The building in the reflection is golden, auburn like the fall or an ale next to some spices. I can feel the truth of living in it’s appearance. The hum and unkempt sands tell me of its soul. It is not an album cover. It is Susan, or Joe, Or Falyn’s place, real, un needing of any fantastic makeup or posing. Already as beautiful as it could be.
What is Truth?
What is truth? Truth is still true when exposed to all of the facts. Truth doesn’t need to avoid anything to remain intact. Truth is indestructible in its nature. It is completely unafraid, it has taken everything into account, and stands presenting. Should we not be like truth and live like truth? Is it not more aligned with nature and God to align one’s self with the actual circumstances of being?
Courage and a fearless stand next to what is good is what’s required. One must be willing the possibility that in truth evil and darkness is absolute. One must be willing to stand for good despite the chance that all the universe is evil. Then one will have found the courage to peer out with unobstructed eyes and see the world as it truly is. And then when one finds love, or happiness, one can rejoice and have no doubt.
Being Human/ Human Mind
As a human being we have the ability to prime our mind for how it will tend to operate for a given period of time. That given period of time will usually last until an event significantly impacts you, or you go to sleep for the night. And this is a hugely useful skill because how your mind operates is essentially what equates to your experience of living. This principal of the mind is usually in operation automatically, occurring unconsciously to the individual. Chronic life circumstances or recent events may command the attention and train the mind for how it will think moving forward. The operation of the human mind is not as benevolent as one would think. When a recent event was painful or aggravating and is charged with negative emotions, the mind will become primed into what we call a state. That state of mind will operate to perpetuate its self. On the flip side if the human experiences some event that induces gratefulness, or joy or, righteous pride, the mind will operate for a period of time to continue that state of mind. It’s just one of those things that’s true.
Now here’s a great activity to actively direct one’s mind. Sit down in a quiet space where you won’t be distracted. With a pen and paper write down three categories, “Things I’m grateful for,” Successes I’ve had,” and “What’s coming.” And then begin under the first one, “Things I’m grateful for.” And list with bullet points every thing that comes to mind that your grateful for. You may list things like, This quiet space to write, that I got paid yesterday, that I have access to this coffee everyday, that I had a positive interaction with another parent, or that I have a gym in my complex. Once you have spent time listing everything that comes to mind, and then sat and let several more things trickle in, move onto the next category and begin again. Some examples of successes may be, I successfully moved to Naples, I ordered the tickets for the trip, I made $19k in a month, I got a promotion, I made the habit of flossing, I faced my fear. Just continue to list until you’ve spent adequate time and have gotten to the point where you’ve written down so many things that they are slowly trickling in. Then move onto the last category. The last category is important because it takes these thoughts from the theory of your mind to the actual living of your life. List the changes you would like to see in your life. Maybe you would like a relationship to change from one of pain to one of compassion and understanding. Then write down, “my relationship with ___ has completely changed. There is literally no bad blood any more.” If you want a change in your body, list “I put on 25lbs of muscle.” Do this until you feel you’ve hit all the areas you want.
Do this first thing in the morning and observe the way you feel following the exercise.
Best of luck
The Rose, Thorns and all.
Sitting at my desk beginning my day, time is a part of my thought’s. I think, ” I am 32. I am past my youth, soon to be middle aged, soon to be old, soon to be gone. This thought asks me to feel depressed as if I am losing something of great value. But I stand back, and I observe thinking to myself “no, I don’t think I want to feel that way.” I don’t see the wisdom in positioning myself against the natural and true passage of time. And then I think of my grandparents, my boy’s great grandparents, of how they don’t have a great number of days left here. And I wish they spoke of their old age more optimistically, with gratitude, even romanticism. Rather than the sadness and unhappiness that’s common in my grandfathers words.
What a trip this life is. From how we come into it, to how we go. My prayer is that we give of ourselves while were here, love one another, and give thanks that we get to share it together.
This Is The Story Of Validation By others
My first life was wanting a seat at the table, to be recognized and given a chair, and to be one of them. And I got that chair in some ways, being invited to X-games. getting pro sponsorships, getting in magazines, getting recognized. But in other ways I never did, the money was always small, I never got a major podium or win, and my presence in the media was always less than I wanted. To the podium, there were times like the Jomo Pro when I felt justified in feeling robbed of my spot at that table. 4th was my home. At the top, but not the glory. And I truly did give everything I had for that seat, which never fully came. And then when I was 20, I had saw that I did my time. I gave the bike away and stepped into what was next. I believe I spent the time that followed processing and coming to terms with the fact that I never truly got my seat. I suspect I did deserve it. But not getting it made me question that. I came to terms with the fact that it is possible for things in this life to not be just. That I may have earned a seat at the table and still not got a seat. In other words, the world outside myself may not validate me, no matter what. I then sought to over come my fear, which was a fully self validating endeavor. It was around this time that the man at the head of the table of my previous ambition committed suicide while parked in his car in the driveway of his best friends house.
This is the story of validation by others. And it seems like many of us crave this. Even as I write and reflect on this I desire to call my dad, read this and have him validate the profundity of these thoughts. It is not enough that I recognize it. I must have it validated by another outside myself. Perhaps it is the same impulse that kills the thing we seek. But they are not unnoticed, They are noticed by us, and our God?
On The Chopping Block
I am a human, pushed to the outer edge. I am tired, the responsibilities piled on me. The joy is not prevalent. I flex my diaphragm and force the air into my lungs, lift my foot to take a step. I look beyond the soreness of my neck, or the pain in my back. When a moment is found, I pound my chest and look at the sky acknowledging my trainer. I am here, with a little rest I will spring to action. I will go until my human form needs rest once more.
It is not for the faint of heart, but I imagine if lived long enough, all encounter this road. And I see that all handle it the best they know how. So you see, I am no better than you, and you no better than me.
Life is very interesting
Life is very interesting.
It makes one wonder if death were our first hint.
That there can be no good without the bad, no joy without the sad.
And its bazaar and hard to grapple.
Because we fight so hard for what is right.
But just as summer follows winter, the cold comes round again.
To teach us both the saint and sinner,
An end equates, begin.
The light inside
My body hurts, my head aches.
My soles are torn from what it takes.
My shoulders throb, my eyes are heavy,
Sleep deprived but hands still steady.
Nine to Five, I’m still alive.
I look ahead and join the hive.
Respect and courage, honor, duty.
Behind my face are signs I’m moody.
In life and death, we walk a line,
Investing now in futures time.
Forsake the day, and time to play,
And pray we’ll get it back one day.
To keep the light alive inside,
Is all the reason that I tried.
And come again tomorrow night,
I’ll lie in bed and seek the light.