Monday, January 25, 2016

A chance to be great?

A commonly ignored fact today is that we are the product of what we feed our minds. There are some persons that go as far as saying that we are the product of what we eat. One of history great teachers pointed out, however  that what we eat ultimately end up in a four inch pipe but what come out of us will ultimately determine our eternal destiny. The things that we say and do reflect the things on which we feed into our minds.

I presently spend a reasonable amount of time visiting social media sites. I do not know if social media was intended to help sharpen the intellect but what I do realize is that it serves out fodder and the things that appeal to the senses. I do not envy those persons who have taken on the task of keeping those person up to date with trivia and things that does not benefits. It would be baffling to the intelligent to comprehend how such material on social media is uplifting.

It could be that I am wrong  and expect too much when I believe that the time could be better spent enlightening and stimulating the mind. The things that are uplifting is quite often ignored.

A few years ago a teacher gave an assignment to a class that I attended and the assignment was to write our obituaries. It may have been a bit bizarre to ask a young person to think, if I were to die what would I want to be said of me. The reality is that presently we are writing our life's journal and the entries cannot be removed.

This is a bit ironic because records are being kept. Each individual born on this earth is given a name and certain identifying characteristics. Death will not be our end because even after death the records shall remain. This is so that additions or subtractions can be made to these records and future accolades bestowed.

There are many persons that will contend that if the records are altered later, it will not make a difference because they will be dead and will not know. This argument is true but it could be taken into consideration the millions who have died yet continue to influence those of us who are alive. One should also consider the number of persons who are dead yet the mention of their names evoke disgust and contempt.

Here is the reality you and I today have a chance to make entries into our life's journal. There is a chance to enter an entry that is high and noble or we can make an entry of trash or trivia. One of the worst thing that could happen is to have allowed twenty four hours to pass and there is nothing that you can enter in to your that you accomplished for the day.

Life is presenting us with great opportunities and this include what we shall be feeding our minds today. The things that we find to be really interesting are indicative of  how intelligent we are.

There are men who lived hundreds and thousands of years ago but today they are still revered. There is the possibility that you or I could be studied hundreds of years in the future. The question is however what path are you on and are you pursuing a path that one day could lead to greatness.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Happy Monday: Subtracting without diminishing

Happy Monday: Subtracting without diminishing: Dreamers are among the most feared people that this world produces because dreamers are comparable to lighted torches/candles. When other to...

Subtracting without diminishing

Dreamers are among the most feared people that this world produces because dreamers are comparable to lighted torches/candles. When other torches/candles are lit from each other the light of the original or any is not diminished but rather each add to the luminescence and the place becomes brighter. Dreamers are also comparable to rivers which start out very small in the mountains but as they flow they are joined  by tributaries until they become so mighty that they flow even through the dry and arid deserts.

Dreamers are light and light cannot be hid by darkness because the more intense the dark then the more obvious is the light. It is a well established fact that light attracts while darkness is more conducive to the things that are not openly displayed or fit for all eyes to see. In a similar way to light, however, dreamers attracts and ignite others to better and glorious heights. Those persons who are attracted and ignited by the visions of the dreamers do not take away from the light of the dreamers for each has their own wick and fuel to sustain the dream and enhance the glow.

In recent times man has seen fit to be proactive and to preclude collateral damages, so man has gone about taking preventative actions. Man has changed the courses of rivers, dammed lakes and rivers, set forest fires, cut down forests and assassinated dreamers among other things.

The changing of river courses has not mitigated floods but certainly interfered with the natural ecology of many areas and sometimes made flooding worse. In many instances wisdom has prevailed and the rivers have been returned to their natural courses. Dams are valuable assets but have also been the sources of many disasters. There are many dams that remain disasters waiting the right time to happen. Controlled forest fires are set by man to minimize the perceived damage caused by natural forest fires. These controlled forest fires have been discovered to prevent the forests from naturally regenerating. Now man has realized his mistake and acknowledge that what he has created instead  is a disaster waiting to happen. The destruction of forest have resulted in less rainfall and when it rains there are floods and mudslides. The fertility of the land is also diminished. There continue to be assessed potential damage and disasters that may possibly result from man's interference with the order of nature.

Then there are the dreamers that men fear because dreamers have ideas of change and visions of making the lives of others better. Two of the opponents with which dreamers  must contend are the dream killers and the status quo.   There are person who are programmed to oppose by default and it does not matter the brilliance of the dream they oppose and refuse to support the majority. The status quo are those who are comfortable with the state of affairs and fear loss if changes happen. These fears can be real or imaginary. Historically the status quo have found it necessary to find ways to bring about the death of dreamers.

Man needs renewal and regeneration and looks to dreamers to provide a way forward. Dreamers are, however, often marked for death because dreamers are catalysts for change and there will be those who believe changes should not occur. In the forests the old trees mature, age and die and new trees must grow to replace these. Among men ideas and systems grow old and irrelevant and new ideas and concepts must be born to replace these. It is the task of the dreamers to originate and propagate these new ideas and concepts.

This is part of the dreamers dilemma because some persons will readily embrace the need for change, the status quo will oppose the changes and some persons will remain stagnant until moved by the tide of change.

Dreamers does not envision taking away from others to enhance their glow rather they ignited others so that together all become light shining in the darkness. Each person being ignited by the other without diminishing the light of the other.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Looking Ahead

My wish is for you to continue having a Happy New Year and for you to have a Happy Monday.

One of the most common new year resolution that I hear my friends make is that of exercising  more and losing weight. The frustrating thing however is that losing weight often involve curbing the appetite because it is not easy ignoring appetizing food. There is also the problem of not regaining weight that is lost. Most persons quit after a few attempts.

When the doctor say it will be the difference between life and death then it is a different story.

It is fascinating that at the beginning of the year there is hardly ever talk of mental exercise or feeding the mind and spirit. It would be simply great if we could mentally become obese. It would be super great if at the beginning of the year we resolve to do at least one course to develop our mental capacity. How great it would be if at the end of each year we could measure how much more brilliant we are.

One of our greatest asset is our mind and it's creative power. Another great asset that we possess is our senses. We live in a world, however, that seek to cater to satisfying our senses while suppressing the desire to develop our mental capacity.We continue to have brilliant minds and individuals but too often these individuals are employed to create food for the senses. The things that appeal to the senses are presented as the ultimate goals to be achieved in life.

Those persons who seek to present material that will uplift the mind and spirit are classed and looked on as weirdos. Life is presented as something to be enjoyed here and now and the uncertainties of tomorrow are highlighted. There is a big cover up of the fact that the average individual can look forward to living until seventy or eighty years old. Wisdom is thrown out the window and few persons are sounding the warning that the foolish things that you do now may return to haunt you in later years.

In light of the fact that it is the beginning of a new year note can be taken than an explosive difference such as could be created by tons of dynamite is hardly like to occur in life. Those persons who are involved in the baking industry however can explain the difference that a small amount of yeast or baking powder makes when mixed with flour.

This year a small achievement each day will add up to substantial achievements at the end of the year. A start has to be made. There are many persons that will say that they have no idea what to do or where to begin. This is true but none of us know the extent of the creative power that reside in our mind. Each of us possess a secret desire or a secret dream. That is something to begin with. The great big explosive result will not happen immediately.

This year remember that your goals are not items that are stored in a freezer or refrigerator that is removed, place in a microwave for three minutes and it is ready for use. There are going to be obstacles and uncertainties.

The only sure thing that you may have this year is the goal that you desire to achieve. If you keep you eyes and mind focused on that goal then at the unexpected times and the least unexpected ways doors will open.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Happy New Year

Happy New and happy Monday.

Here are a few thoughts and ideas to embrace as you enter the new year.

1.  Become uncomfortable
       If you are comfortable and content where you are at present then there will not be the desire for a        change.
2.  Set seemingly impossible goals
       A decision to be realistic is a decision to abide within personal perception. Goals that are easily          achieved will not require any extra effort. Challenges will require  digging into your inner                    reserves. You can either achieve or watch others achieve.
3.  Meet the uncontrollable with a smile
       In spite of the best laid plans there will rise situations over which you do not have control. How         you respond to these situations will determine your approach to life. You can smile or get angry         and curse.
4.  Associate with superior persons
       It is a natural tendency to desire people to whom we believe we are superior. Growth require              defying the laws of gravity and go up instead of down. Associate with those who can lift you up.
5.  Celebrate each new day
        Life comes with no guarantees so enjoy the blessings of each day. Partake of the goodness each           day brings. Life does not have to be a drag and one of misery.
6.   Invest in others
        Remember the principles of planting and harvesting "What you sow is also what you shall reap".
        What is invested in others will ultimately come back to you. New crops are not invented but it              is    the seeds that are continuously replanted.
7.  Do not ignore the spiritual
        It is a proven fact that in order for the physical body to function properly then the mind and                 spirit must also be nourished properly. A healthy mind and spirit can function in a broken body           but  it is unlikely to find a healthy body with a sick mind and spirit.
8.  Devote some time to reading
         It is not everything that is printed that is worthy to be read. The wisdom, knowledge,                            experience, discoveries of other men are written down for posterity. You do not have to                        reinvent the  wheel but you can learn from those who lived before and improve on their                       achievements.
9.  Think about other people
        Your life is not yours to live as you please. You live in a global village and what you do and say          affect others. It is your choice whether you want others to be negatively or positively affect                others.
10.  Have fun
            There are some thing that you will be spending much of your time doing so chose those things              that you will enjoy doing. Work, career, play, recreation or whatever be creative and let it                    become a source of joy.

Be creative in 2016, pursue your ideas and your dreams. Live your life as if today is the last day you will live and yet with the expectation that you will live to be 120.