M.J. Blehart's Blog, page 101

Pathwalking 207

Discipline for some does not come easily.

I have always had issues with disciplining myself. Whether it was my diet, my writing and editing time or anything else requiring focus and attention – I have regularly found it challenging to hold to what needs to happen to get where I want to go.

I have made a lot of effort in this department to address this problem. Acknowledging my lack of discipline is the first step, but admittedly there have been times I have not gotten beyond that.

Every year I talk about my dislike of New Years’ Resolutions. Resolve is all well and good, but it’s a somewhat weak and uncommitted act. I can resolve to do any number of things, but resolve is not action, it is idea. Action makes things happen.

Over the past several years now I have in place of resolutions taken actions. This is in fact why Pathwalking exists. My New Year’s Action back in 2011 was to start blogging more regularly, and from this emerged Pathwalking. Through regular blogging I was able to discipline myself to hold to the actions I started.

This is where I have found my discipline and stuck to my plan. As such, I began to work on choosing my own destiny. Yes there have been fits and starts and other issues along the way, but in the nearly four years I have been taking actions, instead of making resolutions, and blogging about my journey along my chosen paths, I believe my life has been far better.

At the end of 2012 I continued this practice, and the actions I chose were nearly identical to those I chose the year before. Where is it written that actions need to be different? Re-enforcement of actions can go a long ways towards getting you where you want to go.

Once again I think I have held to this discipline. I am not taking actions that are particular, they are frankly pretty broad. But I think when we force ourselves to act against our nature, as I think is the case of many a New Year’s Resolution, we are far less likely to succeed. I think that’s why selecting actions that are in no way insurmountable are a good idea.

I have continued taking steps to hold to my New Years’ Actions. From my desire to be more positive I created the Positivity post to this blog. Every week for nearly two years now I have been finding and discussing something to be positive about. Every Monday I look to this notion, and I believe that talking about and spreading positives helps to generate more in this world.

When it comes to the blogging I have found somewhere my discipline fully succeeds. This is the two hundred and seventh post in the Pathwalking series. Two hundred and seven weeks I have been holding to this discipline and Wednesday morning Pathwalking happens. There are weeks that this is easier to write than others. Sometimes these are created days and weeks in advance, and sometimes immediately before I post. Yet for almost four years I have held to this.

The point is while discipline comes hard to me, I can do it. Like anything that I wish to manifest it is a matter of thought, a matter of feeling, but most importantly it is a matter of action.

Discipline is another word for action. I can come up with any number of ideas. I can dream up all sorts of things I want to improve my life. I can feel these things out, I can work on the emotions necessary in their creation. But if I do not act, they will not come about. Action is discipline.

This is where I think resolutions fall short. Resolution is thought, and maybe the attachment of emotion. But it lacks the action needed to really bring about whatever change is sought.

I have taken New Years Actions that were somewhat vague. Granted the actions that resulted from them, such as this and Positivity were discipline on my part. There are other things I want to achieve that are less vague and more real which require more discipline, and thus more actions to achieve.

I can, as I have sought over the years, work on actions for expressing more gratitude, being more positive, finding ways to feel good instead of bad. The tougher actions are the more specific ones.

I want to get into better shape. Isn’t that one of the most cliché of the New Year’s Resolutions? What actions, what disciplines are needed to achieve this? Diet and exercise of course are the answer. It is here where my discipline truly does not come easily.

How do I better discipline myself to create and take necessary actions? That’s the question I am posing to myself. I have several goals that require actions, and I want to work on them and not just pay them lip service.

As the year comes to a close I want to work on bettering my discipline. Since I am arguing that discipline is an alternative to action, then I need to focus on what actions I need to take this year in order to get where I want to go.

Next week I will share with you my plans, and work out with you what actions I need to take in order to create the discipline I need to make them reality. I want to begin the coming New Year with more specific focus and specific goals in addition to my broader goals.

What do you do to find your discipline?

 

This is the two-hundred seventh entry in my series. These weekly posts are ideas and my personal experiences in walking along the path of life.  I share this journey as part of my personal desire to make a difference in this world along the way.

Thank you for joining me.  Feel free to re-blog and share.

The first year of Pathwalking, including some expanded ideas, is available in print and for your Kindle.

Positivity: Anticipation

Anticipation can be exciting.

I am, for those of you who don’t know me, a huge fan of the Star Wars universe. This week Episode VII will be released. I cannot begin to express just how excited I am to be seeing this movie in a few days!

The anticipation is nearly tangible. I feel positive, I feel excited, I feel a sense of joy akin to some of my best childhood memories.

No matter what the thing that causes this kind of anticipation, this is a huge positive. I love this feeling, it brings up nostalgia and excitement and numerous other positive emotions.

Anticipation for something that excites you is an amazing feeling. It is hugely positive, and there is nothing bad about having more to feel positive about in your life.

Yes, I recognize I may be disappointed. Let’s face it – the prequels were largely pretty unfortunate. I don’t care about this, however, because the sensation I am experiencing in my anticipation for this is hugely worthwhile, and I am happy to relish in how this makes me feel.

I know that sometimes anticipation is not a good thing. There is a negative type of anticipation too, the kind that makes you feel anxious, nervous, unhappy. But there are two sides to the coin that is anticipation, and I want to focus on the positive side and that particular set of sensations.

We can choose our emotions. We often forget this, we find ourselves neglecting this, but it is true none-the-less. When there is something that makes us feel good, why not give it more energy, more focus and attention? I don’t know about you, but I far prefer to feel good and positive than to feel bad and negative.

There are a finite number of things that make me feel this kind of anticipation. I don’t care that the reason is a possibly stupid movie which might be imperfect – I want to focus on the feeling I am feeling. I am excited, I am feeling joyous and happy. These are feelings I want more of, so I see no harm in diving deeper into them.

There are too many things that make us feel trepidation, that make us concerned and anxious and unhappy. This type of anticipation is something that can create more positivity in our world, and I know I prefer that feeling to its opposites.

Finding positivity is not hard, it just requires action. Knowing that anticipation can generate all kinds of positive feelings, we should embrace it when we experience this. When we acknowledge the feelings of excitement and joy this sort of anticipation brings to life, we empower ourselves. When we feel empowered, we often spread that feeling to others around us, and as such can build more positive feelings. We can use the positive feelings this generates to dissolve negative feelings. When we take away negative feelings, we open up space to let in positive feelings, and that is something we can be grateful for. Gratitude leads to happiness. Happiness is the ultimate positive attitude. Positive attitude begets positive energy, and that is always a good thing.

 

This is the ninety-eighth entry of my Positivity series.  It is my hope these weekly messages might help spread positive energies for everyone.  Feel free to share, re-blog and spread the positivity.

Finder: The Source Chronicles Book II – Coming soon!

Despite my best efforts, the release of Finder: The Source Chronicles Book II has been slightly delayed.

There is a very good reason for this delay. My editor took longer than expected with his edits, and I have to go through them before I release my work into the wild. My goal is to offer a quality product to you, my dear readers.

I don’t want to under or over-estimate how much time I will need, but I do hope I might put Finder out before the end of the year.

In the meantime – this being the holiday season and all – you might want to acquire a copy of Seeker: The Source Chronicles Book I for the reader(s) in your life.

 

Not to leave you with nothing – I am offering here a special sneak preview of Finder: The Source Chronicles Book II. If you ccroll down – you can enjoy Chapter 1!

 

Stay tuned for the completed novel soon!

 

THANK YOU!!

 

 

 

Spoilers ahead – Finder: The Source Chronicles Book II Chapter 1!

 

 

 

Have you finished Seeker?

 

 

 

 

Ok, you have been duly warned.

 

 

Finder: The Source Chronicles Book II

Chapter 1

“Is there something I can do for you, m’lord?” he asked calmly, turning in his chair.

He had become acutely aware of the presence of the men from a few tables over, standing behind him now.

The burly man in the lead was huge, all chest and shoulders, over six feet tall. He had a round face, and nearly no hair atop his head. He looked hardened, was covered in grey dust from stonecutting, and wore a stupid grin on his lips. He was obviously drunk as he laughed raucously, and his friends joined him.

They took a step closer.

He continued to sit where he was, making no move at all.

“You’re a stranger to these parts, eh, friend?” asked the burly man, his speech only slightly slurred.

“That would be true enough. Just passing through.”

The man gestured to the sword belted at his side. “That’s a fancy piece of steel yer wearing, friend. Worth a pretty penny, eh?”

“It was a gift,” he remarked in an offhanded manner.

The big man laughed, and his friends joined him again. It was a wicked laugh, meant to cause discomfort.

“A fine ‘gift’ it is, friend,” remarked the burly man. “You a fighter of some sort? One of those pansy swordsmen? I bet you never knew a lick of hard work in yer life, huh?”

He reached for his tankard, affecting a complete lack of concern. “I’ve done my share of laborious work, m’lord. As pleasant as this conversation has been, why don’t you return to the table with your friends, and I’ll buy you all another round?”

With unexpected speed, the burly man knocked the tankard out of his hand. The stranger stood up quickly, turning and facing the much larger man.

“That was unnecessary, m’lord,” he stated calmly.

“And just what do you care to do about it, little man?” asked his assailant, squaring his shoulders.

He didn’t miss the man’s attempt to intimidate him.

“Burke, leave off!” interjected a woman’s voice.

Burke and his friends turned to look, as did he.

She reminded him immediately of one of his closest friends, with her bearing and commanding voice. Her hair was curly ringlets, dark brown, and pulled back into a thick pony tail that hung just below her shoulder blades. Her eyes were brown as well, and the skirt she wore was divided for riding.

He immediately thought her a bit out of place here.

“Stay out of this, Shiara, it doesn’t concern you,” remarked Burke.

She took a step forward. “I do not think you want Valdan banning you from the tavern once more, do you? Additionally, I’m sure Master Arnock does not want to hear about this sort of belligerence again, either.”

Burke growled, “If you weren’t a woman, I’d show you what for!”

“Go ahead, Burke. Care to beat me like you beat your wife, before she left?”

As Burke made to advanced on her, the stranger quickly put himself between them.

“It’s not very nice to assail a lady, m’lord Burke,” he said calmly, putting some menace in his tone.

Glancing back over his shoulder, the stranger noted that she had been preparing to grab a dagger from her belt. “Besides, I don’t think you want her gutting you in front of your friends.”

Burke glared at him. “You think I should be afraid of a woman? Do you plan to be her protector?”

The stranger turned his head and looked at the woman called Shiara, her arms crossed, head tilted just slightly to the left, looking between them. “I do not believe that any woman should be spoken to in that manner, m’lord. You should probably go now.”

“Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is, stranger?”

“Do you have some sort of wager in mind?” he asked, his tone even.

Burke chuckled evilly. “No wager. Fight me.”

“You don’t approve of swords,” he remarked.

The burly man threw back his head and laughed. “Real weapons, friend. Staffs.”

“I have a walking stick I suppose will do,” the stranger said, putting a note of discomfort into his voice.

Burke gestured with his head. “Outside. Now.”

“Alright, then. If that’s the way you want it.”

Burke laughed drunkenly once again and called to his friends, who went out the door with him.

The woman, Shiara, approached the stranger. “My lord, I do not think you know what you are in for. Burke has been regional quarterstaff champion in the New Year’s Planting Games for ten years. And he is a real killer.”

He looked to her, and noted her sincere concern. “I’ll have to be careful, then.”

Lord Valdan, a short, thin man with a well trimmed beard and brown hair was the owner of the King’s Highway Tavern and Alehouse. Lord Valdan wore a scowl on his face as he passed the six foot long walking staff to the stranger.

The stranger went out the door, Shiara at his side.

It was early in the spring, a few weeks into the new year. The grass around the tavern and the rolling fields was a light green, and coming back to life. The scant trees that were visible from time to time along the roadside were just beginning to return to bloom.

Burke and his friends waited. Burke’s staff was eight feet long, as opposed to his six footer.

Burke spun his quarterstaff lazily, as the stranger leaned upon his own walking stick affecting discomfort.

“You’re up for a beating, I hope,” remarked Burke. His friends burst into laughter.

The stranger made a show of removing his scabbard and blade, and offered them to Shiara. “My lady, if you would do me the honor of holding onto my sword?”

She accepted, but wore a concerned look. “Careful, my lord. He is very drunk. He is vicious when he is drunk.”

The stranger nodded his head in response, and stepped over towards his opponent, taking up what appeared to be an unpracticed stance.

The patrons and staff of the tavern joined them, watching uneasily. Burke was laughing as though he had not a care in the world, spinning his staff, making ready to assail his opponent.

“Are you prepared to fight, stranger?” the burly man asked, mocking.

“Aye,” he replied uneasily, making it clear that he was uncomfortable.

Burke put on a serious look, and took up a stance.

It was then that the stranger decided it was time to stop playing, and altered his own stance, obviously appearing far more competent and confident.

Burke didn’t miss this, and looked uneasy, but advanced with a growl, swinging.

The stranger ducked, and in a blur of motion, butted the end of his staff into the larger man’s gut.

As Burke grunted, the stranger smacked him in the side of the head with first one end of the staff, then came around and hit the other side. Finally, he spun his staff, butting it with deliberate force into Burke’s nose.

The big man’s eyes teared, rolled up into his head, and like a mighty tree he collapsed backwards onto the ground.

The stranger spun his staff easily, then paused in a ready stance, making certain the man did not stand again.

The patrons and the employees of the tavern cheered as he planted an end of his pole into the ground, and eyed Burke’s friends.

“Anyone else?” he asked.

Burke’s companions grunted, grumbling and shifting uneasily in his gaze.

“Why don’t you take your friend here, and give him a hand? He’s going to be very sore when he comes to, his nose is certainly broken, and the hangover he will awaken with will be rather awful.”

They advanced to pick up Burke, and as they reached him, the stranger took a step closer, thumping his staff on the ground to get their attention again.

“Tell your friend he should stop assailing travelers. You never know just what you’re up against…appearances can be deceiving.”

They nodded their heads and lifted Burke, carrying him to a cart beside the tavern. The burly man was already moaning as he was jostled.

The stranger watched them go, then went over to Shiara.

She still looked surprised, as he grinned at her. “Could I have my sword back, please, my lady?”

She nodded her head, handing back his weapon to him.

“My lord, I think you taught him a much-needed lesson in humility Burke will not soon forget. You were magnificent.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

She bowed her head formally to him. “So, stranger, you’ve had quite the afternoon. You have defended my honor, but I did not catch your name.”

He bowed slightly at his waist to her, as he’d been shown. For some reason, he decided to be formal. “I am Lord Cam Murtallan, my lady. And you are?”

“Lady Shiara Bornull.”

Cam took her hand, and gently kissed it.

“A pleasure to meet you, my lady,” he said.

She smiled again, blushing slightly. Cam was pleased to note he had indeed learned a thing or two over the past several years living and working among nobles.

“I think I should like to finish my meal,” he continued. “Would you care to join me?”

“I’d be delighted,” she replied.

Remembering the manners he had been taught, Cam offered her his arm, which she took. Together, they walked back into the tavern.

“My Lord Cam, my apologies,” stated Lord Valdan, bowing his head ashamedly. “I am so sorry you had to do that. I do not approve of those ruffians behavior, and I never know from day to day…”

“It’s alright, my lord,” replied Cam, interrupting him. “The exercise has only reinvigorated my appetite. Please, bring Lady Shiara here whatever she would like, and I’ll complete my meal. Hopefully, Burke and his friends have learned a lesson, and will be less trouble during their next visit.”

Lord Valdan uttered his thanks, and took Cam’s staff. Valdan nodded his head towards Shiara before departing. Cam noted the intense respect the innkeeper had for the lady as he led her back to his table.

They talked for hours, after Irvarra, the serving girl, brought Cam a new hot plate of food, a look of awe never leaving her face. Clearly, no one had been capable of putting the bully in his place until now.

The conversation was very simple, as Cam told of the political happenings on the next continent, often omitting details that were too personal, or that he was directly involved in.

Shiara was telling him about the local Duchy, and the political system of the nation of Vilcarr.

“The Duke, hereabouts, is inactive. He and his family were exiled here, after he plotted along with his son and another Duke to embezzle moneys from the royal treasury of King Arion,” she paused and took a drink of the ale she had before her. “As punishment, he was spared his life, but banished to the countryside.”

Her narrative took on another tone. “It was a stupid plot, that would never have worked, and he was a part of it based on bad advice from another Duke, who was executed for his part in the plan. No titles were stripped, but the Duke’s family could only tithe what they needed to survive.”

“Interesting,” remarked Cam, not missing the grief in her tone. He decided to broaden the scope of the topic. “A lot of intrigue in the court of King Arion?”

She shrugged. “From what I hear, no more than in any other royal presence, and all that was over ten years ago. Nowadays, he’s got far better control. He’d only been on the throne a few years at that time. He has made a lot of changes from the rule of his predecessor, his uncle.”

Cam nodded his head, making mental notes. He looked out the nearest window, and observed that night had come as they’d supped. “It’s getting late. I should offer to arrange to put you up here for the night, or at least escort you home.”

She grimaced a moment, but it turned into a grateful smile swiftly. “My home is not too far. I would be delighted to have an escort. That’s very gentlemanly of you to offer.”

Cam laughed, his mind flashing back only a few years. He gestured the tavern keeper over.

“I’d like to settle my bill, Lord Valdan.”

The innkeeper looked at Shiara a moment, and waved Cam off. “No, my lord, ‘tis on the house. You did me a service today by dealing with Burke and his companions. It’s the least I can do.”

Cam nodded his head gratefully. “I could not let a lady be so insulted, but I thank you Lord Valdan.” He placed down several silver pieces. “For your excellent service, and that of Irvarra.”

Lord Valdan bowed to Cam, then to Shiara. Cam retrieved his staff, and followed Shiara out.

They went towards the hitching post, and she unhitched a strong looking stallion. The night air was crisp, but not chill. The stars shone brightly.

“Where is your mount, Lord Cam?”

“I have none,” he replied. “I am in no hurry, and prefer my own feet.”

“Truly? Well, I do not think Fleetfoot here will mind if we walk,” Shiara concluded, gesturing to her horse.

“Very well,” replied Cam.

They set off down the road, Cam’s staff over his shoulder. The moons were giving off enough light to make visible the road immediately before them. They were silent, for a while. Cam cleared his throat.

“So. You’ve been exiled out here ten years, eh?”

She stopped abruptly, and turned. “What makes you think I am related to the Duke?”

Cam grinned slyly. “My Lady, one of my closest friends is a Queen. You carry yourself in a way that screams nobility. Am I mistaken?”

She sighed, then laughed lightly. “No. I should not have thought I would be able to keep it from you. Besides, you would have become suspicious when we reached the estate.”

“Too late to pass yourself off as a mere servant,” Cam concurred.

“Without a doubt,” remarked Shiara crisply.

“The Inn is a part of your Duchy, then?”

Shiara sighed. “Aye. Lord Valdan is a good man. Probably our finest tenant, really. He owns the inn, we own the land. His rent is terribly low. Part of the King’s orders, along with our exile.”

“Your father was exiled…but what about you?”

She sighed again, and Cam found the tone almost musical. “My father wanted his family together. So we were sent with him. The King was sympathetic to him, because I was twelve, my brother seventeen. My mother had died a year earlier, which devastated my father. Certainly the main reason he took such bad advice. She handled the finances – she was the brains of the family. My brother…well, he is another story.”

She shook her head, silent a moment longer. “My father died two years ago. He drank himself to death. My brother, by default, became the acting Duke. But he had fallen in with a crooked merchant, made some ludicrous and repugnant choices, and has been on the run ever since. So I remain here, managing my family affairs.”

Shiara looked at Cam. “So, you know who I am. You mentioned the political situation in Sharron and Medaelia, your association with the royalty there, but not your part in it. I know you have held back. So, tell me, how did you get involved in it all?”

Cam paused, collecting his thoughts. Perhaps the most valuable lesson he’d learned over the past several years was discretion. “It’s…complicated. I need to go back a ways to explain.”

Cam began his narrative. “When I was a boy, I watched the Medaelians invade Anaria. My father was killed in his field, my mother raped and beaten. We went to the capital in search of her family, but they, too, had been killed in the invasion. My mother died soon after, and I grew up alone on the streets of Aldara. There I learned to fight with a staff, to survive.”

Shiara chimed in. “Explains why Burke did not fare well against you. He had no chance.”

Cam grinned slyly. “I wasn’t worried, no.”

“So, you grew up an orphan in a war-torn land? How did you get out?”

Cam paused a moment. “I…became fascinated with tales of ancient cities, from before the Falling. I learned to read, and studied all kinds of books. I traveled all over the continent, for years, looking for artifacts and treasures. I made a mistake when I reached Sharron, and was imprisoned for it.”

“What kind of mistake?” Shiara asked.

“That is a lengthy story, for another time.” He let that hang a moment, then continued. “Meanwhile, Princess Lyrra-Sharron, over a misunderstanding, was leading a rebellion against her father. She and her rebels, to make a statement King Varlock-Sharron could not ignore, saved me from the noose. I joined them, for a time, recovering my strength until I figured out the truth of the misunderstanding…and sought out the King.”

“After he had sentenced you to death? That is bold. If not somewhat foolish,” remarked Shiara.

Cam laughed. “Aye. But the civil war would’ve let Wilnar-Medira tear Sharron apart. I wasn’t going to let that happen again. Not after what he did to my country.”

Cam paused, then continued. “I managed to convince Varlock-Sharron that he could end Lyrra-Sharron’s rebellion without further bloodshed. I went with the King to confront the princess…as it turned out, he was able to turn her from her course, and send her to Penkira, to deal with Wilnar-Medira personally.”

“As reward for my actions in ending the rebellion without bloodshed, I was raised to the nobility of both Sharron and Medaelia. I served as an advisor to both monarchs…until they felt the need to send me here, as an ambassador. Besides, I discovered things in their libraries that have led me to believe I may find some artifacts here.”

Shiara made an indelicate sound. “Doubtful, Lord Cam. When Pallantir overtook the Nortamian continent, he looted it most thoroughly, creating quite the private collection, rumored to be somewhere on the Estarian continent…if the scholars of Afpar’s universities are to be believed. There is little here, I suspect, for you to find.”

Cam nodded his head. “Perhaps. But much was lost after The Falling. Time will tell.”

They were silent a while, as they walked over a low hill, and began to approach a large and impressive estate before them.

The architecture was slightly different from what Cam was used to in Gara-Sharron, Penkira, and the towns and villages of Medaelia and Sharron. An estate such as this would normally be two or three stories tall, and almost certainly fenced in. By-and-large, it would also be constructed of wood and stone.

Shiara’s mansion had no fence, except near the stables, and was only a single story, though it covered a large expanse of land. Cam was also not used to seeing so much brick and stone, and so little wood in the construction. He still found it to be an impressive building.

They walked to the stables, where Shiara gave her horse to a handler waiting there. They continued together to the doors at the side of the home, where light poured out.

“Well, then, my lady, I have brought you home safely,” remarked Cam. He found he was feeling strangely unsure of himself.

“Indeed, Lord Cam.” She paused a moment, before continuing. “I do hope you will not take this the wrong way, but would you accept my hospitality, and spend the night here? There are plenty of spare bedrooms, and I can have the servants prepare one forthwith.”

Cam looked up at the stars. It would be a cold night, and they had traveled nearly a mile off the main road. Still, he was feeling awkward, but did his best not to let that show. “I would be glad to accept, my lady. In fact, I’d be a cad to refuse such an offer.”

She smiled, and gestured for Cam to follow her in.

Cam decided he had made his first friend in this foreign land. His personal mission would continue once his business with the King was complete.

*****

In a cave lit by an eerie blue light, they sat.

They were gathered in a circle, all wearing dark cloaks with hoods drawn up. Before them, a giant shimmering blue orb gave off a ghostly glow.

The twelve looked into the orb. Each had given of their power to create it. Each saw something different within the shimmering glow.

Sorcerers. Allowed to practice openly, they gathered together here, to share what knowledge they had, and to observe what they could. They lived apart from the rest of mankind. They lived, to their minds, above the rest.

Every one of these twelve felt a disturbance. Something was not right. Things across the world seemed amiss. Something unexplainable was afoot.

It all began over three years ago, when they sensed a shift in the energies that drove their powers.

Something of great consequence was at hand. Something was about to shake the very foundations of the world. And the sense of this was only growing stronger by the day.

The number assembled did not matter. Sometimes more, sometimes less, they came here. They would come to ponder, to observe, together, apart from those beneath them, who could not nor would not understand, the world around them.

They watched now, knowing something was happening. What it was, and how it would affect them, they could not be sure. But no one doubted that life on t’Thera was about to change.

 

Pathwalking 206

Sometimes you might be wrong.

Every choice we make will produce an effect of some sort. While we desire a good effect or a successful outcome – from time to time we won’t get it.

This is a perfectly normal and ok thing. Everybody makes mistakes. The key is what do you do with your mistakes?

Some people plod through. They continue along that path, despite its obvious problems. Tenacity can be a good thing, but it can also be problematic when you produce the same result over and over – and it is not the result you desire.

Some people get angry. They cast aspersions, start to place blame and look all around them for the faults and outside mechanisms that caused this to not work. They often continue blazing that trail, despite their being wrong.

Some people get depressed. They mope about, they blame themselves for their failings, and they become daunted and lost. They have no idea what to do, how to do it, and they feel bad. They get stuck believing that their being wrong is just a sign of their inabilities.

Some people recognize they were wrong. They realize that the path they were on is faulty, and they seek a means to correct and change it. They work in whatever way they can to find a new and more functional path, and strive to learn from that which they were wrong about.

I know which of these options I prefer. I also know which I have done and am inclined to do, and what is important is upon recognizing this correcting the thoughts, feelings and actions surrounding whatever it was I was wrong about.

It is unfortunately a very easy thing to be wrong and to fall into one of the traps.

What traps? The first is seeking the outside influences that made me wrong. The things beyond my control that caused me to be wrong.

The second is simply sticking to the thing I was wrong about, without an analysis of it. I hold onto this thing, whether its material or immaterial, and keep on pushing at it without trying to figure out why it is wrong and if it is something I should leave behind or move away from.

This brings me to the concept of wrong. Wrong says that I am mistaken, incorrect, and this might be about an opinion I hold, it might be an ability I think I possess, it might be a path I think I should be walking. Wrong takes a number of forms and can hold a number of meanings, and they are mostly different from person to person.

One of the most important things about the idea of wrong is that far more often than not it is a personal matter. While we often apply it to outside things, we frequently don’t recognize that it’s a perceptional matter.

Wrong is often paired with right. This can work, but a lot of the times this actually clouds the idea. These notions are not simply black and white, either/or. They are complex, and they are nuanced, and the balance of the scale is not necessarily these notions on opposite sides.

The thing about being wrong, whatever it is I am wrong about, is that it can be changed. It can be fixed, it can be altered. I can do something with it, I am not necessarily stuck with the wrong forever.

First there are the simple wrongs that are easily corrected. I chose the wrong jacket. Ok, then change jackets. I chose the wrong size coffee. Ok, get a different sized drink. I chose the wrong paint color. Repainting is a thing.

Next there are the wrongs that carry more weight and may require more effort to change. I chose the wrong path. Ok, I can analyze what was wrong with my path and move on. I chose the wrong career. Ok, I can examine this for content, figure out how to fix it and choose anew. I chose the wrong relationship. What’s wrong with it? Can it be fixed, or is it best to call it a day and to move on?

The most complicated matters of being wrong are the most personal. Opinions. Beliefs. Knowledge. When we learn we are wrong about a thing of this nature it can be particularly difficult to not berate ourselves, or to angrily or stubbornly defend our positions. Friendships shatter from these wrongs. Groups dig in and shout from the rooftops from this. Wars are waged over these matters of wrong.

Because wrong is so personal, and because it is so inevitable, how we handle it goes a long ways towards finding, choosing and walking our paths. When we recognize that sometimes we might be wrong, we can be more accepting of this and work more positively on necessary alterations.

We all make mistakes. We are not always perfect, we are not always right. And that is ok. Welcome to the human condition. Rather than allow yourself to be angry or depressed or any other negative emotion when you find you are wrong about whatever it is you are wrong about – learn from it. Accept it. Then let it go, and move forward.

You are not alone when it comes to being wrong sometimes. Knowing this, you can always find support to help deal with the matter, and then change it.

What do you do when you find you are wrong about something?

 

This is the two-hundred sixth entry in my series. These weekly posts are ideas and my personal experiences in walking along the path of life.  I share this journey as part of my personal desire to make a difference in this world along the way.

Thank you for joining me.  Feel free to re-blog and share.

The first year of Pathwalking, including some expanded ideas, is available in print and for your Kindle.

Positivity: Little Things

Little things matter.

When the big picture is scary and undesirable, it is easy to neglect the small stuff, the little things in life that make it what it is.

Some of these things are tangible, some are not. The importance of them is of a magnitude we easily forget and do not recognize the significance of.

Why do little things matter? Because the big things do not evolve out of a vacuum. They begin as little things and grow.

What are the little things? They are wide and varied, but the little things are thoughts, emotions and actions on a personal scale.

Do you smile or frown at other people? Do you go along with gossip or form your own opinion? Do you allow anger at the big things to permeate your thoughts during the day? Do you say thank you to the teller at the bank? Are you rude or pleasant to strangers?

These are little things. They seem inconsequential, and in the grand scheme of things unimportant. But that is not true. They are of immense consequence, and they are very important. If consciousness creates reality, then a small spark leads to a big bang.

We often look at these huge issues and feel helpless. I am nobody, I can do nothing to fix this. That’s not entirely true. We can help, but we have to take it from our own relatively small corner of the world. The little things have to change in order to change the big things.

The little things start with each and every one of us, and how we approach the world around us. If you start your day defeated and distraught, odds are it’s not going to get better. There is nothing from without that will help how life feels within.

We have direct control over how we allow ourselves to feel. We have the ability to control how we act around others. If we choose negative things, and allow negativity to dominate the little things, we generate more. If, however, we choose positive things and allow positivity to dominate the little things we generate more. I know which I prefer to have more of in my life.

The little things matter. Consider that in your interactions with other people, and your own thoughts and feelings. Smile more. Express kindness. Show love. Be inspiring.

Finding positivity is not hard, it just requires action. Knowing that the big things are made of little things, we can be mindful of the little things, tangible and intangible that are in our lives. When we acknowledge the importance of the little things and be aware of and take control of them, we empower ourselves. When we feel empowered, we often spread that feeling to others around us, and as such can build more positive feelings. We can use the positive feelings this generates to dissolve negative feelings. When we take away negative feelings, we open up space to let in positive feelings, and that is something we can be grateful for. Gratitude leads to happiness. Happiness is the ultimate positive attitude. Positive attitude begets positive energy, and that is always a good thing.

 

This is the ninety-seventh entry of my Positivity series.  It is my hope these weekly messages might help spread positive energies for everyone.  Feel free to share, re-blog and spread the positivity.

Pathwalking 205

Giving is not necessarily a physical thing.

Giving can certainly involve things. But I find that the intangibles we give are often far more powerful than the tangibles.

We give of our time, we give from our hearts, we give advice, we give opinions. All of these intangibles can carry a lot of weight.

Giving is important to Pathwalking because it is a part of our living in an abundant universe. The ability to give is a sign that we are abundant and willing and able to share that abundance.

One of the largest issues in our society today is our lack mentality. We live every day with the notion of numerous scarcities and things that are lacking, which makes it hard to see abundance. What’s more, those in power, whether political or economic, have become hoarders, taking and taking and seldom giving in any sense. These are the examples we are inundated with.

When we give, we affirm our own abundance, and more we share that abundance. Like attracts like, and as such when we give more, we receive more.

Often we take this into the physical realm. Money is important for everything we need, let alone everything we might want but currently do not have. We often donate money to causes and consider that act of giving sufficient.

It is my belief that we have far more to give, and that which we can give is of higher value. We have innumerable intangibles, and they can shape the world in ways the tangibles wish they could.

Let’s look at giving time. We have needs, we have things that we need to do. But sometimes others need our help.   We can give them a ride, listen to their issues, we can engage them in conversation, but most of all we can give them time. By giving our time, we gain time for ourselves. We can feel good about helping our friends and family.

We can give from our hearts. The power of a hug can be pretty incredible. Being a shoulder to cry on can give someone strength they need to replenish. Giving love when those we care about need it brings love back to us and then some.

We can give advice. It’s important of course to make certain before we give that those we pass it to wish to receive it. I presume if you are taking the time to read my Pathwalking, then you want me to give you what advice I might.

Along that same line, we can give an opinion. Once again, this is important to be done willingly, and not shoved down someone’s throat. In an open debate we will give our opinions, and consider them whether we agree or no.

This leads into an important factor about giving. There is a fine line between giving and sacrificing. Giving is about abundance. Giving says I have more than enough and I want to share. Sacrifice is about lack. Sacrificing says I will give you what I have while I go without for myself. Sacrificing will not help you to walk your path.

Why? Because sacrificing means you do not believe there is enough. When you believe in lack, when you think that there are insufficiencies in what the Universe has to offer, you will be unable to walk your path. Pathwalking is about finding, choosing and then traveling along your own path. There is going to be a lot of give and take along the way as such, and if you think that there is not enough for you along your journey, it will not go as you might hope.

Why is giving important to Pathwalking? Because while my path is mine and mine alone, the philosophy behind the finding and the choosing of it is not. This leans towards the lack mentality. Lack mentality might thing, the universe only has a finite number of Paths, and if I give of mine there will not be enough. If we come to view our existence in this manner, we will wind up creating it as such.

Once again I reiterate – consciousness creates reality. If I think that there is not enough, if I believe that the Universe is finite and that we will run out of – whatever – then I am going to create that. That’s the Law of Attraction, that is how our paths are made by ourselves, and that is why giving is so important.

Giving the intangibles is both easier and more powerful than giving the tangibles. This is because the things connected to emotions and actions are infinite. Sure, we can make and acquire more physical things, but they are not always right at hand. The intangibles are.

I believe that if we are all more willing to give in the spirit of abundance, we can make this world a far better place. There is not a shortage of caring, of love, of generosity, of kindness, of solicited advice and opinions, of time, or of any other intangible. These are infinitely abundant, and giving them opens us up to receive more.

Giving in abundance is more sharing than giving. We get back the positive energy we put in, and we can only gain from the effort. Our lives become enriched, our paths can be broadened and made easier, and the people we care about know that we care for them as much as they care for us.

You can also give to yourself. By giving yourself love and affection and strong self-talk, you are better able to think, feel and act intentionally to create the world you desire.

Remember, if you do not think you have enough to give, know that the Universe is abundant, and that you have more than enough to give. From that perspective, start giving.

Giving is not necessarily a physical thing, but whatever form it takes it can help us manifest the lives we desire.

What have you given recently?

 

This is the two-hundred fifth entry in my series. These weekly posts are ideas and my personal experiences in walking along the path of life.  I share this journey as part of my personal desire to make a difference in this world along the way.

Thank you for joining me.  Feel free to re-blog and share.

The first year of Pathwalking, including some expanded ideas, is available in print and for your Kindle.

Positivity: Your Potential

You have more potential than you realize.

I have no doubt you have seen this somewhere before. I think every single self-help concept in existence makes this particular statement. All the new-age teachers and concepts like The Secret and The Law of Attraction say it. This does not make it any less true.

This applies to everyone. It is a simple fact. Some days it is just harder to see and recognize and acknowledge than other days.

We live in a society where most of our leaders prefer to disempower us than to help us realize how much potential we each have. Why? Because they think power is finite, and they want to hoard it to the best of their abilities.

You have more potential than you realize. No matter how difficult your day may be, no matter the obstacles in your path, you can change your world. You have more control than you know, and you have the most power to empower yourself.

The catch is that you have to choose to empower yourself. You have to recognize your own strengths and your own weaknesses in order to take what actions are necessary to empower yourself.

We all have routines and patterns we follow in our days and weeks, but we also have the power to change them. We can break from our routines, and we can create new patters to choose for ourselves the lives we most desire to have.

Recognizing that you have more potential than you realize is filled with Positivity. This idea can help us to build better things for ourselves, to make more of our own choices for our own lives, and that is hugely positive.

Do you want to control your life, or give that control to someone else? I think people don’t see how little it takes to give away our own empowerment.

We may not recognize we are doing it. Did you hear the thing about that person in the office? Isn’t that person terrible? If you respond in the affirmative and then spread the story to another coworker, but prior to that story you had a different opinion of the person in question – you have given away your power. Did that story REALLY change your opinion of the person in question, or did you just accept someone else’s take at face value?

When we accept as true things we do not examine for ourselves, or when we allow the opinions of others to become our own opinions without real consideration – we have allowed another control.

You have more potential than you realize. This is a powerfully positive notion that we can all give focus to, and thus build more Positivity, and better lives as such.

Finding positivity is not hard, it just requires action. Knowing that you have more potential than you realize, you have far more options for how you choose to live your life. When we better see what we might be capable of we empower ourselves. When we feel empowered, we often spread that feeling to others around us, and as such can build more positive feelings. We can use the positive feelings this generates to dissolve negative feelings. When we take away negative feelings, we open up space to let in positive feelings, and that is something we can be grateful for. Gratitude leads to happiness. Happiness is the ultimate positive attitude. Positive attitude begets positive energy, and that is always a good thing.

 

This is the ninety-sixth entry of my Positivity series.  It is my hope these weekly messages might help spread positive energies for everyone.  Feel free to share, re-blog and spread the positivity.

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Pathwalking 204

Consider reality.

What we call reality is not the same for everyone. We might believe that it is, but in truth it’s really not. My reality is nothing like yours, or his, or hers, or anyone else’s, really.

Even those we are closest to do not share our reality. Oh unquestionably they intersect, but that doesn’t make them the same.

Let’s take Thanksgiving for example. For some this is a day where family comes together and eats much tasty food. For some this is the remembrance of a time when the native peoples were taken advantage of and subsequently driven from their homes and otherwise mistreated. For some this is a day where you make lots and lots of money because consumerism drives you. For some, it’s a day just like any other day.

There is no right or wrong in this, because we are all in different realities.

Because no two realities are alike, this is why we can manifest virtually anything. We can create the world we want to live in, because what we are actually building is our own personal reality.

Let’s look at other examples. For some people reality is a man and a woman have a relationship, and marry and produce kids. For some people reality is a man and a woman have multiple relationships. For some people a man and a man have a relationship, or multiple relationships, or…the possibilities here are endless.

The point of this is that reality is different for each of us. What we believe and how we view the world is going to create, build, and even destroy our reality.

Pathwalking is the act of consciously creating reality. I frequently use the phrase consciousness creates reality. Well, this is why reality can be changed.

If that’s the case, how come people are poor, how come we have war? The scientific/metaphysical explanation is that is everything is at its base core energy. All energy vibrates and vibrates at a frequency. So even if there are an infinite number of frequencies, we might still be vibrating at similar ones.

We spend more time unaware of our surroundings than we do aware. I mean true awareness, asking ourselves questions and considering our actions, our thoughts and our feelings. Because of this, we often get caught up in group reality. Even though my reality is different from yours, we may still have common elements dictated by outside forces.

Where we live, what religions or philosophies we subscribe to, what gender we identify as, what gender we are attracted to places us in group realities. Society loves to box people. Look at the American political parties. While they are largely the same, one leans left of center the other right of center. However, the parties are a blanket under which all platforms must lie, which is why little to no individuality amongst politicians stands out from the blanket of their party lines.

Reality can be changed. But those big, overarching group realities cannot be changed unless the individuals that fall within them change. If I identify myself a certain way, that creates my reality. When I identify with those groups, I have made that part of the reality I experience.

These are the importance of I am statements. I am white. I am male. I am straight. I am short. Right there I have put myself into four group identities – skin color, gender, sexual orientation, height. Many of the aspects of my reality will be colored by these ways in which I identify myself, and thus create my reality.

Do these need to exist? Yes, because we all have separate identities. Society both encourages and discourages that, however. It is that particular schizophrenia that makes life often far more complicated and difficult than it actually needs to be. The difference lies in self-identity versus group identity.

If I accept someone else’s label of my reality, then it becomes mine. I believe that a lot of times we don’t realize that we take that level of ownership into our hearts and minds, and as such build these realities that, frankly, we really don’t want.

How do I create a reality I desire? I have been working on this for some time now, and learn new ideas constantly. This concept, that reality is only what I make of it, gives me new tools to consider when it comes to creating, finding, and walking the Path of my choosing.

Consider reality. What ways do I identify my world on my own, and what ways do I climb beneath the blanket of the groupthink? This is important, because I believe that if more of us consider our own personal realities, and take more actions, give more thoughts and consider more feelings in that regard we can effect and even change group reality.

It has happened before. The identity of one blanket group reality has shifted and changed, and they can and likely will change again. Accepting our own control of reality empowers us to choose for ourselves, and this will build better things. When individuals are more empowered, they in turn help to empower groups they are a part of.

Before you make your reality based on group reality, consider if it’s what you want, and how you wish to be identified. We have more power and more capability to make our own realities than we realize. Before we attack those groups for change, let’s start with ourselves and our personal realities.

How do you think of your own reality?

 

 

This is the two-hundred fourth entry in my series. These weekly posts are ideas and my personal experiences in walking along the path of life.  I share this journey as part of my personal desire to make a difference in this world along the way.

Thank you for joining me.  Feel free to re-blog and share.

The first year of Pathwalking, including some expanded ideas, is available in print and for your Kindle.

Positivity: Compassion

Compassion is something we all crave. We want the people around us to take our hopes and dreams into account in their actions as much as we might consider theirs in ours.

What is compassion? Dictionary.com defines it thus:

A  feeling   of   deep   sympathy   and   sorrow   for   another   who   is   stricken   by misfortune,   accompanied   by   a   strong   desire

to   alleviate   the   suffering.

When we see people suffering we want to step up and help them. We want to do what we can to better their lot, because that is what we would want them to do for us.

Compassion is not a weakness. It is a strength to show depth of emotion.

We are all one. That’s the simple explanation for each and every one of us. The divisions we experience, whether it be nationality or gender or sexual orientation or skin color are all artificial. We see injustice and pain and suffering all caused by misunderstandings that come of these slight differences, and we sometimes let our fear of our differences get the better of us.

Just because they look different or love differently or speak a different language or worship in a way different from our own they are not lessor nor greater than us. Those that are unlike how we are in whatever way it may be do not deserve to suffer, they do not deserve to tormented or disregarded or treated unequally. They deserve compassion.

Compassion is one of the things that separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. We do not just exist on survival of the fittest, we strive to help all of our race to survive. We can raise one another up or tear each other down. We can turn our backs on those who are suffering or we can show compassion and try to lend a hand.

Fear is easily exploited. Fear of the unknown is used as a weapon against compassion. I have yet to see a situation where showing fear instead of compassion made anything better or anyone stronger.

Compassion allows us a chance to work to improve the lot of another. I do not know of anyone that would not want the same to be done for them if they were suffering in return. Showing compassion for the plight of others is deeply positive, and feels a whole lot better than fear.

Fear of the unknown simply because it is different is irrational. Before we lash out at the things we fear we need to consider if our actions are based in compassion and logic or fear and irrationality.

Consider how fear makes you feel negative whereas compassion makes you feel positive. Which do you prefer to experience?

Finding positivity is not hard, it just requires action. Knowing that compassion can build greater positivity in the world, we can choose it over fear and irrationality. When we choose to show compassion for the suffering of others we empower them, and in empowering others we empower ourselves. When we feel empowered, we often spread that feeling to others around us, and as such can build more positive feelings. We can use the positive feelings this generates to dissolve negative feelings. When we take away negative feelings, we open up space to let in positive feelings, and that is something we can be grateful for. Gratitude leads to happiness. Happiness is the ultimate positive attitude. Positive attitude begets positive energy, and that is always a good thing.

 

This is the ninety-fifth entry of my Positivity series.  It is my hope these weekly messages might help spread positive energies for everyone.  Feel free to share, re-blog and spread the positivity.

Pathwalking 203

As I walk my own path, I do not do so ignoring the paths of others.

My path is unique, as is yours, his, hers…everybody’s. However, no path is more important than another, and no one of us is any better than the rest. We are all equal, and we are all one.

Society has become utterly obsessed with division. We are split along lines of gender, or sexual orientation, or rich and poor, black and white…take your pick.

Scientifically, it does not matter. X-Ray through the skin and you will see bones and internal organs that are so minutely different as to be unmistaken and called the same. No matter the variations, we all have the same parts and pieces underneath.

Spiritually, it does not matter. We all have hopes, dreams, goals and desires. We have our beliefs and prejudices and so on and so forth. No matter what identity we use on the outside, we are all one. We all have souls, we all have paths we will walk in this life, whether we choose them or they are chosen for us.

It is, as such, important to treat other people as you yourself wish to be treated. This is not just about the people around you, your friends family and co-workers, this is the general notion of people.

We are inundated with stories of people mistreating people all the time. Whether we are talking about terrorists killing to expand fear, or racists and bigots threatening civil liberties, or slave larborers, or children abused and neglected; the bad news is virtually inescapable.

What’s worse is that we wind up calling out whole groups of people based upon fear and discomfort and the differences between us. We sometimes see bad beyond the incredibly small number of perpetrators of that bad in whole groups of bad people.

I believe that most people want to feel empowered. That’s what all of it comes down to. Some people see empowerment by doing things for themselves and taking the initiative to improve their lives. Some people think that they can rely on people outside of themselves to provide them with that empowerment. And then there are some people who feel they are empowered by disempowering others.

As much as I wish to choose and walk my own path in this life, I recognize there are people who actually prefer to let others choose for them. Why not? Sometimes it does look like it will be a whole lot easier to let other people choose for us, and to direct our lives so that we don’t have to deal with it.

I understand that for some people, they simply don’t want to have the responsibility to empower themselves. It is not easy, it can be frustrating, it can be infuriating sometimes. It can be especially complicated when you are faced with numerous obstacles both tangible and intangible to overcome.

Some people have been so hurt that they feel any sense of empowerment is not something they can do for themselves. Too much pain, too much suffering, so they would rather just give it over to another.

I believe that happiness comes from within, not from without. I can’t rely on anyone else to make me happy, I have to find it in myself first. I have had a lot of experiences over my lifetime that have shown me this, and I share this notion every week because I believe that in doing so, I can help others on their paths with the struggles we inevitably all encounter.

I say that overall I am not a judgmental person. For the most part, this is true. However, I still manage to get myself caught up in the fervor of the negative news. There are organizations and groups that I will point to and express my opinion as to their position in this world. I say things about them that perpetuate and frankly expand the problem.

Terrorists are individuals. Politicians are individuals. Each one has chosen their own path, and though in many instances I thoroughly disagree with that choice there is probably very little I can do to dissuade those individuals. They alone can make that choice.

Unfortunately many of these individuals strive to disempower others in the process of empowering themselves.   Though every individual can choose for themselves how they wish to live their life, it is never right to disempower others in the process. You don’t empower yourself by taking power away from others.

Frankly, the opposite is true – empowerment of the self is empowering to others, and you gain far more by helping others than you do by taking. Building up is far more powerful than knocking down. Sometimes knocking down looks easier, but once you’ve knocked something down you have no structure, and the process of rebuilding can be fraught with challenges. Whereas if you are building something up, you have structure and more to go on.

Your path is not my path, but I will encourage you to do what you feel you need to do for your life.

I am going to break from my normal means of Pathwalking to address something I have been recently disturbed by. In reaction to the recent terror attacks in Paris, several politicians have expressed their unwillingness to take in refugees.

Here is the tie-in to Pathwalking: The refugees have fled rather than sacrifice the ability to choose paths for themselves. Instead of remaining in a war-torn, bombed-out nation where they must choose between bad and worse, they have given up the lives they know to choose a new path. They didn’t flee to spread more terror around the world, the fled to get away from it and start over. Rather than be disempowered by others they chose a very hard and difficult path to empowerment.

As I walk my own path, I do not do so ignoring the paths of others, no matter their circumstances. I also know that there are far, far more difficult and heart-wrenching paths to be chosen, and I respect that no matter how great or small it may be.

How do you view the paths of others?

 

This is the two-hundred third entry in my series. These weekly posts are ideas and my personal experiences in walking along the path of life.  I share this journey as part of my personal desire to make a difference in this world along the way.

Thank you for joining me.  Feel free to re-blog and share.

The first year of Pathwalking, including some expanded ideas, is available in print and for your Kindle.