New Becomings

  “ Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of civilization .” Mahatma Gandhi Unity in Diversity is an old axiom, yet it still seems to escape the common sense of our politics, policies, businesses, communities and indeed our own lives. We know that first-past-the-post voting does not account for an actual majority when many people have opted for parties that end up having no say in our democracies. We know that policies are sold to the highest bidder. We know that the almighty bottom-line has become the focus and the main reason for enterprise and commerce. We see the clutching of cultures holding no space for the benefits of other cultures. We see monocultures ravaging our lands. We see racism decimating lives... What a horrible mess - this rampant and fragmented way of humanity. People thrive on disunity because people need common enemies and some sort of allegiance, but why? Perhaps because it's easier to blame something outside of oneself for th...

 The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers        ~Ralph Nader When I was a young adult, I considered that people did not need leaders to shepherd them, but inspiring voices to build up confidence and abilities to then be strong enough to lead themselves. I still believe this to be the case, yet as I've matured, I recognize that not everyone has the confidence and ability to inspire others towards their own fulfillment, and some want to support those that do - not everyone wants to be in a position of power, instead aiming for simpler lives - still others have the confidence and ability to lead, but use them for control and self-interest. How do we identify leaders with the necessary qualities that can help shape and grow our communities, our world? How can we build up our own internal libraries of information that can filter through the guises of false leadership? The traits of false leadership can be recognized through observati...

Transformation:  -a complete change in the appearance or character of something or someone, especially so that that thing or person is improved. I woke up today realizing a few things that seem obvious to me, but that I haven't actually put into words before about the 'transformation' I'm consciously trying to invoke. Look around and notice all the "transformations" taking place - it's everywhere - advertisements, blogs, vlogs, shows, movies, books, articles, seminars... Many people are going through many changes, in a sort of Chrysalis of humanity. I believe there are myriad ways these changes are occurring, depending on where each of us are in our individual and collective journeys. At its most visible are the physical transformations people focus on - the diets, workouts, weight loss, strength conditioning, appearance... Personally, physical transformation is low on my list; however, physical health and well-being are important for energy, so I do what...

“I am learning to live between effort and surrender. I do my best and hope for what I want but do not resist the direction of the wind.” Anonymous   The problem with words is that they can have various meanings, and then when a sentence is put together, the message can branch out in different ways. I try to use sentences succinctly when direct information is being communicated, yet there's the creative side that likes to meander with meaning, where phrasing is just as important as the essences being conveyed. This is why songwriting and poetry are beautiful ways of expressing multiple ideas in simple formats. The title "Fighting for Surrender" is one of those paradoxical word-plays. Obviously, I'm not talking about picking up a sword and battling for the ability to raise a white flag in defeat. I'm talking about the internal conflict between 'action/reaction' and 'acquiescence' - that struggle back and forth with taking life by the horns and allo...

    “Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own thoughts unguarded. But once mastered, no one can help you as much...”  ~ The Dhammapada (a collection of Buddhist verses) There is no worse enemy in your life than you, but don't worry, everyone is their own worst enemy, so even if you think you have enemies, those enemies are doing a horrible number on themselves as well, so you don't have to do anything about them (like spending energy trying to trip them up or something). Focus on getting out of your own way, the rest will fall into place. Enemy-schnenemy. 1. You Have No Enemies. Stop thinking that certain people are 'out to get you' or 'not there for you'. Who cares? If you keep depending on others, for good or bad, you're doomed to a life of anxious depression and non-risk-taking (boredom). Maybe there are people actually out to get you, so what? Are you gonna live your life looking over your shoulder all the time? In reality, you're prob...

  First, let me say that I don't have a good argument for anything I'm about to write - and neither do you have a good argument to counter, though we can try in earnest. Second, I don't think I've had solid reasoning behind anything I've ever thought or said or written - and neither have you, yet we continue to confabulate, trying to get something 'right' just so a sense of self feels, well, solid. Nonetheless, I like to write and this is what I've chosen to write today: The common denominator in every single dispute or argument is that each side is certain that they are correct in their ideas about whatever it is. "I know the science!" - yet, science isn't done yet... is it? "I've done my research!" - yet, how much research can one possibly do in the vast still-unknowable space we inhabit?  The only certain thing is uncertainty. The only constant is change. And all those paradoxical things... When I enter a query on my compu...

  The 4-minute mile was broken in 1954 by Roger Bannister, since then it has been achieved by approx 1,500 athletes and has become the standard in middle-distance professional running. What does that mean for all of us non-professional runners? It means that our limited beliefs are holding us back. If you don't believe you can do something, guess what? You can't. As with everything, it's much easier said than done, but there are numerous ways to go about dissolving old paradigms and creating new precedents. First, it takes a hard look at the darkness within and forgiving ourselves for not knowing - we know better now. I used to write out the mental chatter and emotional baggage in journals and songs, but as soon as I lost all of those writings in a fire, I stopped writing. I started reading a lot more than I had before. I seek out everything around the vast expanse of mind and consciousness, space and belief systems... All religions and philosophies and ideas that resonate....