The Burden of Awareness

The burden of awareness

How can this be?

The fact that I'm self aware

Allows me to identify me

Im aware of my thoughts

Visions emerge in my mind

Are they distorted?

A fictitious story unrefined

We are self conscious creatures

Blessed some might say?

But we cant sleep at night

And can't find purpose or meaning during the day

Our mind is racing

Busy thoughts with no plans

Who could have guessed

Awareness, a conundrum for modern man

So, is it a blessing?

We’re shamelessly aware of our sins

We can't love ourselves

We’re aware life is ephemeral, then it ends

As a self aware creature

We have to keep our eyes opened wide

We have to learn to accept reality 

We suffer greatly when we tell ourselves lies

The purpose in life is to find your gift

Meaning comes from giving that gift away

And remember, people know you by what you do

So make sure your actions are inline with what you say

The burden of awareness

A creature awakened over time

Is it a blessing or a curse?

It depends on what you choose to allow to occupy your mind

What Is My Agenda?

 What Is My Agenda? 

Self-improvement is a lifelong journey that often begins with a single question: What is my agenda? This inquiry is not just about planning daily tasks but delving deeper into understanding our true desires, goals, and the essence of who we are.

Defining My Agenda

What is my agenda? How do I want my life to be? These questions may seem simple, yet they hold the key to profound self-discovery and growth. At its core, my agenda is to be my best self and to serve others. I aim to help anyone in need, embracing the challenges that come my way. The harder the battle, the greater the growth. This may sound selfish, but is it? It is not. It is a path to fulfillment through selflessness.

Serving Others

My agenda includes being there for others—not to dictate their actions but to offer a helping hand or a thoughtful suggestion. It’s about encouraging others to think critically about their choices and possibilities. By supporting others, we also enrich our own lives, creating a cycle of mutual growth and understanding.

Living Fully and Honestly

I strive to live a life without regrets or "shoulda’s." Embracing failures as part of the journey, I focus on gratitude and the lessons each experience brings. However, self-improvement demands honesty, starting with oneself. Am I being honest with myself? Admitting our flaws and vulnerabilities is challenging. For me, it involves confronting personal habits and the discomfort they bring, like the metaphorical mirror that reflects my deepest insecurities. Yet, this honesty is crucial for genuine growth.

Facing Reality

Facing reality means seeking truth and remaining open to changing our perspectives. It involves a commitment to authenticity and a willingness to adapt. By embracing this mindset, I ensure that I am not rigidly fixed in my views but am constantly evolving.

The Essence of My Agenda

Ultimately, my agenda is to be the best version of myself, driven by service and honesty. It is less of an agenda and more of a life plan—a blueprint for continuous self-improvement. This journey is not just about achieving specific goals but about cultivating a mindset of growth, empathy, and resilience.

In reflecting on these questions and defining my agenda, I find clarity and purpose. It is a reminder that self-improvement is an ongoing process, one that requires patience, dedication, and a genuine desire to be better each day.

Behold

What are we looking for?

What do we desire?

Are we seeking the truth

Or an emotional flame to inspire?

The greatest gift is to seek knowledge

Stay curious, no matter the end of the road

Don't cling to affirming your current position—

That's finding comfort with friends who erode

We must learn to release the past

But not cast it all aside

This opens the door for self-correction

Wisdom is letting flawed thoughts subside

We've all held distorted beliefs

Clung to them as if they were true

Remember, when you changed them

It was for the better—it transformed you

So, use your mind

Question what you've been told

Don't just believe—

It's always better to seek and behold

Sublimate

 

Sublimate - To divert or modify an instinctual impulse into a culturally higher or socially more acceptable activity. For example, "Libido must be sublimated into productive work activities."

One's life is directed by one's drives, which are evolutionarily driven by the basic instincts of fighting, fleeing, feeding, and mating. These drives are rooted in the will to survive. However, the survival drive must be sublimated into more constructive choices. The primal drives that once ensured our ancestors' survival on the savannas could ironically lead to our downfall if not properly channeled.

As Carl Sagan aptly stated, “Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.”

Examples of sublimation:

1. Artistic Expression: Someone with aggressive tendencies might channel their aggression into creating intense, powerful artworks or performing vigorous music.

2. Physical Exercise: A person feeling restless or anxious might sublimate these feelings by engaging in sports, running, or working out at the gym.

3. Work and Career: An individual with a strong libido might sublimate their sexual energy into their work, becoming highly productive and achieving significant career success.

4. Academic Pursuits: Someone with a deep curiosity or obsessive tendencies might channel this drive into research, studying, or engaging in intellectual debates, contributing to scientific or academic advancements.

5. Volunteering and Community Service: A person who feels a strong urge to help others might sublimate this instinct by engaging in community service, volunteering, or participating in humanitarian efforts.

6. Creative Writing: An individual with intense emotions or inner turmoil might sublimate these feelings by writing poetry, novels, or plays, transforming their personal experiences into creative works that can resonate with others.

7. Gardening or Crafting: Someone who finds comfort in nurturing might sublimate their nurturing instincts by tending to a garden, crafting, or engaging in other hobbies that require care and attention.

These examples illustrate how instinctual impulses can be transformed into activities that are both culturally valued and personally fulfilling.