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Truth talk realizations

3/4/2013

21 Comments

 
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     When life settles down and you don’t have all of the hoopla and mayhem that accompanies it as often as time seems to fly by, you’re left with time to perceive, ponder and learn. I’ve been living a bit settled the past few months and now that I’m reunited with my friends and family in Ohio, I’ve had the time to sort my thoughts on what I’ve seen. One of the main realizations is that a large amount of people on this earth are living their lives for the wrong reasons, without the natural passions that drive us as human beings. They are living ‘safe’ lives. Lives that are without adventure or danger, the two things that are inherent in our nature. Accompanied by this safe nature is that most people find themselves too scared to truly live their own lives – instead they are letting time pass them by.
     They work and strive toward financial security, in hopes of dying comfortable. But there’s a trade off with that security. They are trading away the most important aspects of being human, where they’re losing sight of what life’s really about. When you’re old, grey and dying, the last thing you give a shit about is how much money you acquired throughout your life. Life is about the QUALITY of life, not all of the worldly treasures, toys and trinkets that we are able to collect during our time here. As I’ve said before, we’re not meant to be stuck in cubicles, letting life pass us by, day by day, while we’re fighting to escape from debt – where the clutches of greed have gripped our souls. We’re here to be happy and to have experiences and to make memories with the people who mean the most to us. We’re not here to be greedy and think what’s mine is mine and ignore those precious souls that have blessed our lives.
     A friend, client and one-time guest poster on EyeAndPen.com, Melanie Cobb said it quite nicely – “Phrases like "my" house and "my" food and "my" car just won't serve us for much longer as humans. It is not natural for humanity to be closed up in separate boxes like houses and offices, pretending we must do this life thing alone.” Life is meant to be shared and experienced and full of adventure, and new things and new people, not blindly lived without feeling and growth. I see so many of my friends and people focused on their toys and their cell phones and their bank accounts and their drugs. I have friends that I watch throw away those hard-to-find relationships where love and trust are paramount (and strongly evident), due to one of them ignoring what they have because they want that new skinnier or more interesting fling. I watch my family members ignore the needier people in our family (without remorse), because they’re too concerned with their own judgements and money, and beaucoup houses and cars and boats and so on. I watched a family member be ignored by the lot, when only one month earlier they attempted suicide. There is little love and compassion anymore and it makes me sick to my stomach.
     I’ve also had realizations about myself – I have a form of depression that when I see all of this sickening mayhem, I tend to shut down and realize that the world is in ruin. Only a week ago I seriously questioned to myself, “what’s the point of me spending hours upon hours, every day on this blog and on my projects?” And I had a couple of days where I was in a bit of a dark place, analyzing everyone I knew and every person I had ever met – I realized that I’ve lost hope in humanity. But after a bit of retrospective soul-searching, I discerned that I am one of the few voices that see through the smog and am able to see the truth and am willing to voice it – it may be my responsibility to keep moving forward, voicing what I see and feel, to wake others from their lull. I promise here and now that I will continue to strive forward, trying my damnedest to keep my life on track, with the natural way of life that is within all humans, at the core of my soul – and I will remain focused on why we’re really here on this earth and what’s really important – and I hope you will too!
     Life is meant to be challenging... “If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try,” by Seth Godin.
(Photo by Trey Ratcliff)
21 Comments
Chris Cavallari link
3/4/2013 04:02:15 am

I have similar thoughts about life. I love having a home base (a place to call "home," if you will), but I also love exploring the greater world around me. Hence, Part Time Vagabond. But I too get depressed sometimes (I don't think it's officially depression, though I'm sure it comes close) about life and money and my blog and any number of other things. Then I force myself to take stock of the many wonderful things I do have, the amazing places I've seen, and the things I will do in my life from here forward. That excites me. It's easy to get caught up in the wave of doing this or going there or seeing that, but when you have the opportunity to reflect, it's bettter to reflect on what you have rather than what you have not. So, despite my current troubles, I could have it worse. In fact, I have it pretty good.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/11/2014 08:41:37 am

The way that you look at life is a great way to handle the times of sadness that many people go through. Everything has a season, and realizing what brings you back to a happy time in life is key. :)

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cy3a link
3/4/2013 03:27:30 pm

very, very nice photo :)

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/11/2014 08:43:22 am

Thank you very much for the compliment. I try very hard to capture the best of the best. I update regularly with new content. Be sure to swing back by and check it out! :)

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mezzo link
3/5/2013 12:27:17 pm

I know these feelings also

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/11/2014 08:44:32 am

Yes, I think that everyone has a time where the experience things similar to this. It comes and goes. The important thing is that it doesn't stay. haha

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Christina Gmyr link
3/5/2013 10:04:43 pm

wow, I feel like I wrote this. I've found that so many people when you express thoughts like this will fully agree with you, but they go on living the same day-in and day-out. I think it's something most people are capable of realizing, but many people just don't FEEL it in the same way.

If you haven't seen it, Revolutionary Road is a depressing movie but overall I think it captures the essence of what you're talking about.

I generally only write about similarly deep/dark thoughts in a personal journal that I guard with my life, so it was really refreshing to read this. Thanks for sharing!

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/11/2014 08:46:30 am

I don't believe that I have seen that movie. It sounds like something that I need to see. I will look into it. A journal is a great idea as well. I do so much writing though, I am not sure if I have the time. :)

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Ian
3/7/2013 03:13:44 am

Sometimes I envy people who can just do routine things like meet people in coffee shops etc. However I often wonder do these people know what they are missing by not challenging themselves? Is that why so may of them are grumpy or humourless? So I look forward to a return to Berlin even if my German is terrible, the currywurst stands don't care

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/11/2014 08:48:05 am

There are times when I think the same thing. Challenging one's self is actually one of the hierarchy of needs so this could be very accurate to assume.

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Chrissy
3/8/2013 06:19:27 pm

I loved reading this, Generally I try to explore different things and try to challenge myself but it is difficult in this 'urban' climate where everything evolves around money and gain.
I would lice to travel more, there are so many interesting places/people to see/meet.
X

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/11/2014 08:56:03 am

There is something very peaceful and serene about traveling. It calms the soul and gives you a chance of pace.

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ThisGuy
3/12/2013 07:30:51 pm

I was someone who put strong emphasis and built my self upon, the things that surround me. I realized that every item you add to your life, you just become habituated to it, and no more happier than before. If you want sustainable happiness, it comes from the people, experiences, and accomplishments around you, not items. I sought clarity, and I saw an opportunity to find it further outside of my comfort zone, away from all of my things that didn't matter. I sold items until I could fit everything I owned into my car, and moved across town. A month later I moved across the country, with only a checked bag and a carry on, filled mostly with books. It was one of the more liberating movements I have ever made. I'm not suggesting that everyone sell everything they own and stuff their kids in a car, but like Seth Godin implies, I think there are uncomfortable moved all of us can do now, to gain clarity through experience for our future selves.
"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone" -Neale Donald Walsch

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/11/2014 09:02:37 am

You know, the best experiences that I have had, has been when doing something spontaneous like a fast decision. haha. I can see how it definitely works for people.

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Brea link
3/13/2013 11:41:32 pm

Thank you for this post! When you're running and running and consumed with your 'stuff' it can become impossible to step back and look at what is important. What it is that you're doing with your your life or why you do the things that you do. I think one of the most terrifying things in life is to look back with much regret. No one looks back fondly on how cool their cell phone was or that they had the latest and greatest....but they look back at the times where they really lived and got out there in the world.

Thanks again, I really enjoy your blog :)

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
3/13/2013 11:55:16 pm

Wonderful point! I'm totally going to snag that point (about the cell phone) for an article, haha. Cheers! And thank you for posting!

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Jack Henry Kraven link
8/1/2013 01:17:00 am

When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. ~Mark Twain~

I have a simple philosophy which has served me well for many decades: "Nothing is ever like you think it's going to be, and nothing ever stays the same."

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/11/2014 09:05:48 am

I love that quote! I couldn't agree with your philosophy more! Nothing is ever like we think it is going to be. Things change regularly.

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Erin link
10/18/2013 05:07:58 pm

It isn't fair, you know....being talented in writing AND photography. I mean, pick one, so I don't feel so inadequate. ;) Beautiful words. I think if someone doesn't get depressed every once in awhile they aren't really getting under the surface of things. And if you don't go there, you don't grow. I used to get scared in those moments, and now I just recognize them as a trigger point to remind myself,as you have done, that sometimes you can learn the most from the difficult people in your life. They can teach you how NOT to be and they can push you forward toward what you WANT to be. After I realize that, I call up a few close friends who get it, or read or watch something inspiring. Seth Godin is one of those people for me.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/11/2014 09:08:36 am

Thank you so much for your post. It is very inspiring. It is nice to hear from others who go through the same thing on occasion.

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Ian Phillips
1/12/2014 09:35:53 am

As it is getting close to groundhog day, it is time to think where you have been hibernating. Perhaps you felt like you were living on "burrowed" time. Dig yourself out now, fight groundhog day syndrome with a passion to challenge yourself each and very day. Do I want to exist or do I want to live? Yes I want to live even if it costs more .

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