I remember when I was younger and I often thought about what I might be like when I was older. When I was in 5th grade, I often wondered what the 8th grade me would look like. When I was in Middle school, I wondered what the High School Senior me would look like, and as I was finishing High School, I wondered what College grad me would look like. When I look into the mirror, I see those faces that I would often think about and it's almost funny at how time has come and gone seemingly quick.
Is this where I pictured myself when I was in elementary school? Middle school? High school?
No, it isn't.
The fact of the matter is that I didn't know what I wanted during any of those times. When I was little, being a weatherman and playing video games would have been my life goal. In MS, it would have been playing and making video games. In HS, it would have been to get any good job that used my brain. Now that I have reached the point where I have attained the proverbial college-graduate dream, it is high time to reassess what I want.
That's the thing though. Life isn't really about what you want; it is about weeding out the things you don't want. If you had everything that you thought you wanted in your life, I can guarantee that you would get bored of it sooner or later. Have you ever wanted a new phone or gadget so bad only to hardly touch it when you finally got it? It's just like that.
So instead of focusing on what we want in life, let's focus on cutting things out that we don't like. That route is much simpler, involves less thinking and in the end, it leads to a happier existence.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Growing Up
"I don't want to grow up!"
Every person has had this mentality at one or several points during their lifetime and it's completely understandable why anyone would feel that way. The lack of responsibility we enjoy when we are younger is a pleasant vacation in comparison to the responsibility burdened on our shoulders as we age and start making our own way in the world. I sometimes think about how nice it would be to return to the past for a day, a week and relive some of my fondest memories. The thing about the past is that what has happened stays there and we can't return, for better or worse. This can be quite depressing but we have to learn how to cope with it because we only lose more as we get older. Think about it. When you are younger, the worst trauma might be that your friend is moving away from you. Later on, almost all of your friends move away as high school draws to a close and college begins. Then you move away from your college friends and into the workforce, only to realize that you hardly have time to see all the people that you used to see on a consistent basis. This is enough to spoil even the best of moods but rest assured, this is something that everyone has/will experience.
This is part of growing up. The reason we don't like it is because it is hard and it can be downright depressing. Take college for example. One is reluctant to go to college at first because it is a new experience and they have doubts about their ability to fit in, college path, etc. By the end of their degree however, they will be reluctant to leave as they have gotten used to the lifestyle, the people, and the location. They will be reluctant to enter the workforce where everyday is 8 hours of drudgery that never ends until retirement. It is not an appeasing lifestyle so why bother growing up if it means being miserable?
This is a secret between you and I but it doesn't have to be! Yes, Growing up is hard and it is uncomfortable. We are basically thrust into situations where we have serious consequences if we fail, but that is how we grow. I think back to who I was at the beginning of my time in college and I thank God, Allah, Zeus Almighty that I am not the same person. It has been a painful ride, and any kind of growing will be a painful experience. It is necessary in order for us to grow as individuals though and it shouldn't be stopped at any point in one's lifetime. If we are not striving to be better people on this earth, then what are we here for?
Growing up is painful and difficult. Like Frodo and Sam on the way to Mordor. One day you may be wading through marshes full of shit, and another you may be enjoying a nice break with the captain of the guard. I challenge you not to see growing up as an undesirable step that you're forced to take but rather as a new opportunity to meet new people and start the next chapter of your life. A little bit of hurt now will lead to twice as much happiness down the road if you stick through it.
So keep your head up, never stop growing, and I guarantee that you will have a full life story.
Every person has had this mentality at one or several points during their lifetime and it's completely understandable why anyone would feel that way. The lack of responsibility we enjoy when we are younger is a pleasant vacation in comparison to the responsibility burdened on our shoulders as we age and start making our own way in the world. I sometimes think about how nice it would be to return to the past for a day, a week and relive some of my fondest memories. The thing about the past is that what has happened stays there and we can't return, for better or worse. This can be quite depressing but we have to learn how to cope with it because we only lose more as we get older. Think about it. When you are younger, the worst trauma might be that your friend is moving away from you. Later on, almost all of your friends move away as high school draws to a close and college begins. Then you move away from your college friends and into the workforce, only to realize that you hardly have time to see all the people that you used to see on a consistent basis. This is enough to spoil even the best of moods but rest assured, this is something that everyone has/will experience.
This is part of growing up. The reason we don't like it is because it is hard and it can be downright depressing. Take college for example. One is reluctant to go to college at first because it is a new experience and they have doubts about their ability to fit in, college path, etc. By the end of their degree however, they will be reluctant to leave as they have gotten used to the lifestyle, the people, and the location. They will be reluctant to enter the workforce where everyday is 8 hours of drudgery that never ends until retirement. It is not an appeasing lifestyle so why bother growing up if it means being miserable?
This is a secret between you and I but it doesn't have to be! Yes, Growing up is hard and it is uncomfortable. We are basically thrust into situations where we have serious consequences if we fail, but that is how we grow. I think back to who I was at the beginning of my time in college and I thank God, Allah, Zeus Almighty that I am not the same person. It has been a painful ride, and any kind of growing will be a painful experience. It is necessary in order for us to grow as individuals though and it shouldn't be stopped at any point in one's lifetime. If we are not striving to be better people on this earth, then what are we here for?
Growing up is painful and difficult. Like Frodo and Sam on the way to Mordor. One day you may be wading through marshes full of shit, and another you may be enjoying a nice break with the captain of the guard. I challenge you not to see growing up as an undesirable step that you're forced to take but rather as a new opportunity to meet new people and start the next chapter of your life. A little bit of hurt now will lead to twice as much happiness down the road if you stick through it.
So keep your head up, never stop growing, and I guarantee that you will have a full life story.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Life Stories
I like to think. I sit and think about where I've been, where I am, and where I want to go. That is essentially what our life is, isn't it? Those three elements comprise our life story and I believe it is important to have a good life story.
Recently, I went to a wake and saw some old friends, some of whom I haven't seen in awhile, and we got into the discussion of our wake and what we would want to have happen. Most of my friends concluded that when they die, they would like everyone to get blackout drunk at their wake. I was not surprised considering the kind of people they are but it made me think of my wake and what I would like it to be. Not saying I will have much of a choice but it is a thought exercise that is important for several reasons; the chief of which being that imagining such a scenario forces us to think about our lives and the impacts we have left on others. Presumably, if you have had a significant impact on others, then you would have lived a good life. Nobody wants to be forgotten once they're gone so I think it is important to affect everyone and everything around you (in a positive way). This inevitably leads me to reflect upon my own life story and its significance to myself and others.
My life story is one of happiness, sorrow, mistakes, learning and growth, good decisions, bad decisions, spiritual attainment and loss, and most importantly, love. All of these things (and I am sure there are many I have not mentioned) go into making a good life story. When I die, I don't want people to weep for long but instead focus on the life story that I have spent all these years cultivating and taking joy in the impacts I made upon them and others. As of now, I am happy and proud of my life story.
Can you say the same about yours?
Recently, I went to a wake and saw some old friends, some of whom I haven't seen in awhile, and we got into the discussion of our wake and what we would want to have happen. Most of my friends concluded that when they die, they would like everyone to get blackout drunk at their wake. I was not surprised considering the kind of people they are but it made me think of my wake and what I would like it to be. Not saying I will have much of a choice but it is a thought exercise that is important for several reasons; the chief of which being that imagining such a scenario forces us to think about our lives and the impacts we have left on others. Presumably, if you have had a significant impact on others, then you would have lived a good life. Nobody wants to be forgotten once they're gone so I think it is important to affect everyone and everything around you (in a positive way). This inevitably leads me to reflect upon my own life story and its significance to myself and others.
My life story is one of happiness, sorrow, mistakes, learning and growth, good decisions, bad decisions, spiritual attainment and loss, and most importantly, love. All of these things (and I am sure there are many I have not mentioned) go into making a good life story. When I die, I don't want people to weep for long but instead focus on the life story that I have spent all these years cultivating and taking joy in the impacts I made upon them and others. As of now, I am happy and proud of my life story.
Can you say the same about yours?
Welcome to my Blog!
I would like to start of my first post by saying that I am someone, by nature, who has many deep convictions. I have been raised a certain way and have had many experiences that have shaped my thought process into what it is today. That being said, I wanted to start a space where I can express and hopefully discuss whatever personal philosophies may be on my mind on any given day. Ideally, I hope to foster a discussion where we can all learn from each other and start living slightly better lives. Many of my convictions are deep but I aim to keep an open mind in all aspects of my life so if you think I am wrong, tell me why and we can discuss our philosophies. This is not a picture blog but one meant for mental and spiritual stimulation. Thank you for reading this and I hope you enjoy it!
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