The Ramblings of the Titanium Don
Explorations of Conscious Reality Creation, Mindfulness, and Other Matters
True positivity is Zen. Many, many years ago, I was introduced to the idea of Zen when my best friend handed me the book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryū Suzuki. FYI, if you have not read this book, I highly recommend it. Why? Because Zen is an ultimate state of calm, peace, and being present in the here and now. It’s often joked about and even made fun of. But it’s a very good place to be because it’s
It’s super important to us and the world to be nice to ourselves. I’ve written it before – I’ll likely write it again. I am my own harshest critic. I also know full well that I am not in any way, shape, or form alone in this. Lots of people I know are most critical when it comes to themselves. While it’s a good thing to be self-aware and give ourselves critical focus for our overall good – it’s way
Anything is possible And that means a lot right now. Today is the 4th of July. Independence Day in the USA. Sadly, I am not feeling much like celebrating the nation. Too many steps backward, too many divisive forces doing worse and worst things. It’s a real challenge to feel like celebrating at all in this environment. But at the same time, I am not going to get all pessimistic about it. I considered titling this blog “Is this one
Yes, positivity can still be found. But it will probably be strictly personal. At the end of last week, the highest court in the United States did one of the most horrific things I could imagine. They took away the right of a person to choose what they do with their body. (Let’s be clear – if you think Roe v Wade was ever about the unborn and abortions – you are not paying attention). This was not the only
Yes, we can change anything. But it begins with ourselves. This weekend, two dear friends got married. Both, in the time I have known them, have changed in many ways. And the journey to get to this place together was not easy for either of them. But surrounded by friends and family, they pledged their love and lives together. Who you were is not who you are. And who you are is not who you will be tomorrow. That’s the
I shouldn’t do that, but I do. Lack of willpower? Distraction? Something else? Let’s explore. I know that I have an addiction to carbohydrates and sweets. Bread, cookies, pasta, candy, ice cream – everything that is bad for my overall health. This is why we tend to not keep bread, ice cream, and a lot of pasta in the house. However, my wife loves to bake, and bake for our friends – so these things still find their way here.
Positive intention gives us hope and is practiced with mindfulness. Lots and lots of people are struggling. After 2 years of a seemingly never-ending pandemic, an ugly, pointless war in Ukraine, the dark impact of reactionary conservatives in politics and business, and increasingly illogical anti-science and anti-reason campaigns, I know I’m exhausted. And so is virtually everyone else I know, too. No matter how strong you are, you can only take so much. Everyone reaches a point of saying, “That’s
Yes, you absolutely should take time off – and here’s why. I am terrible at taking time off. There is a certain sense of guilt that comes with what are my obligations. Even those that are self-imposed. When I don’t meet those expectations, I feel bad. That can turn negative on a dime, and before you know it the brain weasels start chittering. You’re bad, you are worthless, what do you think you are doing? etc. For this reason, taking
Both in the now and the long run, being genuine and true to yourself matters tremendously. How do you react when you encounter someone who is a fake? I’m not writing about someone you later learn is a fake. I mean, right from the outset. They put on airs, they seem confident not quite to the point of arrogance – but nearly so – and they come across as not quite right, slightly off, overwrought, and maybe trying too hard.
If the choice is “woke” and aware vs “asleep” and clueless, I don’t get it. I have been seeing a lot about this whole notion of “woke” culture from the far right being portrayed as a bad thing. What is “woke” culture, anyhow? A quick search online brings me to this conclusion – “woke” culture is where people, businesses, and other entities not impacted by certain injustices – for example, white people who will never endure what black people do
