Something More Like a Fad-

As I was walking the streets today, I noticed several people wearing small stems with flowers on them. These were worn on their heads- I didn't realize what I saw, at first . . . I turned to my buddy and asked, 'is that a- ?' She nodded her head and muttered, 'yes.' As I continued to walk, I tried to get a second glimpse.

I was really confused. I thought that this was one of the funniest sights I had ever seen. Once I'd passed several people with the sane odd phenomenon, I couldn't stand it anymore-

"Please, tell me?" I grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. "What are they doing with the flowers?" She sighed. 

"It's a new fad." She looked away from me and coughed slightly. "Because the body retains water, they believe this will help to nourish the brain. Once the brain is nourished, it will grow flowers . . . " she gestured. Okay. I refrained from passing any judgmental remark. As we rounded a corner, I came across a woman holding a tray full of the self-same decor. She looked up at me hopefully I shook my head at her, mutely l- then, I ran to catch up with my friend. 

I blurted out, "but, they don't really believe that, do they? I mean, it's absurd . . ." She shook her head at me. 

"No, it's something more like a fad. I think they feel that it's cute." 

"Oh," I nodded. Now, this feel a little bit more acceptable to me than otherwise- after a minute I couldn't help laughing, though. A couple of men wearing small flowers has just walked by . . . my friend looked at me.

I shrugged, and coughed into my shirt. "Sorry- earn- it's- it's an interesting philosophy, at any rate . . ." She sighed again. We kept waking, with my chuckles trailing behind. 

Living Well ~

If we really spent our lives correctly, then there would never be enough time in a day to do everything one needs to do. Everything that we did would be done for a specific purpose. We would run out of time, not because we are toiling on a task we run out of energy for, but because we love what we do so much- there would not be enough time to do more . . . so many people miss out on this. If we live for love, though, and to be in love, then we will spend our time well, no matter what is taking up space . . . 

Resolve to bide your time correctly. 

Up in the Dunes . . .

[08/18/2015]- Silver Lake, MI -

          Today during our three day, 'before-China relaxer,' I asked my family to take me to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Feeling contemplative, I climbed to the top of the dunes and looked up at the sky- I just sat there, and looked around myself- there were hikers, and teams of jeeps lining the hills. And, for one moment, I was stunned. It seems, that after all those long months I spent working in a day to day, butt-stuck-to-the-chair job, there was still a world out there. The wonders and the beauties of it were all-encompassing, and they were mine- I thought of going to China, and all of the things that I will soon leave behind. And in that moment, I thought, 'if I could have just one moment like this- once every week, or even monthly- then it's all worth it.' No matter what your religious beliefs, this is why we live. This ecstasy, and this pure joy . . . it makes it all worth it. No matter what pain I must visit, I can always come back . . . and I can remind myself why I live. This means everything.

 

 

Cafe Mind ~

 

                                                     Café Mind  . . .
 

(For those who think they know me . . . you should watch your step!)

 

I am artistically centered-

In a thick-layered circle,

An individual, creative point-

In the center of a perfect rind.

 

My thoughts are rebellious,

And they know not discipline-

 

I enjoy cafes-

For I sharpen my wit-

From the chit-chat of friends,

As words fall from their lips,

Unheeded by them.

Not suspecting,

That my ears are listening . . .

 

To them I am an-

Innocent lie,

A person who gives them a-

Laugh, in these troubled times.

 

To my peers, I am a-

Voracious writer,

Or someone who talks on a whim.

 

I cannot seem to find-

My inner nucleus-

It seems to be hidden somewhere-

Down in the center

But, I know that I will,

Be able to find it,

Through a mystical eye . . .

 

Because I am constantly seeking for adventure,

And I know, that what I love most-

Is found in a riddle,

Or in a love for the odd,

the abnormal . . . the existential . . .

 

For really-

Who wishes to be normal?

There is nothing of normalcy in life,

That is worth seeking out-

Unless you are a hat.

 

I am the midst of a circle,

And life revolves around my nucleus-

Which dances with energy-

And with a zeal for fancy.

 

So- who am I?

Well . . .

That is a mystery for another time.

But, just see if you can find me out-

The next time you order a tea . . .

 

And just note-

Your words are not unheeded,

So be careful what you say!

Lest you should find your words-

In a poem such as this one,

Strung up in a Facebook posting.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Stressed Out at Work?? Take Control of Your Emotions!

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share with you a few thoughts about a recent personal study of mine. Some of you may already know this, but I work in a Concierge Center. For those who have never worked in one, just know that it is a place where: A.) You have to remain constantly calm under the deluge of phone calls, and B.) You have to deal with long stretches of dead, often soul-killing downtime, when there are no calls in the queue- and this will suffice for a fair definition.

As a way to cope with the stress of my job, I’ve begun to study meditation. At first I just breezed through an article online, when management had its back turned on me; however, I soon found it to be highly engaging. The positive effects that it has on the mind and body, and effect on the alpha brain-waves, got me thinking. Soon, I began to wonder about how changes that I went through at work were affecting my state of emotions- happiness, focus, etc. After doing some research, I came to a realization: I was stressed out at work, because I was unaware of these mindful states- I was allowing my environment to dictate the state of my emotions, rather than allowing myself- quite perversely- to control them!

There was so much material that seems to support the fact that extended periods of focus brings better attention to us during work, exercise, etc. The idea that the mind can be ‘retrained,’ and that we can control its direction, is one that is obsolete in our society. I have always believed that the mind was an organ that could facilitate per direction- it is a gear that can be manually shifted, NOT- as others think, an automated control gear. The mind is a flexible organ, and we use it to facilitate control in daily life. Consciousness, or ‘awareness’ of the mind, is the ability to know its changes in state as they happen; you allow your thoughts to pass, and refrain from getting involved with them. This brings you to an awareness of the human tendency to judge.  

Why does it matter? The theory behind all this is that it allows you to exercise the control over your mind. When you are aware of the change in state, you can shift your focus- the mind is a muscle that can be used over, and over, and over. Once it becomes used to a specific state, like calves that becomes used to running, it is more prepared to follow your will. There are at least two meditation techniques which accomplish this, but I like the idea of Mindfulness best. You can read about others at the links I provided.

These concepts has helped me to become more aware of my emotions at work. They have given me better control over daily life and work, because I understand that I have the control over my state of happiness- if something attempts to threaten that state, I can throw my walls up. Once the stimulus is blocked, I can quickly revamp, and revert into my peace of mind.  Research behind Meditation is dynamic, even though the knowledge that we control our thoughts is instinctive. Widespread belief leads us to think that the mind controls us, but this is far from the truth- you have a choice of whether to be depressed, or to be dissatisfied- and again, knowledge is key here. I love this idea- I think it is a great way to facilitate control when our thoughts ideas to wander . . . and bring them back into focus, in spite of how rebellious they become!

Here are some articles that I looked at:

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/07/30/3-meditation-techniques-for-beginners

http://life.gaiam.com/article/meditation-101-techniques-benefits-beginner-s-how

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

 

 

Success, in Correct Format??

Success, in Correct Format??

Many people think that there is nothing more to success than excelling. That the true picture of life is one, linear track, that leads to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

The truth is, that you need to fail, in order to improve. Someone with a perfect track record doesn’t grow. They are so linear, their thinking starts to conform to their goals, and eventually- unwittingly- they become products of them. They learn to climb the stairs, and do not focus their thoughts elsewhere. They begin the climb, but never arrive at the location. Since they cannot adapt to the weather change, or build a hut when it rains, they die out.

Someone with a more expansive mind will learn to adapt. They will see new angles when the path becomes blocked. Although they have not had done it the ‘correct way,’ they will be the ones to succeed. Those who have learned to work according to form cannot adapt; they are too linear to see the hidden detours.

A truly intelligent, and creative soul will understand this. They will learn to take risks, and will know that there is more to life than making the grade. They will understand that the next step to success is not always the best-paying job, or the best school. They will understand that they create options, and that the ‘options’ do not create them. They will learn, they will grow, and adapt outside of the correct format.

They will know what it is to zigzag. They will be brave enough to draw crazy lines, even though one has been given to them. They will share this idea with the rest of society, because they know that life depends on the ability to be creative. They will also share the secret to their success, because they care that the rest of society has not learned the secret-

They will be the ones to lead us.