Hello Everyone,
Good versus Evil. Yin versus Yang. Cowboys versus Indians. Life is defined by conflict. Some would suggest life IS conflict. We have so many clashes of ideals it’s hard to choose a concrete philosophy to live by. We constantly have to pick sides. One of the major conflicts we have to settle is whether we want to be happy or do we want our life to have meaning/purpose. Some think that you don’t have to choose between the two. But like trying to be single and married at the same time, you can’t have both.
Contrary to popular opinion being happy isn’t hard. In fact it’s rather easy. The secret to being happy is to focus on the present. “Sotori” is a Zen term loosely defined as “attention to the moment”. In a world full of distraction it can be difficult to zero in on what’s important. As humans, we tend to worry about things we cannot change. No matter how much I pray and put anointing oil on my legs, I’ll never be taller than 5’11’’. Spending too much time daydreaming about being taller is a waste. It would be much easier to accept my height and move on. Society has taught us that we should fit into a certain mold. We ALL need to go to college. We ALL need to go to church. We ALL need to be heterosexual. Unfortunately, not all of us fit into these pre-made molds. Some of us get persecuted because we accept ourselves “as is”. The majority will get mad at the minority because they’re having more fun. It’s entertaining to see what lengths people will go to in order to be accepted by the mainstream. We send overweight kids to “fat camps” to try and rewire their brains to make them endeavor to be skinny. Others send their kids to sexual reorientation camps in a blind attempt to make our gay brothers and sisters straight. I’m no psychologist but I think it’s impossible to make someone something they are not. Only Jesus could turn water into wine. Life has taught me that you can’t make a person happy, especially if they choose to be depressed. To be happy, all you need to do is focus on what is going on right now. Focus on how good it is to be alive (as opposed to the alternative). Be thankful you have roof over your head. Remember that you have a child that loves you unconditionally. Sure, he/she may never make the honor roll. But your child is like your hometown sports team. You don’t love them because they’re good; you love them because they’re yours.
Many people wander through life struggling to find purpose. This is an admirable ideal. But wanting to find purpose can be a never-ending story. I say it’s “never ending” because when looking for meaning you have to focus on your past which cannot be changed and your future which hasn’t happened yet. You constantly have to examine and reexamine your life combing through mistakes while rationalizing their consequences. Despite what you’ve heard, it is possible to reap what you DID NOT sow. Don’t believe me? How about kids who get molested by adults? These children get violated with no provocation and to say otherwise is Panglossian*. It is possible to experieince an effect with no probably cause. With that being said, only YOU can give life meaning. Sure, we go to prophets, psychics, or whoever else will charge you for dreaming but they can’t give you real purpose. They can’t give you real answers. They can only speculate on a future based on whatever façade they can paint to keep your money flowing. To me, if a person can truly read the future you should only have to go to them once. You usually know the answers to the questions that plague your heart anyway. Most of us know the answer before we even ask the question. “Should I stay with him/her?” “Should I start my own business?” “Should I quit or persevere?” Be honest, you already know and your mind is already made up as far as what you’re going to do.
These paths that I’ve presented to you are merely two of a more complex decision-making map. Some would say that the road less traveled is the way to go. I wouldn’t be so sure. A lot of times the road less traveled is a hint that maybe that particular path is a dead end. The hard way isn’t the only way to learn. Sometimes it’s good to learn from others. The Bible reads “there is nothing new under the sun”. I take this to mean that no matter how unique we think we are there is someone somewhere who has tried what we think is an unprecedented idea. Some have failed while others have succeeded. It may have been easy for some while difficult for others. The race is not always won by the fastest person. But in order to win you at least have to finish. The road less traveled, though difficult, may be shorter. However, taking the path of least resistance is probably more enjoyable. It’s up to you to decide what’s best.
“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable or strong. The amount of work is the same.” – Francesca Reigler
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
*Word you’ve never heard…
Panglossian /pan-GLAH-see-un/ adjective - marked by the view that all is for the best in this best of possible worlds: excessively optimistic
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Catalyst
Happy New Year’s,
Yes, I realize that it’s a little late but the thought is what counts. I know I’ve been missing in action lately. I decided to take a little time to recharge. Don’t we all get a little lazy during the holiday season? Anyway, congratulations to everyone who made it through 2009. From a general consensus it seems like the last year took its toll on people. Luckily, this is a new year with new possibilities. Out with the old thoughts and behaviors and in with the new. Here’s to hoping you stick to your resolutions.
We all want our new year to go smoothly. To aid with that endeavor I have two bags that I know you carry with you everywhere in which I want you to stop. Inside one of those bags is fear. Love is what should drive you. If you walk in love your days will be a lot easier to live with. If you walk in love you’ll find that you won’t have many enemies. If you walk in love you’ll enjoy your job, family, and life more. Unfortunately for a lot of us fear is the ultimate motivation. Most of us don’t work our job because we love it. We work the job because we’re scared of not getting a paycheck. This is an understandable apprehension. However, you don’t have to work a job you don’t like. Find one you do like. If you can’t find one, start your own business. Make yourself rich instead of someone else. Similarly, a lot of us stay in or return to relationships we know are unsatisfying not because we love the person but because we are afraid of being alone. Some of us are so afraid of solitude that we will put up with (fill in your own blank) from our girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse because although they may be a problem at least they are “my” problem. You need to empty your fear bag. Any gambler will tell you that scared money is no money. A turtle can’t move unless he sticks his neck out. I have a million clichés but my point is you need to take chances. In order to achieve your dreams you have to be willing to put it all on the line. Like Abraham debating on whether to sacrifice Isaac, you have to be ready to give up everything to get what God has for you. Anything you love is well worth the risk. (Note: When I say “God” I don’t mean the god that makes sure rappers and actors get awards nor am I talking about the god that blesses preachers with tailor-made suits and mansions. I’m talking about the real God--the creative energy that makes life possible.)
The second bag that you need to empty out in the new year is filled with your guilt. Guilt is one of the heaviest burdens. Many of us carry years and years of guilt on our backs and wonder why we’re chapfallen*. I find it funny how many of my single church friends feel guilty every time they have sex. I know what its like to have all that passion bottled up. Your hormones are raging and it’s hard to keep your cool when your “cup runneth over”. Personally, I think sex is nature’s call more so than a sin. Humans are the only species that require commitment before sex. We’re also the only species that experiences guilt. Even me, the radical thinking, inspirational soap-box blogger has done, is currently doing, and will, in the future, do things that I’m not proud of. I’ve accepted my imperfections therefore I experience a peace that many won’t understand. I no longer lead a life based of the morality of others. I walk to the beat of my own drum. After 30+ years of existence I’ve decided to live by my own commandments. (<--Arguably the best decision I’ve made.)
The good thing about being human is that we can think. The problem lies in the things we choose to think about. There are many positive and enlightening ideas that we can fill our minds with. Unfortunately, 90% of the ideas that fill our mind is the same recycled trash that has polluted our thoughts for years. With a junky, scattered, and toxic mindset it will be hard to come up with useful ideas for 2010. I touched briefly on fear and guilt but there are a host of negative thoughts that do the electric slide in your head all day long. It’s up to you to change. Recognizing you have a flawed paradigm is not enough. You have to take action and purge or at least drastically reduce your negative thoughts. It is impossible to add new ideas to a mind that is already full. Good Luck in the upcoming year. I have big plans for myself and I want you to have big plans for yourself. Who knows? Maybe our “selves” will meet on the other side of success one day.
“Fear is the tax that conscience pays to guilt.” – George Sewell
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
Word you’ve never heard…
chapfallen /CHAP-faw-lun/ adj. - cast down in spirit: depressed
Yes, I realize that it’s a little late but the thought is what counts. I know I’ve been missing in action lately. I decided to take a little time to recharge. Don’t we all get a little lazy during the holiday season? Anyway, congratulations to everyone who made it through 2009. From a general consensus it seems like the last year took its toll on people. Luckily, this is a new year with new possibilities. Out with the old thoughts and behaviors and in with the new. Here’s to hoping you stick to your resolutions.
We all want our new year to go smoothly. To aid with that endeavor I have two bags that I know you carry with you everywhere in which I want you to stop. Inside one of those bags is fear. Love is what should drive you. If you walk in love your days will be a lot easier to live with. If you walk in love you’ll find that you won’t have many enemies. If you walk in love you’ll enjoy your job, family, and life more. Unfortunately for a lot of us fear is the ultimate motivation. Most of us don’t work our job because we love it. We work the job because we’re scared of not getting a paycheck. This is an understandable apprehension. However, you don’t have to work a job you don’t like. Find one you do like. If you can’t find one, start your own business. Make yourself rich instead of someone else. Similarly, a lot of us stay in or return to relationships we know are unsatisfying not because we love the person but because we are afraid of being alone. Some of us are so afraid of solitude that we will put up with (fill in your own blank) from our girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse because although they may be a problem at least they are “my” problem. You need to empty your fear bag. Any gambler will tell you that scared money is no money. A turtle can’t move unless he sticks his neck out. I have a million clichés but my point is you need to take chances. In order to achieve your dreams you have to be willing to put it all on the line. Like Abraham debating on whether to sacrifice Isaac, you have to be ready to give up everything to get what God has for you. Anything you love is well worth the risk. (Note: When I say “God” I don’t mean the god that makes sure rappers and actors get awards nor am I talking about the god that blesses preachers with tailor-made suits and mansions. I’m talking about the real God--the creative energy that makes life possible.)
The second bag that you need to empty out in the new year is filled with your guilt. Guilt is one of the heaviest burdens. Many of us carry years and years of guilt on our backs and wonder why we’re chapfallen*. I find it funny how many of my single church friends feel guilty every time they have sex. I know what its like to have all that passion bottled up. Your hormones are raging and it’s hard to keep your cool when your “cup runneth over”. Personally, I think sex is nature’s call more so than a sin. Humans are the only species that require commitment before sex. We’re also the only species that experiences guilt. Even me, the radical thinking, inspirational soap-box blogger has done, is currently doing, and will, in the future, do things that I’m not proud of. I’ve accepted my imperfections therefore I experience a peace that many won’t understand. I no longer lead a life based of the morality of others. I walk to the beat of my own drum. After 30+ years of existence I’ve decided to live by my own commandments. (<--Arguably the best decision I’ve made.)
The good thing about being human is that we can think. The problem lies in the things we choose to think about. There are many positive and enlightening ideas that we can fill our minds with. Unfortunately, 90% of the ideas that fill our mind is the same recycled trash that has polluted our thoughts for years. With a junky, scattered, and toxic mindset it will be hard to come up with useful ideas for 2010. I touched briefly on fear and guilt but there are a host of negative thoughts that do the electric slide in your head all day long. It’s up to you to change. Recognizing you have a flawed paradigm is not enough. You have to take action and purge or at least drastically reduce your negative thoughts. It is impossible to add new ideas to a mind that is already full. Good Luck in the upcoming year. I have big plans for myself and I want you to have big plans for yourself. Who knows? Maybe our “selves” will meet on the other side of success one day.
“Fear is the tax that conscience pays to guilt.” – George Sewell
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
Word you’ve never heard…
chapfallen /CHAP-faw-lun/ adj. - cast down in spirit: depressed
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
