Fire By Sea

Why is it that our energy, feelings and mood always fluctuates? I know it’s possible to achieve nearly constant waking bliss, but how? Surely it can’t just be diet and exercise — there are other secrets to this.

I believe there is much virtue in meditation, daily practice of [something you love to do] and a positive attitude. While stoicism is useful, there’s no way it can be considered the highest state of awareness.

Yesterday I felt pretty low energy and unproductive. My creativity was just down. I don’t like feeling that way, because when my creativity is up, I can see the light at the end this long, dark tunnel.

It’s funny how we become so enamored by someone or something — just head over heels agog, supportive, loving and favoring of this object of affection.

Then, slowly, things change. We start finding little faults — things you weren’t even comprehending in the first stage. Then the little faults start to grow to bigger faults, and before you know it you can’t stand them.

The process becomes just as bad as the result as you gnaw away whatever goodness there once as (there still is — you’re just blind). Suddenly you seeped in irritated hatred, and from there it’s a downward fizzle. Such is the tragedy of enamoraing.

A comfortable and inspiring work atmosphere makes a huge difference in one’s productivity.

As I write this, I’m starting at the ocean and there’s a gentle tradewind breeze passing through. I’m outside on a covered lanai. There’s a swimming pool right below me and the property I’m on is surrounded by bougainvillea, plumeria and other tropical plants.

The pleasant atmosphere has made a difference. I’ve managed to catch up on all my writing and I’m itching to do more. I’ve written about 8 of these posts a day!

So while attitude certainly accounts for the bulk of success and productivity, atmosphere definitely has an effect. In fact, atmosphere can determine attitude, but not necessarily the other way around (though I would argue that if you have a great, indomitable attitude — there’s no stopping you).

I’m settling into the rehearsal of the lifestyle I’m truly aiming for: being a blogger/publisher/producer.

Working on my own terms, on my own schedule, making my own money, enriching my own mind and being a very capable, providing father and husband.

I’ve really got my work cut out for me before I get to this point, however. I need to get a house fixed up for renting/selling, get one child graduated and out of the house with success on her heels, and most of all: MAKE MY OWN MONEY.

I keep coming back to writing. It’s all I got and I need to make the best of this gift. I am convinced that if I angle myself the right way, something great can and will come out of it.

Time is ticking!

Yesterday was the Fourth of July, now officially my favorite holiday; easily passing Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and Halloween.

Why? Because it makes summer feel special, giving us a holiday upon a holiday, one with selective meaning and reflection on why life is the way it is.

Freedom is not free; that’s true. But at least we have the platform the reach for freedom (by which I mean complete control of one’s life and one’s decisions).

So yes, I’m honored to be an American. I like not being so defined or stereotyped but rather fluid and diverse. Which is not the case in any other part of the world I’ve been to so far…except maybe Canada. (7/5)

are very complex and sensitive creatures. Yeah tell me something I don’t know, right?

Sometimes I really understand why women are not always in charge. It’s because there is no target, no end point, no goal. Therefore, nothing to work towards. Just one issue after another, day after day, until you just start to feel lost and like me, totally frustrated.

Of course there are two sides to every argument. I’m not seeing the holistic picture, paying attention to the subtle emotional details.

In all fairness I’d say you can’t have one without the other. But like life, it’s complicated. When you add money, kids, obligation, blah blah blah…and things aren’t going well — welcome to my world.

I think the days of a portenious July 3rd are officially over. Today really sucked.

1. It helps articulate your thoughts.
2. It’s a form of production, as opposed to consumption.
3. A way to command attention.
4. Good way to relieve mental stress.
5. Can help define your character.
6. Words matter.
7. Makes your ideas portable.
8. Gets people to think and act.
9. A good way to talk to yourself that doesn’t make you look crazy.
10. It feels greeeeeeaat!
11. Gets a direct point across.
12. Can be lucrative.
13. Extracts ideas you previously didn’t know how to express.
14. It’s all I got.
15. Leaves you a legacy.
16. Healthy for the intellect.
17. Increases your intelligence.
18. Can approach 99.9% of the truth (the rest can be realized in words).
19. Relieves the loneliness of silence.
20. A little goes a long way.
21. One word can make all the difference in the world.
22. Can play defense, offense and cheerlead.
23. Keeps the soul alive.

Sometimes you try to cut corners, and it backfires. The lesson is to not let it get to you because if you do, you fail to learn.

I cut 2 corners at the airport today and they both backfired. I’m out some money and an extra surfboard for the trip but I’m now here writing about it and realizing my gaffe.

So a lesson has been learned: stop cutting corners. Play by the rules (at least the boring ones that make petty people feel important).

That way I can never get snagged on the inconsequential stuff. Better to mess up on my own big errors.

This whole “write when and wherever you can” mantra is doing well for me.

It’s like how Bruce Lee would have approached fighting: forget the formalities, the unecessary movements, and just find a way to defeat your opponent as quickly and effectively as possible.

Yesterday I was doing some impromptu writing for Facebook and decided to use it for a blog post. Good thing because I wouldn’t have published otherwise. All I did was craft a rather relevant post around something I thought I was doing just for the hell of it.

Which reminds me: the blog is the center of everything I do.