There are many attributes that explain why the human species rose to become dominant over all others (not at all saying that we own or are better any other). What I find to be one of the most important of the attributes is our ability to control and change our energy. No other species can bring together a tiger, a dog, an elephant and a chicken in the same room without having a free-for-all blood fest. But, the human being holds this potential. It is certainly not because we are the strongest species, we are in fact, one of the weakest. Going toe to toe with a bear, lion or gorilla would prove a most fatal act with even the strongest human being. However, somewhere along our history, the other animals on the planet saw something within the eye of the homo species. There is a level of cognition that is unparalleled to any other creature on Earth. Deep within our eyes is the ability to transcend primal functioning. We can create almost any reality we want. So far (disregarding the dysfunctional aspects of our personalities) we have created what would have been considered the work of the gods just centuries ago. Imagine what possibilities we have in store. Imagine what we as a species can do if we, on an individual level, began to transcend the trappings of the ignorance that plagues us. What would the world look like…?

Death is such a negative term. It often conjures up emotions of depression and anger. It often causes great anxiety and worry. But what about the benefits of death? There are so many. Death is a beautiful process of the old fading back into the raw so that it may be renewed. Instead we view it as the worst thing that can happen in life. Death is not simply physical death. There are, in fact, many forms: the death of a relationship, the death of a period in your life and, most important, the death of an idea or concept. This is truly what all death is: the fading away of a concept that we had stored in our mind. The irony is that while we have the hardest time letting go of the idea (person, situation, condition) once we can allow for it to fade, there comes the most relieving sensation. This is where the true beauty of a breakdown can be found.

It doesn't occur to the average man or woman that throughout the course of their lives they are constantly muttering to themselves in their head. Usually, if you saw someone doing this aloud, you'd think they were nuts. But what is the difference?

Self control? The fact that the voice is usually yours and not someone else's? But are you all that different?

You both believe in what the voice is saying. You both take the voice very seriously. It seems that all that separates you from the mad woman having a conversation with the wall is the level of self control. When you hear the voice saying "I could kill him!" logic will more than likely have the stronger hand and prevent you from lashing out. However, I ask that you search for a time in your life when the voice in your head convinced you that something was happening and it wasn't. Perhaps you felt you were being deceived but it turned out you were not. Perhaps you felt guilty or ashamed for some incident that happened in the past. In either case, that voice in your head convinced you that a threat of some form was real and so you reacted to the threat via emotion.

Sit down and pay attention to how much that voice in your head is active. How much control does it have over your life? If the voice has the power to cause anger, sadness or paranoia (fear), chances are the voice in your head has more control over what you do than you do.

If you argue with the above you might want to ask "yourself": are you the voice in your head? If so, why must you talk to yourself?

There are many different options to choose from when it comes to a "belief system". Some of the people in these belief systems try to cloak their "tribe" or "group" by saying that they do not have a set of beliefs they prescribe to. However, in lieu of a rather hilarious encounter I had recently I would like to review what one may consider a belief system or even a religion.

1. A group that gathers in congregation that holds similarities in mental ideas or constructs regarding their concepts of reality and the beyond.
   
2. The idea/belief that you and others like you hold the "truth" while others do not.
   
3. An idea/belief that you are separated from others due to your specific ideas/beliefs.
   
4. The thought and or feeling that you are superior due to these ideas/beliefs.
   

Now, not to rip into this belief structure in particular, but I endured a surprisingly judgmental and arrogant conversation with an Atheist woman. The conversation was not about who was right or wrong, in fact I agreed with this person on a few things, but she lost me when she said "Atheist are superior to the 'believers'". By "believers", of course, she meant those who follow a religious practice. As I spoke with this incredibly closed minded individual I was shocked to see how closely linked her "faith" was to all other faiths on the planet. Worse, she could not see it. She could not see that everything she was preaching to me was part of a belief structure that she held within and, like those of any religion, was validated by her experiences (through various readings or not).

The bottom line is: We are all human! We all live on the same planet. We all have certain drives to keep us and the species alive. And, we all have primal tribal instincts that create a desire to form packs. None of us are superior to any other. Some might have the upper hand in various areas. But we are all on the same boat. And if you feel that the other "beliefs" are ruining your society, it might be prudent of you to investigate the nature of the human mind with or without a belief. Because, like going to war for "freedom and democracy" all one really is doing is using their belief as an excuse to feel superior.

Sadly, not all of us are fortunate enough to grow up in balanced households. In fact, normal these days seems to be dysfunctional. That is the world we live in. Humans at this junction in their evolution just simply are not balanced creatures. Though, while most of us have a fair amount of drama in our homes, childhood or present, some have more than others.

Most of this drama starts from birth. We all crave the love and attention from our parents, family and friends. But sadly, many of us don't receive what every child requires for a healthy upbringing. What we are left with is a choice. You can spend the rest of your life blaming your parents and others for what they didn't give you. You can transfer all of the pain and anguished casted upon you to someone else. Or, you can face what lies within you. You can search within your being and find out what it is that's causing the pain. While those in the past (distant or recent) may have abused you, physically or emotionally, the residual pain is by your own perpetuation.

What happened to you was not your fault, but it is your responsibility to move on. As brutal as this may sound, as unfair as it may be to leave you with the repercussions of someone else's ignorance and cruelty, you have only two options. You can let the past rule you for the rest of your life or you can take charge (responsibility) in your life and change the way you interact with world.

The choice is yours!

"Falling" in love is one of the most cherished events in the life of a human being. It adds excitement. It revitalizes even the most depressed souls.

Sadly, it is often not "in love" that people fall into. People, more than less, fall into an emotional cage. This cage is nearly invisible in the beginning because it looks like a beautiful home furnished with everything you could possibly need. What you don't see, however, is the locks on all of the doors. You don't see that the windows are covered and there is often a guard standing by, making sure you don't find a peek to the outside world.

Most disturbing of all is that we often, too often, grow attached to this cage and its amenities. We grow attached because of all that the house seems to give us (at first), but then become afraid to break free because we fear the outside world. It has been so long since you've seen the light of the sun. And what if, just what if, you don't find another house that will provide as much comfort for you. The previous home might have been prison, but it was a home nonetheless. It's what you know. It's what you are used to. If you leave now, you'll be all alone. You'll be subject to fear, loneliness and depression.

How are you supposed to break free?

To Be Continued…

Ever have a friend or friends that seem to fade away once they've entered an intimate relationship? Perhaps you were once one of these individuals, I know I was. You start off extremely excited to make contact with the new love interest. You anticipate their very touch, no matter how subtle. Perhaps you do not spend every day or waking hour with this person, but your mind cannot seem to shake them. And why would you want to? This person seems to be the answer to your call, the salvation to your lonely days… until you've been together for several months or perhaps longer, say a year. Now, the shine has faded, the excitement has withered to a smile when you see them (if that) and you are both well aware of make ticks the other toward anger. Still, even while there seem far more dreary days than happy ones, you remain attached, unable to let go and move on. You feel like a drone, without being aware of it. Your creativity has sprung in six months. Your laughter is systematic and disingenuous. But still, you cannot go or change the situation. It is as if you are stuck, drowning in a pool of "love" without a pole or ladder to get you out. There is a very simple and often sad reason for this…

To Be Continued…

Remember the song I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick? Yes, it was a bit poppy, full of all the happy-go-lucky bubblegum music we all loved as a teenager. But the song spoke a certain truth, a truth few people are aware of. As social beings we desire the attention and admiration of fellow humans. But that process has become detrimental to our wellbeing. It can lead to worry, fear and even depression.

Many people's actions are often dictated by the voice of popularity. Even inaction can be attributed to the fear of what another might think. If you stand back and take a look at your life, a deep, very honest look, ask yourself how many of your actions are directed by the need to have others view you in a positive light. When you take a look at it, you might very well find that much of your life is dictated by this.

Perhaps the question is: Do you want others dictating the actions of your life?

The physical difference between men and women are many. The two genders are built for different purposes. That, no sane person can argue. But, what about the mind? Do men and women think differently by default? Or do cultural upbringings alter the perception and outlook of the gender identification role? Many assume that men are more logical while women are the emotional half. To the one who says this, I ask if they have ever lived with a man. Simply because a man does not show his emotions does not mean he is free of them. In fact, a being who bottles something as explosive as emotions is, indeed, bound to expel the emotion in some fashion (probably through anger).

Another presumption noticed is the notion of men being attracted to the physical appearance more so then females. My experience begs me to differ. The only difference I have noticed in this particular trait is that men look for skin while females seem to look more for groom; a well suited man is more likely to capture the eye of the fairer sex than a beefcake displaying his biceps.

This confusion is one of the reasons people feel inferior when they wish to speak to someone they find attractive. It is often assumed that women only do this or that men only want that. In more cases than less, however, the issue is that of bad communication and presumptive judgment. Both of which lead to ignorance and a lonely night.

All people in this world have ambitions and goals of some kind. Some are more extreme than others and some only have a goal not to have any goals. No matter what your particular target is, I would like to ask if you have either attained that goal or if you are waiting for something to happen before you get a kick start. If there were a visible stream above our heads of all the hopes and dreams that people have let slide on by, the sky could not be seen. This is not solely because people are lazy, but mostly because people often feel powerless to do something beyond the ordinary. It is easier to find a reason not to complete a task than it is to do something completely new and different. Often people get stuck in their current living situation or mode and find that they are too afraid to make a difference in their lives. The usual outcome is an excuse as to why the desire, goal, or want could not be met.

But ask yourself: what if? What if you realized you had one life to live (which you do)? What would you do to make it the most fulfilling and most satisfying?

Our eyes are trained to see the world in separate pieces. Commonly, we are taught to look for our enemies and identify them as villains. The same works in regards to the rest of the world. Bugs are looked at as bad. Rainy days are frowned upon. There is, in our society, an ignorance plaguing the human psyche. We forget all too often the true connectedness that encompasses what we call life. We are all part of one body, the body we call the universe. To discover this truth, ask yourself if you consider each individual cell in your body as separate from your being. Are there not trillions of individual components that make up who you are? It is important to remember that what we call our individual life if simply a perspective of infinite perspectives; knowing this will bring about a humbling sensation within. Feeling the world as an extension of your being commands greater respect of the entirety. I know I have spoken about this before, but it is a great reminder as one walks about his or her day.

Is it just me or does it seem as if one cannot walk down the street without someone or something, even, trying to sell you something? Not only are there salesmen constantly pushing their product, but there are an endless landscape of billboards and commercials trying without pause to penetrate your psyche. When do you get a break? I called to pay a bill the other day and even the guy in Bangladesh attempted to sell me a purchase for my purchase. I stood witness to an altercation between a gentlemen on the street and a police officer recently and, lo and behold, the officer was giving his pitch in an attempt to acquire some information.

What happened to products or concepts selling themselves? Why so much manipulation? Personally, the second I get whiff of a pre-planned spiel or pitch, I am immediately turned off. I can imagine this is why women hate pick-up lines. I feel as if the sales person is trying to dupe me into letting them creep into my bed. I feel invaded by this mentality.

Our days are often filled with chaos. From start to finish we run around to school and work. We run errands for the family. We handle chores that require our immediate attention. When we get home or take a break, usually that time is spent in front of a television or some other form of entertainment. Rarely do we provide space for our mind to settle, and it is this very settling that is so crucial to our well being and balanced living. However, before getting too wrapped up in your days madness, before all of the insanity begins, start the day off right. Refrain from hoping on some electrical device (television, computer…) when you wake up. Give yourself at least an hour to acclimate to peace and serenity. From these roots of centered living, your day will produce results contained with a form of bliss that most rarely if ever experience.

Remember to do nothing. Pay attention to the world around you. Listen to the sounds beyond your walls. Listen to the thoughts your mind is producing (often they are autonomous). And of most importance feel within. Feel the flow of energy within your body.

…As stated in the prior blog, fear is too often used to motivate the citizens of our society. The basic outcome of this tyrannical mode of operation is the imbalance of an entire nation. Keeping in mind that much of the western world operates in such a fashion, one can easily understand why the world has its many problems. In order to counteract the effects we have placed upon ourselves (as human beings, we must all take responsibility) we must change our modality of living. Instead of acquiring what we want by means of fearful thwarting and the like, educating people will produce much more appreciated results. If people are educated to the effects of the way they live and the things they do in life, guaranteed you are to see outcomes of a different sort. If a child knew and understood the benefits of going to school, he or she would likely adjust their outlook. If more individuals were educated about cultures outside of his or her own, a decrease in racism would more than likely occur. Ask yourself: how can you appreciate, let alone accept the world around you when you don't know about it? How can the world ever be at peace, to any degree, if it is always afraid of someone or something in the shadows of its mind?