Accomplishing with Personal Potential

One could argue, measuring yourself against others has its benefits and this omnipresent behavior is extremely prevalent in our society, especially in the male display of machismo.

When analyzing it on a micro level, delving into ones "conditioning" or learned responses, brings to light the nearly impenetrable bulwark created by society to shield the fashionistas, corporate trendsetters, etc. from any critique or criticism.

This observation slowly arise while I was watching a YouTube clip of a group of young adults who crossed a country in South America on longboards. These people were not famous nor seeking fame, at least to my knowledge as compared to long way round which almost relied on the star power of Ewan McGregor. The reality that was created, at least in my mind, was that without star power and a massive amount of sponsorship this awesome experience would not have been possible.

Coming to the powerful realization that once you set a limit on your self by looking to emulate the path of others you slowly erode the potential you possessed to successfully complete the initial task at hand in your own way dictated by your personality, etc.

Point of consideration: Follow your dream and look not at what others have done before or what could be done after you. If you see something you want to accomplish, make it your own and use your unique qualities to accomplish it.

Cleaning it out

Up until this day, oblivious to the fact that I had over 16,000 emails stagnating in my inbox, I decided to take action. After spending over 5 hours going through the emails in groups, I have but 15 emails in my inbox and a wealth of valuable lessons for the future.

My thoughts stem from the classic argument of nature v. nurture and its practical implications on our development. In the quest of moving through 6years of emails ranging from intimate conversations from past girlfriends, to the occasional "whats up" from an old friend, these emails represent the evolving state of my existence, a sort of portal into the past. Allowed to peer into the hypothetical pages of my life, which filled over 4GB of space on some server somewhere in the world,  lies a history of my development. 

Reading these emails it becomes apparent, at least to the writer, that these correspondents represent the various results of complex patters of though (some not soo much) with the impetus being whatever was deemed satisfactory at the time to create the justification or reason to perform the action. As the patterns of though were influenced by interpretations of past experiences and often times the immediacy of pain or pleasure, it becomes obvious that the multitude of experiences creates a bank of stored perspicacity for which to measure future desires/possible actions against. 

In the spirit of brevity, I will share but one lesson which was interpreted to be of the greatest importance.  

-Take time to reflect on the past and future alike but make sure to give thanks to both equally, for they had an equal part in creating the person you are today.-

Get up and Move

Impetus for article: I was recently emailed a chain email asking for donations for a funeral of a 22 year old woman. She was found dead, the autopsy showed she was strangled.

First and foremost, what a shitty way to go. It was probably someone she momentarily trusted, a decision which resulted in her death.

There is a point in everyone's life, yes, even yours, when you will come to the realization that time is passing by as you just comfortably exist in this beautifully constructed facade we call life. Some of us reach for material items which can either provide a distraction or return some semblance of the youthful vigor we once knew and let us reminisce of a time when our whole life was ahead of us. Others, too engrossed in the insignificant activities that help us turn away from the oncoming flood of stagnation, will subsist to the best of their abilities until they slowly disintegrate.

Point of consideration: Your negligible existence matters not to the rotation of the earth or to the fluctuations of the Dow, unless of course you happen to be Bill Gates, or probably even to your neighbors neighbor, but it should matter to you. So, with that in mind, you should take the time to ask yourself each day, “What contribution have I made?”