Month: May 2015

Metaphorically speaking, each and every one of us has five bucks. If there were a device to measure it, we could gauge our intelligence, strength, and ability to live for ourselves and help others around us.

Imagine you’re standing on a riverbank and need to get to the other side. First, you must think, plan, and then act on your plan. You could gather some branches, build a raft, and row yourself across.

If wisdom, power, energy, and the ability to do everything were measured, metaphorically, each individual would be worth five bucks. If the whole community contributed their five bucks to build a bridge, everyone in the community could cross the river whenever they wanted.

Logically, a single individual is weaker than a large family, depending on whether they get along and work as a unit. One person might be very smart and have many resources to hire lots of help to function at a higher level. However, that intelligence still comes from their five bucks.

Fighting infectious diseases like Ebola outbreaks, addressing issues with global warming, the spread of the internet, or even building a space station is most effective and meaningful when humanity comes together with five bucks at a time.

Take, for example, a human cell. On its own, it seems meaningless, but under the right circumstances, it can create a whole, functioning human body with limitless potential. We each have trillions of cells in our bodies. Individually, a cell may seem insignificant, but when they work together, the potential is limitless. There’s a new world record for deadlifting—someone just posted it on Facebook—and it’s one thousand one hundred and fifty-five pounds. I see the potential for more because I know someone will break it in the future.

A child tries to mimic their parents and feels limited by the comparison between themselves and the grown-up.

I use this comparison between God and the individual. Like the child, we place everything impossible for us on God’s shoulders. We expect God to take care of everything that concerns us.

When we can’t handle a task, we pray to God for help. Believing you’ll receive help is great, but only after you’ve used up your five bucks—like the person who built a raft to cross the river. The idea of building a bridge and the community coming together is God speaking through human individuals. This means all advances made by mankind are related to God as well. These advances happen because God and mankind evolve with each other’s help.

If you separate yourself from God, which most religions believe we are, even the most innocent among us are considered born sinners and insignificant according to belief systems. I believe each of us is a crucial part of life’s grand scheme. If you believe you’re born in sin, your five bucks won’t go far.

For thousands of years, individuals have been put down. If you really buy into that, you risk feeling worthless and becoming a victim of an inferiority complex, which benefits the religion runners. Just look at the majestic buildings of religions; yet, despite all the head pounding or bowing down, you can’t find God there.

The real God is found in practical help to humanity. A survey in New York asked what made people feel really happy, and the overwhelming answer was helping another human in need. This spiritual happiness is what everyone seeks in places of worship. Ask yourself if you’re spiritually fulfilled by attending these places. If not, go out, find a charity, and pray practically, which relates to the God who lives through humanity.

When you bite off more than you can chew, it’s usually related to your five bucks. Ask yourself if you expect the community to provide you with bridges or if you can build a raft and row yourself across the river. Instead of sitting on the bank, take charge and live life on your terms. If you wait for the community’s help, you don’t respect your five bucks and don’t understand its value.

If you think it’s not enough to function at your desired level, you fail before even trying. Society has brainwashed you into not using your five bucks to live your life. This attitude of inferiority and lack of self-worth holds you back.

Trailblazers usually appreciate and value their five bucks. They take charge and dive into life’s adventures fearlessly.

Happiness is related to understanding your ability to be flexible, accepting your limitations, and recognizing your potential. When you become the CEO of your life, you won’t be swept away by the politics of God, the Devil, or the politician running the religion.

There’s always a hidden picture, and it’s you who must clear the influential fog of your time and era. After all, you are mortal with the responsibilities of your individual happiness and contentment.

If you believe you have more than five bucks because you became a doctor, a successful businessperson, or a superstar by your efforts alone, you’re oversimplifying life. You’ve always had help—from being a helpless baby to growing up. The sky isn’t falling, oxygen is still there, yet you have no control over it. The body’s complexity is so vast that we still don’t know everything about it. Sometimes, even the best doctors can’t save a dying person when their time is up. Running the show isn’t a task for a single individual.

The body’s functioning is a miracle. If you believe you’re doing everything yourself, you’re oversimplifying life. Just ask a sick person about their vulnerabilities, especially a successful person with a brain disease.

I’m not humanizing God; I’m clearing the clutter to make my case. We need to take individual responsibility and stop killing each other over incomplete knowledge of God.

Your five bucks are a direct connection between you and God. There is no middleman; everyone is blessed with free will. This is not about religious beliefs but personal spirituality.

The politics of belonging and false securities have reached a point where we must cross the lines of group politics and enter a zone where humanity is an evolving organism—one entity. God and mankind live through it.

As the human individual evolves and gains strength, God strengthens as well.

Today, instead of sacrificing innocents to please God, we save lives by predicting storms and tsunamis. We know more about earthquakes but still lack control because we’re a work in progress.

It may be against popular beliefs, but I don’t believe God punishes, destroys, or wants sacrifice. These are human emotions tied to incomplete knowledge. If God were responsible for everything, our five bucks, free will, and justice systems worldwide would be meaningless.

Think about whether you use your free will every day. Why use the politics of God and the Devil? If you’re honest, you’ll find your sense of belonging gets the best of you. As a CEO, if you can filter out politics of all kinds, you’ll find spirituality.

Regardless of our differences, humanity comes together during natural disasters. These are glimpses of God through human beings, if one wants to see it.

We want God to protect us because we’ve been taught to put God in that position, believing He can do everything. With this notion, we remove our five bucks from the equation, sometimes facing disappointment.

Parents protect their child to the best of their ability, but sometimes it’s not enough. A teenager can be reckless despite available help, unable to appreciate it due to hormones. No parents can control everything all the time. When grown-ups act like teenagers, it’s due to incomplete knowledge and lack of understanding of hormones. Our chemicals dictate our feelings, leading to egotistical emotions about God.

We need to understand our emotions better. The entity running the computer and using the information must have the upper hand.

There’s a new theme of religion: human individual rights. Even the Pope has changed his tune because the world is changing. Look at the Irish referendum; human rights are the primary reason a Catholic country allows gay marriage.

Religion should be a spiritual system, free of politics. Religious rules as law belong to the political arm of religions, which has no place in spirituality. Religions have connected God with their laws, making them unchangeable. All laws need reason and foundation, but God exists in a realm where nothing is known for certain. This is why I oppose capital punishment—our knowledge is never complete. Killing someone without complete knowledge is unacceptable. The proof is in our everyday progress. From technology to science to human relationships, we’re evolving into a new era despite resistance from conservative and religious people.

The dynamic interplay between the sense of belonging and the sense of freedom permeates various facets of human existence, shaping our choices and perceptions. Consider the analogy of walking through life: intentionally stepping into dog feces results in an olfactory reminder of our actions, eliciting judgment from others. Life’s journey is fraught with responsibilities, demanding mindfulness and consideration for those around us. The sense of belonging inherently compels us to regard the opinions of others, from our outward appearance to our affiliations with societal groups.

This intrinsic desire for acceptance often leads us to conform without question, manifesting in behaviors ranging from brand loyalty to extreme acts driven by allegiance to ideologies or affiliations. The allure of belonging can be so potent that we act on autopilot, seemingly devoid of alternative perspectives.

Conversely, the sense of freedom embodies a disregard for societal norms and expectations, championing individual autonomy. However, this pursuit of individuality can paradoxically lead to self-imposed constraints, such as social isolation or disregard for personal health.

These contrasting impulses are ingrained within each individual, yet we possess the agency to navigate their complexities. Whether addressing physical, psychological, or spiritual imbalances, the onus falls upon the individual to achieve equilibrium. Inner conflicts often arise from an imbalance between these competing urges, necessitating conscious effort to restore harmony.

Belonging to a group often entails surrendering some degree of personal autonomy, as collective interests supersede individual agency. However, it is incumbent upon each individual to critically evaluate whether conformity serves their best interests. The path to self-realization lies in embracing the role of a CEO in one’s life, capable of questioning societal norms and forging an authentic path.

While affiliation with religious or nationalistic groups provides a sense of identity and security, it also necessitates adherence to prescribed ideologies and politics. However, as individuals endowed with free will, we must recognize our spiritual autonomy and resist actions that violate our moral compass, irrespective of societal pressures.

True spiritual identity transcends political affiliations, encompassing a connection to humanity as a whole. While political identities may align with specific groups, our inherent humanity supersedes such categorizations. The pursuit of equal rights and justice necessitates a blind adherence to principles, irrespective of societal divisions.

Fundamentally, we are born into the human family, qualifying us as members of humanity. Attempts to confine individuals within narrow group identities deny their inherent potential. As CEOs of our lives, we must question any directives that contravene our moral principles, reaffirming our connection to humanity above all else.

 

From healthcare to personal relationships to spirituality, the principle remains constant: it takes active participation from both parties to achieve harmony and success. While healthcare is a noble pursuit with profound spiritual and humanitarian implications, it necessitates individual responsibility. One cannot simply rely on medical professionals to manage all aspects of their well-being without actively participating in their own care. Life is to be lived, but within certain standards conducive to well-being and quality of life. Failure to actively engage in one’s own health leads to disconnection across various facets of life.

Similarly, belief in a higher power, such as God, can provide solace and guidance in life’s journey. However, like medical professionals, God requires the individual’s input and cooperation. Placing undue reliance on God or medical professionals, regardless of disabilities or circumstances, results in stagnation rather than growth. Both entities can offer guidance and support, but true success requires the individual’s active involvement.

In many cultures, God holds a prominent position, often shouldering burdens and responsibilities. However, extremes exist, with some relegating God to a passive role while others relinquish personal agency entirely. Striking a balance is essential; God should serve as a guide rather than a driver. Dismissing God entirely leads to a burdensome existence, while excessive reliance diminishes personal responsibility.

Similarly, in personal relationships, whether with a doctor, spouse, or God, effort must be reciprocal. Unilateral expectations breed imbalance and dissatisfaction. Both parties must contribute equally to ensure the relationship thrives. Holding sex as a bargaining chip undermines the foundation of mutual reciprocity essential for healthy relationships.

By fostering honest effort in all aspects of life, happiness becomes attainable regardless of circumstances. Physical health improves through collaborative efforts with medical professionals, relationships strengthen through mutual contribution, and spirituality deepens with personal responsibility. Humility is key; recognizing the role of external factors, such as the oxygen we breathe, underscores our interdependence and limits.

Whether one believes in a higher power or attributes success to individual effort, humility is paramount. Our understanding of the universe and ourselves remains incomplete, leaving room for growth and discovery. Acknowledging our dependence on external factors, such as oxygen, grounds us in humility, reminding us of our interconnectedness with the world around us. Until we reach our full potential, the debate over the existence of a higher power remains speculative. Embracing humility and acknowledging our limitations fosters growth and unity in our shared human experience.

Imagine yourself floating down the river of time, its currents varying between calm waters and turbulent rapids. Your position in this river dictates the challenges you face and the efforts required to stay afloat. If you find yourself born into turbulence or inadvertently swept into it, perseverance becomes your companion as you struggle to maintain stability. In the middle zone, a balance of tranquility and turmoil defines your journey, while those fortunate to reside in the calm zone glide effortlessly, spared the need for constant vigilance.

Yet, regardless of our placement in this metaphorical river, our eyes are fixed on the distant calm, viewing it as the ultimate destination. Driven by the desire for peace and stability, we often become consumed by the pursuit, forgetting our mortal nature and neglecting the pursuit of happiness and contentment essential to our transient existence. As mortal beings, our primary goal should be to accrue as much joy as possible before our inevitable departure from this world.

However, the revelation of a limited lifespan serves as a sobering reminder of our mortality. As the CEOs of our own lives, it falls upon us to make decisions with full awareness of our temporal nature. While striving for the calm zone may seem enticing, it risks limiting our experiences and inhibiting our pursuit of fulfillment across all aspects of life. Instead, adopting a holistic approach, viewing life as a multifaceted project with various departments, ensures that happiness and contentment are not sacrificed in the relentless pursuit of tranquility.

As a personal trainer, I advocate for progress without complacency, introducing my clients to the concept of the ladder of horizon. Picture yourself climbing a ladder, surrounded by countless individuals above you. Though progress may feel slow, each step forward is a testament to your perseverance. However, there comes a point where further ascent seems impossible, leading to frustration and discontent. In such moments, it is vital to gain perspective: look down and appreciate the progress made, while also finding inspiration in the achievements of those above you, fostering gratitude and motivation.

Yet, whether navigating the river or ascending the ladder, it is imperative to acknowledge the transient nature of our existence. While striving for the calm may be tempting, it should not come at the expense of our present happiness and contentment. Ultimately, we must embrace the reality of mortality, living our lives with purpose and fulfillment, mindful of the journey’s ephemeral nature.