well being

From the Material World to the Spiritual World (V2 P2)

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Mankind -> Spiritual Beings -> Material Beings -> Spiritual Beings

The lust and longing for material/earthly possessions has decayed the innate spirituality of mankind and resulted in a world in which the goal and ambition of the vast majority is to accumulate brag worthy post-able moments and gluttonous portions of meaningless material possessions. There has been an altering of the moral compass to the point at which it no longer exists nor is monitored for balance in life. I fear that we are at or near a potential point of no return from which we will never regain our spiritual connection to the universe and to the All Powerful Creator (whatever name you assign to God). 

From all indications and historical perspectives, ancient mankind was a spiritual being whose purpose in life was mainly dictated by his or her belief system. Certain material possessions were necessary and sought after for survival sake. Leisure time, if any, was mainly committed to tribal or family bonding/training, communal rituals and worship, and spiritual reflection. The pursuit of knowledge and new skills was of the utmost importance and priority. The pursuit of happiness was normally a by-product of this and not a separate and exclusive act. A spiritual being’s pursuit of further evolution and of perpetual improvement was noble, respected and self-satisfying. 

Only when one becomes obsessed outside of the realm of spiritual fulfillment and evolution and covets material possessions and gratification does one begin to self-destruct. This is not a self-contained problem as it leads to negative influence over others. We are, after all, imperfect and subject to temptation and poor judgment. First one human at a time and then whole communities, kingdoms, nations, etc. 

One covets another’s goods and nothing positive can come of that as it only leads to jealousy, theft, destruction, and other escalated crimes. One covets another’s spouse or a non-willing potential partner who does not reciprocate with the same feelings. This can only lead to jealousy, depression, feelings of emotional deprivation, and more serious crimes of passion such as adultery, rape, incest, abuse, etc. I think you get my drift here. 

When the world, in general, seeks instant gratification and material happiness it can only lead to bad things as some will seek and find (if only temporarily) and others will aspire and come up empty. The class system and its inherent division of humans into groups based upon various man-made scales glares upon those within and those without. Nothing that should be important, respected and attained is sought after in mass and the spiritual growth of man-kind is stunted and even reversed over the course of years, decades and centuries. 

I, me, mine – give me, get me, look at me – look at this person or that house, oh how I want it, how I have to have it… 

How close to the edge have we as a human race ventured. All that is great is within us and is provided to us. Everything else, outside of true necessities, is mindless and wasteful clutter that takes our focus, attention, time and robs our spiritual being of its true purpose in this life – evolution and further development.

How can we all save ourselves from what seems to be in store for man-kind? We have to turn within and forge ahead with “collective spiritualism”. Individual purpose must be restored and then as a collective group we must strive to turn our attention (thoughts, prayers, actions) towards the greater good. And that must be redefined for us as a race of fellow humans. 

Take a deep breath. Understand that all can be as it should be. Dedicate yourself to making an individual choice to move towards spiritual development and evolution and away from lust, greed and a state of coveting all that is not ours. Self-control over self-gratification at any and all costs. It all starts with a prayer and it starts with you.

 

Prepare for Massive Change in Mindset (V1-P21)

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forest-pathway-beautiful-brown-path-rain-89658974 The year 2017 is winding down. All of the past experiences of this year and of our lives to date have culminated in shaping your present outlook of yourself and of the universe outside of you. Are you fully satisfied with who and what you have become?

Take these final weeks of the year to cleanse your mind of the clutter and nonsense that only serve in slowing you down and perhaps even keeping you from reaching your goals and objectives. Refocus on the core belief system from which you hope to live your life on a daily basis (short-term operating focus) as well as on a life long perpetual improvement basis (long-term strategic focus). Shed or reshape from this core the principles that no longer fit with becoming the greatest person and spiritual being that you can become in this lifetime. Add or fine-tune to this core the beliefs and traits that will further your cause towards a continuous improvement process of the self.

Pray, meditate, enjoy the simple pleasures around you. Prepare your mind, body and spirit for a year of great change and progress. The journey is eternal. This life is but a small parcel of your spiritual quest in totality. Yet, it is of great importance and the choices you act upon will be very significant in your hopes of making the best of what this life represents for your spiritual growth.

Dig deep. Practice soul-searching excursions through which you emerge with a more clear and determined focus to keep moving forward. Onward and upward. Elation awaits you as you become more clear on what role your spirit possesses in this universal masterpiece of which we are all a part.

KGM

 

Summers End – Day at the Beach (V1 P20)

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The gentle pulsating and relentless sound of the surf. Wave after wave. It is one of the most relaxing and hypnotic of nature’s portfolio of beautiful and meaningful sound.

I long for it rarely, but once under its spell I vow to myself to not let the separation between this beach visit to the next be more than minimal. Sometimes life works out and other times not so much, but it is always worth the wait.

The time for me here is fleeting, as I write this. My family dreads but embraces the final last few hours before our departure back to our home – 6 1/2 hours away by drive. We try to finish with a flourish, but the knowing of the impending end of our trip is somber. But the memories seep out and stories in stories on the way back home and they become lasting and impactful. Our daughter has grown up from a kindergartener to a 7th grader with stops each summer along the way at this Michigan respite. She has the alluring call of the small lakeside town in her veins now and perhaps will until she has children and can share this place with her family.

There is a time and a place for all of the things that comprise our lives. And the times for get away family time, vacation from the work and school life, a respite for body and spirit, are all probably chosen with care and planning. As they are precious and make up a minority of all the time on our schedules. We have and will continue to choose this place. For all of the wants, needs and desires that it fulfills with flying colors. We come, we savor, we depart and we yearn for the next time(s).

I, of course, love my family. I love the down time that we can share together. I know that they also enjoy these moments. It is one of the ties that binds us together as a family.

In a few weeks, I will be taking my oldest son on a different kind of trip to a vastly different place. We will celebrate his 30th birthday. I hope our love for each other grows as we share this time together. I hope that he will take part of me with him as I share my time and fatherly wisdom, as best I can, with him at this milestone of his young life to date.

All is good at the tail end of summer.

KGM

Down to the Core (V1 P19)

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core-values-blackboard-cloud-words-black-chalkboard-65245027

All short term and long term progress is only attainable if one has identified the core values and principles that one will strive to uphold and attain/achieve throughout their lives. 

Who are you? What are you all about? What drives and motivates you? How do you strive to be seen by yourself upon deep and honest reflection? 

Identify the core values that you represent and that you hope to represent in the future (aspirational values). All of your decisions should be predicated upon that set of values that comprise your Personal Mission Statement (PMS). If something does or does not align itself with your PMS then the decision should be clear cut. This set of principles should be your road map to physical and spiritual evolution. 

Companies hire and fire by the doctrines that make up their Corporate Mission Statement, or at least they should if they are truly dedicated to furthering their adherence to those core values. Whenever possible, you should do the same. Sometimes you may need to make short-term exceptions to this in order to satisfy basic necessities. But, when faced with a choice, the path upon which to embark should generally be that which is in alignment with the core values of your PMS. 

The basic foundational principles should be core and be present throughout your life. Some values will evolve and change over time. Short and long term goals and objectives will come, be attained, and then be maintained and substituted for newer aspirational values. All of which should not be counter-productive to your PMS. 

Focus on the basics, the extreme core, and work from the inside to the outside – your inner core to other important but less vital values. Think of concentric circles in which at the center resides your core foundational principles upon which your PMS is built. Which each adjacent circle from the center towards the outside come goals and ambitions, long and short-term, that are in alignment with your PMS. Outside of this series of circles lie things that are either out of your control or that do not align with your PMS. Do NOT enlarge your circle to encompass them – but rather continue to focus on what is within your sphere of control, your core spiral, your inner circle or sanctum. 

All of the power to maintain and manifest the core attained and aspirational values within your Personal Mission Statement resides within you. But you must maintain focus upon and within the concentric circles which comprise the extreme core of what you are and what you hope to become. You can and will manifest this evolution – both physical and spiritual. You are what you choose to be. 

KGM

Note to Self – Be On Time (V1 P14)

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time-lost-cannot-be-regained-text-remember-antique-pocket-watch-64486583Some words to live by: Be on time.

Respect your time as well as the time of all others. Do what you must in order to always be on time. If you must get up earlier, leave sooner, add buffer time to your planning – whatever you must do and whatever works for you, you must do it. Force yourself to always be prompt and ready when the time has arrived to be, do, or say somewhere or something.

By not doing this, you are making a statement to yourself and to others that you do not care enough about the person or event, or both, to do what is necessary to be there on time. This is truly a toxic statement and will only result in hurt feelings, negative energy, and a loss of respect in you and what you represent to the world.

Embrace your responsibility to be on time. Be confident that it is beneficial and will be a positive element for you to participate and be present. Accept the small sacrifices that you may have to make as character building and TAKE PRIDE IN BEING ON TIME.

Just a light thought to end on. Yesterday was Ringo Starr’s 77th birthday. Ringo, as steady a drummer as there ever was, is referred to by Joe Walsh as “a human metronome”. Truly, one who took pride in being “on time”. Happy Birthday Ringo! Peace and love, as he always says.

KGM

 

Precious (First Thing in the) Morning (V1 P13)

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foggy-sunset-tree-landscape-early-morning-fog-nature-trees-grassy-hills-91988378Embrace the day. Seize the day. Awaken with passion. All of these may seem like meaningless sayings – but they hold truth and powerful sentiment towards how you face not only the coming day but life itself.

Think about your daily routine. The hours that you may spend getting ready to go somewhere (work perhaps), commuting to and from somewhere, taking part in activities that you are responsible for (as a parent, student, co-worker, interested party), etc. There are hours spent refueling your body through food and drink. There are hours that sleep requires each day to rejuvenate you and provide you with proper rest. There is not a whole lot left in a day when you factor in all of the items within your fixed and variable daily routine.

The first hours of the day provide the best opportunity for you to actually “own” a portion of your day. It is yours. It is the BEST time for quiet reflection, meditation, private thought, and prayer. It allows for an endorphin boosting walk, run, stretch or swim. There is not much, if anything, going on around you in the way of distraction and interference.

What is going on? Sunrise, sounds of nature around you beginning to buzz as animals greet the day and plants glisten in the dew, the beautiful chimes of a nearby church clock signaling the early hours of the morning. All things to take in, to be thankful for, and to admire in their morning habitat.

I like to rise now at about 5:00 AM. This may seem late for some and too early for others, but it works for me. I get outside and take a 20 minute walk or run. Prayer, dreams remembered, and other reflective thoughts run through my mind between short bursts of pure silence and observation of the beauty around me. The world seems like a different place at this hour as traffic is scarce and the pressures of yesterday and/or today are not really at the forefront of my mind. This is my time. It is all about what I choose to make of it and it seems to provide me with a mega boost of energy and positivity.

I follow this up with about 15 minutes of stretching, a shower, and then off to the office. I am now usually heading out earlier than before I began this routine, in a much better mood to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of me, and feeling physically, mentally and spiritually recharged.

There is something magical about the morning. All of its secrets are there for you to partake in – it unmasks itself before you and lies quietly at your feet. It has no choice.

Embrace the day by enjoying the early hours of the morning. It will be a positive change in your life and you will truly enjoy these precious hours that belong only to you.

KGM