Posts Tagged ‘self’

It really is easy to see the worst in people. It doesn’t take any talent or discipline. Just look and the darkest part of humanity is played out plainly in front of our earthly senses. From the tone of our voices, to the clothes we wear or even the smell of our skin, we draw mental conclusions about one another. One has only to be aware of their own self to see others at surface value. And like thinking that ice bergs float upon the water, we only get a small part of the entire individual. Every single “sensing” of another person casts an unfair judgment upon them and in sliding scales of personal and silent criticism. Mostly we see each other through the lens of our own set of preferences, no matter how smart or spiritual we become. We do this through our senses and we relate with our surroundings through the mirror of memory. For instance, my sister thinks I am a saint and my Mom thinks I’m still a kid. One friend thinks I’m a wild rocker while another thinks I’m some computer guru. Some people know that Brooks and Dunn is my favorite group but others would say KISS or Motley Crue. Some clients called me genius, others called me useless. True? Or just partially true?

The fact is that life, (consciousness) does not just happen. The stuff that makes up the cosmos and the billions of stars of the universe does not just become aware of itself without some real God-like love occurring somewhere beyond our ability to sense things. And in this way everyone is truly sacred! Every time a judgment about another person arises in my mind (good or bad), I have to remind myself that I am just like them, we come from the same stuff. Hell, I might even be them if any of the Copenhagen Interpretation holds a drop of accuracy as to what is going on in the unseen world of physics. Everyone is scared. Every single person, no matter where they came from, what they did or what they have achieved, is sacred and valuable to someone (or something) who loves them enough to make them aware of creation.

Every human is a potential miracle for amazing goodness in this world and is a living, breathing monument of the miracle of life. Every human is a earthly product of our environment, social conditioning and merely an image trapped in time (Dio, anyone?). We are the fleshy puppets of fear in some corner of the human genome trying to come to grips with the cycle of life and death. Call it the “Golden Rule”, “Karma”, “What Goes Around, Comes Around” or “Reaping What You Sow”, it appears that the earth and all of us on it, are subject to perception. Let us deem everyone sacred and look for the very best in one another.

After the holidays, I was set on getting out there and looking for freelance work. I had a plan, prospects, appointments, a checklist and a mental picture of everything I was going to do in order to start the year on the best possible foot. I worked myself up for this task and then tragedy struck. I had to go to a funeral. Not a lot of time when you think about it, but a mentally derailing circumstance to say the least.

I had to go. One of my dearest friends lost his Mother from this earth unexpectedly. Standing out there in the cold doing what I could to comfort his father while his sons eulogized their Mother, my mind went to how many funerals I had missed over the years while “working”. How many times loved ones could have used an extra person to support them in their time of grief?

Standing out in the brisk cold was fitting for a funeral for such an interesting woman. I didn’t know her that well, but I bet she would have liked the idea. It was a reminder that the discomfort in life is proof that we are alive and breathing. Sometimes, the things we don’t like can remind us that grief and hope walk together hand and hand. It was surreal as I watched a glisten of moisture dance on the tip of the speaking Rabbi’s nose. The diverse collection of people gathered there shivering to remember her life, all very much alive and not fully aware of that miracle.

My friend and his family were amazingly gracious and did so much to comfort those that were there to comfort them, that I was moved to tears. Not for the passing of their Mother, but for the void they must feel in their lives at this time. I learned a lot about Jewish tradition and had to call my own Mother when I got home.

No matter how bad I have to work, it must wait when these times come. I will never miss another chance to pay my respects and support my loved ones. Never. I love you Ian and I thank your Mother for putting my New Year in crystal clear perspective. She will be missed.

I remember you too:
Spurgen (Chris) Tony
Alfred Garr II
Melvin Fletcher
Aaron D. Gautier
Walisi “hey” Jablonski
Betty Haines
Jerry Man
…to name just a few.

The worst thing about rising to greatness in any area is that all of your flaws have to be remain hidden in order to get there. Why? Because people can not accept that you just might be human and thus, imperfect. If you are great at ONE thing… you must be perfect at ALL things. I believe Tiger Woods is the victim of character assassination and just like Michael Jackson, you helped bring him down. You set Tiger up because you took your eyes (focus) off the ball and put them on his balls.

Here are some questions to ask when considering my above allegation.

1. Why does it bother so many people what Tiger Woods is/was doing off the golf course?
2. What does his private life have to do with how well he plays golf (a talent for which he is a star)?
3. Can you enjoy watching any other golfer play NOT knowing who he/she is poking?
4. Did he really “fall”? Do you think he might have been “not-so-honest” leading up to his greatness?
5. Is your sex life any of my business?
6. Why is sex the number one killer of character in the collective conscious of the public?

If you think someone is perfect because they hold office, play football, play the guitar or preach, you really need to get over yourself.  Most likely, all great people are as jacked up as you may be in some area of life. Oh, but you’re perfect. That’s right.  “Let he who is without sin…” is something we say in church or when we ourselves are “not so clean”.

I admire people like Michael Jackson, Tracy Lords, Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee, Britney Spears, Bill Clinton and Michael Vick for being imperfect and rising to greatness in some area of life. It takes a lot of commitment to be great in spite of ourselves. History will remember Tiger Woods for the great things that he did on the golf course with those little white balls. Oddly, that is the only reason people even cared about him in the first place.

Remember, famous people are smart. Lady GaGa, Marilyn Manson, Gene Simmons, Alice Cooper and the Kardashians all use our self righteousness to their benefit. Without them most of us would have nothing to talk about. That is the real commodity for which we are all paying for in giving credibility without grace to a member of our human family.

I’m looking for people. Not special people, but aware people.

I’m looking for people who are doing more than trying not to lose. I’m looking for people, for whom winning is NOT everything. I’m looking for people that know they have something of value to offer the world and the people who live here. I am looking for willing travelers.

I am looking for people that understand what they love doing is the expression of something larger than themselves. I’m looking for people who don’t throw out meaning because of typos, poor grammar, accents, language or style. I’m looking for people that can listen with more than their ears. I am looking for people who are trying to look past appearances and give others a chance to do what they love.
I am looking for teachers.

I am looking for people that can enjoy a few bad notes in the symphony of life as reminders of the pursuit of excellence. I’m looking for people who know and recognize the most important ball to hit is the one about to pass over the plate, right now. I’m looking for people too large for worry and have forgiven the disappointments of the past and can summon their gifts at will to create change.
I am looking for mentors.

I’m looking for people that are willing to admit their beliefs are limiting and can accept a new way of looking at challenges. I’m looking for people who are kind to others even if they are not about to sell them something or get paid. I’m looking for fearless, hopeful people willing to stand against the reflection of memory with the intention of improving the world one mind at a time.
I am looking for visionaries.

I’m looking for trusting empowering people that will openly share ideas, knowledge and resources because they understand these things can never be depleted. I’m looking for people that create, lift up, edify and support the entirety of humanity and take their rightful place. I am looking for people to show the way for those that do not see the golden city of prosperity and peace.
I am looking for fearless leaders.

I’m looking for hopeful people that see themselves as no better than any other person. People that see themselves separate from others only in perspective and acknowledge the expansive power of ideas can only emerge from ALL points of view. I am looking for people that try not to compare either up or down and find beauty in diversity.
I am looking for the faithful.

I’m looking for these people at a time in history when there is no excuse for greed. I am looking for people that agree we have come too far to push each other out of the way for a crumb of happiness while the fresh, out-of-the oven pie grows cold in the window of tomorrow.
I am looking for the keepers of peace.

I am looking for everyday people with or without a college degree, letters or credentials. People with or without experience that have big ideas. I am looking for people that others call crazy or out-of-touch. I am looking for people that speak more of tomorrow than they do of yesterday.
I am looking for the dreamers.

Behind each of the advancements in the human endeavor, is one of these people. The people that refuse to accept it can not be done. Wonderful people too young in their hearts to be let down or disappointed in themselves or even in others. I believe the hour of their greatest need has come.
Are you one of these people?

Cisco Jablonski
The Idea Mine