Blowing It

January 7, 2020January 7, 2020

Annoyance Or Disdain For That Which You Want To Achieve. Avoiding Blowing #246

You Can Not Hold The Opposing Views Of Wanting To Achieve Something. And Then At The Same Time Have An Annoyance Or Disdain For That Same Thing.

We may not know we do it. You have to take close examination of yourself to truly see it. But every time we struggle in an area, there, bright as day you’ll see it. If we look hard enough we find annoyance or disdain for that something. And although we want it, we’ll never achieve it if we don’t correct and solve our underlying issues with it.

Take money for instance we all want more of it. But if we don’t have it, you can be assured we harbor some resentment towards it somewhere in our thoughts. Maybe it was never there when we needed it most. Maybe it caused conflict somewhere in our lives. Possibly it was the cause for your divorce or your parents divorce. The conflict we have with it needs resolving in order to get that which we want.

Do you struggle in marketing or sales? How do you feel when someone tries to sell you something. Do you look upon them with scorn? Or do you bask in the glow of there talent for persuasion?

Do you see marketing as an annoyance? An interruption to your work or enjoyment? Or do you see it as a creative art form that is so alluring and pleasing? One that needs celebrating as much as the Mona Lisa. And do you know why the Mona Lisa is one of the most famous art pieces in the world? Because of masterful marketing. For anyone who has ever blessed their eyes upon it, knows that it just might be the smallest painting throughout the entire Louvre. Yet millions of people every year flock to the museum in Paris to catch a glimpse. That is because of great marketing that has gone viral to the people. When it’s that good the guest become the evangelist over time.

But it first takes that brilliant mind that wants to help people make the best possible decision. So they market what that is to us with heart. Yet some may see marketing as an interruption. Maybe that goes back to childhood when commercials interrupted your favorite show. So you now learned over time to look at it as a nuisance, one to avoid at all cost. Then one day you want to market a product or brand that you love and feel it will help other people. But your marketing is complete garbage because you have harbored that disdain for so many years.

Look within yourself. If you are struggling in any area find that annoyance or disdain and turn the tables on it. Find a way to love the beauty in something. Look at it as an art form. Even making money can be a art form. You can even use your art to form a larger bank account. It all depends on how we look at it. Either way we can never be successful with views that oppose success.

January 5, 2020January 5, 2020

Sunday Sadness, Sunday Blues. Avoiding Blowing It #245.

Many Of Us Are Often Unpleasantly Hit By The Notion Of The Impending Work Week Ahead And Sunday Sadness Creeps In.

This is a fascinating phenomenon and it happens to a lot of people. Society is structured in such a way that our routines over time signify Monday as the beginning of the week. Back to school, back to work, back to simply being somewhere you don’t necessarily want to be. It’s no wonder over so many years of doing this automatic routine a Sunday sadness begins to creep in near the end of the day.

After you enjoyed a delightful weekend where you had the freedom to do as you choose. As Sunday hits, you’re struck by the notion it’s all coming to an end soon. And you know as the fleeting hours tick by Sunday evening, the blues are soon to set in. And you start feeling that familiar Sunday sadness. Worrying about your impending week ahead, and that control of it might not be in your hands.

How To Not Blow It With Sunday Sadness.

Each time we subscribe to this conventionality and structure set for us in life. We reinforce the possibility of this expectation. And in order to hopefully make this not become a normal event. We have to shake up the status quo every once in awhile.

If you can’t shift your week schedule, shift how your weekends look. Make Sunday your happiest day of the week. Shift your mindset, meditate on how great your week ahead will be.

If you can, change up your schedule. Do so in a way that the concern for the week ahead always falls on a different day. So your body doesn’t develop addiction to this sadness. Diffuse it through osmosis by spreading out over different days.

Find pleasurable work so you always look forward to the week ahead. Maybe in that case a Friday sadness sets because you have to leave your work that brings you joy. But I highly doubt that happens. Humans will always love their freedom and autonomy even if we only get it for two days a week.

Never take a day off. Work on that which you enjoy every single day of the week. Maybe even do it if you don’t always enjoy it. At least you’ll be building that mental strength against the desire to not doing something and the sadness that sets in because of it. Today is Sunday and I already feel better for writing these words. Maybe tomorrow I’ll treat myself with more.

January 4, 2020February 20, 2020

Harmless Addictions. Avoiding Blowing It #244.

It’s Sometimes The Harmless Addictions That Control Our Actions The Most.

The things we deem harmless addictions. Are often some of the most insidious because we don’t see them as a threat to health or well being. But they control us in the sneakiest of ways.

These addictions often start deep within childhood because of there worry free nature. You might think, what harm could this have on a child? Everyone does it. You might want to entertain them by always allowing them to watch television. Or keep them happy, alive and well fed with food. Food is one of the most dangerous addictions. And food choice can have an even bigger impact. Because we need it to survive, we literally have to eat. But it’s what we eat and the amount that can turn into a powerful addition that goes from harmless to harmful.

Television is an addiction of distraction, it’s so easy to space out for hours on mindless series. It seems harmless because nearly everyone does it. It’s rare you don’t go over to someone else’s house and they don’t have a television. Some can resist it’s sirens song but if you grew up heavily influenced by it. It’s an addiction that has turned harmful and has the power to now destroy ambition and derail you from your goals.

Now instead of television we have phones tablets and computers. The new screen addiction is far worse because they can get their fix at anytime of day or night in some instances. Strong limitations will be key to it not developing into a problem. Or channeling these harmless additions into ones of productivity. Coding classes and educational programs. Make technology the tool it was intended for, never a crutch for distraction. Always be learning on these distraction devices. And if they have too much power over you get rid of them all together.

Never get to the point of diminishing returns. If your investment in anything, be it time, health, or attention. Whatever your giving it to. If it begins depleting that time, health and attention it’s time to strongly consider removing it from your life. Always remember all addictions begin out ever so harmless.

January 3, 2020January 3, 2020

Micro Distraction. Avoiding Blowing It #243

How Often Does A Micro Distraction Throw Us Off Our Life Trajectory?

We may never truly know because we don’t know the alternative. But in some cases they can have profound affects. Each micro distraction is a mini butterfly effect within your own life. And it’s implications can grow into a hurricane in that life as it gains force.

An important conversation with a close friend or loved one gets interrupted by a phone call. Do you take the call or stay present with that friend or loved one? The choice you make can have profound implications as innocent as it may seem in the moment. This might be the distraction that eventually ends the friendship, marriage, etc. Maybe not in that moment but the wind off the butterfly’s wings will be set in motion.

Sometimes the micro distraction is just enough to send an alcoholic or a drug user back to the bottle or drug of choice. Distractions can be triggering. A micro distraction could set you off course of a masterpiece you might be working on.

Our Phones Are Micro Distraction Machines

Which often lead us down the rabbit hole. Difficult to escape once your in the labyrinth. And each micro distraction within it, can start a chain reaction. We get alerted to a text, or new deal, or a new article that needs to be read, a podcast to be listened to. Then we find ourselves wasting time watching YouTube videos of cats. I’ll even link to a video of cats, to test your resistance muscle. Try to abstain from it. Build that muscle.

The pull is strong because of our intense curiosity and need for answers. What if the phone call is more important then the conversation were already in? It almost never is, but we hold that belief constantly and it diminishes the quality of our interactions. It’s why we have to remove as many temptations as possible. Starting with our phones. Its always launching little missiles that can turn into weapons of mass destruction on our work, our life and our relationships.

It’s amazing how employers want you always at their beck and call on this little distraction machine but being connected to it always depletes the quality of work by the distracted individual.

How To Help Avoid Micro Distraction.

We need to utilize do not disturb mode or airplane mode on our phones first and foremost. Or even think about getting a Faraday pouch for it and put your phone in it when you are engrossed in other activities. So it can’t even receive a signal. Always at the very least turn off all notifications. You do not need to be alerted to a sale on bed spreads or news of a bomb strike in Yemen.

Just be aware and vigilant to the sources that are vying for your attention. And stay true to what’s important. Don’t let micro distractions, as unassuming as they are, derail you. Because the micro can easily turn into the major.

January 2, 2020January 2, 2020

Shoulding On People. Avoiding Blowing It #242

Stop Shoulding On Yourself And Everyone Around You And Just Do The Should.

I am very guilty of this. Many times through out my writing I suggest what people should do. We should all over others but mostly we should all over ourselves. It happens far too much. Hell this article is a should of not shoulding.

The point being that should is an implied try, not a firm commitment of anything. It’s simply a think about doing something. Maybe in a different way then what your you are currently doing. But you’re not really required to do that new something.

That’s why shoulding on ourselves is so dangerous. We know we need a change so we’ll say to ourselves we should make that change. But since we don’t have a firm commitment to it, we’ll except the should as yet another postponement to get around to eventually.

I think the definition of should could be, kind of wanting to something but not really and if you can find an excuse to avoid it you most like will.

That’s why when we find ourselves saying we should do something. We need to immediately drop what we’re doing and take the tiniest action towards that goal. This way we start to clean up the mess should has left all over our lives. If you find yourself saying, “I should learn to play the guitar.” You have 5 seconds to go find a guitar and strum some chords. If you say, “I should write that novel.” You have 5 seconds to find the nearest piece of paper and write the first sentence.

Use the word should as the spring board of action. Instead of the crutch to inaction. If we know we should do something just do it. Don’t justify putting it off any longer with the language we choose to use. Should is not eventually, it is now. Do it now.

January 1, 2020January 2, 2020

The New Years Day Dreaded Hangover. Avoiding Blowing It #241.

If You Are Like Many Around The World You Might Be Waking Today A Little Worse For The Wear With The Dreaded New Years Day Hangover.

It’s funny how we will make resolutions for big changes but set ourselves up for defeat on day one. We stay up all night ring in New Years with other with friends and strangers. And in that festive mood we over indulge. Handicapping us for the next day. The actual beginning of the new year and the first day of our newly committed resolutions.

It’s not just the hangover from drinking that gets you either. If you are like many, you go to bed at a reasonable hour most nights. Staying up past 12 is uncommon and when you do, you throw your body off routine. Now you get the poor sleep hangover and you don’t even need to drink for that to happen.

Not everyone does the traditional late night ring in the new year. There are some that may have been very responsible. Went to bed early and celebrated the New Years morning with a great physical activity or a creative art endeavor that they vowed to themselves to complete. That is probably the best way to start off any new year plans of change. Put your best foot forward immediately. If you have change in mind you have to be that change always.

Whatever it is you want, you have to commit to that long before you set out on a festive night. So that when you get to that festive evening your habits and conviction are stronger then the urge to derail yourself. That being said New Years can be a tremendous amount of fun for some. I’m not insinuating don’t enjoy it. Just be conscientious of what you are doing to yourself in particular settings. Especially if you’re trying to make changes.

One specific day for a resolution is nonsense anyway and difficult to maintain no matter who you are. If you want change it takes re-commitment on a daily basis so everyday turns into a new new years resolution. So specific dates don’t actually matter. January 1st, February 6th, May 20th none of it matters its all the same commitment if you are serious. And over indulging in anything before these arbitrary dates will set you up for defeat. However you celebrate welcome to 2020. Lets make it an amazing year.

December 31, 2019January 2, 2020

Not Legalizing Psychedelic Drugs Already. Avoiding Blowing It #240

It High Time We Legalize This Beneficial Treatment Of Psychedelic Drugs. Get High Time?

I’ve never tried it myself but nearly a hundred years of research has proven time and again how beneficial psychedelic drugs can have upon the mind body and spirit. That research may even go back thousands of years when native cultures used them as part of their rituals. We would be much further ahead then we currently are. If western cultures didn’t frown so heavily on the use of these mind altering substances. And that is the key phrase mind altering. If your mind feels broken, sick or depressed these medicines can profoundly alter those states. Why wouldn’t we employ them?

You can not over dose on these medicines, they have nearly zero affect on anyone outside the user. It’s especially safe when using a trained guide or shaman. It’s almost as if they were made to partner with our minds. Now I know that’s a stretch to say but the evidence to its benefits are very apparent. Mushrooms, LSD, Peyote, Ayahuasca, MDMA. All considered psychedelic drugs yet hidden behind that title are so many effective treatments that we have over looked for years. Why? We send our minds into profound trips almost every single night with sleep. Why not be able to try that in a waking state? Where your conscious mind can meet your unconscious mind and find that blissful middle ground together.

Does the establishment worry these medicines can change individuals so profoundly that they need to maintain a schedule 1 drug rating on such substances? That people will turn on, tune in, and drop out of the structural mandates society places on us? Possibly. Or quite possibly and much more likely people get to heal from trauma. Heal from a broken place, a poor state of mind, a bad addiction. These medicines have the power to do that and I’m excited to see it’s a growing body of study. Soon to be used medically and hopefully one day recreationally for all who chose to expand their mind.

December 17, 2019January 2, 2020

Deep Fakes. Avoiding Blowing It #239.

Soon The Internet Will Be Fully Awash In Deep Fakes And Even Deeper Lies. That We Won’t Be Able To Believe Anything That Comes From It.

Imagine a day where you might be a world famous actor or actress having never acted a day in your life. You might just cheaply sell your likeness to a production company that makes hit after hit with a computer generated model of you. You never make it to the big screen but deep fakes of you might. That is the direction we may be heading in.

We Should Copyright Our Image Now.

Soon we may have to copyright our own image as to require others to pay for the right to use it in any capacity. That means if a social media site wants to use your image for financial gain. Which is exactly what they do currently, with all the images we post for them. They would be than be required to pay you for that right. If you had a copyright of your personal image. I’m surprised we’re not there already.

We should be able to copyright ourselves. That way no one could ever use it without permission and or paying us. How is a face public domain? No photographer should have the right to take images of you without that permission and a cut of whatever they make on your face or body. Seems only natural to me.

Lyft Driver

Just recently a Lyft driver in a very unsuccessful attempt to be kind to a sick passenger in his car. Explaining that he and his wife just got over a cold themselves and they find essential oils useful to clear up nasal congestion. He offered her a napkin with peppermint oil.

Now anyone within five feet of that napkin could deduce that strong scent is peppermint. Yet this passenger assumed she was about to be drugged or something. And instead of giving the driver the benefit of the doubt and handing it back saying no thank you. She decided to blast his image all over social media claiming no one should ever except a ride from him, that he is a creep.

She should never be able to use this man’s image, let alone drag his name through the mud without a proper investigation. It’s slander and she may have taken away this man’s livelihood in the process. If you feel threatened, get the cops involved. Don’t simply try to ruin someone because you have followers. Either way it’s high time we take back control of our work, our image, our life and our bodies. No one else has the right to them.

December 16, 2019January 2, 2020

Hiding Our Flaws. Avoiding Blowing It #238.

Say It, Show It, Love It. Never Hide From Your Flaws. They Make You Uniquely You.

Trying to be perfect all the time is an unnecessary stress that causes anxiety. It’s a mental health issue. How wonderful would it be if we were all a little more excepting of ourselves, flaws and all? If you think you have a flaw in some area, immerse yourself in exposing that area and banishing that concern.

Poor writer? start a blog. I did. Think you’re not gorgeous without make up. Go without it till your comfortable. Worried about flaws on your body take sexy photos, get naked more often. Go to a nude beach or public nude event where no one knows you or cares about your any of your “flaws.” A place where they’re exposing all of theirs as well. Chances are you’re the only person that sees it as a flaw. You can be liberated for your fears and worries. Character flaw? Change it if it’s problematic to others, if not, accept it. It’s part of you.

Some things you can change but it’s far more healthy to simply enjoy what you have. Sometimes you just have to let your freak flag fly loud and proud. Remember to not intrude on others when you do. Someone somewhere will always be offended by one thing or another. So if you come across those steer clear and find more supportive groups. Just enjoy your gifts no matter how quirky or different to some they might be. Be grateful for them.

December 9, 2019December 17, 2019

Not Putting Your Best Foot Forward. Avoiding Failure #237.

If You’re Going To Do Something Take Pride In That Effort And Put Your Best Foot Forward.

Over the weekend there was a heavyweight championship fight. It was a rematch of two fighters that had fought before. And in that first fight the heavy favorite was upset by the major underdog. Naturally there would be a rematch. And that’s exactly what took place this last weekend. However the underdog did not take pride in his work. He had reached the peak and now he was living on easy street. He did not put his best foot forward.

Sure the years of toil in the gym afforded him the moment to bask in his accomplishments. But he knew he would have to defend the title. Since it was already a given that there would be this rematch. And he would make another windfall of money. Rather then put his best foot forward he instead chose to party with friends, over eat when he was already obese to begin with, adding an extra 15 pounds. I will say his strength and stamina at nearly 300 lbs is incredible. But he didn’t take it serious. He even admitted he under trained.

Why work to stay on top when you know the inevitable outcome? Maybe he thought he would his skills would carry him without improvements. Or maybe he knew he was the underdog and embraced it. The match did go to decision so he did go the distance with the champion. But when you show up out of shape you do a disservice to yourself and those who pay to see you perform at your best. That is not your best.

Now it’s set for a tie breaker match. And I’m sure he’ll work to improve to show he’s worthy of a third bout but why even go down that road when he clearly didn’t take it serious in the second. Why take him serious when he doesn’t do the same for himself? And that is exactly what happens when you don’t put your best foot forward. People move on from you and from your work. And when you reach that point it’s time to select new challengers and new challenges. Ones where you can invest yourself fully into and be at your best. Why get in a cycle of the same thing? Move on and move upward.