What beats do you hear?

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.  Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away"
                       
                                         Henry David Thoreau


 The world is full of different events.  Many people are celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family.  Yet there are some that are protesting this day  as a day of mourning of people who were victimized. Yet there are others who are living as though this day is just another day of  many days.

Wherever you are in your mental and spiritual state, do know that today is , and yesterday was. However, whether in the past or present  it is significant.  It is also good to recognize and respect that  others may not share the same values. More importantly it is good to examine your belief systems and determine if your actions follow those beliefs.

B.L. Aki

Understanding true beauty

People need to understand the beauty of the soul, for without there is no true beauty..." (B.L. Aki, 2016).

I admire the amazing natural transitions of October.   The leaves on the trees turn different colors as the trees  begin to hibernate for new growth in the future.  In a world that is moved and swayed by Hollywood, believing everything that glitters to be gold, it is easy to fall in the trap that whatever is pleasing to the eye is perfect. In nature, I can not help to think that it is the inward process that brings forth such beauty.

I enjoy the awesomeness of visual beauty like most people.  Yet, let’s not forget love, kindness, truth and pureness of heart cultivates beauty that resonates to the soul.

B.L. Aki

Flowing through obstacles

Many times we face obstacles in our lives.  Obstacles can be  material, spiritual, mental, and physical.  Obstacles are not easy as it halts movement. The obstruction that  is in the way causes the flow of life as we know it to to be hindered or blocked.

How can we deal  with the obstacles ?   First of all once we have identified what the obstacle is, than we can find ways to remove them or go around them.  The main point in dealing with obstacles is to focus on fluditiy as we do not want progress to be halted for too long a period of time.

Obstacles are presented in our lives not only once, but many times.  However  I do believe it is an learning experience.  Each obstacle that is overcome brings us closer to clarity and allows us to be able to move forward.

Image by B.L. Aki

The Black Hole and Depression

As the summer days and vacations begin to come to a close, there are those who may slip into depression.  Depression is sometimes associated with a seasonal disorder, such as accompanied by grey and short winter days.  However depression is triggered by many factors, and these are often dependent on each individuals trigger or chemistry.

Although, I am not an atheist, Stephen Hawkins work's at times,  points to spiritual awakenings as the universe with all of its vast dimensions directly or indirectly affect human beings.  In a short lecture on the Black Hole and how it is now believed that it is possible to come out of the black hole, Dr. Hawkins compares depression with the black hole.

There is nothing in this world, that dictate that a person must stay in a black hole of depression. Although depression is altered by some medications in some, and sheer determination in others.  If you have ever experienced depression it can be likened to a black hole. A black hole seems to be empty, never ending and dark.

However, as  stated before, it is possible for particles to come out of the black hole. We can come out of our depression, we can look forward to letting light that is faster than mass penetrate our souls and our minds and lift us out of the dark hole of depression.

B.L. Aki

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Fact or Misconception?

Just about anyone who has had a psychology or a sociology class, has probably heard of 'Maslows's Hierarchy of Needs.'  The premise is;  before a human being reaches any kind of full spiritual potential or be able to start on the quest for Self-Actualization, his basic and primal needs must be met first.

As a professional in the field of psychology and counseling, I can most certainly understand why a practitioner would find it helpful to know the current state of their client. If someone comes to you and they are hungry, it would be difficult to propose to them writing out their goals for the next five years.  However, when I have my hat on as a  Spiritual Life Coach I beg to differ with Maslow's theory of a person reaching their potential after they have successfully made it up the pyramid.   In fact I would go far as to say the Hierarchy could be upside down.

People need to constantly seek for treasures such as truth, justice, spiritual awareness.  Sometimes it is at those very low moments of being hungry or alone or without, that a person reaches for something greater than themselves.  It is in those moments a person can find out who they are.

 Monks give up many of their physiological wants and seek a greater union with self. Christians find comfort in scriptures such as " But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness........ ( Matthew 6:33 NIV) or find out how foolish it was to focus on the material; " " But God said to him, You fool! You will die this very night.  Then who will get everything you worked for?" ( Luke 12:20  NLT)

True Independence and Self- Actualization can come before one has all the stability they hoped for, or the dream job of their  choice.  As a person transcends through the obstacles of life and persevere through the challenges, many new births occur along the way.  Consequently, Self-Actualization can come in many forms and in various stages of life.

B.L. Aki

TODAY

Summer is just a few blocks away, and winter is just down the road.  It is amazing how time seems to move so quickly.  June is the month that marks almost halfway through the year!  It seems people get excited every time there is a new season. Perhaps it is because of all the festivities that accompany each month.

Personally, I believe it would be wonderful if we can be excited each day, better still, to wish for peace and contentment for every moment would be the ultimate.  Babies and preschool children seem to have that excitement.  Have you ever watched a child look at the sky like it was the most precious sight in the world?   It is a sight to behold.

Being content for today is a goal that seems simple, but many have difficulty obtaining.  Yet if many were able to achieve this goal, they might find life would take on a different face than before.

B.L. Aki

Diversity versus Division

Perhaps division causes people to feel different and unique.  Unique and being different is wonderful.  If we look around nature itself, we can see that there is much diversity.  There are various types of plant life and animal life.  In the universe there are various stars and planets.   Diversity makes life interesting.

Division on the other hand can be destructive.  Division causes wars, and hate also divides.  There are those who would like to make us feel like we are special, if we are part of a different political persuasion or graduated from a different college or if one is a different race or sex.   Basically it is the attitude that accompanies the diversity that destroys.

The law of mathematics teaches that a number that is divided is smaller.   When a person wants to go beyond a certain mind set, or reach levels of spirituality that they have never reached before,  it is better achieved  by seeking unity and oneness.   Sometimes we can become so divided that we cannot see humanity for what it is.   In this movie clip the fifth wave, one person had to speak it out and let the other person know that “ He's one of us”  What was the identifier?  They were all human.  However there was a force that brought forth confusion in order to divide and conquer one human against another.   Is there something in your life that has caused you to believe that you have to be divided?

B.L. Aki

What level are you on?

“ No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it”

                                 Albert Einstein

According to Merriam Webster’s many definitions of consciousness, one definition is “the state of being characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought: mind”

Consciousness is the part of the mind in which we are aware.  When Einstein writes about solving problems on different levels of consciousness,  he is suggesting that you look at a different perspective, as the first perspective usually is  the one that caused the problem to begin with.

 For example lets take a common problem that many people have such as debt.  If one borrows money continuously they will probably always have excessive debt.   Borrowing more money probably will not solve the problem. Another level or a higher level of consciousness is to find a way to obtain the money without excessive borrowing.

 If we were to design a ladder with the lowest rung labeled stealing the second rung begging, the third rung

borrowing, and the fourth rung is employment and so forth, this could easily illustrate levels of consciousness.

Transcending to another level is possible, you would just need to determine what level you are on, and where on the level of consciousness you need to be.  

B.L. Aki

SURRENDER

                                                                                                                    Image by; B.L. Aki

Surrender is an action that by definition seems to be an easy release.  Yet in reality, surrendering is difficult for many to do.  According to Webster,  a simple definition of surrender is: “to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed. to give the control or use of (something) to someone else. : to allow something (such as a habit or desire) to influence or control you”.

In both of those definitions, surrender seems like it an action that will yield a positive outcome. For example in an argument you can surrender and let the other person win If you think it will be better to succeed than fight.

 Another example of surrender as Webster states: “ to allow something (such as habit or desire) to influence you” In that case if you allow a drug habit or an unlawful desire take over than a negative outcome may be expected.

For the sake of this subject matter that pertains to this blog, the focus is to surrender in order to transcend.  If you ever have seen someone that was drowning in water, the tendency for that person is to fight, but on too many occasions, the person who is drowning and the rescuer is in danger of both losing their lives.  It is much better for the drowning person to surrender so that the rescuer can save them.

 Many of us have to surrender to something in order to be able to survive.  It is a natural instinct to want to fight circumstances or people who seem to block our way. However, if you take a deep look at what you are resisting, you might find that you are in the way of your own progress.

Another example of surrendering is when you the rescuer is trying to hold on to a circumstance, a person, an issue, or an object.  In this case, if you have goals and you have a true love of self, you may have to let go of the drowning situation in order to survive.  This is sometimes seen as a selfish act, but a necessary act based on survival.  It is no sense in losing yourself in a situation.  What good would it be for all to be lost including yourself?

B.L. Aki

.

Unload the baggage

The popular common phrase" Less is More" has scientific and historical meaning.
Sometimes when traveling through life we often need to remove some baggage.  In our normal travels such as airplane travel, it is easier to have less in order to rid ourselves of some undue hassles.
My Father, who lives in a retirement community, after working and retiring from the federal government for over thirty five years,  looked around his modest room and  said " Look this is all I have to be concerned with, nice and simple."

As I pondered on the words of my Father, and observations of life itself,  I could truly see that less could be more. I am not advocating that everyone sell what they have and live in a tent, but take an inventory of your life, and see what  baggage could be weighing you down.

For some less could be living with less material things, and for  others it could mean, focusing on the valuable relationships in our lives.  For some less could be engaging in those treasured passions that make us feel alive, losing  the grip of those dreaded activities that drain us.

Take an inventory of your life.  Is there baggage that you need to unload?   Whatever it takes that is healthy and moral, make it a goal to release yourself.  If it is hiring a coach that can give you tools, hire a coach.  If it is spiritual help, seek spiritual consultation. If you have financial baggage, seek a financial advisor.

Remember a plant can grow from one seed, and most importantly it only takes one seed to give life to a human.

B.L. Aki

Change your direction

Many people have heard of the common quote " If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten".  I have seen it many ways.. such as " the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result"  These quotes are variant.   Yet, as often as we hear this message, many people keep doing the same thing. The message is basically telling you to, " Change your direction".

If I were driving in my car going south, but I want to go west,  I would have to change my direction.  In the past, many people used compasses or road maps.  Today many  people utilize the GPS.   The GPS is a navigating system that guides you to a specific location.  However the location has to be entered in, or a command given to the GPS in order to start the navigation.  Likewise, if a person needs to change direction, be it a goal, a behavior, the command must be given to the  mind.

I am not proposing a magical positive thinking type of mentality, but good ole common sense approach.  If you have a destination in mind, then you will naturally start to research resources , opportunities, or anything else that you may need to get you there.   Just as a person does when they are going to take a road trip or book a ticket on a commercial jet, you will look into hotels or places along the way such a gas stations, food places etc.

If you do not like what is going on in your life, find out what it is you want, and change your direction.


B.L. Aki

Change your direction

Many people have heard of the common quote " If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten".  I have seen it many ways.. such as " the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result"  These quotes are variant.   Yet, as often as we hear this message, many people keep doing the same thing. The message is basically telling you to, " Change your direction".

If I were driving in my car going south, but I want to go west,  I would have to change my direction.  In the past, many people used compasses or road maps.  Today many  people utilize the GPS.   The GPS is a navigating system that guides you to a specific location.  However the location has to be entered in, or a command given to the GPS in order to start the navigation.  Likewise, if a person needs to change direction, be it a goal, a behavior, the command must be given to the  mind.

I am not proposing a magical positive thinking type of mentality, but good ole common sense approach.  If you have a destination in mind, then you will naturally start to research resources , opportunities, or anything else that you may need to get you there.   Just as a person does when they are going to take a road trip or book a ticket on a commercial jet, you will look into hotels or places along the way such a gas stations, food places etc.

If you do not like what is going on in your life, find out what it is you want, and change your direction.


B.L. Aki

https://youtu.be/lwPIlZ4cpIw

Free yourself from your personal prison

In life there are times when it appears that life circumstances seem to have us locked away in our personal prison. These circumstances are sometimes real, such as being born into poverty or stricken by a genetic disorder that can not be altered.  Sometimes these life circumstances are an illusion, such as believing that others thoughts of judgments of who you are keeping you in a place where you can not move.  Another illusion is to have those same thoughts about yourself.

Life has shown that if your personal prison is real or if it is illusion, you still have the key to set yourself free.  We no longer have to be bound, and usually the first step is truly wanting to be  free and the second step is realizing that you have the key to release yourself.

I am a lover of literature, and a huge movie buff.  Actually it is my personal opinion, that theater is literature.  Movies like stories usually have a message.  In this attached movie clip one of the actors state " They have kept us in a cage for 200 years"  Realization and passion set them free.

B.L. Aki

Free yourself from your personal prison

In life there are times when when it appears that life circumstances seem to have us locked away in our personal prisons. These circumstances are sometimes real, such as being born into poverty or stricken by a genetic disorder that can not be altered.  Sometimes these life circumstances are an illusion, such as believing that others thoughts of judgments of who you are keeping you in a place where you can not move.  Another illusion is to have those same thoughts about yourself.

Life has shown that if your personal prison is real or if it is illusion, you still have the key to set yourself free.  We no longer have to be bound, and usually the first step is truly wanting to free and the second step is realizing that you have the key to release yourself.

Im a lover of literature, and huge movie buff.  Actually it is my personal opinion that theater is literature.  Movies like stories usually have a message.  In this attached movie clip one of the actors state " They have kept us in a cage for 200 years"  Realization and passion set them free.

Life: Our Gift

http://www.movieclips.com/videos/the-gift-official-clip-the-gift-580044355994?autoPlay=true

Did you wake up this morning with the realization that January had passed and you had entered a new month?  Were those thoughts accompanied by a feeling of relief or anxiousness?   If so, These thoughts put life in a category of a race that must be won, rather than a life that must be lived. 

In this life we have seasons that prepare us  for what lies ahead.  For example winter prepares us for the cold, i.e., take out your winter coat.  In spring we all heard of the infamous phrase, “ spring cleaning”.   In this life we also have clocks.  Clocks help us measure time so that we can have balance in our activities. Yet because of the many activities we humans have acquired we often abuse this invention.

Giving perspective to this gift we have called life is often a challenge.  If we could grasp that this is a gift,  than possibly we can could  gain more meaning and purpose in our everyday life.

B.L. Aki

draft-clip

Did you wake up this morning with the realization that January had passed and you had entered a new month?  Were those thoughts accompanied by a feeling of relief or anxiousness?   If so, These thoughts put life in a category of a race that must be won, rather than a life that must be lived. 

In this life we have seasons that prepare us  for what lies ahead.  For example winter prepares us for the cold, i.e., take out your winter coat.  In spring we all heard of the infamous phrase, “ spring cleaning”.   In this life we also have clocks.  Clocks help us measure time so that we can have balance in our activities. Yet because of the many activities we humans have acquired we often abuse this invention.

Giving perspective to this gift we have called life is often a challenge.  If we could grasp that this is a gift than this could help us gain more meaning and purpose in our everyday life.

http://www.movieclips.com/videos/the-gift-official-clip-the-gift-580044355994?autoPlay=truehttp://www.movieclips.com/videos/the-gift-official-clip-the-gift-580044355994?autoPlay=true

Life: Our Gift

Happy New Years : A brand new slate

Happy New Years! This is the time that many of us are ready to accomplish those goals that we set for ourselves.  The New Years is like a new slate in life.  We vow that this is the year that will be better than the last year.  When I go to my mail box I see invitations for Gym memberships, and everything else that offers a new and fresh perspective.

What will make this year better than your last year?  Is it simply wishful thinking or do you actually have a plan for achieving  everything on your resolution list?  Many people have good intentions, but all too often, those intentions get buried in the sea of inaction or a lack of accountability .

 Perhaps many people get carried away in a child hood notion of blowing the candles off the cake, and making a secret wish for fear if you tell someone, the wish may not come true.   I really do not want to spoil a childhood fantasy, but if you keep certain things to yourself, that is exactly where it is going to stay ( with yourself).  Your goals have to be active and alive. Often times you will need a team, or a support group.  If you have gone to any sports event, it is not a private occasion. Cheerleaders and people in the audience are cheering the athlete as he strives to win.

                                             Image by: B. L. Aki  

The year 2015 is gone, and now we have a new slate for 2016. This year lets have a written goal, let's get active,  and let's be accountable.

B. L. Aki