Blog

The natural order of life always wins.

Much like a river the current is always moving in the same direction. Even in your best effort to fight the stream, it will win eventually and will tire you out.

So, let life flow like a river, the decisions come easy, an effort isn’t needed and stress is forgotten. Cleverness may try to make a dam, alter the water but it still flows and finds a new way in the same direction.

Effort and struggle for the same outcome.

Take away the egotistical desire to outsmart the world and just let it be. Understanding the nature of the world, makes it easier to be you and it will all work out.

The river can do the work for you, the effort produced is already there, so let it work.

I like to call it the “Let it theory”, notice the pattern of life and let it happen as it should. Less effort, stress and results happen all the same.

“Tao doesn’t force or interfere with things, but lets them work in their own way, to produce results naturally. Then Whatever needs to be done is done”

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

Arise from the ashes.

The tale of a phoenix is seen in many cultures, over many centuries. It goes like this; the legendary bird lives a long life and ends with a flame. From the ashes it rises, reborn from the flame.

A simple tale but a powerful one to endure the adversity you face. Endure the pain, suffering and shall soar to new heights. The self-immolation of the bird is casting itself into darker days for the chance at a brighter future.

Arise from the ashes, arise, arise, arise to new heights you have never seen before.

Days pass by quickly, in the same monotony of daily tasks. It seems like they are unavoidable to complete, so making a rhythm to the madness of life makes it easy. If you make it easy and follow through with each day, week and month, it’s a habit. Establishing a habit is constructing guidelines that shape everyday choices, much like a box. A box limits the number of possibilities in one day, it’s hard to break because it’s easy to follow. Of course, everyday looks the same if the guidelines never change, reaction to decisions comes effortless but repetitive.

Bring change, break the chains and let loose. Relax a bit, refocus and come back stronger than before. Remember being a child, free of any stress, or routine. Be willing to let go of the rhythm and live. Exist in a different world and observe what you normally miss.

Goals change and move. The happiness they bring is fleeting at best. Comparable to a crutch to get through one tough day after another, for a mean to an end. By the time realization hits, you missed all the best parts of it all, by being too be focused on an imaginary goalpost. A holy grail, treasure of gold, all the money in the world, isn’t the ending. It about how you obtained it, who you met along the path and what you have learned. True value is in the experience itself, not the end goal.

I do this not to reach a certain number of posts, but in the exploration of untamed creativity and passion, yet to be revealed. Putting all on paper to read, my thoughts and intentions. For the betterment of those around me and for myself. A journal of unlimited thoughts, attached to a paper.

I say break the rhythm, to experience what is abnormal to a well-organized life, otherwise you may miss the experience along the way towards your goals.

A song by Mike Love,

How is it possible that you can always be on holiday? Most feel they need to have unlimited funds to purchase an everlasting vacation in life, trading time for money and money for time back.

As of late, I’ve felt that everything is clicking together, like each piece of the puzzle of a thousand-piece set is just the right one. I pick one up and there it goes fall and being guided by my hand, adjacent to the counterpart piece. I think that this puzzle I’ve been trying to solve for the past year is finally coming together, even if most times it did not seem like it would ever become one whole picture. Borders of the puzzle are filled and the dots are connecting. I see the end picture and what it’s supposed to look like, I can’t wait to start my next puzzle and yet I don’t want this one to end. I’m being pulled from both directions to stay and move forward, I must pick. My hands are already moving, and pieces keep falling into place. I’m thoroughly enjoying every moment and can’t wait for the next.

My permanent holiday is to be, to continue, and stay course on my current path. I love my path, and I’m still making it.

I need not unlimited money, it serves no use to my happiness. I just need to be a creator, explore, be active, a runner, a photographer, a husband, a friend, an athlete, a writer, a reader and more. There is so much more…

Just simply be.

A permanent holiday is always here because everything I do, I want to do and not as a need. These are the day I could miss, if I did not open my eyes.

My eyes are wide, my heart is open, my ears are listening, my mind is patient, my body is ready.

My time is now,

Now is a Holiday,

So, enjoy every little thing.

Theres nothing like it, nothing can compare. It all starts with a first step into a stride and picking a perfect trail. Rhythm of the feet connected to the ground with each strike into the dirt. Music flowing and controlling the pace of the run at times. Wind brushed up against my face. Different place, still the same feeling. Sneakers are fitted tight, and the striking continues, till I have to stop. Feeling winded, exhausted but happier than I ever could. It’s the best feeling, a mix of physical stressors depleting the body of all its energy, the tenseness is gone. Weight lifted of the shoulders, alleviating the things we carry and pick up on the trail. There is nothing left to do without energy but to rest. Prepare for another upcoming adventure. Going in groups is the best, talking, sharing, competing and building a community. More is ever present, more is ever thought about, more there is to be running. Different time, different place, different people, different completion, different life, different people, different EVERYTHING, and the feeling is always the same. It’s simply the best. Nothing will ever beat it. Clarity of the mind is awakened with each step, a flow of the body with each thud into the cement, a clearer mind is created. Theres just something to it, I just can’t place my finger one it. A little mystery is great, maybe best left unsolved and indescribable.

Running simple just is, it feels amazing and just is right. But still, I want to talk and talk, describe the indescribable. If I had to put a name to it, it would be limitless, no that not quite right. Hmm, maybe a better word for it is boundless, or full of potential. Endless? Do you know reader because I’m certainly struggling. Well, I’ve given it some thought, some real thought for a while now.

Running makes me feel and be Unbound.

That’s it, nothing more.

Running just is, so I will just be.

Open the old heavy wooden doors, that are attached to a building needed some serious attention. It might be weathered on the outside of the building but immaculate and stunning on the inside. The hinges swivel and don’t creek one bit, as they had been freshly oiled. Leading to a grand opening, of three stories of knowledge surrounding at all angles. A chandler hangs at the at the center of it all, below is a study longe, comfy and silent. Waiting to be used, wooden chair and tables are scattered about, lamps propped up on each desk. It feels empty, a forgotten tool, a slumbering giant at the heart of the city. Years behind pace, the rest of the city build around and modernized. Yet still this time capsule hold motionless. Its beauty is from a different time, some would call it better or worse, but endure it must.

The books are neatly organized, well-kept and had been worn in from each pair of eyes that gazed in. Staring still lingers, it can be seen from the corners of each page, the bindings furrowed and tattered. The memories it must have created, the knowledge learned. But, for what purpose? We may not know, for someone else, themself, to teach and interest, indirect learning method, to share, for fun.

How many hours has this library see, of hard work, of fun, of learning, friends. It’s all etched into the walls, the ceiling and the books. Adventures in the books written are read and experienced vicariously. It helps plan many more and guide those who are lost.

Look back into the past reflect, learn and explore. Plan your trips, goals and learn to share. It means more than you think.

“In other words, you might say that there is more to knowing than just being correct”

“Knowledge and Experience do not necessarily speak the same language”

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

A place to begin, or one to be simply appreciated. Carving the block could be useful, make a bowl, a tool, or chair. Wooden blocks don’t do much to be useful, but it only matters if you need something to be useful.

Nature of the uncarved block is to just be. Nothing more, nothing less. A state of being true to itself.

There are many actions that can be taken, have been taken and will be taken. On the flipside of each coin, there is the action to do nothing. Be neutral, be in active.

The best action might usually be an action to this or that, but it can certainly be just nothing at all.

Some stones are best left unturned and, in this case, left uncarved.

“Pooh can’t describe the uncarved block to us in word; he just is it. That’s the nature of the uncarved block”

“When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret know to those of the uncarved block: Life is fun.”

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

Friction is best defined as a force causing resistance.

In life friction is everywhere, from a car breaking down, to the water just missing your cup in the morning because you we’re too tired to put on your glasses. Friction can prevent, slow or stop, things that are in motion. It could be good or bad, It not selective. Resistance in the form of friction can be physical, and psychological.

The wind sweeps across the landscape, pulling, pushing, drifting and stirring up or down. It has no clear direction but impacts many. Sand grains are pulled away, stripping the dune to nothing but creating five more in its wake. Flags whip from a distance breeze, the swivel snap clips move with the flag and clang against the pole. Creating a rhythmic harmony. A kite fly’s high above the beach catching each breath of the wind. A kid feels the pull of the kite from the rugged and weathered handle he firmly grips. His feet are locked in place from the dunes of sand accruing, after hours of fun. Seagulls, coast along the wind in flocks, alongside the kite. They fall with the wind in each breath of life and friction.

A simple sweep of friction, takes away, creates and paints a picture that impacts many.

The path of least resistance is the one most often taken. Avoidance of the simplest friction makes it easier to act. It’s not being weak; you’re wired to spend the least amount of energy and self-preserve.

Make it easy, to write, read, explore, exercise, socialize, film, create, draw.

Eliminate the friction for what you want and need to do. Put the book on your pillow to read, you’re already have move so you might as well read it. Create that playlist to help you focus. Change the scenery, only journal outside or in that cafe down the street.

Add the friction to things you need to avoid. Time wasting on the phone, set timers, blockers or give it to a friend. Don’t buy those cookies and have them on the counter, if you really want them drive to the store.

It doesn’t have to be complex, just some simple addition and subtraction.

Friction shapes us all, now use it to shape you.

A thought of uniqueness, to be the first, getting to the top of that peak and to take that first step. To have pride in the work you do is much more important than being the first. Having both can be a perk but not needed to succeed.

All that is needed

Is being

The

First

YOU.

Need I say more? No, just ponder on that.

Accept it.

An easy concept to understand for most. Having truth to the statement from learning how swim myself. There are no other options but these two. It seems simple, kick the legs and arms but without rhythm and proper strokes, it gets you nowhere. The motion itself is tiring, but when done improperly is it exhausting. However, it can look effortless for some and come much more naturally or seeming so from an outside perspective.

In even the easiest of environments to swim, a shallow pool that is crystal clean and a bottom insight, it takes time and effort to stay afloat. Master this and move out of your depths to a pond, lake or ocean. The vastness and nature of each have its own difficulties and unique challenges that are presented but the choice is yours. A choice of where to swim, maybe a challenge is sought after or easiest road is best. Nobody knows except you. Sure, staying the pool is the easiest path but only an eight by ten-foot radius is able to be explored. A path best ventured is certainly decided by adventurer and not by me. Not by the choices of others, as they do not know what capabilities are stored in the heart, that is deep within.

Cast thy self into a depth that is overwhelming for your current self but a depth that the future self can handle with ease and elegance. The water flows effortlessly in your favor, not against the tide. Tired might be thought but not a physical state, keep kicking in controlled strokes and you will stay afloat. It always looks easy from the outside looking in but the beginning they did not see. At the start, all tread water at the nose, just barely holding it all together. Then, they rise and it becomes easier with time, patience, practice, effort, consistency and self-efficacy.

Being out of your depth is the worst and best feeling. There is no choice but to not hold back. Having your back against the wall, leaves no other option but to succeed. Succeed or sink to the bottom. Keep clawing to the top for another gasp of fresh air, only to be dragged down, but fight to live another day. Kick with all the might that can be mustered and then… give more, more than you thought. Notice the change in intensity, mindset, physicality and who’s left kicking.

Not many are.

It’s easy to stop. While exhausted, beaten by the waves, cold without doubt and it might seem relaxing to let go. Let the waves take you ashore. Ground is found at the bottom of the ocean or the land you wash up on.

It’s hard to keep going. Nobody told you it would easy, it shouldn’t a thought crossing your mind. Be prepared mentally to fight against the endless waves and challenges that oppose you.

Each is right… knowing when to keep pushing and when to let the flow of life to come to you. Neither is always true.

The when, the where, the whom, the what. Ask these questions to choose the best answer.

The only truth that is always right, is your own choice.

Sink or Swim, the choice has always been yours alone.