The older I get the more one thing seems to increase, and that is people's need to drink when out. It being New Year's Eve, dinking comes to be expected, and this is fine. I certainly am not out to denounce other people's enjoyments. However, this is not uncommon during every other holiday, event or social gathering in general. Rarely, it seems that people ask themselves why they must drink when around other people. Are other people that hard to be around? Or is the issue a much deeper one? Perhaps the problem is not other people, but you. Maybe there is a sense of discomfort within, as if letting go and being genuine is too tough. Perhaps there is a fear of opening up around others and the drinking is a defensive mechanism. Or, perhaps the drinking is an effort to show others a side to you that you are not able to access on your own, or even a combination. In any case, when does this seemingly harmless habit turn into a problem? It is so common, unconscious and socially acceptable that people don't notice the harmful effects of this need to drink away social discomfort.

Sometimes I wonder what the world would be like without our need to fuzz out our awareness. What are we afraid of?

No one wants to carry the burden of the past on their shoulders. It seems unfair that the past actions of other people you had no control over have left you with a task to clean up their mess. But, if it is not you who makes a better world, who else is left? Are we to wait for others to improve our quality of life? Are we to wait for the afterlife to enjoy our time? Perhaps it is the responsibility for some divine being and "his" will to take care of every man and woman. Thankfully, and sadly for some, this is not the case. Whatever beliefs you hold, your life is your responsibility. And, the present is your responsibility too. We are not separate from the world as a whole. We are individual parts to one body and if something is wrong, it is not wise to wait for another to fix the issue. Our issue as a species is the dream-like state of consciousness the collective human is living in. We are largely unconscious; most live unaware of their actions or the actions of others. More and more people see themselves as completely isolated from the whole and act accordingly. The result is a total disregard for life. For a very disturbing view of these results please watch this http://www.imzaia.com/forum/topic/show?id=6284887%3ATopic%3A19037&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_topic

There is only one way to change the course of humanity's path, and that way is within. We must bring awareness within ourselves and by doing so have a greater understanding and appreciation for the differences of others. If we do not, if we continue with this course of action and ignore our responsibility to raise awareness, we will perish from the face of this Earth, much like that of a bad virus eradicated by some cure in the form of flood, famine or ice age.

War is raging. Disease plagues our race. Millions of children starve everyday with no hope of eating a healthy meal. The world sucks! Better yet, human beings suck (why give the world a bad rep because of one misbehaving species). However, why let this drag you down? Indeed, the world's problems are many and often overwhelming, but improvement starts with the individual. And there is only one way to change the world in a different direction, you must make the change within. If there is no change on an inner level, the same behavior we complain about today will simply manifest itself in a new situation. There are no inherently evil people (I'm sure there are a few people who will grow furious at that statement). Evil, rather, is symptomatic reaction to an environment. A lack of balance and correction in an environment can and will fester evil behavior. So, the next time you see behavior that appalls you, take a step back, breathe, and find out what change is truly needed. If you do not, you may very well find yourself yelling at someone because they were too loud.

The idea of perfection is (largely) an illusion. Most of the time, when a person believes to have achieved it, it is because events went according to their plans. Quite often, however, we are set up to fail in some form or another. But this is a good thing. Perfection, in the way I will use the word, is not the ability to always win, succeed or get what you want, but rather to flow with the order of life and so respond to the situation at hand in the way best suited. Emotionally speaking, most people hate it when they lose their cool. Often the results are a lingering negative sensation in the abdomen and residual heavy vibration throughout one's body. For those of you on a journey of personal development, you might feel as if you've "fell off the wagon" when you revisit your old mood. Perhaps something upset you. Perhaps you fell into another depression after a period of bliss. This can seem devastating and potentially give a sense of hopelessness. But I tell you this, remain strong, know that all journey's have roads with bumps and curves. Remember that to be where you are now takes much insight and depth. And while you may have been pulled in by the ignorance of another or your own, it was needed. For these are the trials provided for you. This is your game and any opposition you encounter is only designed to strengthen the player.

The transformation happens on its own if you let it. The challenge is not learning how to change but how not to grab on to the insanity once you are free. You already have the recognition. Giving yourself space from entertainments and addictions will increase your awareness power and motivation for change. Also, remember that a drowning woman will crave for air only when she is under water. When you are free and above you will not see air in the same perspective. And likely, she will kick and fight and thus be tortured by the thought of drowning, but all she really has to do is stop fighting and allow herself to float up (which happens naturally)．So in the same respect if you are trying to gain access to your inner power Stop trying to get it, understand it, know about it. The power is already there. The best way to recognize the power is to use it. Try it with something small, or by remembering a time you've used your inner power to improve your life. Putting this power into action will of course bring instant recognition and that is the best way to feel encouraged. I suggest taking a current problem or situation, perhaps something small at first, and putting this to the test. Don't wonder why you haven't made change or how to make change, simply focus on changing. When your old habits pop, know that this is not change and alter your behavior. If you feel as if you cannot recognize the difference, give yourself some space. Meditate, take a walk in the woods, relax with no entertainment, so on...

A reader (Light Inquest) recently brought up a very valid and very important question: "… once deeply mired inside the cage (of mental imprisonment), how would one realize that one actually has a choice to get out of it in the first place?" This question is perhaps the greatest obstacle on our journey, as indeed a blind man cannot see what is in front of him. The real beauty, however, lies within the breakdown (as Dido puts it). When the fictional world comes crashing down, and it always does in some fashion, there lies within that crash an opening and so an opportunity. As stated in previous blogs, life always gives us chances to succeed, but it is up to us to utilize these chances when they are available. If you are ready, you will utilize the opportunity before you and transcend the illusion you have been living. If you are not ready, if reality or a lack of "security" is too much to handle, your mind will create another security blanket and form another fictional mental reality for you to live in, using your addictions as fuel. An example on a grand scale was the events of 9/11. It was an excellent opportunity though largely missed. On a small scale, personal break downs can be seen in break-ups, death of loved ones, any type of loss, etc…

Now, though this breakthrough is a phenomenal (pun intended) and transformative experience, it is possible and even likely that your addictions will creep up and subdue you once more. This is okay. Life is a game, and this is an opportunity for you to sharpen your skills. Deep within you know what you want and where you want to be. Bring this to cognition. Feel the power latent within you and create your world. Anything that seems to be a hindrance is actually a tool for you to sharpen your blades. As for other people and the fate of mankind, let them be; do not try to change them. Instead be the change you wish to see.

Being upfront and honest, our life-styles are the equivalent of a heroin addict strapped to a needle, his feed of drugs supplied by pimp, all so that he may whore himself out for a stretch of a dollar to keep himself hooked. It's sad when you think about it, but true. There is entirely too much to distract us. This is certainly not the fault of some "greedy" corporation, as they only "feed the need" (or demand, rather). The important thing is to unplug. We need to break free from the addiction of distraction as often as possible. For, to stay constantly connected to our addictions is to bring about a slow death. Life turns grey and the source that lies at the base of all creation is cut away; the pleasures of life one would normally relish in and enjoy turn bleak and tasteless; daily routines turn monotonous and arduous… life sucks.

However, this is not the end. The bleak and sorrow filled existence so many have been prone to living is not the only outcome. You can choose to unplug. If you have troubles doing so there are many tools available to help. One of which I have recently discovered is located at this great website: http://tesseramethod.com/

Remember, this is not a solution but a tool to help you find the power within.

This game of life has many hurdles. However, these hurdles are not an outside distraction or irritant, they are, in fact, a part of the game. Life would not be enjoyable if they were not there. A common hurdle that goes unchecked and unnoticed is the succumbing to our primal instincts. They are there for a reason, a useful reason, but more often than not, these instincts rule and dominate our lives. They make countless decisions, guide us down the old roads of our bad habits and sadly keep us from growing on a personal level. Thankfully, life provides an endless supply of opportunities to get to the top of our game. And it is up to us to utilize these opportunities to improve ourselves instead of feeling guilty, blaming ourselves, becoming saturated with remorse, all of which are roadblocks to progress. Though, even those emotions provide an opportunity for success. In other words, any negative situation is a potential blessing, but it is up to us to take advantage of them.

Though it is a delicate and often touchy subject, there has always been a question in my mind that never seems to shake off. Do people really need a book to tell them what their morals are? Are we that savage a race? As wild and crazy as people like to think other animals are, not even wolves are that vicious. Even they hold together a sense of morality, within their packs and without. They same goes for most if not all other creatures on the planet. So, why do people feel that it is only within their holy book, or even in religion in general, that salvation truly lies? Is that not a low bar to set for the human being? Sure there is much violence amidst plenty of chaos in the world. But is that due to a lack of scripture following? It seems mankind is afraid of something. It seems there is a fear to let go and take a step into a new age where people are not governed by threats, punishment and fear. We, like all other species, inherently crave balance in our lives. It is the motivating factor for all actions. We are organism that do not "inhabit" a planet but are of the planet; like the cells and molecules that create what we call our bodies. We have a higher calling than what we have previously set out to do.

Tell me, is there something wrong with acknowledging your connection to the planet?

What matters most is not what knocks us down, but what we let keep us on the ground. Strangely, it is not the initial punch that causes the bulk of the pain. It is all of the thought based, rollercoaster-ride drama that keeps up the residual issues coming. When a problem first arises, it is this time when things are clearest. Action is required and so it is done. However, afterward is when the real trouble starts. Worry, anxiety and fear trickle into the mind as it begins to ponder and mentally manifest all of the potential problems that lie ahead. It is this self defeating mechanism that is often our greatest challenge. Perhaps you made a bad choice. Maybe that person did say something that you felt was "wrong" or unjustified. Just know, however, that it is your constant reflection, deconstruction, and manipulation of past events or potential outcomes that causes you the most pain.

Those who are strongest in this world are not the individuals who can avoid all of the problems, but rather those who can deal with the issues that come their way. We will always have something to deal with. Never will a life be free of problems. The very notion contradicts life itself.

Grueling as it may seem, life can provide a constant influx of rewards. The question is: are you ready or open to receiving them? As insane as it may sound, the bulk of problems are indeed created by the individual having them. So, does this mean the opposite is the case? It does, indeed. If we can create a life full of problems we can most certainly create a life relatively free of problems. The first step is to change your perception. Seeing that most problems are but hurdles to jump and lessons to be learned will instantly turn seventy percent of your problems into blessings. Those blessings are workouts for you to build your mental dexterity, enabling you to handle situations that once brought you to your knees. Lao Tzu wrote "A man who can control others is strong. A man who can control himself is all powerful!" Though written more than 1500 years ago this truth still applies today.

As noted in prior articles, people have a tendency to blame others for their problems or, more specifically pertaining to this case, a tendency to blame the president for the problems of the nation. Indeed, many of this nations leaders make very poor decisions (Obama being an example and Bush certainly so). However, these men are but mere reflections of current state of humanity. Sure, you may not have voted for the person, but if you look at any presidents actions over the past 100 years their modus operandi has been to spread the availability of American interests no matter what they promise. And we the people blindly go along with it, so long as someone is either pro or anti abortion. The reason manipulative issues like abortion are even brought up is due to the passionate response they conjure yet ability to never be resolved. Issues such as this mean little to a president, at least while in office. Their goal is to keep the people from complaining too much and at the same time find ways to bring in cash flow, like any corporation. Capitalism has been the sole drive of the leaders for centuries and this has not changed. And it stays as corrupt as it is because people blindly and foolishly play into mute issues such as abortion rights, gay marriage and so on. And I certainly am not saying that these issues are unimportant, they are in fact very important (I personally believe that I as a non-gay male should not have a choice as to what happens during the birth of someone other than my child or bond between me and my mate, aside from issues of extremity). The point is, instead of blaming someone else for our problems, it is time people paid a little more attention to their own responsibilities. If this nation is to make any real change, there must be a change in the awareness of the population. And, of course, when that happens, we will no longer be a nation but a world; we will no longer be label as a specific race, but rather noted as all part of the human race with an array of differences.