Speak Up So I Can’t Hear You – Trash talkin’

First, second and third place go to me, myself and I. In a post game interview I had this to say, “Me is good but myself was better and I am the best. As far as you, well you never had a chance. It looks as though I may have it all figured out. With the closest competition coming from me only time will tell if I will be able to stay on top of my game. I think I can speak for myself when I say that you might have a chance at challenging me in the unlikely event that something should happen to myself. The likelihood of you beating me is a noble but delusional one. What you need to focus on is your game, your talents and not me, myself and I. As far as I am concerned you can not touch me. Take a good look at yourself and then look at myself. Do you see me? Now you have a baseline for improvement. As soon as you think you can see myself, well lets just say that would have been me a while back and you will have to work that much harder to catch up and I wont be in sight.”

I continued to ramble on, “You see, your game is weak like 7-11 coffee. You got no skills son.” I chuckled and continued, “Please, you know that hell would freeze on the sun before you could play at my level. I’m so nice Homeland Security raises the terror alert when I play because they know I am about to blow shit up. Thats real talk.”

I Am A Cactus

Not sure where this is going so it probably will not make to much sense.

Like the cactus I too exist in a harsh and desolate environment. The people around around me are as dry and lifeless as the sands that surround the cactus and are just as sustaining. There I stand weathering the hot arid days waiting for the reprieve of the cool darkness of night. Hoping for the soothing of the night winds to blow across my hot, thick green hide. How bitter sweet my break from the heat that seems to just stick to me. It sticks to me like soft chewing gum sticks to the unwary shoe. With the night’s coolness comes the threat of those lacking the ability to bare the searing heat of the day. Those that find the blinding heat draining and unable to cope with the heat from above them and the hot griddle beneath their feet. Don’t I look like an easy meal. Something to be easily exploited for their own needs. Yes you may harm me but how much damage will you do to yourself in the process? My needles are sharp and numerous. From every angle I have my armor in place to defend  me. In this environment a small wound can easily be your undoing. Just a small wound is all it would take for the tables to turn and for you to be exploited by another.

Instantly I see a flash of light. A bright orange glow in sharp contrast to the utter blackness of night. With each passing moment it grows in intensity. How silent it crept up on us, stalking us for hours. Then to pounce so quickly. Effortlessly bathing us in a warm glow. Like blood before it cools on the skin. Dawn has come to usher in a new day like a VIP on the red carpet. Who needs the artificial flashes of the paparazzi when we have the flash of a new day? Smile! I am a cactus.

Just Because Is Not Good Enough

I have a problem with people who can not, do not or will not express their understanding of their routine, behavior or beliefs. They become robots going about their lives never understanding their own reasons for their routines. Questioning why we do the things we do, why we believe the things that we believe is tantamount to stopping and smelling the roses. Why is it acceptable to stop and admire nature and to share our thoughts and feelings about this experience yet conversely it becomes taboo to stop and think about why we behave or believe in a certain way and to share our thoughts and feelings about that? Is it to much to ask that we be able to explain our actions when considered in the context of accountability? If I am going to be held accountable for my behavior and ideals should I not at least be able to clearly define them and give reasons for adhering to them? “Just because” is not a reason. It ceased being a reason when society determined we were of the age of accountability.

Judge – “Why did you murder that man?”

Me – “Just because.”

Judge – “Well that clarifies everything. You are free to go.”

Life is about engagement. Engaging others in dialogs, even uncomfortable ones is how we enlighten each other. Even if you are not an expert or feel that you are not qualified to discuss in depth a given topic you are an expert to discuss in depth how you perceive it affects you. You are the expert when it comes to your own behavior, your ideals and convictions. You are the expert when it comes to you.

If just because is acceptable then allow me to take advantage of you, just because.

Even if the reason is not very sophisticated there should always be a reason for our actions. These cumulative reasons, when shared, are like the small sparks that collectively start a flame which in turn illuminates the dark. Could not these reasons serve as a source of enlightenment to others? Share the knowledge and wisdom you have learned with those who seek it. Be flattered that a query has been made of your reasons and that some may consider them valid. Queries come in many forms and our answers or lack there of should not be formed by preconceived notions of the motives of those that inquire. To quote a proverb from the book of the Christians, “An answer when mild turns away rage”. Share what you know and what you do not. Perhaps by doing so you will add your spark that ignites the flame.