AGE IS A STATE OF MIND

As I close in on my 35th birthday I wonder if perhaps I'm getting to old. I think if anything I'm a baby starting out. I look at age as nothing more than a state of mind. My body of work reflects a still very spry mind with an almost boundless ability for material. I'm not saying that I'm a genius but I am extremely good at being tireless.

I look at past examples of age not really playing a part in achievement and there are some prime examples. When people want to accomplish something, they find a way to defy time. I'm not saying we can stop time from passing, but we can use what time brings as an ally.

When George Burns was nearly 80 he began what would be considered the best period of an already lengthy and storied career. Jack Benny was in his late 70's and was still commanding high ratings with his specials based on The Jack Benny Program. If you want to accomplish greatness, work at it and if you want to preserve it make sure to believe in your own ability to do so in spite of time.

WHERE THE REAL POWER HIDES

The definition of power usually reads like "the ability to do something or act in a particular way, esp. as a faculty or quality." There's physical power, power in terms of persuasion but the question is really " Where does power come from?" I personally think that real power lies in our sub conscious. I'm not trying to be some sort of inspiration, but I do whole heartedly believe that we hold the key to our own success. 

I've heard it said before that in our lifetime we only use something like 5% of our full capacity. I think it's fair to say we hold the key to our real power. We can really achieve what we want, if we chose to do so. I don't think we should impose limitations on ourselves, it's too easy to fall prey to the idea that we can't move forward beyond a certain point. I think one good thing about today's world is the fact that so many people look beyond a normal day to day existence. 

I think we are living a new and exciting time in terms of recognizing our own potential as individuals. Hopefully what we are learning now won't be some passing trend that will recycle itself twenty years from now. 

THE UNCANNY POWERS OF A SIMPLE MIND

I am sure you're wondering how the picture above relates to the title of this entry and the answer to that is that it doesn't. The picture made me smile which is why I chose it and I am sure it does the same for you. This is an entry about the simple minded, or as they are known in some circles, the very stupid. How do you define stupidity? One definition for stupidity is " A poor ability to learn or profit from experience." I don't like the word stupidity because it's kind of mean, I prefer simple minded.

The thing is that I admire simple minded people because in some ways they have an easier path to inner peace than people with greater cognitive abilities. The very simple minded do not see every possible complication with daily life. A simple minded person often sticks to one particular source of strength to solve their problems. The simple minded individual believes in miracles and often has a misguided and somewhat annoying view of spirituality.

Spirituality has a million definitions for a million people but for the simple minded it usually means " God will solve my problems because the bible said so." I respect other's right to believe but with the simple minded it's almost innocent and childlike. A simple minded person often sticks to one goal and pursues it blindly without any shame whatsoever, to a stoner a simple minded individual is likely to be the equivalent of a chasm.

The very simple minded can almost seem wise in their very simple approach to life. We are all so complicated by nature that making a situation simple almost seems like the act of a wise man or woman.  If you look at a chimpanzee the first thing you think is " this is a monkey" and a monkey is a simple, strong, agile creature. When the monkey does something like identify a circle we all clap without realizing it was a simple act. The human race is full of chimpanzee like creatures that can identify a circle without necessarily having to talk circumference, radius and all that jazz. We chastise the simple for being below par but we really envy them.

It's fair to assume that even the minimalist philosopher is searching for the peace that comes with a perennially blank slate. The simple mind seems to almost extend life, and no, I'm not saying that old people are stupid. Next time you want to criticize the simple remember that you are criticizing the beauty of a calm spirit and yearning for that very sensation.

I'M IN A FUCKED UP STATE OF MIND

I heard something today that made me want to write this entry because while funny it's true. I was told that when I am in a fucked up state of mind I need to step back and think. I never quite thought about that before, and thoughtlessness is something I will address some other time. I asked myself: What is a fucked up state of mind?

I really can't answer that question but I can certainly speculate as to what a fucked up state of mind is. I think a fucked up state of mind is that endless moment where you don't want to face your own weakness and you don't want to admit that you are wrong. I guess it's fair to say that a fucked up state of mind is that period where your head feels like exploding because you don't want to let someone else win with reason.

I have been in a seriously fucked up state of mind more times than I should freely admit but the truth is that I am human and I need to own up to that. I think it's also a fucked up state of mind to think that you can't improve your own situation or pursue a dream or goal that calls out to you. In short a fucked up state of mind is something that provides absolutely nothing and I mean nothing good or positive to your life.

My advice is that when you find yourself in a fucked up state of mind you go ahead and switch to a New York state of mind.