Swimming Upstream

There are things in Life that can sometimes be predicted easily, right down to the most intimate detail, such as measurements, or calendar days or the changing tides in seas. Or much larger things like earthquakes, or eclipses out in space. And it all usually comes down to the scrutiny and study of tracking moving and activity of a particular subject. But how do we then assume the basic instinct of predicting the behaviours of something eratic like the weather...or even more so...a person.

The truth is, we are all creatures of habit, and live according to routine. It's the reason why society has devised and adapted to things like laws and infrastructure, that ensure that there is balance throughout our everyday living. And as human beings, we've adaptapted quite well to the process of evolution, and have also become unpredictable in our ability to change and conform. So are we not then flexible creatures who live outside the boxes of habit and routine? After all, we change in order to keep up with change. But the truth is, it is within human nature to resist the elements, and to challenge our environment that we're surrounded by, how else would we survive.

So then the question is this, in Life, is it better to be flexible, and to change as changes come, and as we learn new things in order to survive? Or do we simply resist change, to ensure the survival of our own individuality and our own ideas, visions and opinions? Because in the end, one way or another, change and adaptability all depends on making life easier for ourselves, in order to survive. Or are we simply kidding ourselves, and like salmon...swimming up against the stream of Life and Evolution.

Making Happiness

Isn't it funny how the most expensive ingredients are usually the most delicate ones, and the ones that are hard to come by are the ones with the shortest longevity. Its generally the case that to make the best recipes, we always require the best ingredients, and that the best ingredients come at the highest price, and even after all that searching, saving and spending, the expiration date still doesn't seem far enough away.

And so it is with life, that the best ingredients to Happiness are the hardest ones to find, such as Love and Laughter. And then there are the ingredients that come at a higher price, such as Success and Patience. And its not as if the processes of mixing, kneading and baking are easy, because most often, finding the balance of all these ingredients can be tough sometimes. Even if you've accomplished all this, life still has a funny way of showing us that even the best recipes for Happiness does not make it last any longer.

So yes...Most often, good things are not really meant to last, otherwise they lose their value. And life knows just how to bring us crashing down, just when you've reached the summit of bliss, not to be spiteful, but to teach us humility. But just because happiness has an expiration date, doesn't mean I'll stop buying. Because even through good and even through sad times...This is my life...And nobody and nothing will stop me from smiling.

Baggage

I have found that sometimes in losing, we gain a lot more in life, than in holding onto baggage that simply keeps your life plane soaring above its limits. And sometimes we may find that there is baggage in our life, that we simply never thought to be baggage at all. Like most things in life that are often not what they appear to be, 'friendships' can resemble the kinds of cargo that one would rather have filled with great treasures, when in fact they're simply a lot more baggage than anyone should be willing and able to bare.

In airports, there are luggage counters, where one has to be checked in with all your luggage before you can get onto a plane that will take you to your desired destination. And at these counters a luggage check is undergone by a clerk who uses a series of mechanical and technical devices, all done to ensure that whatever you're taking along with you, does not compromise the security and safety of the flight, and does not result in defying the laws that keep the society moving as smoothly and effectively as possible in the location your journey will be ending at. You're also only allowed to take along a certain weight of baggage onto the flight, so often people only take along the absolute essentials, to make sure that they're not wasting any measure on things that they don't need to carry along with to their destinations.

So then one has to wonder, if so much stock is taken, and so many measures implemented, all for the sake of ensuring that you have a safe and enjoyable journey from your place of origin to your desired destination, then why do we find it so difficult to do the same in life? Because sometimes one has to do a luggage check, and ensure that what you're carrying are only the absolute essentials, and to simply dump the rest and enjoy your flight. Because if its not there to add value to your journey, then its not luggage your carrying, then its baggage instead.

Brands of Love

Sometimes Love can be like a drug, and just like any addict, one has to find out which is your preferred 'high', and what takes you to the mental, physical and emotional state that you want to be. In essence, its about matching a particular user, to a particular drug, and from there it gets tricky...Its time to find your brand. Because not all are the same, although it may be a specific drug. The method in which it was made, from its point of origin, until the point of purchase or collection, and you can only expect to get out of it what has already been placed in there. But sometimes, there are ways to concentrate, and even enhance your particular drug.

Firstly, there are 3 categories within which the selection process of Love and the usage and practicality of it fall under. One can either attain all of them, one of them, or be blessed enough to have all three. The first understanding is this, that to practise Unconditional Love, requires a test of Character. The second is, that to practise Love Against All Odds, requires a test of Courage. The third is, that to practise Everlasting Love, requires a test of Commitment. But like most drugs, there is a strict prerequisite, a mandate that must be adhered to in order to practise the fine art of Love altogether. The rules are clear and mandatory to all, because in order to practise LOVE...we simply require Compassion.

For in our Character, we find that we can make good decisions, for better lives, and great loves. In our Courage, we can overcome fear, the unknown and accomplish miraculous things. And with enduring Commitment we negate the perils of infidelity and unfaithfulness. But it is through Compassion that we learn the true art of Love in our forgiveness. You see, just because someone does not love you the way you want to be loved, certainly does not mean that they're not loving you with all that they have...The art of loving is perfected through life and living, and sometimes they're just not the brand of love you're looking for.