Nostaligic

Easily the most useless and counterproductive feeling in the make up of emotions. Think about that last Facebook album you clicked through and all those familiar faces from years back that you see now still together enjoying what once used to be your stomping grounds. All the while thinking, well I know I am still in contact and all but would it be the same if I was back? The answer, well its just about as useless as the question.

See the weakness that we have is that we look back and apply that to the future, combining now with the notion of what could have been if...(fill in the blank). It is really quite futile to think about circumstances and life in general in those terms. The feeling that brings you back makes you feel warm, fuzzy, and familiar, and turns itself into self pity, doubt, and appreciation of where you are in life at this moment. Social media is amazing to keep people, places, and things current. It's just that whats current tends to become what's in the past and so quickly the distant past.

I have boiled it down to precisely this. Memories are an amazing thing, referring to the good ones of course, and nostalgia above all is appreciating the people that were in your life and the places that you have been blessed to witness. I love pictures and only recently has my love of them started to find a channel of expression but my old attitude still applies. When you are in a place, hearing that song, seeing those people the mind is the ultimate playback. There are things that will never be articulated in picture or video they are simply impossible to be articulated. The old expression 'you had to be there' holds so true for those who have experienced things in life that only the few have. The true feeling of nostalgia exists when you are thinking of someone and they message you or call you. As if the universe just conspired and the energy was just right. That is what a true memory is. The power to be retained and be the conduit of all these (useless?) emotions.

Nostalgia is the recognition that we have a shortfall in not being able to relay experiences and that is not a bad thing. It simply means that you are having experiences that are unreal and necessary part of a complete existence. It means adventure was had, risks were taken and cool shit was the outcome. And when you meet a person who gets that, communication verbally, through pictures, and all the social networking in the world is secondary.

Song of the Day: Darius Rucker - Alright

Trail and Error

Two paths diverged in the woods, and I....I took the one commonly traveled. A choice exists in everything. Very few situations exist where an alternative action is not possible. Even a gun to the head presents a choice, a forced act or die. This is important to realize as more often than not we don't address this. We defer or delegate choice and action. We allow influence to dictate what we do, how we do it and when we 'choose' to do it. The influence surrounds us and makes independent acti0n and decisions become ever so complicated. Profit, and a lot of it, is at stake when people start to choose for themselves, its dangerous business for too many.

In looking at the choices made in life we so often being on one path and defer to another. Essentially we get what we want and either by boredom, succession, or realization it was the wrong path to being in a desired place we abandon the initial desire. The diligence in research and development is instead replaced by another R & D, rip off and duplicate.

See the way we learn has traditionally been that of trial and error, in essence doing things wrong until the right way is achieved is how most go about finding out what their passion in life is. Basically, hoping to stumble upon this utopia. I have much experience taking comfort in the possibility of the fortuitous bounce choosing one option hoping it to lead to THE option. All I have really learned is that its pure hard work. You really have to make the option. Pursuit through conventional means is too dicey. The more direct and exact route is to simply make the option. And really that is where the hard work comes in.

You are either the conduit or you are the conductor it is a simple choice really. I would like to believe that in order to make a good leader at some point you must have been a good follower. In one sense trial and error is a necessary evil because it teaches us what we do not want. This is almost as equally as important as know what it is we do want. We eliminate possibilities, but in a world where there are millions of forks in the road that lead to millions of different destinations how is one to trust trial and error. It is the same and learning. The more you learn the more you should realize how much you don't know.

So I say go forth throw caution to the wind use the heart for decisions and make them quickly and with a certainty only found in a few brave souls. Wrong choices are inevitable but make sure they help you carve the way to the next right move.

Song of the Day: Nina Simone- Black is The Colour of my True Love's Hair

The Truth about Honesty: Final Revelation

With the diligent effort of a dear person close to the heart I feel this piece as the closest any has come to perfection. Here's to getting published!

The truth. It can simultaneously set the narrator free, burden the listener, and have unforeseen consequences for even the greatest writer. There are many variations of the truth of course. There is the whole truth, the half truth, and at times simply not telling a lie can constitute some sort of honesty. This perspective of course depends on who is being asked. The narrator and the listener often do tend to hear things differently. The narrator tries to express their thoughts clearly, while the listener may only hear what he or she has already assumed. There are plenty of versions of a story that claim to be the truth. One must always be very conscious of the way the truth is communicated, as it is often misinterpreted and misunderstood.

The truth is more often that not a very difficult thing to present. It is so because of the common connotation attached by our minds from our previous personal experiences in telling and hearing the truth. If telling the truth wil get you in trouble; it is easier to lie and even easier just to avoid the truth. The listener may be close in heart and revealing the truth to them can potentially cause an undesirable position of vulnerability for the narrator. The mind creates a perceived reaction even before conversation has occurred. This situation creates a self-made fear for the narrator and thus and prolongs its delivery.

The longer one continues to 'live the lie', so to speak, the more difficult it becomes to shed that sense of falsehood. Honesty is the best policy of course, and acting accordingly from the beginning often has very surprising results. The results primarily being that is place you in a positive position adding clarity to the exchange. The truth and the way it is presented is vital in creating the conversations and relationship that you desire.

I speak from the perspective of a person who is continually working to shape my conversations to be more constructive, useful and substantial. My routine way of operating is similar to that of acting first and then asking for forgiveness later. Asking for permission increases the amount of complexity and anxiety for everyone involved. It creates an unnecessary build up and creates a climax that is often undeserving of the stress and anticipation. I find the direct approach to be difficult, but become increasingly easier with practice. Oddly enough, you quickly learn that people appreciate the direct approach. There is no manipulation or evasiveness; it is refreshing break from how most people communicate. The listener is more likely to forgive as it shows a genuine effort to reach out and connect on a higher level.

People tend to think that the person ho is not being told the truth is the one being denied and made to feel foolish for not knowing the reality. In actuality, it is the person withholding the fats that is carrying the burden and freedom is the price paid. I believe that being honest is often a selfish action. yet, it is looked at by others as being utterly selfless. Take advantage of this, keeping in mind that there are always delicacies involved. Nevertheless, I would rather impose on one's feelings for a fleeting moment rather than restrict myself for any length of time.

Words must be selected carefully when extending the truth to the listener. When chosen properly, these words will offer freedom from lies and satisfaction through truth. Words are peculiar form of expression. They can be made to serve any agenda and manipulate masses. Words also have the ability to illustrate the most vivid picture. They can take a story and produce a piece of writing that is so abstract is would rival any Picasso.

Language is a fascinating form of art. It is a well knows as a system of words used for communication. Language is beautiful way to express what we feel, think, see and desire. Words can also be used to the detriment of all these aspects. Caught in the middle of this space is a little facet of the English vernacular known as the truth. The truth has many forms, definition and understandings. Seeking the truth and embodying the truth are also uniquely differing but there is no denying the presence of it when a person is acting with honesty, it is a way of operating. Embed that operation into you everyday life and let the results astound you. Correct your thinking and interactions so that the only option is to speak in a truthful manner. Telling the truth is easy. In the grand scheme of things it's just words right?

Song of the Day: Sai-Breathe Me (Mylo remix)