Here's what I know to be true for me: We are all free to live our lives how we please... the opinion that matters most when it comes to yourself is your own! Not anyone else's! My opinion about how you live your life is NOT important, we all know what is right and what is wrong for us! I have my opinions and views on how we should live, but it's not important unless you think so! I try to live up to my expectations of myself.
For example I think we should ALL drink at least 4 glasses of water a day -- so I try to live up to that goal for me. I think it would be good for all of us, and I think it should be a priority for everyone. That's what I think -- I am allowed to have that belief. But that doesn't mean that you have to believe me or agree with me or even do it or feel pressure because I think that! That's MY opinion. We are all allowed to have opinions.
I think people shouldn't have road-rage, because I believe it is unhealthy, I think people should save money, I think people should take responsibility for their feelings, I think people should learn how to express themselves... I think these are GOOD things and HEALTHY things. I think the world would be a better place if people did these things. I think people should strive to be HONEST, I think people should exercise, I think people should be loving. Again, those are MY opinions.
The people who are close to me DO NOT have to AGREE -- NOBODY has to agree with me. But I agree with myself and that's good enough. When people around me hear me say these things they feel pressure... but that is not my fault! I think people should look for God, but I have many friends who are atheists and I love them dearly... I don't expect other people to have MY set of beliefs! I think all singers should take voice lessons and practice and rehearse and eat healthy and workout. But that doesn't mean I force my voice students to do that. I make SUGGESTIONS, I give ADVICE, I teach CAUSE AND EFFECT... according to what I have seen.
Am I perfect? No! Do I live up to all my ideals? No! Do I want to? Not really! I don't want to be perfect! I like being human and learning from my mistakes.
NOBODY HAS TO AGREE WITH ME... EVER! NOBODY HAS TO FEEL PRESSURED BY ME... EVER!
BUT I AM ALWAYS ALLOWED TO HAVE MY POINT OF VIEW, MY OPINION, MY MIND. AND SO ARE YOU!
I ALSO HAVE A RIGHT TO CHANGE MY MIND AND CHANGE THE WAY I SEE THINGS AND CHANGE MY BELIEFS... I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE A FLEXIBLE HUMAN BEING -- I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE MYSELF FULLY! ALWAYS!
Amen.
Friday, January 14, 2011
What 99.9% of us (including me) don't realize
"Reality" is not necessarily what you and I think it is. The way to prove this is to take ten different people and ask each one of them what reality is -- take for example asking someone what the best car is... someone will say "They're all the same they have four wheels," another will say "BMW's," another one will say "Toyota's," another will say "Mercedes Benz," another will say "That's a stupid question," another will say "It's subjective"... you get the idea, for each of these individuals "reality" is whatever they think it is... the person that thinks it's "subjective" will argue with the guy that swears up and down that it's "BMW" -- the guy with the "subjective" argument will have tons of intelligent, coherent and sense-making evidence to prove his point, just as the guy that said "BMW" will have tons of intelligent, coherent and sense-making evidence to prove his.
To go on with examples, take an artist... some think the best singer in the world was Frank Sinatra, others would say that he wasn't even closer to being the best singer. I used to think Ricky Martin was the best singer in the world, while my best friend would think that he sucked ass. Now, to get even close let's take our opinions of the people around us, some may think that John Doe is a wonderful guy with a great sense of humor, while others may think he is a conceited asshole with no tact. Who's right and who's wrong?
The interesting and tricky thing about perception is that it can change within oneself many, many times. The guy we think is a saint today may seem like the devil the day after. "Wow, I really think that man you introduced me to is educated and wonderful," and a week later the same person may say "That guy you introduced me to that day is a total moron, did you see how he spoke to her?"
Most of us don't know this, but our perception is playing a game with all of us. We would never want to believe this, and of course, this is an article being written by MY PERCEPTION so I could be wrong or right at any given moment depending on the individual and the situation. It is my opinion that there is a .1% of the population that can view things clearly, and it is my opinion that anyone who is passionately interested in perceiving THE TRUTH OF REALITY can cross over to the side of accurate perception. Does that mean that you will be better than others? Absolutely not... it will mean that you know that you DON'T KNOW ANYTHING because you CAN'T KNOW ANYTHING. The people who are in this .1% don't know more than you and me, they know LESS. They don't know what the "right" religion is, they don't know what the "right" fashion is, they don't know what the "truth" is... they know that the individual human mind does NOT have the ability to "KNOW THE TRUTH" of ANYTHING.
Most of us walk around believing that we know who the other is, who God is, what the "right" religion is, what people "should be like," how things actually are. Most of us would deny the possibility of not being absolutely correct about our shallow and deep views. Most of us think that it is not possible that we are wrong about our deep beliefs. Most of us would never even consider that our point of view is relative. Most of us are just looking to be right about everything we believe and we find "proof" anywhere we please. We make ideas in our heads about someone else or some subject and then we wait and collect all the "evidence" that proves that we are "right."
I will write from my perspective -- most of us are not aware of how delusional we can be. Most of us are CONVINCED that we KNOW THE TRUTH and that is simply not the case.
I personally think that a good solution for this is understanding that it is okay to have our individual beliefs and points of view, but to not actually believe that we are exclusively right and that we know better than everyone else. To see oneself as an individual with individual points of view and opinions, which are totally fine, as long as we are not ABSOLUTE about them. When we think that what we believe is the only correct way to see things, that is violence. Others are entitled to their perspectives and remaining open and receptive is the only way to truly be healthy.
If you find yourself saying things like "That's enough, this is stupid, yeah right, you're wrong" or being passive aggressive and sarcastic and not giving others the benefit of the doubt or give them a chance to clarify their points, that means your mind is closed and obviously so is your heart. If you are taking this note personally, that also means that you are concluding that this note must be exclusively about you and you may even be feeling attacked, but you might be wrong... the subject says 99.9% including me!
So we're in this together brothers and sisters... now let's get to life!
To go on with examples, take an artist... some think the best singer in the world was Frank Sinatra, others would say that he wasn't even closer to being the best singer. I used to think Ricky Martin was the best singer in the world, while my best friend would think that he sucked ass. Now, to get even close let's take our opinions of the people around us, some may think that John Doe is a wonderful guy with a great sense of humor, while others may think he is a conceited asshole with no tact. Who's right and who's wrong?
The interesting and tricky thing about perception is that it can change within oneself many, many times. The guy we think is a saint today may seem like the devil the day after. "Wow, I really think that man you introduced me to is educated and wonderful," and a week later the same person may say "That guy you introduced me to that day is a total moron, did you see how he spoke to her?"
Most of us don't know this, but our perception is playing a game with all of us. We would never want to believe this, and of course, this is an article being written by MY PERCEPTION so I could be wrong or right at any given moment depending on the individual and the situation. It is my opinion that there is a .1% of the population that can view things clearly, and it is my opinion that anyone who is passionately interested in perceiving THE TRUTH OF REALITY can cross over to the side of accurate perception. Does that mean that you will be better than others? Absolutely not... it will mean that you know that you DON'T KNOW ANYTHING because you CAN'T KNOW ANYTHING. The people who are in this .1% don't know more than you and me, they know LESS. They don't know what the "right" religion is, they don't know what the "right" fashion is, they don't know what the "truth" is... they know that the individual human mind does NOT have the ability to "KNOW THE TRUTH" of ANYTHING.
Most of us walk around believing that we know who the other is, who God is, what the "right" religion is, what people "should be like," how things actually are. Most of us would deny the possibility of not being absolutely correct about our shallow and deep views. Most of us think that it is not possible that we are wrong about our deep beliefs. Most of us would never even consider that our point of view is relative. Most of us are just looking to be right about everything we believe and we find "proof" anywhere we please. We make ideas in our heads about someone else or some subject and then we wait and collect all the "evidence" that proves that we are "right."
I will write from my perspective -- most of us are not aware of how delusional we can be. Most of us are CONVINCED that we KNOW THE TRUTH and that is simply not the case.
I personally think that a good solution for this is understanding that it is okay to have our individual beliefs and points of view, but to not actually believe that we are exclusively right and that we know better than everyone else. To see oneself as an individual with individual points of view and opinions, which are totally fine, as long as we are not ABSOLUTE about them. When we think that what we believe is the only correct way to see things, that is violence. Others are entitled to their perspectives and remaining open and receptive is the only way to truly be healthy.
If you find yourself saying things like "That's enough, this is stupid, yeah right, you're wrong" or being passive aggressive and sarcastic and not giving others the benefit of the doubt or give them a chance to clarify their points, that means your mind is closed and obviously so is your heart. If you are taking this note personally, that also means that you are concluding that this note must be exclusively about you and you may even be feeling attacked, but you might be wrong... the subject says 99.9% including me!
So we're in this together brothers and sisters... now let's get to life!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
About Loved Ones
God – I feel you are wonderful because you are almighty and all powerful and all everything. You are an awesome and cool mystery that I will never be able to comprehend. The love You emanate is blinding… I just think you are wonderful.
To Mami – You’re wonderful because you’re so different from the rest of people, you don’t comb your hair, you don’t care about make-up, you’re raw, wild, real, spontaneous and strong. You are wonderfully stubborn and intelligent and you’re very loud and charismatic. You’re brassy, sexy, warm, funny. You love to laugh and dance and go on crazy adventures, you’re not clingy, you’re independent, strong and just really good company. You’re an awesome woman.
To Dad – You’re cool because you can get any material thing you set your mind to, you are wowed by simple things, you upgrade your car when you feel like it, always get a new computer, TV, shoes, whatever. The fact that you make so much money makes you cool and that you love your job so much and that you work so hard. It’s cool that you’re not in people’s faces and that you’re shy and low-key. I think it’s cool that you travel by yourself every year to any country you want and you are always thinking of other people. It’s cool how you allow two of your kids to be in gay relationships and you open the doors of your house to allow this. It’s cool that you’re so financially supportive and it’s cool that you like to play computer games, go on the internet and watch TV.
To Fabie – You’re awesome because you left the house at 17 and figured your life out on your own, it’s cool that you have a beautiful son that you obviously adore. It’s cool that you are so strong and beautiful. You’re sweet and fun to be around, it’s cool that you like to go on the computer and watch TV too, it’s cool that you work so hard and it’s cool that you’re doing your own thing. You’re awesome for many reasons, you’re smart, creative and a great friend. You’re awesome because you don’t really need anyone to get ahead and because you just keep on living life and enjoying what you’re into. You’re awesome!
To Benji – I think your passion for cars is pretty awesome. You go nuts when you see a car that you like and you work hard to get it. I think it’s cool how car savvy you are and how you’re athletic and into sports and how you’re also such a good friend. I think it’s cool that you’re into matching your clothes and how you’re into having a good time anywhere you go. I think you’re awesome because you like to laugh a lot and you like to help other people. You are cool because you love Dad so much and it shows, you’re also cool because you love all of your brothers and you’re just awesome. It’s cool that you yell and let go when you get angry and that you are so passionate about everything you get into.
To Aaron – There’s a lot that makes you cool, you’re into fashion, singing, make-up, entertaining, you’re an incredible sales man and you have an incredible knack for meeting people and connecting. Your social skills are awesome, it’s cool that you like good drink and you like to go out and you like to dance and have a good time. That you like eating out, looking good, working out, talking. It’s cool that you give yourself to your boyfriend and how you’re such a cool cat. It’s awesome that you’re into the photography thing, that you like to take pictures and that you’re really sweet and smart. You’re just so much fun to be around, you’re funny and your sense of humor is so easy to enjoy.
To Andre – First of all, you’re awesome because you’re a genius and you have a huge heart and you would do anything for anyone. It’s cool how you live on your own and how you do your own thing and your sense of style and fashion is pretty awesome too. It’s cool how you reinvent your look every couple of months and how you are so tall and skinny and how you have a bunch of friends and all these things you like to do and all these places you like to go to. It’s cool how you have a roommate, how you like videogames and how you’re so nice to hang out with. You’re awesome because you like a good time and because you are smarter than most people.
To Marcelo – There’s a lot that makes you awesome, you love to laugh and have a good time, you’re pleasant and easy to get along with, you don’t think a lot other than enjoying the party and you have a heart of gold. You are loving and it looks like everybody likes you. You play it safe and that’s really awesome and refreshing for me. You are great company, good to be around, you are very supportive and you’re just real and honest. You are not pretentious and you are obviously a very curious soul who loves to learn new things. You are very interested in other people and that’s really nice. You are just an awesome person with a lot of wonderful qualities. You’re so nice to be with. It’s cool that you’re proud of who you are too, that’s awesome!
To Dusty – You’re fabulous because you are so filled with color and excitement and wonder. Because you are creative, playful, spontaneous and funny… you’re like a big kid and you are cool because you are so loving, passionate and committed. You love your mom and dad and your dog and your husband and your friends and you get really excited about living this life. You love to do things, you enjoy stuff and that’s just awesome. You would also give your life for someone you love because you have an enormous loving heart. You are really cool and you’re just so much fun to be with.
To Titi – You’re just so strong and powerful, your presence is like “Here I am” and you take over, you’re super smart, super loving and super on top of things. You are very attentive and you are a ton of fun. You have an awesome sense of humor and you possess a maturity that is very comforting. You work hard, play hard and rest hard. You are awesome, cool and amazing. Your free spirit and your large personality make you a great candidate for so many things. You are awesome, you are cool and you are just really a treasure.
To Irine – Can you say super bright? And super committed to being the best that you can be? You are awesome because you are passionate, ambitious and hard working, you focus on deep things that really matter and you are creative beyond a doubt. Your talent is so much and your sensitivities are so good that it amazes me. You are a great friend and great to talk to and you would do anything for anyone you love. Your laugh is the best and you love to laugh often and you are interesting and mysterious which are such cool qualities to have. You do not gossip, you are non-confrontational and you are awesome.
To Mami – You’re wonderful because you’re so different from the rest of people, you don’t comb your hair, you don’t care about make-up, you’re raw, wild, real, spontaneous and strong. You are wonderfully stubborn and intelligent and you’re very loud and charismatic. You’re brassy, sexy, warm, funny. You love to laugh and dance and go on crazy adventures, you’re not clingy, you’re independent, strong and just really good company. You’re an awesome woman.
To Dad – You’re cool because you can get any material thing you set your mind to, you are wowed by simple things, you upgrade your car when you feel like it, always get a new computer, TV, shoes, whatever. The fact that you make so much money makes you cool and that you love your job so much and that you work so hard. It’s cool that you’re not in people’s faces and that you’re shy and low-key. I think it’s cool that you travel by yourself every year to any country you want and you are always thinking of other people. It’s cool how you allow two of your kids to be in gay relationships and you open the doors of your house to allow this. It’s cool that you’re so financially supportive and it’s cool that you like to play computer games, go on the internet and watch TV.
To Fabie – You’re awesome because you left the house at 17 and figured your life out on your own, it’s cool that you have a beautiful son that you obviously adore. It’s cool that you are so strong and beautiful. You’re sweet and fun to be around, it’s cool that you like to go on the computer and watch TV too, it’s cool that you work so hard and it’s cool that you’re doing your own thing. You’re awesome for many reasons, you’re smart, creative and a great friend. You’re awesome because you don’t really need anyone to get ahead and because you just keep on living life and enjoying what you’re into. You’re awesome!
To Benji – I think your passion for cars is pretty awesome. You go nuts when you see a car that you like and you work hard to get it. I think it’s cool how car savvy you are and how you’re athletic and into sports and how you’re also such a good friend. I think it’s cool that you’re into matching your clothes and how you’re into having a good time anywhere you go. I think you’re awesome because you like to laugh a lot and you like to help other people. You are cool because you love Dad so much and it shows, you’re also cool because you love all of your brothers and you’re just awesome. It’s cool that you yell and let go when you get angry and that you are so passionate about everything you get into.
To Aaron – There’s a lot that makes you cool, you’re into fashion, singing, make-up, entertaining, you’re an incredible sales man and you have an incredible knack for meeting people and connecting. Your social skills are awesome, it’s cool that you like good drink and you like to go out and you like to dance and have a good time. That you like eating out, looking good, working out, talking. It’s cool that you give yourself to your boyfriend and how you’re such a cool cat. It’s awesome that you’re into the photography thing, that you like to take pictures and that you’re really sweet and smart. You’re just so much fun to be around, you’re funny and your sense of humor is so easy to enjoy.
To Andre – First of all, you’re awesome because you’re a genius and you have a huge heart and you would do anything for anyone. It’s cool how you live on your own and how you do your own thing and your sense of style and fashion is pretty awesome too. It’s cool how you reinvent your look every couple of months and how you are so tall and skinny and how you have a bunch of friends and all these things you like to do and all these places you like to go to. It’s cool how you have a roommate, how you like videogames and how you’re so nice to hang out with. You’re awesome because you like a good time and because you are smarter than most people.
To Marcelo – There’s a lot that makes you awesome, you love to laugh and have a good time, you’re pleasant and easy to get along with, you don’t think a lot other than enjoying the party and you have a heart of gold. You are loving and it looks like everybody likes you. You play it safe and that’s really awesome and refreshing for me. You are great company, good to be around, you are very supportive and you’re just real and honest. You are not pretentious and you are obviously a very curious soul who loves to learn new things. You are very interested in other people and that’s really nice. You are just an awesome person with a lot of wonderful qualities. You’re so nice to be with. It’s cool that you’re proud of who you are too, that’s awesome!
To Dusty – You’re fabulous because you are so filled with color and excitement and wonder. Because you are creative, playful, spontaneous and funny… you’re like a big kid and you are cool because you are so loving, passionate and committed. You love your mom and dad and your dog and your husband and your friends and you get really excited about living this life. You love to do things, you enjoy stuff and that’s just awesome. You would also give your life for someone you love because you have an enormous loving heart. You are really cool and you’re just so much fun to be with.
To Titi – You’re just so strong and powerful, your presence is like “Here I am” and you take over, you’re super smart, super loving and super on top of things. You are very attentive and you are a ton of fun. You have an awesome sense of humor and you possess a maturity that is very comforting. You work hard, play hard and rest hard. You are awesome, cool and amazing. Your free spirit and your large personality make you a great candidate for so many things. You are awesome, you are cool and you are just really a treasure.
To Irine – Can you say super bright? And super committed to being the best that you can be? You are awesome because you are passionate, ambitious and hard working, you focus on deep things that really matter and you are creative beyond a doubt. Your talent is so much and your sensitivities are so good that it amazes me. You are a great friend and great to talk to and you would do anything for anyone you love. Your laugh is the best and you love to laugh often and you are interesting and mysterious which are such cool qualities to have. You do not gossip, you are non-confrontational and you are awesome.
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