Brains

While searching for good information about the brain and psychology, I found this incredible video.  Sharing it here with you.

Click here.

Friends

Well there has been some drama around these parts this past week.  It happens the same way every time pretty much.  Someone says stuff, someone gets mad, no longer friends; you know the deal.  It all just seems very immature in my opinion.  I know what it is like to be on the low end of a friendship.  You think everything is going fine.  Then they find something out about you that they don't approve of, then bam!  They say goodbye in an instant.  I don't get that.  I was and am the same person.  Nothing has changed except your view of me.  Why are people so eager to let a good thing go?  No one is perfect, but why run away from your insecurities.  Why not face them and get them out in the open?  That is what a mature secure adult would do.  You know what you are? An ostrich.  Go ahead and hide your head in the sand.  Hide from the problems and issues.  Don't deal with them.  Keep them inside you emo child.  Go cry to your mommy.  Have a tantrum.  You seem to thrive on stress and drama anyway, so that is what you create in your life.  And you know, even though I never liked that about you, I never said fuck you I'm leaving.  I said ok, that's how you are, and I care about you so it's cool with me.  I can be tolerant of your stupidity and immaturity, but oh no you can't be tolerant of me apparently and the choices I make.  Well guess what?  Nothing you say or do is going to change who I am.  If you feel scared or uneasy around me, that is your own problem, and I guess we never really were friends.  It is all made clear now.  Too bad for you.  I really feel sorry for you.  You blew it.

Influences

Throughout life there are various influences on a person's life.  These influences can be so powerful that they can hinder free choice and personal decision-making.  In fact, there seems to be very little time in life that a person is truly free to make their own decisions.  Obviously we are a product of genetics and our environment.  Those influences make us who we are.  What I am talking about is when the those influences start to run our life.  It is at this point that a person may feel powerless to do anything with their life, which can't be farther from the truth.  Here are the main influences for people that I have noticed listed from early in life to later in life:

parents

school/teachers/principal

friends

work/boss

girlfriend/boyfriend/marriage

military/enlistment

church/religions/other organizations

children

government (laws, taxes)

nursing home

These influences permeate throughout life, so there is little time where a person isn't under some kind of influence.  This is manifest in the typical mid-life crisis that the majority of the population experiences.  At this time in life, people are usually faced with the decision to continue doing what others want or finally shed those influences and do whatever makes them happy.  Obviously I realize that you cannot be free from other people's influence on your life.  We live in this world and there will always be people here.  What I am trying to describe is recognizing that these things influence our decisions but ultimately the choice should be ours.  Whenever these influences seek to force or coerce us, a red flag should go up.  No matter the pressure, no organization, group or person can or should try to make a choice for another person.  I ultimately believe in each person's autonomy to run their own lives.  In this society, people don't even have the free choice to kill themselves which in my opinion = LAME.  

"Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the other members of the society the enjoyment of the same rights." Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, Article 4.

Isn't it amazing that the French drew from our own constitution as inspiration for theirs yet ours does not ensure personal liberty like this.  The French had it right in my opinion.  Everyone is free to do what they want, as long as it doesn't hinder other people from doing what they want.  That's my stand but what do I know.

What I've realized

A lot of people I know personally think that their lives suck.  They are depressed and think the here and now if full of pain and suffering.  People like this "need" something to make them feel better.  Some choose alcohol, drugs, relationships, work, or any other addiction to make their lives bearable in their minds.  There are also those who believe that their life sucks so bad right now, that they lie in wait for the promise of eternal life after they die.  Life is so shitty for them now, they are hoping for some relief in "heaven."  At least in heaven they will be happy, they think.

Well this is my view on it.  If you life rocks right now, how can it be better when you are dead?  I know I have said this over and over again, but it really is all just a matter of perspective.  Who are you going to blame for your shitty life?  Your parents, your spouse, your friends, the government.  I mean come on!  You are the only one who has the power to change things for yourself.  If you are unhappy then do something about it.  Don't sit there and have a pity party for yourself, because nothing will change that way.  There are some people I know that seem to enjoy being sad, depressed, and in a bitchy mood all the time.  That does not spell fun for me.  I am happy right now because I choose to be.  I love my life.  I am so glad that out of the huge randomness in the world, that I am conscious and am alive.  There are so many people who don't even get that chance, yet people are so spoiled that they find anything to complain about.  Sure to some, my life may seem quirky or odd, but I am doing what makes me happy.  Not many people can say that because they don't even know what makes them happy.

All I can say, is take the time to get to know yourself.  I spent 20 years of my life going through the motions and pretending to be something that I thought I had to be.  Now I realize that I can be me and that is the best thing.  It's not about fitting in or following along.  It is about finding what makes you happy whatever that is.  I am just glad I have come to this realization relatively early in my life.  There are those who hold on to ideals for so long.  The older you get the harder it is to break free from those things.  Every second is beautiful.  Be thankful that you are aware and conscious enough to enjoy it.  Let go now and enjoy your life!