thinkingaspie

[thinkingaspie]

You might be in a dark place now, but if you keep on going you will eventually find the light at the end of the tunnel!

We Fall.

We Break.

We Fail.

but then...

We Rise.

We Heal.

We Overcome.

[thinkingaspie]

What if we Grow Used to Being Inside?

I have wandered what will happen if we are put under lock down for a very long time. What if we get so used to being inside and we won't want to leave the house anymore? What if it becomes the norm? We might only leave the house momentarily to purchase essential goods for our family members. We might only communicate with our friends and family members on our smart phone devices or on social media. Perhaps, an evolution of what the majority of society does anyway. Not indefinitely (forever) but maybe for a little while after. You see, we do most of the things we do in our society because of an established norm. But, most of the things we consider the norm today, in the distant past, were the total opposite. We got used to doing things in a particular way, we adapted and then those things became the norm. Take for example how quickly we adapted to modern technology and the internet or the customs, traditions and holidays we practise and celebrate. Think about how many children prefer to stay in and play video games or browse social media or how an entire family can sit at a table looking at their phones while having a meal without exchanging a single word or a group friends might stand or sit around tapping on their phones and send messages to each other without hardly saying anything to one another at a party or get together (I've seen it happen). Now a lot of those things have become the norm but it wasn't always that way. In the past people would dine on a meal and engage in conversation. Children would play outside. Friends would engage/interact with each other more at parties and get together's. You get the idea. I am not saying none of those things happen anymore but they don't happen as much as they used to. . None of this is new, it has been happening since we began as a species. During the middle ages society relied on the church for answers and guidance, now we rely on scientists for answers and guidance. During Ancient Egypt it was the norm to attend a temple every day and perform a holy ritual for the Gods. In the Victorian Era  men were expected to provide and protect, women were expected to care of the children, look after the household and obey their husbands. During the 60's whites and blacks were not allowed to mix, sit next to each other, use the same bathrooms or drink from the same water fountains and interracial relationships were rare. We look back on them now and think some of them were either illogical, strange, immoral or unethical but most people back then perceived them as normal. Eventually, those norms were analysed, questioned and challenged leading to the birth of movements like the suffragettes and the civil rights movement and so on.   But, who knows how our society will function and behave after the lock down has been lifted and the outbreak has been contained. After all, we are creatures of habit. A fact, which has been proven many times throughout our history.

[thinkingaspie]

A closed minded person is more likely to believe that all Rap music is about chasing money, objectifying women and glorifying gang culture or all Metal music is about worshipping the Devil, getting angry and smashing guitars.

A closed minded person is more likely to believe that all people who listen rap music lack intelligence and congregate in gangs and all people who listen to Metal music are angry and naturally anti-social.

A closed minded person is more likely to believe rappers are talentless, but if they were asked to rap they wouldn’t be capable of doing it. Therefore, proving there is skill and talent involved. Besides, where would there be entire schools dedicating to teaching people how to rap if there was no talent or skill required to rap? There are many skills a rapper should learn/know in order to be successful. Such as; flow, vocabulary, rhythm, rhyming, tempo, syncopation etc...

A closed minded person is more likely to believe all Metal vocalists scream. They might also believe Metal vocalists have no talent or skill. Firstly, Not all Metal Metal musicians scream. Also, it is extremely difficult to scream. There are a variety of techniques, such as vocal control, throat control, frying, falsetto, and many schools are dedicated to teaching Metal vocalists how to use them. Not all ‘screams’ sound the same, and there are many Metal vocalists who don’t scream either. Some Metal vocalists use clean vocals, fry vocals or operatic vocals but some growl, guttural, shriek, shout, rap, or scream. Some bands combine a clean vocalist with a growler and screamer (think Evanescence) or a screamer with a rapper (think Linkin Park) and, so on.

In the end, It entirely depends on the sub genre of Metal music.

But, an open minded person would know all of those judgements are false.

People from all backgrounds listen to both genres of music.

There are hundreds are sub-genres within both genres that all sound completely different and the lyrics tackle focus on unique topics.

For example, Nerd Rappers, rap about video games, science fiction, fantasy and, so on.

A Conscious rapper will rap about spirituality, the third eye, consciousness, meditation, eastern philosophy etc...

Political rap is about politics, foreign policy, corporations, the War on Terror, the War on Drugs, 911, conspiracy theories etc...

Hip hop = Gangster Rap, Crunk, Trap, Conscious Rap, Nerd Rap, Oldschool Hip Hop, East Coast Rap, Alternative Hip Hop, Snap, Battle Rap, Freestyle Rap, Drill, Country Rap, Chopped & Screwed, Christian Rap, Horrorcore, Political rap, Avant-garde Rap, Neuro Hop, Miami Bassetc... etc...

Metal = Heavy Metal, Christian Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Alternative Metal, Shoegaze, Fusion Metal, Suicide Black Metal, Power Metal, Thrash Metal, Groove Metal, Post-Metal, Doom Metal, Viking Metal, Celtic Metal, Glam Rock, Grindcore, Extreme Metal, Technical Death Metal, Gothic Metal, Sci-Fi Metal, Funk Metal, Symphonic Metal, Djent, Stoner Metal, Pirate Metal, Industrial Metal etc... etc...

Power Metal is epic, it's full of power, it's got strings, horns, folk elements, fantasy elements and excellent classically trained singers.

Think: heroic knights, castles, dragons, magic, quest!

Pirate Metal is about pirates, sailing on the high seas, plundering ships and stealing all of that booty!

Sci-Fi Metal is about exploring the stars, dreaming of distant galaxies and planets, contemplating the mysteries of the universe, interstellar warefare and advanced civilisations!

One would only know those things, if they possessed an open mind.

An open mind leads to knowledge and knowledge leads to power and the power of knowledge leads to conquering ignorance, dispelling myths and expanding the mind!

[thinkingaspie]

You Don’t Have Forever

Each day we wake up, we are given another chance to connect with our loved ones, engage in our passions, make somebody else smile or laugh, eat healthily or go for a walk, work on our goals or whatever it is that makes us happy and feel alive.

Some people don’t have that opportunity... they never will or they never had.

We should think ourselves lucky that we do have that opportunity.

Make each day you wake, worthwhile, meaningful and full of purpose. Make time for your family, your friends and for yourself.

The truth is, you could be here today and gone tomorrow or somebody you love could here today and gone tomorrow. So, don’t wait until you have little time left to do the things you want to do or tell your loved ones how you feel, because then it will be too late.

[thinkingaspie]

Important Things to Remember if You Become Successful

I think it is important to remember that even if you do become successful or make lots of accomplishments, to always remember, where you came from. Keep your ego in check. Look upon people as equals, not below or higher than yourself (only a narcissist thinks like that). Be kind, compassionate, generous and courteous at all times. Don’t let your success, go to your head.

Give to those who do deserve it: family, loyal friends, significant other, charities (research first, some are fake) etc...

The way you treat others, will determine who you’re as a person, not the size of your wallet or whatever goals you have achieved.

On the flip side, don’t ever allow people to take advantage of you, don’t give money to those who don’t deserve it or those who suddenly become friendly with you because you made it or achieved something and don’t allow toxic people to steer you away from your success, EVER.

Good luck to those on the path of trials, tribulations, challenges and hard work.

May your success be plenty.

Keep going, never give up.

You are worth it!!!

[thinkingaspie]

How to Get the Most Out of Life

1. Always keep your mind and your body healthy (Exercise, sports, Yoga, critical thinking, eating healthy, meditation, mindfulness, quizzes, brain games, puzzles, documentaries etc.)

2. Always find ways to improve yourself.

3. Surround your self with people with the same energy and similar goals as you.

4. Save more, spend less, invest.

5. Never stop learning.

6. Be kind, courteous, conscientious.

7. Constantly find ways to step outside of your comfort zone (combine this with no.2)

8. Try and view situations from other people’s perspectives.

9. Know when to take a break and relax (take a nap, meditate, read a book, watch a movie, go for a walk, do yoga, listen to music).

10. Travel, explore, discover, experience other cultures, lands, traditions etc...

11. Stay positive and have fun (smile, giggle, compliment, laugh, dance, play, sing etc...) but don’t suppress emotions, it is unhealthy.

12. Do what makes you happy!!

13. Remember, “You could leave life right now, let that determine what you do, say or think” - Marcus Aurelius.

[thinkingaspie]

Ancient Wisdom

Here is a bit of Ancient Wisdom:

“Someone bathes in haste; don't say he bathes badly, but in haste. Someone drinks a lot of wine; don't say he drinks badly, but a lot. Until you know their reasons, how do you know that their actions are vicious?” - Epictetus, Enchiridion 45

Every single person on this planet has a story. Don’t judge people before you truly know them. The truth might surprise you.

[thinkingaspie]

6 things to be grateful for

1. Being able to experience life and all of its many wonders.

2. Being surrounded by the people you love and respect.

3. Being able to make decisions and learn from those decisions to make better decisions in the future.

4. Being able to develop and grow as a human being to become a better person to benefit yourself and other people.

5. Being able to reason, rationalise, question or debate because although the society you live in may not be perfect, you are capable of expressing your thoughts and feelings (within reason) without being imprisoned, exiled or executed.

6. Being able to wake up in the morning and live out another day because there are those who no longer or have never had the opportunity to do so. 

[thinkingaspie]

Stop Looking For a Perfect Partner

We shouldn't expect somebody else to take on all of our baggage, if we are not willing to do the same with them.

Most people expect other people to accept them for the way they are but they expect the other person to either meet their needs or change their personality if they don't meet their needs and I think that is incredibly selfish, immature and displays a lack of self responsibility.

If there is room for improvement, then work needs to be done, sorry, not sorry, but if you have anger problems, self esteem issues, lack of confidence, a big ego, trust issues, are prone to jealousy etc... then you need to work on all of those things, you cannot expect somebody else to just "put up with it all" as it isn't fair on that other person, at all. 

If it is possible for you to work on your anger, increase your confidence, work on your trust issues, develop your self esteem etc... then work on them, because it wouldn't be fair for your partner to just put up with all of that all because you're unwilling to work on your personal development or seek out professional help.

On the other hand, we have to be careful about expecting a perfect partner to come into our lives, because the perfect partner does not exist and never will exist and we ourselves will never be perfect either.

We shouldn't be looking for the perfect partner, we should be looking for somebody who is real, authentic, ‘human’... somebody who has flaws and imperfections but they have done their best to develop and grow as a human being. 

There here has to be balance.

It is unrealistic to expect another human being to be perfect and imperfect at the same time.

We shouldn't be composing lists filled with perfect characteristics: We should writing lists with the traits we are looking for in a partner and the traits we are willing to put up with in a partner.

You cannot expect your partner to be happy all the time, to never get stressed, to never have a day when they're down, to never get upset; those expectations are all unrealistic and unfair... but you do not have to put up with a partner who is abusive, aggressive, jealous or suspicious of you all the time either.

Don’t be willing to accept abuse or an overly jealous partner, but don’t be expecting your partner to always be happy or never make a mistake and make sure you work on yourself, but don’t expect yourself to be perfect either. 

Remember: balance is the key to a healthy relationship.

[thinkingaspie]

Never Surrender to the Haters

Because you have the guts to go after what you want, you're going to experience a lot of hate from other people who gave up on their dreams due to making excuses. It is difficult for those kind of people to watch somebody else pursuing their goals or becoming successful because they are too afraid to go after what they want themselves and have made lots of excuses for themselves. Which they have most likely developed due to irrational fear, perceived insignificance, desire for attention and perpetual ignorance.

Therefore, they will attempt to break you down and steer you away from your goals and dreams; asserting a never-ending cycle of pessimism and showering you with doubt, scepticism, condemnation and discouraging ideas. Doing so, enables them to hold onto power, to remain seated on their high chairs (or, high horses if you prefer) or elevated on their pedestals.

You must not, and I mean you must not grant them the opportunity to fill their egotistical/narcissistic coffers, if you do then it will be game over. They will consume all of your energy and you will be reduced to nothing but a shell of your former self. You will lose all hope and belief in yourself and your dreams.

In other words, “don’t let the haters destroy the visions you have for success or steer you away from your currently obtained success”.

Pursue your dreams with unrelenting fervour, unapologetically. Don't justify yourself to anybody, you’re You will never terminate the endless cacophony of naysayers, cynics and killjoys but you will always have governance over their ability to influence your ability to surrender to them and become their abused puppet or remain undeterred and focused on reaching your intended destination: success.

Keep going, don't give up. The road might be long and ardous, but if you carry on, if you don't surrender to the haters and to your inner doubts, you will have a much bigger chance at attaining what you want in life.

You are worth it, you are capable, you can do this!

And, remember: “You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.” - Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor