A Moment of Calm

"Most of the big shore places were closed now and there were hardly any lights except the shadowy, moving glow of a ferryboat across the Sound. And as the moon rose higher the inessential houses began to melt away until gradually I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors’ eyes — a fresh, green breast of the new world. Its vanished trees, the trees that had made way for Gatsby’s house, had once pandered in whispers to the last and greatest of all human dreams; for a transitory enchanted moment man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder.
And as I sat there, brooding on the old unknown world, I thought of Gatsby's wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night.

Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning —
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

-Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (1925)

Issues of the Fear that Inhibits Us

Everyone is fearful. Fearful of the unknown. Unknown that which is not comprehensible.

However there is one thing I can say:

We are all in this together, you are not here to cheat me, and I am not here to cheat you.

And together, we will help each other explore that unknown, piece by piece, little by little.

And we can only do this, if you give me your truest and most full commitment

To taking care of yourselves,

because everything else will be taken care of

We are mutual.

Balancing the Balance of Existence, How to Do It?

Even being so contingent the chance of garnering individualistic individuals who have broken the moral shackles placed upon them together to form, what I may refer to as a free universe, there may be many obstacles for them to take care of that may be unplanned, that which has so often destroyed the fates of so many governments.

An essential component of creating a free universe is understanding systems logic: that to create an efficient system, many will be under it but only one will be on top. And so in the creation of this universe, these blessed individuals must take careful care to not repeat the errs of those before them and establish complex systems of their own. Instead they should form mutual affixes.

Now these mutual affixes work to maintain this universe by very few core principles, two of which are described:

1. These links are created to divide a difficult task into the work of two, and thereby resulting in equal distribution of work resulting in equal reap of reward.
1. Ex: Two farmers decides that if one plows while the other plants seeds behind them, they will plant faster, and so they decide to work together, having one plow in front while the other plants seeds behind. And by this enaction, they will reap a equally fulfilling reward, a fully planted field, which they will each reap equally. 
2. These links must be equal within the individual themselves, so as to prevent unnecessary burdens on the other, this concept is referred to as self-responsibility. THIS LINK is CRUCIAL, as it is often that which is the final barrier to a truly successful free-universe.
1. CounterExample: Of the two farmers who are now working together to plant and reap the field, one decides to get really drunk because it makes him feel good, thereby making the work for the planter much more difficult, as he has to follow suit of a drunk plow.
2. Example: The farmers both commit themselves to each other to not let each other down, and so they each maintain their healths, and commitments, to ensure the equal and beneficial success of each other. 
3. Exploration: This concept may seem a little self-explanatory, however the reason that this is such a matter of dire importance is that when individuals do not commit to themselves, they have destroyed the trusts of others upon creating truly mutual links, and therefore allow the chance of a cruel master to come enslave their minds in a cycle of work offloading loans.
   An example of this playing out is when one refuses to take care of their proper health and begin to eat in excess, going out of tune with their natural balance as a result of irresponsibility, and then seek to make up for this loss by cheating their way back to where they started. And in this process an intelligent individual devised a mechanism whereby to reduce the fats of the seeker, by offloading the glut onto other areas of their souls. And so the seeker takes this mechanism, accepts their laziness and irresponsibility, and have now chained themselves into a life of endless debt. 

By this process, a free universe of highly individual intelligent beings may be established, ensuring mutually assured successes of each other. 

Further Exploration of the Societal Machine (IMB041214)

As previous articles have touched this subject, I will go into and explore the problem of what Society is caused by and what it causes, and the manifestations that follow suit.

Firstly, Society in its truest form, is not an individual. It is a conceptual system, upon which every individual has claimed a part of. And this system, ties each of its constituent workers with chains, metaphorical chains that trap them into what is commonly accepted as the Social Contract. And by this Social Contract, each individual is bound to "respect" the others. In creating such tight links between each individual, it may seem to them that they are in it for each other's good and mutual benefit, and so they accept the bonds placed upon them by this societal machine and continue to enjoy this existence they call a life.

And with each individual finding others like minded to themselves, they establish a full forming hierarchy, filled with subordinates and so on. And thus, we have a creation of a city, state, nation, world.

And along this path, each of those itty-bitty individuals begin to develop feelings, and reward for how good they have carried the burdens of others. They create systems of entertainment, and societal norms complete with full decoration and pomp to make their happiness-es seem truest and right. And by this fortune, even the smallest of subordinates realize that there is something that is making them happy, and that is not the "materialistic rewards" placed upon them by their masters, but the mutual bonds that they actually share with each other, a feeling commonly referred to but equally misunderstood and overstated, a feeling known as love.

And Society, realizes that this bond known as love frees their great workers in their minds for just what may seem a minute, and realize this great threat to their precious chain and link of a system. Alas, they begin to institute counter measures: They attack you and contrive you, taking away what "things" you own, and make you feel miserable, by showing lowly in the eyes of the other burden carriers of society. Individuals who now have freed themselves from the chains that cuffed them so hard, are now being lost to the one thing they had that made life worth living, each other. 

So if it may please the hearer, a lonely individual is at a crossroads, deciding whether to be a king in the society by being the ultimate slave to it, or by being the king in his own mind by being the only king of his own mind.

Choice is yours, pick true. 

Partaking Thoughts on Society (IMB041214)

When it comes to reason, people often look to cartel their problems off to others for whom they seek to offload their burdens. However, in this time, we also begin to realize, that what are offsetting, cannot be offset indefinitely. As a result, we form a society, to help offset the loads of our burden carriers on to their own burden carriers. This is the magnificence and atrocity of Society explained in a paragraph.

Now, delving further into the minds of each "worker," they develop a sense of "individual" thought and reason, and believe that what they are doing is for some ultimate good, or superior cause, not realizing their true purpose that was destinied to them hath never been revealed to anyone for it does not exist. Yet, they continue on believing that they are followers of this great path, that which is laid out by the beast of burden before them.

Somewhere along this path, a worker strays off the path, and he has a chance to smell the air and taste the grass. He begins to feel acutely interested in the smaller and finer things in his life, those things that allow him to feel completely in the moment. He realizes, he enjoys it better this way, and so he kicks off his load, and takes a breather, watching the rest of brethren slog on by.

And at a final point, this lonely but loneful individual, has found their inner peace, that which makes them feel completely in tune with themselves, devoid of any burdens or graces that which does not deserveth upon him. And by that action, this individual has freed upon himself the burdens of chains placed upon by the great masters of Society, that whom are so highly heralded.

And let this lonesome individual rest in peace, for peace is the only thing that may be granted to the individual who has now found "their" path.  

How to Get in Control of Your Emotions

Some of the biggest struggles that I have faced is dealing with my emotions when spending time with others who are not totally on the same wavelength as I am, and depending on the situation and the surrounding events that led up to a certain encounter with someone, my mood has often easily shifted, leading me to feel miserable and weak, with emotions such as anger, sadness, or jealousy to ensue. However as I have spent time analyzing such triggers, I have also begin to understand what causes me to feel such a way and how I can prevent and reverse such transformations in thought.

   1. Think About What Just Happened

Many times when I feel my mental stability about to snap, I take a moment to think within myself about what just happened, and what caused me to feel the way I am. By doing this I analyze the current situation, allowing me to calculate what I need to do to prevent it from getting worse and out of hand. As a result, I have avoided heated arguments and conversations with many people, and have also thrown off many who have tried to incite fights with me. Often, I follow through by showing additional compassion or kindness to overwhelm the opposing party in a good way, so as to diffuse the situation.

   2.  Listen to Music

This is one of the most effective and most underrated means of regaining your emotional consciousness. If possible, isolate yourself for a little bit and plug in some earphones and close your eyes and listen to some chilling music that helps you to relax and forget about what caused to feel the way you do. By doing this you totally let yourself to let go of negative emotions and not put them on others, which often can hurt others and lead to further unintended negative consequences.

   3. Write it Down

When you are feeling extremely overwhelmed by a certain occurrence or event, take time to write your thoughts down. By expressing your thoughts via ink you get a clear look on what it is that is making you feel grief or hurt or whatever it is, and by seeing it from a third-person-esque view, you can analyze the situation and bring yourself back down to a grounded emotional state. Although hurtful feelings may still linger, you now have expressed your thoughts without hurting anyone else and without restraining your true feelings, which in turn will allow you to feel much better about yourself.

   4.  Take a Nap

Taking a light nap will allow you to forget about your thoughts temporarily, which might be all you need to recover your mental stability. Otherwise, this method is pretty self-explanatory as to its benefits.

   5. Talk to Some Good Friends or Family

Hopefully if the situation at hand is not involving your friends or family as the culprit of negativity, take some time to consult with them. It might seem embarrassing and/or demeaning to have to let yourself talk about what it is that is hurting you to your close ones, however this is often one of the most helpful methods of releasing bottled thoughts and emotions that may still be lingering with you after following the previous methods. By letting yourself calmly discuss with others, you may begin to realize either through self-introspection or via discussion the true root of your feelings and work towards relieving that root.

Remember that only you can let yourself be overwhelmed by these thoughts and negative emotions, and by learning to apply strong control over these feelings, you can learn to lead a more positive and fruitful life, one that will allow you to truly feel happy and at ease.

Cheers!

How to Deal With Anxiety and Live in the Present

Many people often feel like they are living for others and for the future, and as a result they are unable to live contentedly and in the moment. I have felt this feeling many times as well, and I know of the difficulty that this poses to your overall well being, relating both your mental and physical health. However, I have strove long and hard to try to bring my self back to reality and the present moment whenever I feel caught up in such a stirring of worrisome thought using a few strategies that work very successfully for me, and for many people who I have asked to try and implement as well.

1. Consciously Remind Yourself to Think in the Present 

This may be one of the quickest and most easiest methods of bringing yourself back to present thought and ridding persistent worry. Whenever you find yourself contemplating about the future and possibilities for too long, and in a non-constructive manner that is seemingly harmful, just remind yourself that it is no matter, and to concentrate on things right in front of you. Whether that means to stare at the details on the walls, or read a book, or talk to some people or even yourself, do what it takes to try to remember your best self is that in the very present moment. This method will often help you if your anxiety is not too bad or engrossing, and is often what most people need on a daily basis to help them get through their day. If your anxiety is not going away after trying this for a while, read on.

    2. Meditate

This is one of the best methods for removing those constant negative thoughts that seem to just not go away. This method will require a bit of time and patience, but guaranteed, this will help 90% of those with difficult anxiety to feel some relief. There are many guides to proper meditation, however I will outline a simple method that will grant you most of the benefits of meditation with little pre-planning and practice. The most important rule of meditation that I have observed is to put myself in either a place or position where I will not be disturbed and/or I will be forced to concentrate on my meditation. This can mean visiting a sauna or steam room, if you have access, as such an environment is very conducive to still thought due to the very high temperatures that allow your mind to sit still. If you do not have access to such a facility, find a quiet room, turn on a fan or some other source of gentle, repetitive noise, that will allow you to clear your mind. 

Following putting yourself in a suitable environment, sit down, crossing your legs if possible, and sitting up with your back erect as possible with a strong arch forming in your back. Now, that you are in a totally optimal position, close your eyes and begin to breathe deeply, inhaling through your nose for 3 seconds, and exhaling through your mouth in a gentle blowing motion for 3 seconds. Continue to breathe in this pattern, paying close attention to the air going in through your nostrils, and the cool air leaving your lips. By doing this for a while, you will begin to notice that you are completely in tune with your breathing, and that is all your mind is thinking about. 

If this is your first time, try to do this for 5 minutes straight, setting a timer beforehand, and allowing yourself to not worry or concentrate on anything else but your breathing for that 5 minutes. If you continue to do this, you can increase the positive effects by concentrating your energy and focus on the region between your eyebrows while your eyes remain closed. If your anxiety does not go away, try to do 3 sessions of 5 minute meditations or a 10 minute session, taking careful aim to concentrate on your breathing and the region between your eye brows.

   3. Exercise

A classic method that is tried and tested by many, a simple walk to a full on sprint for any given amount of time is a no-frills way to exhaust yourself and your thoughts in the process. I personally like to spend time exercising outside if possible, and just absorb the nature and settings around me, and just appreciate the beauty that is ever present in our daily lives. By concentrating on just the positives, you allow yourself to feel warm and thankful for all that you have, and spending a few minutes outside really allows us to engross ourselves in those feelings, and really letting those constricting thoughts that many of us have to just escape our minds.

People often ask if listening to music is suitable, and I say it is up to you, but preferably keep the volume low and the music positive so that you can fill yourself with good vibes and a capability to listen and feel the nature and environment around you as you exercise.

   4.  Eat Food

Eating food might seem like a weird way of coping with difficult thoughts, but I have found that eating rich, wholesome food that I truly enjoy, allows me to delve my energies into the tasteful explosions going on in my mind, rather than thinking about the past or future. In addition, food provides a good dopamine boost, which is always a good deal when it comes to depressive or worrisome thinking. 

   5. Watch Comedy

One of the biggest tips that psychiatrists and therapists give to those struggling with severe anxiety is to involve themselves in comedy, either telling jokes, or watching and listening to comedy. I personally love to watch some good, light-hearted comedy, usually some satire or stand-up, avoiding overly crude and/or difficult comedy, as it can often mess with your thoughts, given that they are not in the best mood. 

Great comedy can be found all over the internet, as well as on Television, with great works available on YouTube and Comedy Central. 

Conclusion

Overall, do what it takes to try to bring yourself to present consciousness, and please let me know via the comments section how these strategies fared for you, and if you have any good suggestions for others struggling with such issues. 

And don't forget: take it easy, because in the end, everything's good.