Are you Enjoying the Journey?

What are your thoughts on embracing the notion of True Responsibility, as set forth in the commentary below (i.e., the third/last excerpt from Chapter X/The True Responsibility of Supporting Others - from my book, A Glimpse of Heaven: The Philosophy of True Health)?
Certainly, a lot of us commonly do not embrace and/or 'enjoy the journey.' We are afraid of changing how we look at things, how we view the world - we intrinsically fear the effort and repercussions of looking objectively at our internal and external environments. We become in-effect, addicted to our world view, and any deviation from our false sense of comfort and security prompts a seemingly innate uneasiness. We allow ourselves to focus our attention almost exclusively on our destination… ignoring the sights along the way - in fear of looking at things in an unblemished fashion. We gather an unhealthful sense of contentment and false security in believing that we know everything, and/or everything we think we need to know about the drive down the same street we have driven hundreds or thousands of times, literally…or analogous of life in general. We reach for, and faithfully clutch onto a perceived-to-be safe and comfortable plateau - a living death while alive. This is not to sound or be harsh: This sad commentary is just that…sad, truly so, when contrasted with wonderfully healthful possibilities of realizing levels of mastery in our lives which are within our reach…higher and higher levels…never ending until the last day, the last moment of our existence here…and maybe in the beyond.

Embracing the notion of taking True Responsibility for ourselves and supporting others' abilities to do the same, enables us to realize greater levels of clarity. It is a bit of heaven which we can glimpse. This level of insight necessitates a healthful philosophical and practical way-of-life in which we can foster ongoing growth - inclusive of a level of mastery over the skill of exercising effort: in these traditions, coined True Effort.
Through True Effort we can learn to gather a True Appreciation of Mastery. In this outlook, being masterful does not include absolute perfection. It means we can gather valuable ever-evolving skills which are congruent with truly deep awareness and appreciation thereof. This practice is requisite of a formidable exercise of free will and self-discipline - true love of, and appreciation for, the miracle of this endless opportunity. Most importantly, it can only be accomplished when we are regularly and selflessly supported in our ability to succeed - AND we do the same for others. It is truly healthful diplomacy, whether between individuals, groups, societies, or countries. It is an appreciative acknowledgement that we are all in the Same Boat. This is True Health…it is the art of life - living it as such…on this Earth together.
Some may say that it sounds as if 'it doesn't get better than that'…but accordingly it does…impeccably so…on-and-on, e.g., Heaven/Perfection - if it exists - a 'place,' so-to-speak, where there is no time, no space, no distance - nothing to hide behind - more than a glimpse of heaven - more than True Health.
None of us can do it alone, but individually, we can take responsibility for ourselves by exercising necessary levels of 'true effort' which empower us to continuously improve - while supporting others' ability to succeed - better insuring that the 'boat' remains more stable/sustainable: As reflected in earlier chapters, "The primary fault of mankind is the notion that you are there and I am here." Accordingly, we are not just in the Same Boat together - we are intrinsically connected in ways which we cannot rationally understand - ways we can only witness.
If all of this is true, it requires True Faith to put it into practice - inclusive of faith in ourselves and others - devoid of the Three Portents/harbingers of all bad tidings: hate, greed, and ignorance. Faith such as this IS True Health. Let it shine.
Bestow a string of faith,
For faith we might have,
Unto the jester of light
In the comedy of reflections,
As we stand upon this stage,
In awe of
Endless,
Encompassing,
All.

Dr. Glen Hepker 
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New Year-- New Opportunities

With the new year, we have another splendid opportunity to embrace new beginnings, whether rooted in new goals, or the rekindling of old goals which we never fully answered to. The significance/practice of "'doing it until it works' - working at it…working at it…until nothing short of success is enjoyed" can be a powerful notion, if we choose to make it real. This dynamic of this outlook is inclusive of a deep awareness of the importance of becoming more and more skilled in the things that we do in life - most particularly the healthful things which beneficially contribute to our quality of life. We CAN chose to lovingly embrace the notion of life being a highly-evolved art form: We CAN endeavor to selflessly outgrow our desire for excuses, blame, and complaint. Yes, this IS difficult stuff, but we CAN take ownership of this healthful philosophy, realizing it often takes True Effort to succeed...to outgrow bad habits (making unhealthful practices less and less necessary). It is True Health through True Responsibility.
At a most difficult level of True Effort, True Forgiveness of ourselves and others can manifest into reality: We can alleviate ourselves of this terrible weight. In all, it is congruent with our True Responsibility of making the world a better place. In taking the logic a bit further, we can realize that, among our greatest of responsibilities, we CAN enjoy the dire insight that we have no excuse but to be justly supportive of others - and how we can unselfishly and splendidly benefit from this practice. It is allowing ourselves True Freedom in enjoying life's ultimate gifts.

Too often we say we want to do something or accomplish something - until we discover how difficult it is. We realize that the journey toward the goal or objective is not enough fun - is too complicated - too nasty - too trying. We so often refuse to enjoy the miracle of the journey toward the goal - we focus our eye only on the reward - being unwilling to appreciate and objectively witness the 'big picture.' We are all capable of looking at this same issue through a more healthful lens: What a wonderful gift we can allow ourselves if we work toward a goal while displaying True Appreciation of the Miracle of the Moment… each moment of the journey. This is impossible all of the time - albeit recognition of the significance of this practice is a key aspect of a True Effort which cannot be separated from a healthful means of trying and achieving. It requires us to learn to better and better embrace our comfort and discomfort equally, lightening our loads of distastes, distastes which are often rooted in circumstances which we do not even recall. Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) made this point: "We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them."
According to the philosophy defined herein, a significant level of True Health clearly reflects the healthful practice of employing True Effort - and real and substantive True Effort cannot be realized unless such action is in distinct congruence with 'doing the right thing for the right sake,' e.g., the 'right sake' being 'without the need for selfish recognition.' Herein, so-to-speak, our 'load is lightened,' fostering less and less stress and anxiety - making True Effort possible and actually enjoyable when we realize a lightness of being, not bogged-down by selfish and/or emotional baggage …a wonderful, abundant level of healthful true self-efficacy. In looking at the issue in full circle, doing the right thing for the right sake, unto itself, when contrasted with other healthful objectives which we might attempt, is among the most difficult - requiring an amazing amount of effort. Albeit, nothing will better enforce substantive realization of comprehensive and genuine health and wellness.
If we wish to take True Responsibility for our own health and wellbeing, then it may be possible that we can learn to mindfully and objectively witness and make real the notion that life should be the highest of art forms: The more and more selfless one becomes in creating one's art form, the more and more beautiful and healthful the art, the artist becomes. It is learning to Play the Part of the Perfect Witness - to oneself and the world in which we are an integral part. It is an outlook which is unblemished and light. It is True Honesty…learning to prefer to not be weighted-down by desire of recognition for one's good work/effort. It is a significant key to unlocking the door to True Health.
When making healthful positive changes in one's life, it is of great importance to be truly appreciative of the miracle of being able to do so. This is a gift made real by our own efforts and by the efforts of others. True Health is being a loving witness to the process and knowing not to be afraid of the notion that there is always room for improvement (which may be among our greatest blessings on this Earth).

It is amazing what we as human beings can accomplish when we do not give up. Notwithstanding, we often display little faith in the obvious potential benefits of making healthful changes in our lives. We have the strength and wherewithal to succeed in any goal we set for ourselves, if we are willing to 'do it until works,' never giving up. It won't ever work otherwise. This New Year can be special, it CAN be different, if take true responsibility and make it so. What a beautiful blessing! What a beautiful gift we can allow ourselves. The below saying speaks well to this point:
The Lotus Flower Blossoms (as set forth in Chapter XV of my new book):
There is a place where, wherever you are there, whatever you are doing…no matter what, in any given moment, there should be nowhere you would rather be. It is where you are right now - and you have the ability to so deeply and artfully appreciate your life and its living…to connect one healthful insight to the next, and make them all one…learning to witness this already-existing truth.
In the wilderness of our existence…a place of budding flowers about, about to unwrap in a showing of perfect appreciation for all to thrive upon, we are the flowers which can blossom again and again in each season of our deeper and deeper insights…all connected…each better and more healthful than before.
It is not unlike Heaven…and it can become Heaven, with enough insight and appreciation. It takes quite a few sparks, glimpses - spine-tingling moments…as a way-of-life which becomes more and more purposeful…more and more without time or space or distance. More and more there is less and less to hide behind.

A Lost Heart

Rest assured when I say “A Lost Heart” it does not mean what you think it means.  It does not imply a lost love, or anything romantic at all.

When my late British West Indian Mom said those words, she usually meant “to give up on something or a person”.  How do those words apply to me as a writer? 

Here's my story:

Back in April 2008 (04/05/2008) I started a blog on a site called “Writing Dot Com”.  I did this because I had a co-worker who is an avid writer, had an account there, and recommended it to me.  Like a curious cat, and since I've NEVER been a member of such a site in the past, I decided look into and try it.  First with a free account, then moving on to a paid account, then posting my own personal blog.

Back then my blog was a source of therapy because I was going through many rough areas in my life.  My blog helped me to talk it out. 

Back then I had been taking care of my Mom who had been mentally and emotionally ill, for 35 years and was (and still am) working on a job which was/is extremely stressful. Eventually, as one of her old doctors predicted, Mom became much too ill to handle medically and I had to make the decision to place her in a nursing home.  Plus I had to deal with my own personal demons.  So you can best believe I was burning up the keyboard with HEAVY blog entries. 

While I was doing this my blog was open for WDC (Writing Dot Com) members who were very supportive and encouraged me to publish my blog as a book.  Why?  Because it would be helpful and encouraging to others who are in the same fix.  I briefly toyed with the idea, but wondered, who would read this?  Who would believe this stuff?  I didn't think anyone would read and take what I have written seriously. 

Truly I've re-read some of the stuff and it scared me. Indeed were I to edit and publish this, I might drive readers AWAY instead of TO the book.  Sad to say, those who suffer mental/emotional illness are  considered a pariah to some, and a source of ridicule to others. Yes, even in this day and age.

Unfortunately, on 08/04/2010 my life was “reset” as my Mom passed away at 0400am that morning.  Had it not been for God, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ I would've totally lost my mind.  Since I am her only child, and she had no close relatives, I was the only one left to  make her arrangements.  That's where my Christian family stepped in with helping hands in every area. I am eternally grateful to God and to them for that.  Since then my personal life has about-faced and taken a totally different direction.

What has happened to the blog since then?  I no longer make entries in it.  Why?  I've “lost heart” to continue.  I've lost “the fire in the belly” so to speak.  I am no longer inspired to blog about my life in that manner any longer.  So I have closed the blog.

It kind of saddens me because as I read over some of the past posts. Even though some are horrifying, they are precious and bring tears to my eyes.  Why?  I had unknowingly documented the last three tumultuous years of my Mother's life.  Had I known that, I would've blogged much more about her.  The real person she was before several nervous breakdowns, crippling mental and emotional illness and eventually death, stole her away from me. 

Alas, I have lost the opportunity. . . . .

Shaharazod A Sekk, an aspiring writer. . . . . .

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