, we hang on to decisions we've made in the past because we like to be a man/woman of our word. I know our word should be our bond. But if you're like me, sometimes you change your mind. And when you change your mind, there is always going to be that one person there to remind you of what you said previously. I'll let you in on a secret. What you said in the past was how you felt THEN. It may not apply now. If it doesn't apply now. Why hold on to it? Has anyone ever tried to put you in check because you changed your mind? I guess I'm the only one. Anyway, people want you to stick to what you said. They want you to be the same old you. If you start changing then they're going to have to start changing. But it is my right to change my mind anytime. As an actor, I come across other artists. Every week, I hear someone say I'm quitting my job to pursue my dreams. I applaud that. But I also know that is an incredibly hard task. I've seen people literally struggle because they won't admit that they bit off more than they could chew. There is this guy (that I only seem to see when I'm in front of a mirror) who suffers from this condition. I know having a 9-5 isn't glamorous but it pays the bills. Being a starving artist isn't cool nor is it commendable. If your craft can't feed you maybe you should put in a few resumes. We all know it's not forever but for right now get that paycheck.
The past can haunt in many ways. Of course, repeating past failures is pointless. But, as I mentioned, staying faithful to a counterproductive idea for the mere fact that only YOU think its flawless is contemptibly ignorant. Which is easier, holding on or letting go? The answer to this question is the key to life. Use it to open the door to your aspirations.
"We can spend our lives letting the world tell us who we are. Sane orinsane. Saints or sex addicts. Heros or victims. Letting history tellus how good or bad we are.Letting our past decide our future. Or we can decide for ourselves. ...maybe it's our job to invent something better."
--Chuck Palahniuk
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
http://www.rallostyles.com/
http://www.blestbabyproductions.com/*
Term you've never heard...
salad days /SAL-ud-DAYZ/ - time of youthful inexperience or indiscretion
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