Thursday, December 10, 2009

+LOVE


+LOVE

This has got to be the most volatile subject for any conversation to hold. Probably the most sensitive human emotions, if not, then its got to be at least in the top 3 next to lust and envy. I've witnessed people become absolutely livid over the discussion of love. One of the things I notice most in my generation, through personal experience and bearing witness to the relationships of close friends, is that some of us tend to hurt the ones we love. Though not intentionally or even consciously at times, often the objects of our affection unwittingly become the targets of our defenses.

As humans, we all stand face to face with adversity in life. Some more often then others, some more intensely than others. As strong as we believe ourselves to be,  by no choice of our own, we are affected by these experiences. More often then not, its the negative affects that seem to stick with us.

Speaking as a Native American, there are many scars that we carry from generation to generation. From genocide and assimilation in our great grandparents time, to alcoholism, domestic abuse and lack of identity in ours and our parents generations we all carry the effects of of these things. Many of us just don't realize it, even though they stare us in the face every day. They are the cause of the majority of distress and dis-ease in our lives.

We are constantly on the defensive and in turn disallowing ourselves trust and faith in one another and in life. We constantly worry that our partners are being unfaithful, or that someone is going to harm us. So much so that we never have a true allowance for love to exist in our lives. We unconsciously hold our partners responsible for the effects we carry from the wrongs done to us in the past. The lack of humility, forgiveness, compassion and responsibility we show towards others is often the result of something that they had no hand in creating.

Love in its truest form is selfless and unconditional, it expects nothing. It is in a constant state of recognition of the beauty and goodness in all people and situations it is directed towards. Above all life experiences, good and bad, remember this. Without it life is not lived.

-Meta

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

+FOCUS


+FOCUS

One of the most compelling and potent of human modalities, yet one that all to often tends to so easily elude us. I question myself at times, why it is, that focus is so difficult to maintain even when you know what you're after. Is it that life has become so complex that it clouds our vision? Is it that we desire so much that we spread ourselves too thin amongst our endeavors? Has life become such a harsh reality that we clamber so desperately to cling to the slightest  event of relief or pleasure, so much so that we lose sight of that which matters most to us? Or, is it something much more simple and human?

For myself it seems to be a simple matter of passion. If I'm not absolutely passionate about what I invest myself in, it becomes like pulling teeth, to see it through to the end. I feel that many times my lack of focus is just that, a lack of passion, therefore a lack of motivation.

I remember hearing someone say recently, "when you find yourself feeling in a state of dis-ease, worry, discouragement, etc. it is because your actions are somehow not allowing yourself to fulfill the perfect idea of who you truly are." In other words, you aren't in line with your passion, which in turn should tell you that there is something very wrong. You're not pursuing what you should be pursuing. You are not serving Your purpose.

In these moments, when it seems like all is lost, you are actually being presented with the truth of exactly what it is that you do not want, as a means to allow yourself to identify precisely what it is that you absolutely do desire. As one door closes to despair, another opens towards prosperity.

The next time you find yourself having trouble maintaining focus, take a moment to define for yourself what it is that you do and do not want. Maybe its not that you're incapable of focus, maybe your focus is just pointed in the wrong direction. Redirect it and you may just find what you've been missing. Its worked for me in phenomenal ways.

Food for thought, be blessed.

-Meta