What I Know / Don't Know

There are many things I know, but still many things that I may never be able to fully understand.

As I walked into work today, I focused on the full moon. Wearing my glasses I was able to see the fine details in the moon. It’s still very new to me, although the moon has always been there, I can see it in a new way. Through my life, I’ve always know the sun was there, the moon at night, and the stars. It never really hit me what I was looking at until recently in my life. This glowing thing in the sky is far far away from me, and the only knowledge I have of it is built by other people’s observations and research. As far as my senses are concerned, they are just dots in the sky or a big lamp and night light. There are still many things in this world that I haven’t learned with my own senses, but I’ve read about it like different cultures, extreme poverty, the surface of the moon, the weight of gold, underground rivers, an iceberg, the list goes on.

I know how grass is cut, I know how bricks are laid, I know how electricity is run, I know how signs are produced and channel letters hung, I know how brochures and flyers are set up and produced, I know that woodwind instruments produce unique sounds through their shapes, and I know that guitars emit different sounds through different sized strings and compressed lengths, I know how to jump, run, handstand, I know how to create with wood, I know that back flips are possible once fear is surpassed, I know how light reflects off of molecules and bounces back to our eyes, I know the resistance of gravity and just how much force it takes to jump over an obstacle. . . . these things are confirmed by my senses and are fully understood.

I know that wireless technology works, I know that computers work, I know that satellites in orbit exist and make my satellite radio work, I know that cell towers allow me to contact anyone by inputting a code, I know that lasers read CD’s that hold information, . . . but I don’t fully understand it.

I know how to care for myself and my children, I know what makes my wife happy, I know what makes people happy, I know what makes people sad, I know how a divorced heart aches, I know how an addict thinks, I know how it feels to be a father, I know how to sin, I know how to be real, I know how to act like I have it all together, I know myself . . . to an extent, I know only what I can see on the surface of others through my senses . . . but I don’t fully understand people.

I don’t know if there is a spirit world, I don’t know why I do things I don’t want to do, I don’t know if there is a God, I don’t know if there is life outside of earth, I don’t know if asteroids and meteors are real, I don’t know if there are really other planets in our solar system, I don’t know that there are other continents on this Earth . . . these are all things that I’ve never sensed, but I have been taught about them and have even seen these things in pictures and video.

My reality is defined through what I know and what I don’t know. It’s what I don’t know that intrigues me so much, and causes me to look deeper into life. Will I ever know the answer to these questions? Some maybe not, but I do know that if I ignore them, I will be wasting my time. What better purpose is there in life than to pursue what you don’t know? Otherwise you will become stagnant and float through life, living as if you had all the time in the world. But the truth is, we don’t, there is a limit to our lives here on Earth and in the time we exist, we must capture the moment and seek the unknown.

What do you know? Better yet, what don't you know?

Social Traps

A friend of mine at work made a comment the other day that pulled me into a common societal trap. She said, "That made my Monday" after hearing some good news. I responded with, "How do you 'make' a Monday" meaning of course that Monday's are traditionally the dreaded work day of the week. But if I am trying to live intentionally each day, why would I embrace this illusion that for some reason or another Monday's are excluded from days worthy of living full and happy? I understand it's the first day of the week and may possibly be more strenuous than the day before, however, it's still another 24 hours of my life, and every moment of my life should be intentional, heading in a positive direction.

This experience made me think deeper about why we react this way. Why do we resort to gloom instead of embracing the good things in life? Why do we try to 1up someone else’s bad day by flaunting our "even worse" day? Why do we strive to appear pitiful and worse-off? Although on the outside, it may seem we’re trying to make the other person feel better by comparing our worse day to their not-as-worse day, but in many ways it only feeds selfishness. People feel like they have to be sympathetic for you because you are in such a bad place.

So next time you’re faced with a social trap, take a moment to think first. There is always something to be happy about, so think +. You are alive and can do great things in your life. These social traps will only bring you down in life. Live your own life. Live on purpose!

A Jester Society

The other day, I made a joke, after-which a friend of mine said, "Wow, Nate, you are human!" I chuckled at the time, but being the person I am, I had to think deeper about this comment. Those of you who know me know that I can be a pretty quiet person. Although I do keep to myself a lot (I spend much of my time in though about deep questions about our lives, the universe, etc.) I do have a sense of humor as well (I love listening to the comedy channels on Sirius and comedy movies. I'm a big fan of Demetrius Martin, Monty Python, & Jim Gaffigan).

So, when this comment was said, it got me thinking; are we defined as human only when we act like everyone else? We live in a society where if you can't entertain the person you're talking to, they become uninterested. So, by acting different than the society standards, you become "alien". Obviously this was a joke and I know that he wasn't actually suggestion I was an extraterrestrial or anything, but the foundation of the comment rings true in our society. I think this line that is drawn in society is limiting to some. We shouldn't feel isolated and alone for wanting to examine life in a different way. The greatest philosophers, scientists, writers, etc. all have something in common, they break out of the norm in search of something more, something beyond the limits that society sets.

Why is this so important?
Our lives are the most important things we posses on this earth. It is very important to know where we are and to constantly think about where we are going. We need to focus on what increases our lives. A constant sense of humor is often like watching TV; it's entertaining, but doesn't usually add much to your life. I'm not saying a sense of humor is bad, however, when you have to enter every conversation with a stock of jokes and punch lines just to keep it interesting, there's something wrong. Think deeper, talk about the things that draw your curiosity and add worth to your life. Not only will you be benefiting yourself, but also those around you who are stuck in the boundaries of society as well. Hop over the line and continue the journey! I'll see you on the other side.

The Art of Owning Nothing

Financial freedom, it’s something many of us dream of, but never live to see. It is a dream that involved having zero debt, not owing anybody anything and fully owning your possessions. So why is it so hard to get on top of this heap of debt? One reason could be that we’re heading in the wrong direction. We desire more possessions, when really we should be taking some away. We want to live simple lives, yet commercials and ads are telling us we need more. Am I saying that you can’t have stuff? Not necessarily. I think that some stuff is good, but when it consumes your life more than enrich it, I think it has to go.

Take a moment and think about the things that consume your life . . . . Think about the friends and coworkers that you converse with. Think about the substances you put in your body. Are these things enriching your life? My guess is there are some things that aren’t. I believe that some of these things may be draining your life.

I encourage you; fill your life with things that push your forward. Drugs, alcohol and other harmful substances can cut your life short, as well as stress. TV and useless Internet browsing can leave your life stagnant, going nowhere. Did you know that the same internet you use to watch stupid people doing stupid things also contains things that will enhance your knowledge and understanding and add more to your life? One great source is through documentaries. You can go to sites like www.hulu.com or www.freedocumentaries.net and learn more about the world you live in.

So why is this so important? Why can’t we just sit on our couches and veg for the next years of our lives? We only live once, and if we are only living for the satisfaction of ourselves than we are not truly living. By living for ourselves, we simply exist.

There is an art to owning nothing. It gives a peace that surpasses understanding. You begin to find joy in relationships rather than money-consuming things. You begin to spend money wisely when you do spend it. It is when you begin to see beyond yourself that you can truly be financially free. Unlock your journey and push your life further than you ever thought possible.

The war between greed and peace

We all desire peace. Deep down in the depths of our hearts we want that feeling of good. We see it in our movies, in our stories; good overcoming evil. Our world has become greedy. We are only looking out for ourselves, to include me. It is obvious that this desire for greed and peace can not coexist.

When will we learn?

Greed is temporary satisfaction, but peace spans beyond a lifetime. If there is no good force, no desire for purpose, then we become empty vessels floating to an inevitable doom. Although it may seem like we are getting the most out of life by collection our "toys", in the end you can't take them with you. By giving yourself fully to your creator and owning nothing, you will find your purpose.

We (being the only known life in our solar system capable of emotion and a desire to seek meaning for our existence) are fully responsible for the lives of our planet. What is stopping us from making a change and taking that responsibility? Our society feeds on greed; break free from its grasp. There is a better life for you, one with purpose. One that will span beyond your life here on earth.