In high school I remember cliques solely defined by musical taste.  And I grow up to see the same elitist behavior from adults; I’m “this” or “that” depending on my [spirituality/job/hobbies/community/wealth/etc].  But I have found that none of that matters; only the individual’s actions of THAT DAY matter.  Indeed, the clothes/uniform don’t make the individual, it is the exact opposite.

It is the individual who gives meaning to whatever clings to them, be it title, uniform/clothes, or organization.

I approach “lack” like an illusory jail.  Whining-or never progressing beyond empty talk-assures my eternal imprisonment.

One way to see through the illusion is by being grateful for what I DO have.  Another way is to manifest an escape through applied creativity and focus.  In a world of imaginary locks, those practices provide all-too-real keys.

Sanity is a relative term.  I find that when the world goes crazy, it’s useful to be able to go crazy right along with it.  In the long run, it helps me stay sensible.

There’s no 100% proof of any religion/philosophy.  No way to prove that the Universe wasn’t made a second ago, with all memories/evidence of a longer past in place.  In light of this fundamental uncertainty, there’s only one truth I’ve become sure of:

I’ve become sure that I must figure things out for myself and endlessly experiment, endlessly play.  I suspect that the Universe only reveals its secrets to those who willingly embrace their lack of knowledge and have fun with it.

A few are enslaved by the monster inside, most deny that there is one.  I think the healthy thing is to look it square in the face and acknowledge it.  Respect it.  Be friends with it.

Firstly, to better keep an eye on it.  Secondly, because you never know when you might need it.

I’ve rested on many laurels:  Military/veteran/writer/spiritualist/warrior (this one is used so much many can’t even define it)…etc.  While it’s great to pat my own back (5 minute time limit) or have a nice meal after an accomplishment, I have seen the danger of wallowing in certificates/titles/accomplishments (We all know what happened to Rome).  Now my sole measure is whether I have taken action to improve THAT DAY.  And yes, sometimes rest is a necessary step to improvement.

Every time I wake up, I try to forget how I’ve defined myself so I can be born anew.

Was once asked with grave significance:  “How do you keep a fish from flopping away?  You hold it like this.”  An open palm was displayed, signifying the importance of not being too controlling.  I felt uneasy with the subsequent weighty nod, as if that closed the issue.  Later, I learned the importance of seeing beyond stock, spoon-fed answers that limit the creative potential.

Because another way to keep a fish from escaping is by spearing it.

I’ve fallen victim to mush-mouthed positive rhetoric and cynical self-flagellation.  Now I just strive to be honest.  If I’m inept then I’m inept.  If I’m good then I’m good.   I evaluate myself without getting emotional, or judging my self-worth.

Because I’ve realized that if I’m not honest with myself, then I have no idea where to start, or how to get where I want to go.

When I’ve reached a critical mass of technical knowledge that allows me to freely translate a concept from imagination to reality, that’s when I consider the knowledge to have gained a life of its own.

For me, that is the highest purpose of technical know-how:  To give our dreams life.