It Is What It Is

is-what-it-is By Benjamin ‘Raven’ Pressley

The Zodiac and all the various forms of divination in our time, in my opinion, is only part of the grand illusion people want to have that they are in control of things to come. Truth is we have no control. All we can do is trust in our inner strength, discipline ourselves to have good minds and mental health, live by a code, prepare where possible but don’t worry, respond to situations appropriately and hope for the best. We can’t control what will come but we need not be obsessed with it and worry about it. Live in the present mindfulness. Humans are all about control. Personally I don’t like to believe in anything that claims to have control over me against my will. I think things only have the power over us we give to them. My philosophy is not to give my power away to anyone or anything.

jun3_divining_ttl Divination is nothing new. They used to split open animals and read their entrails. Casting bones and runes is another. It is endless. Fact is it is what it is. Live in the present and enjoy life. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. The only point in time we have any control over is the present.

The Jewish culture BC was living in the midst of so many beliefs and so called prophets that it caused Moses to make this statement: “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him” (Deut. 18:22). In other words a true prophet or system of divination must be 100% accurate ALL the time or they are a false prophet or system. Pretty tough standard to live up to but it makes sense. It would shut down most people and systems, right? I know human beings have a need for explanation. We need to know why. Why do we do what we do? Why are we like this? I think that’s the reason as to why we have religion, prophets and zodiacs. It’s all to answer the big question: Why. That being said I am fascinated that the Bible is the only book that has that record. Example: 318 prophecies about Jesus hundreds of years before they took place about his birth, life and death and 100% of them came to pass. This is one of many reasons I regard the Bible so highly. Read it for yourself without the misinterpretations of tradition and religion and I think you will agree that what it says is relevant to today.

buddha101052 The wisest people ever known like Jesus and even the Buddha were right in trying to get people to not worry about the future, live in a state of mindfulness and awareness and to live in the present; Hard to do for sure. Fact is there are way too many variables in this life that we have no control over. We can be the greatest person ever and enter some jerk in our life and affect our lives as well as theirs. We can eat healthy and still catch some genetic or environmental caused disease. We could really go crazy worrying if we wanted to and if we wanted to justify it on some level we could. But what kind of life would that be?

Whether people want to admit it or not this world is the sum of all the bad choices made by humans collectively. We are reaping what we have sown collectively and those who have not contributed to the condition we are in as a culture and planet are suffering also whether they like it or not. It isn’t hopeless though but it also isn’t likely change will be affected on a worldwide scale. We can build community where we live and make a difference locally in hopes it will spread.

dies-having-never-lived-dalai-lama Ultimately though we must look out for ourselves individually though or we will be no good to any collective cause. We must choose to be examples of what the world should be as near as possible and project that into the real world. With the internet and resources we have in our high tech world we have the opportunity to be an influence on a larger scale than ever before. It is so important we blog, teach, reach out, etc. more than ever before but also to balance that with just being happy and enjoying life.

I don’t think it will ever be a utopia though. History has proven that. It will mostly be an uphill struggle. But we can create cities upon a hill. Look what the United States has accomplished. With all our problems if you compare the United States to the rest of the world it is a haven and example to the world of what tolerance can be and proof that people of many beliefs can live within the same borders e. pluribus unum=out of many one. It can be done as long as there is a core that is not violated and if violated then deal with the offending element. That is what the constitution is all about. No core beliefs, no final word to judge by and we have the anarchy the rest of the world is experiencing.

HAVE A CODE TO LIVE BY

By Bohdi Sanders

I refuse to lower my standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs. Steve Gamlin

If your principles and standards are negotiable, then you don’t really have principles. Real principles are based on a firm decision about how you will live your life. Principles are not negotiable; you can’t simply set them aside or put them on a shelf like you do your coat when you no longer need it to keep you warm.

If you are willing to lower your standards to make others feel more comfortable or to satisfy those who have lower standards, then your standards are meaningless. For your standards to truly mean anything at all they have to be firm and they have to be important to you. If your standards are important to you, then you don’t lower them or set them aside in order to accommodate other people.

Warriors take their principles seriously. They refuse to lower their standards to accommodate others. There is a big difference between saying you have principles and living according to your principles.

Saying that you have principles, but being willing to set them aside when you get a little pressure, is merely trying to play to the crowd. It is purely hypocritical.

Warriors refuse to be hypocrites. They say what they mean and mean what they say. If someone tries to get them to set aside their principles, that will only make their convictions firmer. The warrior will not lower his standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs. Bohdi Sanders ~ excerpt from the NEW BOOK, The Warrior Ethos. Award Winning Author, Teacher, Martial Artist…Check out my web site at: http://thewisdomwarrior.com

MEDITATION FOR

WORRY AND ANXIETY

How to Overcome Worry & Anxiety…For Good!

THIS ARTICLE IS FROM MRS. MINDFULNESS BLOG BE SURE AND GIVE IT A VISIT. GOOD RESOURCE!

Are you an excessive worrier? When worrying becomes excessive, it can lead to anxiety, panic and even cause illness.When worried or anxious, your mind and body go into a state of ‘fight or flight’ as you constantly focus on “what could happen.”

Chronic worrying (often referred to as anxiety) can affect your daily life so much that it interferes with your work, appetite, relationships, sleep and reduces your overall quality of life.

Many people who suffer from anxiety get caught in the cycle of addiction in an unconscious attempt to control their inner turmoil.

They may over-eat, smoke, drink or take drugs in an attempt to get some relief. In extreme cases, when worrying and anxiety go untreated, they can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts.