There's a perpetual parade passing along the main street in my mind. It's made of all manner of characters. Some are in drag, some are on stilts, some on floats and some floating along, grounded by tethers and guided by others wearing white face. As I pass among them, I'm dizzied by the deluge of sights and sounds, characters and costumes. They all seem to ooze enticement, promise treasures or have interesting tales to tell. And I'm often caught up in the current and stride along with of one them taking in his story. Although the tides tug and characters hug, I've learned that being amid the parade doesn't really give me the most effective perspective.
Fortunately, I have an all access pass to a balcony that provides me with an overview of the continuing cavalcade. From there I can see which work together and which bump into each other. Which meander and which are steadily fixed on target. Which are happy and fun and which are just plain silly. I see which ones are loners and which are bound together in a string of “follow the leader”. And I see the tandem juggling acts, with multiple balls bouncing back and forth - feelings inspiring thoughts that strengthen their seed feelings, and thoughts inspiring feelings that provide proof the idea's significance.
Most importantly, I see the parade, as what it is. A non stop festival of frivolity that isn't as all encompassing or defining, as it seems. It's useful for my living, but not necessary for my being. It's of me, yet I'm not of it. It's a good thing, just better when viewed from above. So now I can live with it, rather than for it.
Stock up on sparklers. Clean out your kazoos. Unfurl your flags. And bounce on up to a balcony. Your procession is well underway. Breath it in, and enjoy the show.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Potentially So
We see ourselves as our habits; however, our habits are just one possibility of who we may be.
I have never killed anyone, but the possibility is there. I have never literally sacrificed my life for another, but I could. So am I a murderer or a martyr? No. I've held back because of fear, and risked my life on a whim. Am I a coward and a fool? No. I've been impatient, helpful, lazy, dismissive and playful. Does that make me any of the above? Of course not.
Actions and attitudes are temporary conditions of our existence. There seems to be some mechanism that lures us back to familiar grounds, but there's nothing that mandates it. We aren't carved of stone, created as such and destined to be just that. We are potential incarnate. We can be as we choose.
Deprogramming old habits isn't easy, but it's much easier when armed with the realization that our tendencies are not given traits. This allows us to shift our focus from what we've done to how we want to be. To move from expectation to inspiration.
So, how do you want to be today?
I have never killed anyone, but the possibility is there. I have never literally sacrificed my life for another, but I could. So am I a murderer or a martyr? No. I've held back because of fear, and risked my life on a whim. Am I a coward and a fool? No. I've been impatient, helpful, lazy, dismissive and playful. Does that make me any of the above? Of course not.
Actions and attitudes are temporary conditions of our existence. There seems to be some mechanism that lures us back to familiar grounds, but there's nothing that mandates it. We aren't carved of stone, created as such and destined to be just that. We are potential incarnate. We can be as we choose.
Deprogramming old habits isn't easy, but it's much easier when armed with the realization that our tendencies are not given traits. This allows us to shift our focus from what we've done to how we want to be. To move from expectation to inspiration.
So, how do you want to be today?
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A Losing Aspiration
We all maintain a journal that attempts to recount our personal life stories, helping to explain and justify who we are. We each keep a running tally of our totalities, including our likes and dislikes, our strengths and weaknesses, our responsibilities and hobbies, our regrets and dreams, our friends and foes, and everything else that defines us. This, in and of itself, is not a problem. Our troubles arise when we mistake our stories for our Selves. Once convinced that the tale is the truth, we contort what we experience to support our illusions. Which also isn't really an issue, unless we wish to live honestly.
It's easier to see that we're separate from the houses, clothes and cars that define us, because we can step out of them. If only we could step outside of our selves … Oh, wait – we can!
If we wish to find our Selves, we must first lose our selves.
It's easier to see that we're separate from the houses, clothes and cars that define us, because we can step out of them. If only we could step outside of our selves … Oh, wait – we can!
If we wish to find our Selves, we must first lose our selves.
Shutter Speed
In a way, our brains are kind of like photographic film. If we want to record a clear and detailed image, we need to allow for sufficient exposure/attention time. Some things or events are dull, to begin with, and need more time than the norm. Others are dramatic and radiate exceptional brightness, thus requiring less. And, by nature, different cameras take in varying spectrums better.
We can tell, in the moment, if it's done yet, or if it's taking at all~. So, regardless of circumstances and distractions, if we think/feel that something important to record, we need to be mindful and give it adequate attention.
Of course, it helps to take the lens cap off.
We can tell, in the moment, if it's done yet, or if it's taking at all~. So, regardless of circumstances and distractions, if we think/feel that something important to record, we need to be mindful and give it adequate attention.
Of course, it helps to take the lens cap off.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Let it Flow. Let it Flow. Let it Flow.
Whether it's the cars behind us, the air above us or the flowers beneath our feet, people often ignore the world trying to happen around them. In doing so, they often become impediments to the flow of existence that's just trying to get along, everywhere, all the time.
We're like individual cells in a vast being. Cells all have their own lives and objectives, but their greater purpose is to facilitate the well being of the whole. We call cells that conflict with that entirety, cancer.
We're under no obligation to be considerate, and many take full advantage of this. But how does it make you feel when others ignore and interfere with your ambitions? How would the world be if absolutely everyone was completely self absorbed? How would it be if everyone consciously accommodated others' activities? Nobody likes a clog in the drain. Why would anyone want to be one? “Do unto others ...”
For the sake of contributing to creating a more harmonious world, and setting a laudable example for others to emulate, shouldn't we pay attention to the rest, and try to stay out of the way – or even be helpful?
Just a thought, flowing from the big brain, through mine.
We're like individual cells in a vast being. Cells all have their own lives and objectives, but their greater purpose is to facilitate the well being of the whole. We call cells that conflict with that entirety, cancer.
We're under no obligation to be considerate, and many take full advantage of this. But how does it make you feel when others ignore and interfere with your ambitions? How would the world be if absolutely everyone was completely self absorbed? How would it be if everyone consciously accommodated others' activities? Nobody likes a clog in the drain. Why would anyone want to be one? “Do unto others ...”
For the sake of contributing to creating a more harmonious world, and setting a laudable example for others to emulate, shouldn't we pay attention to the rest, and try to stay out of the way – or even be helpful?
Just a thought, flowing from the big brain, through mine.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Our Most Challenging Blessing
Our lives present us with many challenges. They can be arduous, painful, confounding, unjust and spirit testing. All help to make us wiser, stronger and more adaptable, in their aftermath. But there's one that we just can't shake – choosing.
Free will, which far too many neglect to utilize, is both a blessing and a curse. Frequently, our choosing comes from the default selection center, “Just like before please” or “I'll have what they're having”. We can't help but to rely on habits, to some extent. If we had to stop and consider every single thing we do, we'd get very little done. But when relying on habits, becomes a habit itself, we become little more than automatons.
We can make educated guesses, but we can't prognosticate. None of us one can. So, time and again, we're left with the option of following the rut or leaping into the abyss. If we stay to the well worn pathways, we can delude ourselves into thinking that our errors are the fault of those who came before. If we take a leap and land with a crash, we may feel foolish or be called even worse. So our grade school worries steer us to follow the pack, to believe the commercials, to trust twisted logic and to hand the rudder over to the tides.
It takes a wise man to play the fool. Life's not a contest, or any kind of test. It's an adventure into the unknown, a grand experiment in what if, a chance to leave the first footprints and an opportunity to laugh and learn from falling on our faces.
Me? I choose choice, whenever possible. Eyes wide open, the unknown eager to be embraced, traditions be damned, knowledge and understanding dangle like luscious fruits from life's over burdened tree, feet freed from firmament, my Tiffany ego plummets toward rocks or clouds, curious to see what happens next.
Free will, which far too many neglect to utilize, is both a blessing and a curse. Frequently, our choosing comes from the default selection center, “Just like before please” or “I'll have what they're having”. We can't help but to rely on habits, to some extent. If we had to stop and consider every single thing we do, we'd get very little done. But when relying on habits, becomes a habit itself, we become little more than automatons.
We can make educated guesses, but we can't prognosticate. None of us one can. So, time and again, we're left with the option of following the rut or leaping into the abyss. If we stay to the well worn pathways, we can delude ourselves into thinking that our errors are the fault of those who came before. If we take a leap and land with a crash, we may feel foolish or be called even worse. So our grade school worries steer us to follow the pack, to believe the commercials, to trust twisted logic and to hand the rudder over to the tides.
It takes a wise man to play the fool. Life's not a contest, or any kind of test. It's an adventure into the unknown, a grand experiment in what if, a chance to leave the first footprints and an opportunity to laugh and learn from falling on our faces.
Me? I choose choice, whenever possible. Eyes wide open, the unknown eager to be embraced, traditions be damned, knowledge and understanding dangle like luscious fruits from life's over burdened tree, feet freed from firmament, my Tiffany ego plummets toward rocks or clouds, curious to see what happens next.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Do Be Do Be Do
Admittedly, not the most inspired or creatively phrased lines of scat, but perhaps old blue eyes was trying to convey a little wisdom, subliminally.
While conscious, we have two options – doing and being. “Doing” includes acting, communicating, and thinking. “Being” is remaining attentive and engaged, without doing.
Of the two, being is typically the most challenging for us; or at least, the less familiar. But it's while we're being that we're the most sensitive and receptive. There are cues and clues presenting themselves to us, all the time, which we aren't able to pick up on while we're engaged in doing.
But these smoke signals are pointless, if we only be. They're here to guide us in our doing. The vast majority are mired in their doing, but to become entrenched in either side of the equation is debilitating.
The trick is to consciously balance in the middle, and freely float back and forth between the two. Inspiration and acting. Connection and communicating. Insight and thinking. 'Tis best to let the partners dance together.
And here's their song now – Do be do be do, do do be do be, do be do be do, ...
While conscious, we have two options – doing and being. “Doing” includes acting, communicating, and thinking. “Being” is remaining attentive and engaged, without doing.
Of the two, being is typically the most challenging for us; or at least, the less familiar. But it's while we're being that we're the most sensitive and receptive. There are cues and clues presenting themselves to us, all the time, which we aren't able to pick up on while we're engaged in doing.
But these smoke signals are pointless, if we only be. They're here to guide us in our doing. The vast majority are mired in their doing, but to become entrenched in either side of the equation is debilitating.
The trick is to consciously balance in the middle, and freely float back and forth between the two. Inspiration and acting. Connection and communicating. Insight and thinking. 'Tis best to let the partners dance together.
And here's their song now – Do be do be do, do do be do be, do be do be do, ...
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