Facing Life

No matter how much money you have, some things money can’t buy. It helps like hell having it thou.

What’s inside of you can’t be changed thru money, unless it’s some illness that medicine has mastered. But what I’m really talking about, is an inner journey.

Unlike the common existential crisis most of us seem to have while teenagers, in which we try to force the acceptance of ourselves in the world by pushing others aside, achieving inner peace and calmly watching the world around us is much more about going with the flow. You row your own boat, decide were you want to go, but if you mean to head down the river, there is no point in rowing upstream.

Some friends of mine are going thru some difficulties. It has always been my nature to help my friends, and even some that aren’t friends. One in particular deserves my special attention right now.

Having tried to reach him, I found this guy in the loneliest place I can think of. Inside himself. He shut out the world and protected himself from harm. A world of his creation was built in his mind, especially for his own needs, adjusted to protect his weak spots. And right now, they where all around.

I was there myself, at the age of 15. The world was just too confusing to live in, and so, I created my own world, with rules I could understand and live by. So I know the type of hell he got himself into. I’m a bit like the main character in the movie “Constantine”. If you haven’t seen it, get to it. It’s a must. I’m not going to tell you the whole story. All you need to know right now is that Constantine can walk in both worlds, ours and Hell. Having his own problems, which he cant solve, he seeks redemption by helping others. He expels demons from Earth and rescues lost souls from Hell. I guess we all have a mission in life.

I’m not sure of the exact rules of my friend’s personal world, but I am aware of the type of rules. This means that I can walk thru white hot charcoal and not get burned… much.

I believe that my friend has 2 problems, and they are the exact problems that Constantine fixed. A demon that must be expelled, and a soul that needs to be rescued. I’ve seen signs of both.

I went out with him recently, and his soul showed me a glimmer. It’s an amazing feeling when you see someone that has been lost inside himself gets that glow in the eyes when he feels he has accomplished something. His soul is there, intact, pure has mountain water. He just needs to be brought back.

You could ask why do I do this. Everyone else seems so tangled in their own lives, too busy to lay a helping hand. Well, let me tell you. The world can’t afford to lose someone like him. It’s people like him that keep this ugly reality we live in bearable. It’s people like him that shows the way to hope. So, my world, and yours would be much poorer without him. That’s why he needs to get back from that Hell he got himself into.

I could carry him back, but that isn’t the right thing to do. He has his own battle to win, which will leave scars. Those scars will be his medals. I’m sure that he can make it on its own. Perhaps all he needs is someone to point him the way out.

Thanks for that sign of hope you gave me kid. I was doing this on an act of faith. Right now, I have something real in which to believe. You are still with us, just in another dimension. Come back home, your friends are waiting with open arms.

Master of the Wind

When I was a kid, sitting in front of the TV was one of my main activities. I used to watch a lot of wild life documentaries, which I don’t anymore, since they all look ancient news to me.

I remember distinctly one about an amazing bird called the albatross. If I tell you I was impressed, that’s an understatement. The albatross can fly further and with less effort than any other bird in the world. It does that by taking advantage of the shape of it’s body, but also it’s ability to master the wind currents.

Apart from taking off, you rarely see an albatross flap it’s wings. It knows how not to need it. When in the air, this creature becomes one with the space and the surrounding forces. Unlike other birds, the albatross doesn’t fight against what surrounds, it takes advantage of the main forces and adjusts them to it’s needs.

The title might be misleading to some. The albatross doesn’t command the winds, but ratter knows how to recognize them. Knowledge is your greatest asset. It’s what allows you to use your intelligence and decide what to do next.

Seeing this bird fly is one of the most relaxing things you can do. Straight, assertive, the albatross doesn’t seem to make mistakes. In it’s very calm way, it flies where it wants. No sorrows, no turning back, every change in it’s flight is as wide as possible, so it doesn’t waste energy. It’s secret… the albatross takes the easy path. It doesn’t fight off the nature of the winds, which are too strong for it’s frail wings.

We should all learn a lesson from the wise albatross. Humans are poorly built too. Body and mind are weak, and should be cared for. Stress in our lives can be like the wind to the albatross. Don’t fight the flow, that would be like running against the bulls in Pamplona. If you want to be effective like the albatross, redirect the flow instead of trying to stop it. You will stay in the air much longer, with fewer concerns and live a much happier life.

Mastering the winds will enable you to look ahead to long term goals, decide what you want for yourself and actually have the energy to do it.

Even a storm will have main flows of energy. Chose wisely and get on board of one. Even if it’s not perfect (nothing ever seems to be), you can make use of your little force to redirect it a little to meet your dreams. If you fail, well, you’ve got the best ride there is.

Maybe your dreams were a bit too far ahead for the world you were born in. Don’t worry about that. Try not to be so selfish that everything has to be you and about you. If life brings you 90% happiness, please don’t focus on the last 10%. Enjoy what you’ve got. Count your blessings and you may realize that you are actually much luckier than you thought.

On your journey thru life, inspire others. Some people are a bit like comets. They pass us by in a blaze. Set us on fire and disappear with the blink of an eye. They still can leave a lasting impression. Make that impression a good one. Let others learn from your mistakes, even if your home is where you hang your coat. Even if you have the soul of an albatross, while you fly by, someone might see you and realize something important about how to have an easier flight.

Master the winds by mastering yourself first. Search within for the right questions to ask.