See How Far We've Come?

Today is November 14, 2012. Four days before my 24th birthday. A little over a year ago, I started going to school for massage therapy. I didn't know it then, but I would be spending the next year with a few interesting people who would be keeping each other afloat through the worst times and flying high through the best times.

 J-Dawg, K-Pitts, Jo-el, Falacia, Skizzle and I have been through thick and thin at this point. We've been there to help each other through everything the others have been through so far. At some point since we started school, we all have been homeless, jobless, tired, etc. and just didn't care to do what we had to do. Now the end is in sight and we have learned that we can count on each other and ourselves to pull us up when we have tripped or fallen. Though our methods may be considered crude, brash and unnecessarily vulgar, we haven't been afraid to tell the truth straightforwardly with no sugar coating at all.

I'm not going to give all the credit to ourselves like that, though. We've had a fair share of support from the classes that came before us and even those that come after us. People like Tylor, Dyane, Shannon, Yanvier, Carmen, Karen and so many more have been there to share their experiences with us and to support and be supported by us.

Above that, there have been teachers to help us along the way. Help to keep us on the path and be there when we need an administrative ear. Ms. R, Mrs. W, Mrs. B, Mr. C, Mr. H and yes, even Ms. C. You know who you are. They have been there since day 1 to help us in the right direction. Especially with the therapeutic discussions during Mrs. B's classes. Now, we are scarred for life. Not a maiming scar. More like a tattoo. One that has a meaning much deeper than the colours and shapes you can see with your eyes.

I almost forgot to mention the students in the other departments that have provided a much needed distraction from the classrooms we got so comfortable in.

All-in-all, I'm now living in my 5th place since I started school and working my 5th job. Almost all of the others have been through similar things. Me, not having my blood family nearby, some having their family shun their decisions and forcing them to move out. Two of us have brought new people into the world and still haven't missed too much because of that. And the last is still fresh out of high school and learning to have a head start on her future while dealing with problems all across the board.

If you put all our experiences of the past year together, this has been the most complicated year of any part of our lives thus far. It's all the year that we all took the initiative to move forward in a big way and to pursue the future we all want for ourselves.

Here I sit in the laundry room at school with the dryer humming in my right ear, waiting for my next client to arrive. I've settled my mind just a little more and now I'm ready to get back on track for the next month. If you hear from me, good. If you don't, just know I'm here strengthening the foundation on which I'll be building the rest of my life.

Don't forget that on January 27 @ 3pm EST, we will be walking the stage with a few of our favourite people. Please join us. It would mean the world to me.

Time to get back to my grind with my new-found family.

Peace

Harmony

Everything in existence has a vibration. Sometimes the vibrations complement each other and they strengthen each other. This is particularly evident in art, music and nature. The easiest of these for most to understand is music. The vibrations within a certain range become audible to creatures. All of these tones(sounds) vibrate at variations of others. When two  or more tones are heard at the same time, they create harmony. Sometimes, this harmony isn't pleasing to the ear, but it is still a form of harmony. The closer these frequencies are, the more times they cross eachother on a plane of perception, the closer they are to being the exact same frequency. Every time the frequencies meet on that plane, they reinforce each other, essentially more than doubling in intensity. That is how a rhythm is formed. Essentially, every sound's frequency strikes the plane at exactly the same time, reinforcing the "boom" or "tick"

Octaves are a little funny because they are two distinctly different tones. What sets them apart is that they are roots and squares of each other, so they sound like "the same note, but higher or lower."

This is all a game of energy. Frequencies playing and interacting with themselves either strengthening or weakening as time/instances go by. 

There are many people that I have met in my life thus far. Some of which, my energy doesn't vibe with very well, but others seem to reinforce my own and mine theirs. These are the people that I tend to get closer to. 

Something to think about. Are you investing energy in the vibes that empower/strengthen/fortify you, or are you letting the energies of others drag you down? I've made my decision...

A Little Venting, A Little Moving on

These past few days/weeks have been rough on my mind, body and spirit.
1)Someone who I just met moved away.
2)I started a new job that doesn't seem to have proper business practices designed to support it's workers.
3)My living situation as a whole has pretty much fallen to pieces.

Other than that, I'm okay. There is food in my belly, gas in my car, and a warm place to sleep at night. Things are looking up.

Bad news first. Here we go.

I just met D. Fell madly in love, too. That was two months ago. We seem alike in many ways and

Ventilation

<p>That's it. Today, I throw my hands in the air and let loose my real thoughts. Right now, life really sucks for me. I barely have a job. My rent is due. My power is off. My phone is almost off. My water is in the same boat. I finally get some food in the house and I can't cook it due to lack of power. God help me if I take ill. I use that term very loosely because as you read that as the Christian God, I see it as some thing much bigger. Back to the negative. I have a negative bank account. All my debts are piling up. No gas in my car. A battery on the edge of death. In desperate need of an oil change. Broke my shifter rod. Need new tires. Still not a lick of furniture. This really has me so down you have no idea. Trust me. This kid is getting evicted. That's right. Technically homeless. </p>
<p>I guess on the flip side to that, I've met a few amazing individuals and groups of individuals that have been able to help me immensely through this so far whether it has been money, time, massage, distractions, refreshes, food. Thank you to those that have helped me out even if you hadn't known it.

I never prepared myself to be back in this position. I can't even turn of my mind to meditate at this point.

I just has to let that all out...

Peace.

Dragons, Scorpions, Crocodiles, Phoenixes, Water, and Vapour

For a while, I've considered myself a Dragon of sorts. As if I have a soul that's been around for a while.

For even longer I've considered myself a water type, though at times I've been a pot of boiling water.

I suppose that my view of my self has changed with where my life has taken me, but as I sit here with this Djarum slowly burning between my fingertips,watching the smoke slowly curl towards the night sky, I have to wonder: have I evolved as a person? What am I taking away from my everyday experiences and the people that I meet?

Time Passes and Things Change

Time passes and things change.

Lately, I have made myself subject to a bit of pain in the form of new piercings. Specifically, my tongue and septum. Since then, I have been asked many times why I decided to do that. I've also been called many names. 

Who knew that having a tongue piercing automatically meant that you enjoy are a homosexual or at least enjoy sucking dick? Passing premature judgement on others based on social biases passed down through generations is not the way to go. Funny thing is that not too much was said about the piercing that everyone can see. The most anyone had to say was (in a country accent) "Why would you do that? You know you look like a damn bull, right?" 

Confidence From Within, Support From Without

Another Sunday come and gone, and the message was about confidence. Approach every challenge with confidence and you will succeed. Something like that. It's been a few days since then. Here's my take on what was said.

Confidence comes from within your being. Support comes from those you surround yourself with.

Now it's my turn.

Confidence can often be confused with arrogance. The only difference is the motive of the individual. With confidence, one only seeks to overcome the challenge. It is usually accompanied with humility. With arrogance, one seeks to put on a show for others. Pride is usually on the line.

That's that.

Things Are Changing

Every time I go to a Christian church, I hear a message. This message always seems to be a day late with me. This is not a problem. This lets me know that I'm on the right track.
At the beginning of the year, I found out that this year is the year of the dragon. I was born under this sign. Automatically, I've been set up for success from the start.
I believe in a little bit of everything...or so I choose to believe.
Before the turn of the year, I saw that those that look to the stars are not hopeless. The stars don't tell you what will happen, but are more like a map; they give us a map. Like any map, you don't have to follow the printed route. You can take whatever route you want. The map just shows you the best route if you know.where to look or how to read it.
This was during a time when I was starting to arm myself with knowledge so that I can know and understand what I was fighting for by backing the movement. Now I've begun to see the things that have happened around me.
Now back to my point.

Even the Healers Need Healing Sometimes

**acknowledges the lack of blogging lately***

During these past few months, I've been more and more obsessed with the well-being of others. This is a constant threat to my personal health. I have this affinity for helping others with every last breath and resource that I have. You can ask anyone that knows me well. I have been know to offer (unprofessionally), since I was a wee lad, psychological/relationship counselling and a bit of physical therapy. I make sure that I know as much as possible about whatever anyone asks me about so that I can give the most sound advice possible. Always.

Unbreakable bonds

There is one thing that, at this point, I'm absolutely certain of: existence consists of an intricately interconnected web of beings. If an idea is felt strongly enough, It will resound with the core of your being long before your mind can even begin to fathom why.

Within the past few years, a few of the loved ones in my life have left this plane. According to what you believe, they're either back on this planet in another form, still here, gone to heaven/hell, etc. The point here is that their souls are no longer here in the form that they took or the vessels they kept.

A finer detail is that I was aware of both of their passings at around the times they happened and it woke me up. I remember, vividly, the thoughts that I had at those moments. The flood of emotion when I finally broke. The hole in my heart when I realized the truth.

Change is in the air... Kinda

I know it's been a while, but here is the latest in the ramblings of a madman:

Another year has passed. How different are you now from how you were a year ago? The holiday season is back. This means another Halloween. Another Thanksgiving. Another Black Friday, Another Kwanzaa. Another Hanukkah. Another Christmas. Another New Year's celebration.

What has changed about you since the last time this season came around. Think of ten different ways you, personally, have changed. Out of those ten things, how many of them do you immediately think of as positive changes. Be honest. I'm not going to force you to put your answers in the comment box.

The importance of words

Today, I was informed that I did very well last week as far as our office's sales report is concerned. This felt good. I know that in the grand scheme of Vector, it wasn't much more than a drop in the ocean, but there was that sense of pride and fulfillment that welled up a little. I know that it wasn't enough to solve all of my problems, but this was definitely a sizeable step in the right direction. **Pats self on back**

Now that I've got that out of the way, I was looking for something to take away from the meeting we had this evening.  I didn't find anything in my usual places, so I decided to give up on that particular source. Then, I was told something. I don't remember what was said, but I do remember it feeling important to me. I believe the essence of the statement is now buried deep inside my being and will resurface in a later post. I'm not really even going to dwell on this idea very long.

At this point, I simply want to acknowledge the fact that the specific words that are used are unimportant. What really matter are the ideas presented. Language is just a way to relay ideas from one person to the next. Spoken. Written. Signs. Touch. Any form of communication is an expression of ideas. Now, you can either pad the truth or you can get straight to the point and let someone else know what's really going on in your mind.

A Reminder...

In dissecting the world around me, I have forgotten why I began living as a minimalist.

I saw a link to an acquaintance's blog. Slowly sifting through the pages, I stumbled upon this video. No. I didn't stumble. I was very much in control. I came to this video...

First, I just want to thank T for putting this somewhere I was more likely to find it. It reminded me of why I chose to live the life I do. It's to find peace. I've been so caught up in what I was doing that I forgot to consider why I was doing it. I remembered that peace within myself is why I began this leg of my journey. The blog was just a way for me to share what I had learned.

I live in a minimal fashion not to prove anything to anyone, but to make sure I am reminded to stay grounded.

The roots of a tree are what bind it to the ground and what feeds it nutrients. The branches bask in the sunlight and digest the nutrients. The trunk connects the two.

Fairy Tales and A Child's World

I used to believe that the world of fairy tales was just that: a world of fairy tales. A plane of existence where anything is possible as long as you dreamed hard enough.

Not so.

The world of fairy tales is a very true place. I'm not writing, today, about dragons and monsters and unicorns. No, not today. Today, I write about the part of the world where all you have to do is believe and your dreams will come true. I believe this wholeheartedly... modified. What I believe can almost be contained in a couple of quotes.

"When the 'why' is strong enough, the 'how' will present itself."

"Faith without action is dead."

Be Real [and] Limitless. A Double-Blog

Sunday always seems to be accompanied by a blog. Here's a start to your week. I hope this will get your Monday morning off on the right foot or at least get it to switch to the right foot.

Some of the worst speakers I know are pastors. That's funny because speaking is their profession. You would think that they would be good at it, but they tend to lack something. A real and proper expression. Expression is the deal-breaker for me. Never forget that people won't pay attention to you unless you show them that you genuinely believe what you are saying and are emotionally bound to the ideas that you are presenting. This may not seem like a topic that I can turn all philosophical like I normally do, but watch me:

Morning Ritual

When you wake up every morning there is one thing you should do until it becomes second nature. Before you roll out of bed. Before you sit up. Before you turn off your alarm. Before you roll over. There is one thing you should ask yourself.

"Why did you wake up today?"

Don't move a muscle until you have an honest answer for your question.

Take it a step further.

Don't move until your answer becomes your goal for the day. It can be one thing. It can be many things. The number is completely up to you. The only stipulation is that it must be worded in a positive manner. No negative words at all. They foster a negative spirit/mood.

Now you can turn off your alarm. Repeat the idea(s) to yourself.

Get out of bed. As you rise repeat the idea(s) to yourself.

Repeat it one more time before you leave the room.

There's a science behind all this. Trust me.

Have you ever wondered why a day started on the wrong foot? That decision was made when you went to bed. The human mind is the most easily influenced right before it loses consciousness and right after it regains consciousness.

The other day, someone commented on an update I posted saying they wished that they had the positive disposition that I have. There's my secret.

Remember, growing up, hearing "you are what you eat"? It's absolutely true. If you feed yourself the everyday crap of the average human being, you will become the everyday crap of the average human being. If you displace yourself from where you really are, when you realize where you are, you'll only be driven to change it.

This is the truth.

Here's the kicker: don't deceive yourself into how difficult this is. If you are really committed to this decision it will come as second nature to you. Stop and think now. Have you already decided that this is hard? Have you decided otherwise? You're right.

So here's the breakdown:

1. Realize how badly you want to change. 
2. Understand that change is easy. 
3. See that you want to change now. 
4. Change.

It's as simple as that. In fact you can skip the third step if you want to simplify it.

That's all I have for you today, but don't take this as truth. Question everything your senses perceive and discover your own truth.

Peace

The Scorpion, the Eagle, and the Phoenix

In recent history, I began talks with a semi-new individual. I say semi-new because I was introduced to this person a while ago, but we only began our true exchange of personalities a few days ago. In speaking with this person (this ambiguity of this is killing me. I'll just call her Lu). In speaking with Lu, my curiosity in the stars was rekindled.

When I was in middle school, I took a deep interest understanding as much as I could about the zodiac. Since then, I've only challenged my knowledge once and that was at the end of my senior year in high school over 4 years ago. Wow. That seems so much longer than that. Now that challenge has risen again. This is just a bit of what I know and what I've learned with some Wikipedia pages attached. I use it because other source sites may not be around later on and I don't want to have to fix broken links all the time.

According to the laws governing the Zodiac, I am a Scorpio, which is one of the four fixed signs: Taurus (spring/earth), Leo (summer/fire), Scorpio (autumn/water), Aquarius (winter/air).

My parents are Tauruses. My brother is an Aquarius. I am a Scorpio. The women I feel the most attraction to seem to all be Leo's (I'm not ruling others out. I'm simply making an observation).

Stay Hungry. Stay curious.

If you live each day as if it were your last, some day, most certainly, you will be right.


I don't really like leading with my main point today, but it just seems right. I find that some of the worst questions I've ever asked myself started with "What if I had..."

Don't think back to any time you've ever asked yourself that question. You'll only be reinforcing negativity. I want you to think of everything you've ever wanted to do in your life. Now decide to do it all. Take a step in every direction. All day. You've got 24 hours to have the best day ever. Even less if you sleep at all.

The Hallway

Your body walks down the hallway. A soft, white glow emanating from every surface. Not bright, but present. The empty blue sky giving way to the blistering heat of the sun.

"This body of mine is worn."

The stinging rays turn the thin, slick layer of sweat into a sharp mist that seems to cut into your flesh. Your muscles slowly rolling under your skin. Feet dragging. Ribs reluctantly allowing air to fill your lungs.

A Special Request 1

Read these next few lines then do what they say.

Stop

Turn off all sounds

Close your eyes

Slow your breathing

Focus on every breath you take

Let your heart slow down

Don't stop until you can feel your heart beat

Open your eyes

Now that you've discovered the art of calming down, take a look at your situation. There are things that are going well and things that aren't. There are things that you can control and things that you can't. It's really easy to discern the difference between the first pair. The second, often times, is blurred.