Woke ?

Proudly, we say we're smarter

Boast of our many responsibilities

Yet, we crave to work less and have more

Riding the wave of yesterday's industrious societies

The truth is we're not wiser

We deflect responsibility

Entitled, we stand

Woke? Oh, the irony

Does age bring wisdom?

Today’s youth refuse to wait in line

They deem themselves more intelligent

A sophisticated kind of mind

So they judge

Screaming at the top of their lungs

Virtually canceling you

Piously thinking they’ve won

If they win the battle

They will lose the war

Cornered by their own actions

It's like being in a room with no door

Like a snake eating its own tail

They’ve become what they despise

Be careful what you wish for

Never mistake passionate emotions as being wise

So, when you think you have all the answers

You refer to yourself as caring and great

Let us hope this is part of the process

Perhaps you have to be woke before you awake?

Tragedy of the Species

The Human Condition and Self-Awareness

Humans are unique in their capacity for self-awareness, a trait that allows us to reflect on our existence, question our purpose, and seek meaning. This ability sets us apart from other species but also brings with it a host of existential (questions about life, “what does this all mean?”) challenges. Our awareness of mortality, the search for purpose, and the understanding that life is ephemeral (short) can lead to many of our psychological burdens.

Our Evolutionary Dilemma  

Our brains evolved in environments where life was very fragile, food was scarce, and immediate dangers were ever-present. Traits like fear, anxiety, aggression, and a heightened fight-or-flight response were advantageous (necessary) in such primitive times. However, in the modern world, where many of our basic needs are met with relative ease, these same traits have become destructive. The constant state of alertness and the existential questioning that our advanced intellect brings can lead to mental health issues such as chronic anxiety and depression. Ironically, as our environment continues to become easier, I'm afraid we will suffer more and more. I believe the only way for humans to overcome this neurological hardwiring is to acknowledge the ancient biological drives and use tools such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and structured philosophies based in logic and reason, such as Stoicism, to manage and temper these ancient drives.

Peter Zapffe's Perspective

Peter Zapffe's, a Norwegian philosopher and mountaineer, had a philosophy that was considered pessimistic and fatalistic when it comes to human existence. He believed that human consciousness might be an overdeveloped trait, leading to what he terms a "biological paradox." He suggests that our advanced cognitive abilities might render us unfit for the very life they evolved to enhance. His comparison to the extinct deer with overly heavy antlers is my favorite that illustrates this point vividly; “just as their magnificent antlers became a hindrance to survival, our rich inner lives can become burdensome.”

*The “Irish Elk,” Megaloceros giganteus, ranged beyond Ireland and its closest living relative is the fallow deer, not the elk. The Irish elk’s antlers got too big and heavy, causing males to get tangled in trees and sink into bogs and lakes and therefore leading to his extinction.

Zapffe contends that humans have the ability to overcome their dilemma by using self deception. He identifies four defense mechanisms that We use to cope with the existential burden of self-awareness:

Isolation: This involves consciously or unconsciously ignoring or suppressing thoughts that could disturb our mental peace.

Anchoring: Relying on stable and familiar points of reference to provide a sense of security and prevent existential angst.

Distraction: Engaging in continuous activity or entertainment to avoid introspection and the accompanying discomfort.

Sublimation: Redirecting potentially negative or destructive impulses into socially acceptable or constructive activities, such as art, science, or work.

The Tragic Beauty of Human Evolution

Despite these challenges, the story of human evolution is one of remarkable adaptability and resilience. Our ability to create, innovate, and find meaning in various aspects of life speaks to the strength of our species. By understanding and accepting the complexities of our consciousness, we can appreciate the beauty and tragedy of our existence.

In today's world, where technology continues to advance rapidly, it's crucial to maintain an awareness of our subconscious drives that play a major role in our physical health, and our psychological and existential needs. While technological progress can address many issues, it does not solve the deeper questions of meaning and purpose. A balanced approach that includes philosophical, psychological, and social considerations is essential for addressing the human condition.

Thank you for allowing me to reflect on the paradoxes of human existence. By acknowledging our unique challenges and embracing the richness of our conscious experience, we can navigate the complexities of modern life with greater understanding and compassion. The journey of self-awareness, while fraught with difficulties, also offers profound opportunities for growth, connection, and fulfillment.

“Self awareness precedes personal transformation”

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.

Is life better? Or worse?

  “We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are” 

• Anaïs Nin

Is life better? Or worse?

It's hard to imagine life getting much better, and at the same time, it's difficult to envision life getting worse. To those who think life is unbearable, remember that our privileged position often blinds us to the reality of our circumstances. Anaïs Nin once said,  “We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are” - therefore our lives are shaped by our own unique personal experiences. Anything beyond these experiences are colored by an emotional biased perspective.

The emotional pain we endure—anger, stress, anxiety, depression—is relative to the pain we've experienced in our lives. Generally, in modern times, our suffering pales compared to the hardships of earlier eras, except for those who have faced tragic events. For the most part, life today is better than ever. Not only has our quality of life improved, but our access to information has also expanded exponentially with the advent of the internet, which puts knowledge at our fingertips.

Despite this, a paradox emerges: we claim to be more intelligent than past generations, yet we often act in ways that seem increasingly irrational. Who could have predicted that the most rational species on Earth might ultimately drive itself to extinction through its own irrational behavior? This paradox highlights the hubris of human beings. .

In conclusion, while it's challenging to foresee whether life will improve or deteriorate, recognizing our subjective view of reality and the relative improvement in our circumstances can help us appreciate the progress we've made. At the same time, we must remain strong against our tendencies toward irrationality, understanding that our survival depends on our ability to act with wisdom and foresight.

“Our sensorial perception of the world creates a false notion of reality. We are tricked into constructing a worldview and believing it to be the real thing. When it comes to understanding the nature of reality we are all shortsighted." - Plato's Allegory of the Cave

The Battle

                                                                         The Battle

By Kelly Hitchcock

We carry the past with us like an unwanted disease

We neurotically try to predict the upcoming years

Our minds are vociferously occupied

Filled with delusional irrational fear

To detach from our emotions

For modern man a conundrum, insane

Because to quiet the monkey mind

For many, would make life mundane

So, we move forward with no purpose or intention

We cry about never having enough time 

We procrastinate

Unaware, the river is running dry

There's an internal battle raging

We’re all suffering with mental pain 

Unaware, we fight harder

The struggle remains the same

You've heard it said the medicine may be bitter

But it cures the disease

So, you can take this advice

Or continue to do as you please

We must learn to let go of the past

Stop concerning ourselves with the upcoming years

Learn to live in the moment

We will conquer most all of our irrational fears

We have to become aware of our emotions

Mindfulness resolves most of life's pains

Control the controllable

This type of liberation is insane

We now begin to live life with intention

We create more quality time

We realize, we can only do what we can do

Peace becomes our new way of life

The battle has been won

Ironically, the war was all in our mind

Personal awareness

Exposes the true enemy for mankind

So, take a deep breath

Listen to the wind blowing through the trees

Right now, this moment

It's all we have, and all we really need

 

Change

 "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy

While not everyone aspires to change the world, many of us try to change others. We often attempt to mold our spouses, friends, or family members. Yet, the challenge of changing ourselves remains a complex endeavor.

There are three primary reasons we avoid personal change:

1. Belief: We often lack faith in our ability to change. Repeated failures reinforce this disbelief. It's not a lack of discipline that holds us back, but flawed methods. Take weight loss, for example. We reduce calories or cut out entire food groups, only to revert back after a few weeks. These restrictive diets set us up for failure. The issue lies with the program, not with us. True self-belief is built through perseverance and learning from past failures. Each setback provides valuable insights, transforming losses into growth opportunities.

2. Acknowledgment: Change begins with recognizing there’s a problem. Many people get stuck in denial. Addressing an issue threatens their identity, making acknowledgment difficult. For instance, anxiety can become a defining trait, or humor a shield against inner pain. Admitting there's an issue means taking responsibility, moving from victimhood to ownership. This is a crucial step toward genuine change.

3. Cognitive Dissonance: Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort we feel when our beliefs and actions are inconsistent. It explains why we resist changing our thinking even when faced with new, conflicting information. To ease this discomfort, we might ignore the source or rationalize our behavior instead of adjusting our beliefs. Overcoming cognitive dissonance involves confronting these inconsistencies and adapting our mindset or actions to resolve the conflict.

Change is painful, but so is remaining stagnant.

Tolstoy’s point isn’t that we all aim to change the world, but that we desire the world to change around us. However, the only true change we can effect is within ourselves, and this personal transformation is what ultimately changes the world.

“We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.” – Mahatma Gandhi

The Internal Dialogue

 The Internal dialogue

The internal dialogue of guilt and regret can grow like weeds in a well landscaped yard if not managed. This dialogue is largely a product of a repetitive loop of blame and coulda’s, woulda’s, and shoulda’s.

The first step to regaining control is to become aware of this repetitive internal dialogue. The second step is to have a preemptive plan ready to address the dialogue when you recognize it. Don't beat yourself up, just Recognize, Allow, Investigate, and Non-identify (this is known as the RAIN method). This method allows us to methodically reason our way out of these cognitive distortions.

Remember - Nothing changes if nothing changes. Self-awareness is a crucial step in changing behavior. 

“If you don't like the crop, don't sow the seed”

If you don't like the thoughts, let's investigate the perspective that's created the thoughts. Lets manage the cognitive weeds so we can have a new perspective in 2021! 

Order and Chaos

 If you can face what you're afraid of 

You can find what you need

Cause in the middle of order and chaos

Lies your destiny 

KH