“I am not a genius, I am just curious. I ask many questions. And when the answer is simple, then God is answering.” — Albert Einstein
When you give a child a puzzle, what’s their greatest joy? For a young one, it’s the final picture, the beautiful artwork the jigsaw pieces create. It doesn’t matter if the puzzle is 8 pieces or 24; it’s the final product they most enjoy. This is a joy that doesn’t stay within us as the years go by. Rather, we tend to go for the more challenging ones, with 500 pieces, and only upon accomplishing those are we convinced that the final picture is beautiful and was worth the time it took to put together. It’s the challenge that drives us. But must it always be this way, in every situation? Why is it that challenges and obstacles are more attractive than gifts and blessings? Why can’t things that come easy be just as beautiful? In the case of people, most of us tend to like, and actually prefer, the relationships that are most difficult and challenging rather than the ones that flow nicely and just happen to fit. A lot of natural and amiable connections are often seen as too “easy” and thus are not as appreciated. But in my opinion, this is a misguided way of thinking. We should recognize effortless connections as gifts and realize that there really are just beautiful and wonderful people out there that fill well with us. And when those others come into our lives, you know the ones who give us the biggest headaches and pose the greatest challenges, they probably cause such stress and difficulty because they simply shouldn’t be around. We really do ignore red flags sometimes, and mistake them for these “challenges” we so highly value. It is said that, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” But honestly, must we always try to modify what’s given to us, rather than enjoy it for what it naturally is? Take things and people for what they are. Or don’t take them for that matter, go ahead and move on to something else. The point is that we should not put all of our focus into trying to change anyone or anything just to fit to our liking. The only decisions we should be making in that aspect is whether to accept or move on from what’s in front of us, depending on how well they fit with who we are, and making the appropriate changes if necessary. Because if there is one thing I’ve learned, is that you can never change someone, or a situation for that matter. People are who they are, and things just happen. Also, striving for more is healthy, yes, it keeps us going in life. But when our wants and desires overpower the present and what we have right now, our sights can be blurred. This is a trial I’ve been faced with. I always want more, and it triggers the thought that what I have at the moment never seems to be enough, and this saddens me. I shouldn’t have to settle for less than what I feel I deserve, but I shouldn’t be blind to my blessings either. With how much I’ve been through, the cards that I’ve been dealt, I should be thanking my lucky stars I am where I am today and have what I do. I should take a look around and really digest what’s around me, who’s around me. If I keep living in the future and focusing on what I hope will happen, will I ever be present, in fact, for the present? I think the trick is to maintain a balance between all tenses. Remember what’s happened in the past, live in the present, but plan for the future. And while going through the tenses of time, grasp who we are and live in the most honest way. Not by what we conclude society wants, but by who we are and what our insides tell us. Also, to remember to keep in mind that small and simple things can be just as beautiful as more complex ones. A puzzle of a glowing crimson heart made up of 4 pieces is just as full of love and beauty, and is as much a complete heart, as one made of 100.
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“It is just an opportunity for us to discuss the different word choices we choose to use that might have more meanings behind them than we think.” — Derick Virgil
It is often said that it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Although for the most part I find this to be true, it is truly amazing how a specific phrase, or set of words, can have an effect on someone. This is something I’ve learned throughout the years, sometimes one has to be careful what one says to someone else, one never knows how another can be affected or offended. However, it is ideal that one should have the freedom to speak their mind and share all of their ideas without censor or fear of being criticized. Now, for thought, when it comes to someone you love, if a topic arises and they say those simple little words that strung together have been thrown your way and pained you over the years, what do you do? Now, they may not have been saying them directly to you or your situation, for they’re unaware, but they believe in those words and stand by them. Is that means to question everything else? Maybe it has more to do with disconnecting one’s self from those words at the moment and trying to understand, but I’ll tell you, it’s not easy. It’s hard to try and understand where someone’s thoughts are coming from when you for a fact have experienced such a situation before and know what you felt. I myself am very auditory and words and emotions have such an impact on me, that what someone says goes into my being and is processed through my machine of a mind. That is why I posed the question above, do words really matter? Similar can be said about positive words. Us as humans are tied to specific words and create our own meanings for them when spoken to us, but is it really the word itself being said that matters, or is there an underline meaning to why such words affect us? Many different people will have many different opinions, but it is interesting to dive deeper into language and really think about why it is that certain words constructed together into particular phrases, will always have such an impact on us. The power of the mind, combined with the power of language, touching the human being, making a statement.
Life’s consequences, behind closed doors.
“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” — Jonathan Swift
Visions of the world
Taking a moment to sit back and think about things can be a way to reflect, but can also open a portal to another dimension of consciousness. I speak from experience when I say, the mind has powers far more superior to what the body can expend. There are all sorts of movies and books that speak of this “oneness” with the world and I can actually say that on my own I’ve felt such a splendor. When I look at myself in the mirror and take an extra second to look directly into the eyes of my own reflection, I know it’s me yet I feel disconnected at the same time as if my mind and body, for that moment, were in fact separate beings. Then there’s the time paradox. The statement, “You’ve only one life to live” is constantly spoken by many just like, “life is short.” Is it really? Is this being we call our lives really all there is? I think about these things sometimes and I’ll be honest, it really brings certain thoughts and questions into perspective. What’s it all really about? Am I happy? Will I be able to look back one day, or even right now, and say I’ve lived a full life? It’s a concept that keeps me going. I wonder if the way I perceive the world, everything around me, is universal. Does everyone else see what I see? I will never possess the power to look through the eyes of another person, but I can and will share my vision. As stated before, I feel as though my mind is a powerful being almost too much for the body it is kept in, but I will continue to disburse my knowledge and wisdom as my contribution to this world and leave it as my legacy.
“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.” — Don Miguel Ruiz
Most, if not all of us, have gotten into a fight. They’re not always fun, but they always teach you something. Some people say that when they fight they really don’t mean some of the things they say, but after someone told me different I really took a second and thought, maybe that’s not the case. When we explode from frustration and release everything that bothers us, our thoughts come seeping through our lips and out as words. Maybe we’re a little harsher to the other person than we would like to be, but no one truly speaks for nothing. People may disagree with me, I can’t speak for the whole world, but through my own experiences I know that no matter what my words are real and they express the way I really feel. On that note, I’ve been the recipient of intense words more often than not. Holding back and listening to what I’ve been told I’ve made the observation that some people really do not have a clue as to the degree to which their words can penetrate someone else and affect them. To some, words are meaningless, but in truth there is so much power in words that one should really be careful with what they say. People have feelings and maybe some are less sensitive than others, I happen to be someone who is quite sensitive and maybe that’s why I feel this way, but I know as human beings we all feel. No matter how tough some are or seem to be, there is an emotional button in all of us. Tied to meaning, words can be so beautiful, there are so many ways to use language and flip and scramble letters to create sounds that ring in our ears. They have the power to evoke certain emotions in ourselves and express any kind of thought. Don’t underestimate the letter, don’t undermine the word.