Crossroads

There comes a point in every adult's life where he knows he's at a crossroads. He can continue on the same path, but that will only yield the same results. Or he can take the path he knows is a better one, and enjoy new and different results. I came to that crossroad last night and this morning. I know absolutely the path I want and need to be on. Turning away from the other is so much easier when one is self-aware enough to have perspective. 

The Freedom From Stuff

I woke up around 3 this morning. Lying in bed I had a nice thought occur to me, “The more you know yourself the less you need.” Specifically I was thinking of this in terms of "stuff," but it can apply to almost anything, emotional neediness, fear of being by one’s self, etc.

Telling this to my friend Dan his reply was perfect. "True. The path winds inward." Indeed. 

Eating

I just saw a commercial for Applebee's with the theme to Welcome Back Kotter basically welcoming people back to dining out. 

Two things immediately occurred to me.

Firstly, eating is a sport. We rarely eat with our bodies in mind. In genera we don't eat for healthy benefits.

Secondly, we've learned nothing from the last Year of COVID. Everyone and everything is trying to get back to how things were. We're not slowing down and cherishing the moment. We've either forgotten or ignored the lessons COVID had to teach us about self awareness and the rewards of introspection.

Beer Cap Fortunes

Last night I cracked open a beer and this was on the inside of the bottle cap. I've never even paid attention to a beer bottle cap before! It’s so funny for that to pop up right now. I've found myself being at another fork in life’s road so this seemingly innocent little beer cap fortune had a far greater significance for me. It seems The Universe is always finding clever ways to get the message through. Some people would say this is like a Rorschach test or horoscope, reading into it what you want, making the message fit the situation. The difference for me is that I'm finding the more mindful and self-aware I'm becoming the more these kinds of cosmic communications seem to happen. A friend says this is tapping into the power of unconscious. Perhaps he's right. Perhaps tapping into the power of that unconscious is tapping into The Universe as well?

Reflections in the Time of COVID

I’m feeling very reflective about COVID this morning. Where I live it has been handled poorly to say the least, but it’s given me so much opportunity. I don’t think I’d be as mindful and self-aware if I hadn’t gone through this year. I had a wisp of “Opportunity Squandered” creep into my thoughts last night. 

Then I told myself I may not have learned to play the piano or written the Great American Novel, but I got deeper in touch with me. I found some of the deeper gears that make me work. I understand the mechanism so much better. Learning the piano or writing a book can’t even touch that.

Trust What Is

My friend Argenis Vegas has written a wonderful book based on his personal experience with mindfulness, nonattachment and being present. From the book's back cover:

"Suffering can be the greatest catalyst for transformation. It can help you discover your own essence and connect with the field of all possibilities. You have the opportunity to navigate the flow of life and be with “what is” at that moment. Rather than fight against the natural current, be present in it. Those who oppose us are not our enemies, but our teachers. Offer them no resistance. This story attempts to point to that which is beyond words, and cannot be grasped by the mind——the unified nature of existence, which lies beyond the conditioning and the dualistic perception of life. My wish is that it will encourage you to welcome differences, thus creating a more peaceful, loving world, and to inspire you to see and go beyond the circumstances in your life."

For anyone on the path of mindfulness and self-awareness, I encourage them to read this book. It is full of wonderful nuggets of insight, inspiration, and enthusiasm for learning to trust what is. Visit the link below for ordering information. 

https://www.amazon.com/Trust-What-Argenis-Vegas/dp/0692270701