Neuroplasticity

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

The brain and mind are malleable.  Although neuroscientists have unlocked much to how brains function and develop, there is still much more left undiscovered.  First, understanding the distinction between brain and mind is of utmost importance.  The brain obeys science, while the mind, on the other hand, obeys spirituality in addition to science.  The distinction is far more complex.  

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Legacy

How will you define your legacy? In a modern world where discussions on the purpose to living are missing, the subject regarding legacy is elusive also.  Many speak of the concept in terms of  overall acquisition totals at the end of life.  Many do not contemplate the subject at all.  Legacy is an idea that may realize itself both in external and internal realms of human living.  

Time

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.”
― Lao Tzu

The most valuable currency is time, which is not to be confused with the old cliche stating, “time is money.”  Rather, time is irreplaceable. In fact, there is no substitute for its value.  In a world that strives to acquire more, time lacks the capacity to increase its possesion; time is an entity that continues to decrease in its amount versus increase with every passing day.  Moreover, time exists on a continuum by which it has the ability to expand and lengthen or shrink and shorten.  

Fate or Free Will?

“… whether Fate binds us down by an inexorable law, or whether God as arbiter of the universe has arranged everything, or whether Chance drives and tosses human affairs without method, philosophy ought to be our defense.” Seneca in Letters from a Stoic

How much power does an individual have in crafting his or her destiny? If the extent of power within human agency is uncertain, then is there a method of arriving to a logical conclusion by which to identify which view permeates human existence?

Redefining Work

“He who has a WHY to live for can bear with almost any how.” – Friderich Nietzsche

The word work needs tuning in order to make aligning every individual’s strengths and every organization’s needs to their rightful counterpart.  The word work does not need to carry with it negative connotations or sweeping associations such as ideas relating to imposition, force, negative stress, frustration, and more.  Looking forward to every day needs to overthrow the idea of looking forward to living for the weekends only.  

Simplify

“Let your mind wander in simplicity, blend your spirit with the vastness, follow along with things the way they are, and make no room for personal views – then the world will be governed.” ― Zhuangzi

Simplify perceived emotional turmoil, external challenges and desires, and existential push-back by taking personal power and control over the thoughts that enter the mind.  Rather than allow distress to run both the mind and body, attempt to gather greater understanding over the causes.  View matters from different angles in order to begin delineating between what is objective and truth versus what is subjective and skewed perceptions.  

Death & Dying

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Gandhi

Death is certain, which is not intended to start with a melancholic tone, but rather a calling for understanding the phenomena in order to elevate the physical form.  The Stoics viewed death in a manner that aided human purpose.  By philosophizing on our impermanence they were able to reason ways in which fear of death could be replaced by honoring living.

Special

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” – Pericles

All human life is special regardless of occupation, status, achievements, material acquisition, and any other socially derived label.  Living is courageous.  Individuals must learn not to fear or run away from it, but instead embrace it wholeheartedly.  

Pursuing Meaning

“I have never wished to cater to the crowd; for what I know they do not approve, and what they approve I do not know.” -Epicurus

There are two broad camps of thought; one camp states human beings live in order to acquire meaning, while the other camp claims there is no meaning to life and human beings must learn to live happily and content within the stated framework.  

Mastering Starting Over

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” – W.B. Yeats

Life is about learning to persevere and answer uncertainty with courage and conviction.  No matter how much human beings attempt to predict and control the future, chaos is ready to emerge at any moment’s notice.  Regardless of race, sex, religion, creed, or socio-economic status, chaos, disorder, and uncertainty are equal-opportunities embedded in living and ergo the human condition.