The Stinging

Marcus Aurelius “You’re better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve.”

Feedback whether it is constructive or destructive stings. In my teens, I created my first song and recorded it. The response was generally well until one came in that said it's not bad BUT it's not as good as D’Angelo’s (Recording Artist who had a hit called How Does It Feel)………...this stopped my creative pursuit to attempt to finish the rest of the album. It got SCRAPPED because my ego felt like CRAP. Fully acknowledge the EGO bruised and stained, the wisdom comes later I create from a place of care and love of the process. I learned when I was young that I was trying to get the approval of one particular person which did not line up to my soulful purpose of doing GOOD and inherently down the narrow path of not so GOOD. The parallel to this is that as children we look for the approval of our peers or parents but fail to see the caring people that are on our peripherals that have been waiting for our craft to be released. The cycle continues as we look for validation as the person looking up at us is looking for our blessing. There has to be a better way of acknowledging and sharing our energy with those looking for what we are doing. Why do we play for one particular person or group? We need only a few to understand our work and look forward to what we are bringing to the table. Simply, bring your best version of yourself at that moment with consistency. This will yield to a high percentage of many seeing your true gift. You are the Gift.

What caused you to stop your creative work? Are you now ready to pursue it again?

Your Spirit Animal is a Puffer Fish! How we are chemically prone to be emotional.

Over the past few months, I have been going back to some of the research that I have collected to increase the ability of the brain to be optimal. Ever since spending a bit of time with Dr. Norman Doidge for a course that we were both taking called Matrix Repatterning, I have kept my eyes and ears open to new approaches or old methods that can keep the mind finely tuned. Over the years and hundreds of articles and books to keep up to date it seems that having awareness about the mind is more important than ever. We are chemically prone to be emotional. We react to stimuli that create sadness, anxiety, happiness, and such that our phones are able to evoke.

(photo by James Lee)

For the brain to seek change something drastic has to happen. According to research for someone trying to change a habit such as smoking greatly increases when someone close dies or gets diagnosed related to smoking. We ignore or choose the possibility of cancer or death happening to us or the people we are around. Once it does come in contact within our circle a higher chance of quitting a habit occurs. We are operating only at a minimal percentage when we react through emotions and stressors. The emotional or if it was to be mapped on the brain, the limbic system is great for fight or flight but you probably know this is not so great for everyday living. The number #1 killer for humans is not stress but instead inflammation. When the nervous system responds like a blowfish by expanding to protect itself every day leads to a decrease in circulation and proper firing in the body. If you want a body that performs better must first start in the brain. We have to be diligent in how we let things in our thoughts for this can lead us to make costly mistakes. Guess what though it’s not your fault. The increase of sugars in everything and of course genetically modified products are one of the main causes for the brain to not respond at the highest peak. Here’s a little trick for you. According to research by having fats in the morning, GOOD FATS such as MCT (coconut oil), avocado, olive oil (cold), and other high-performing fuel for the brain keep you from not snapping at the person that just cut you off in line.

So from now till that next person that cuts off….pause…..breath……and like Mr. Castanza say these words, ‘Serenity NOW!!’ or increase your intake of some Good Fats to keep your brain and emotions in check.

Keep it Balanced

Garnet

Your GPS Is Stopping Your Growth

Your GPS Is Stopping Your Growth

(By Garnet Santicruz)

Finding your destination on a map is becoming less and less popular.  There has been an increase of accidents of people driving into a body of water because of a GPS saying that there use to be a road there. Don't get me wrong, GPS has been great, but at the same time what will be next 'self driving cars?'....wait THANKS Elon. How about just figuring out and mapping out where you are headed.  My Mom's words rings true to me every time I use some GPS, 'it will make you dumb.' The days of focus are getting farther and farther away from us. Thinking deeply is becoming less and less. Have we reached our peak for human intelligence that we are now at a point of making things that does everything?!

(image from: www.newstatesman.com/culture/film/2016/09/list-ways-our-society-already-pixar-s-dystopia-wall-e)

Like a scene from the movie, Wall-E of an overweight space man being hovered around everywhere without using any energy, we are headed to a future such as this. A ton of problems will arise if we stop thinking and solving for ourselves. I am fan of technology and innovations but I have never forgotten about running around barefoot when I was young full speed as a reminder of what my body was able to do. Ouch!! We need to stay connected to what our bodies are designed to do. Fail, think, solve and repeat. As much as this hurts like running barefoot now would we need to continue to keep this vessel called the Human Body finely tuned. Like anything else in life that gets forgotten and collects dust, our bodies and mind will be the same. So google a map to where you are heading and plan it out. 

While you are at it put together a strategy on the thing that you have been wanting to do every New Year's Eve Resolution. Like a map, make a decision on the path and EXECUTE. Remember, that mindless movement is the same as mindless eating so don't be that person. In health and in vigor I hope that you are more this guy. 

Live longer, Live Better and Keep It Balanced.

M.O.A. Living