A Day without Money

A Day for Individuality

The concept of Individuality is a surprisingly controversial one.  On one side, it's perceived as deviant and anti-social.  On the other side, it's seen as heroic.  The notion of Individuality is something that is often mistaken as being for celebrities only.  But the everyday person can do it also.  Where do you think celebrities come from?  They have utilized their creative talents and unique design to platform themselves into a status where they gain recognition.  That's all it is. Of course being weird, being different, opposing social patterns will indeed garner its fair collection of disapproval.   However, among those who have fought that battle for their sense of identity will understand the power behind one's uniqueness.  Herein lies the gift behind knowing one's identity. 

"The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been."  [Albert Einstein]

There was a time when I tried to hide.  Essentially, I had attempted to conceal my very core entity in the hopes of fitting in.   I took on mannerisms of other people.  I thought to myself:  "if that's how they behave, then I need to do exactly that to blend in."  That mask was clearly more transparent than I had originally hoped.   Society kept asking why I was different. They saw my inherent, personalized characteristics and called me out for them.  Yes, I'm an effeminate male with a feminine flair.   The point is:  I need to be that because that's who I am.  I can't change that, just like I can't alter my height or ethnic background.  Despite my attempts to conceal myself, my purest self still found a way to be illuminated.  I needed to embrace the very core entity of who I am because that uniqueness is the gift that was given to me.  My uniqueness is the very gift I give to the world... in whatever manifestation that might ultimately mean.  It took plenty of time and plenty of self-reflection, but the ultimate realization that needs to be learned is:

YOUR UNIQUENESS IS A STRENGTH!!!!!!!!!


No matter what anyone else says, being honestly You is the very most powerful thing you can do.   No more denial. Okay?!  Even those who might not want to admit it, know it.  In business, in marketing, they use the word "branding" to refer to the individuality of one's company/brand/product... and guess what, you can do it too!

Too frequently, we revel in celebrities who wear quirky clothes and trend-bending hairstyles and think to ourselves: "I love that, but I can't pull that off."    I'm here to say that if you love it, there's a part of you who wants to be it.  So be it.   Go ahead and experiment with the various thoughts of your individuality.  Have fun.   You're allowed.   Life is a celebration anyway.  So celebrate you.  Celebrate your knowledge of You.  By nature of being a fully realized Self, it is our inherent talent to challenge normalcy.  As you continue with your day/week, compose a list on behalf of the following question:   "In what ways do I challenge the definition of normal?"  Then see how many you can come up with!  


"Anyone who knows himself is never disturbed by what others think about him." [Buddha]


In my journey, I learned that I was seeking approval from the wrong people.  Too many of us worry about not fitting in because we have allowed ourselves to become convinced that the lives of others are the ways in which our own lives are to be.   This is not always true.  The only approval what should ever matter to you is your own.  Therefore, it becomes our journey to create ourselves.   We need to take time, make time, and find time to construct our fully realized selves from scratch!  Utilizing the trends of others, using their mannerisms ... these are acts that are no longer allowed in the minds of the creative self.   Are you paying attention?

You are unique, and that's what makes you amazing.   Did you know that?!  You are amazing.   You are fabulous.  You are fantastic.  You are above the ordinary.   So go ahead and shine today. 

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."
[Maryanne Williamson]

A Day of Kindness

Practice kindness today.

Well, with kindness, there is no practicing.  You simply do it.  You just be kind.  The first time might feel like practice.  Maybe even the first few times.  Kindness sees where there is no kindness. 

Ok, in that case... Do kindness.  Be kindness.  Choose kindness. 

"Perfect kindness acts without thinking kindness."  [Lao Tzu]

How?

Send a letter or kind note to someone.
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 Thank someone today.  Then explain why they have earned your gratitude.
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 Compliment someone today... and mean it.
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Offer money or food to someone in need of a bit.
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Pay for a stranger's coffee.
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Cheer on random walkers/runners in the park.
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Use your time and your effort to work out a task on someone's behalf.  

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."  [Aesop]

Here's the catch... and this is true for all thoughts of Wisdom:   Once you've been informed of wisdom's truths, it becomes your responsibility to retain that information.  So should you become distracted or tired or angry, and should lose awareness of your path into kindness today, remember your responsibility. 

Then do it tomorrow,  and the next day, and the following day.  Then next week.... see where this is going?   Don't stop being kind, no matter the distractions.  

You will never know how deep the roots of your influence will reach, so share love at all times.  

You cannot be afraid to ask

It could be a bit difficult to have an advice blog where no one is seeking advice.

Look toward the right of your screen for my contact information.

Some daily inspiration:

An Advice blog? ... what do you mean?

This blog takes advice from as many voices as possible and compacts it down into a more simplified format.  This blog is for all ages and for all life's circumstances.

If your questions pertain to troubling circumstances, character flaws, or maybe just difficult people....
Ask.

If you don't know how to be yourself...
Ask.

If you feel judged...
Ask.

If you are grieving...
Ask.

If you are easily angered...
Ask.

If you lack motivation...
Ask.

If you lack gratitude...
Ask.

If you are afraid...
Ask.

If you feel unloved...
Ask.

You will never know until you ask. 

Introduction

Multiple roads lead to happiness; but to achieve complete happiness, one must walk each of those individual roads.

For me, it all started when I was fresh out of high school, about 18 years old. I sang in a church choir; rehearsals were weekly. At the time, the age majority of the choir was between 60 and 80. Every so often, during conversations or miscellaneous jokes, I would notice everyone else laughing when I meekly sat in silence. In short, I was upset at the fact that they laughed at everything. At 18 years of age, this also baffled me. I was judgmental, often asking myself: “What's so funny? How are these old people so happy?” It wasn't until a few months later that I realized my judgment was all for naught. It was a humbling experience to realize that I was the unhappy one and they were simply living their lives to the fullest. In that moment of humility, I soon discovered that this was a moment from which I can learn. Through the lives of these octogenarians, it became as evident as light that if I could take in everything they know about life, then maybe by the time I'm 80, I could have double that degree of wisdom. This goal, of course, was a rather adolescent way of thinking, but this also marked the first step in my journey toward wisdom.