Each one of us carries a personal album of good and bad memories. Unless there’s an issue with our brain, we should be able to access these memories anytime, by choice. Since our thoughts significantly impact our lives, we should learn to imagine the good as a movie and the bad as a snapshot. This skill can be a powerful tool for a healthy and happy life because focusing on one thing diminishes the physical impact of others.
Unfortunately, mastering this ability isn’t easy. Sometimes, getting stuck in our memory bank can ruin our present moment, potentially leading to serious physical ailments. This self-induced damage can be devastating to our already mortal lives. It’s not normal to turn a snapshot into a lingering video and replay it uncontrollably, yet it’s common. We can transform a long movie into a single snapshot and avoid negative effects, but this requires first acknowledging the issue and then addressing lingering concerns.
Western societies increasingly practice yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, techniques known to Eastern societies for thousands of years. Interestingly, Eastern societies now often follow Western trends. Keeping mortality in mind, along with a belief system that fosters a different mindset, can have a powerful impact on individuals.
Good context from our past can enhance our present, turning it into a good memory. It’s our responsibility to seek this powerful medicine because it can make or break our most important present moments. Knowing how to store our present moments as good memories is crucial. We have the power to heal or hurt ourselves. If you tend to turn a snapshot into an uncontrollable, constantly rewinding movie, you need to shift your focus to something that doesn’t cause anxiety or depression. You can choose to convert memories into a slide or a movie. Use your abilities to make your lifetime a good experience. Misusing this ability to harm your life is equivalent to self-destruction. In our mortal lives, both our days and moments are numbered. A thought should be a slide, not a constantly rewinding movie, especially if it’s causing anxiety. Learn to keep your thoughts as slides instead of horror movies.
I once read this metaphor: “Our cars have rearview mirrors much smaller than the front windshield, and there’s a reason for that. It’s our duty to understand this metaphor and apply it to our lives.” With hope and optimism, staying focused on the present usually results in good moments because you’re not depressed by the past or anxious about the future.
This complex problem has a solution: understanding our spiritual side, which is different from religious knowledge. Today’s religions often intertwine spirituality with political affiliations. Making changes against taught belief systems is difficult but necessary for true independence. Our seemingly innocent parents and societies shape us, making it hard to embrace something new and different. Defying and countering taught loyalties to our groups is challenging, but God points to our independence by blessing us with our personal atom of autonomy. This foundation of spirituality teaches us to believe wholeheartedly.
Whether good or bad, you have the power to turn memories into slides or movies. If you believe in following a special path in life, you’ll see the influence of your parents and society. There’s nothing wrong with ambition until it affects your happiness and health. Ask yourself why there are so many professions and why people aren’t happy and healthy. This acknowledgment helps you connect with the internal, natural picture you carry within. Believing in your personal picture can shield you from depression and anxiety. Remember, you can’t afford to sacrifice happiness and health to be accepted by others. This real-life example illustrates this point:
A long time ago, I took the kids to McDonald’s, where they gave out coloring sheets with Happy Meals. One sheet had a maze, a picture, and a dot-to-dot image. If a child could read numbers, they could create and color the picture. This dotted picture inspired me. I believe God has a picture for each of us, but the numbers aren’t placed, so we must individually connect the dots to create our unique pictures. If you’re lucky, you’ll find the right one and stay healthy, happy, and successful. Otherwise, you might follow societal trends and create a picture influenced by others, which may lead to success but not guaranteed happiness, satisfaction, or contentment. Losing happiness and health due to stress and frustration from pursuing someone else’s picture isn’t worth it. As mortals, we can’t sacrifice our lives for others’ approval. Remembering our mortality helps put things in perspective. You can’t spend your life fitting in or impressing others because you’re the CEO of your life, and others are just a department.
Imagine giving a child a picture with no numbers. They would still need to connect the dots to create the image but would have to rely on their imagination. If they can’t create the picture, they might become frustrated, complicating the problem further. This scenario mirrors why many adults are frustrated: we all have an idea of how we want our lives to be, but we must use our imagination to connect the dots. We can also rely on external sources, like our parents, but ultimately, as adults, we must take a leap of faith in our personal lives. If we are fortunate and flexible, we can create a fulfilling picture of happiness and good health. Otherwise, we risk getting caught up in what others think of us, spending our lives trying to fix it. A less-than-perfect picture can lead to a lifelong personal struggle, causing adults to act out of frustration or even abandon their efforts. Patience and belief in your unique picture are crucial to avoiding this trap. You need to have faith in the picture you were given and seek what feels right for you. Examine whether your frustrations stem from your own desires or societal influences. Accepting your mortal nature should guide your life decisions.
For instance, if you were destined to become a mechanic but ended up as an accountant, or if you were meant to be a professional basketball player but were pressured into becoming a doctor, it’s unrealistic to expect success in every career choice. As temporary beings, we must prioritize happiness above all. The measure of a successful life is not how much money you make but your level of happiness and contentment.
A successful life is defined by how content and happy you feel. If life were like an exam, with happiness and contentment as the answers, how would you fare with your current lifestyle? Life on Earth is a temporary period, and it’s essential to manage it in a way that ensures fulfillment. Remember, by nature, you are meant to be the CEO of your life, not just a manager of one department. To me, success without happiness or health is no success at all.
You need to approach your life with the vision of a successful CEO who manages all departments with equal or balanced attention. This may be challenging, but you have the potential. Each of us has the responsibility and ability to make choices with the gift of free will. Neglecting the departments of health or spirituality while focusing on others may lead to regret later in life. Without health, there’s no happiness, and without spirituality, deeper happiness and contentment remain elusive.
Ultimately, it all comes down to happiness. We often get it wrong when we try to be someone we’re not. Society’s pressure and high expectations can lead us to sacrifice our happiness and spend our lives chasing something that never materializes. We live in a world dominated by a “salesman mentality”: push, push, push, and you will succeed. But succeed at what? Hopefully, it’s happiness.
Consider what success means to you. It’s about happiness in all aspects of life. Having all the money in the world won’t necessarily bring happiness. If you faced a terminal illness, you’d realize that you aren’t here forever. Life is temporary, so live it to the fullest. Life is more than just connecting the dots. You have a limited amount of time each day—24 hours—to work, sleep, eat, and still find time for enjoyment. Believing in your picture and letting fate play a role can be beneficial.
When we aim for a target, shooting an arrow can yield immediate results. But sometimes, we must shoot at an unseen target, which requires skill and luck. Many people who struggle blame themselves, others, or even bad circumstances. If you’re one of them, remember that we are not perfect beings; we are evolving entities seeking potential. Even when we achieve great heights, we often desire to climb higher. Understanding our mortal nature and prioritizing happiness and contentment is crucial.
We probably use only a fraction of our brain’s potential. Spirituality can help us see life from a broader perspective. For example, if you’re boasting about your achievements, remember that it’s not just you who made things happen; it’s also the little things, like the oxygen you breathe, over which you have no control. Success is influenced by many factors, including luck and destiny.
You might spend your life playing music in bars or become a child star overnight. Many people end up in professions different from what they initially wanted. This is the “dotted picture” speaking. If you’re unhappy, try something new and let go of what isn’t working. Achieving inner peace can make you more productive and beneficial to yourself and others. This is the foundation of deep, inner happiness and contentment. Since we’re designed to evolve, we can’t stray from that. There was a meme I read long ago, attributed to “author unknown,” which said:
“The higher you climb, the further you can see.”
In essence, our goal is to evolve and be productive despite our mortality. If you see someone older putting in a lot of effort, understand that they are driven by their nature. Achieving what we want should be seen as a blessing related to our dotted story. If we don’t achieve it, we should believe it wasn’t meant for us. Accepting this can help us move on to something better, according to our dotted picture, protecting us from disappointment, unhappiness, and discontentment. In our mortal lives, time is running out, so moving on from failures quickly is essential. Happiness is the ultimate prize of our mortal existence.
As individuals, we must create balance within ourselves because we are blessed with the ability to use our free will. Failing to use this ability to enhance our lives means succumbing to the politics of belonging. Being mortal is a fact, and as humans, we must play this game, whether we like it or not. Our free will allows us to make personal decisions, and the wisdom of our dotted picture—without numbers—guides us. We are influenced by our evolving nature, pushing us to climb higher regardless of happiness and contentment. Whether our motives are to fit in or impress others, it’s our personal duty to understand that we are not genetically programmed creatures. We don’t have numbers next to our dots, so our decisions can shape our pursuit of happiness. Our free will makes us the CEOs of our lives, and as CEOs, the responsibilities for our life affairs rest on our shoulders.
One might say, “I don’t care; I’m going to smoke, drink, and do drugs because I’m going to die anyway.” Another might say, “I should take care of myself for the same reason, aiming for a healthy, happy, and long life.” We should fulfill our responsibilities to avoid causing stress and worry for our loved ones and community. Reckless behavior impacts not just ourselves but also those around us. Spirituality helps us understand our responsibilities and maintain a sense of justice and respect for others.
By critically examining our individual responsibilities and autonomy, we can surpass the constraints of our sense of belonging, even our nationalism and religious beliefs, connecting with humanity as a whole. Balancing our senses of belonging and freedom can be challenging, influenced by external politics and internal chemical responses. These responses are evident in our reactions to events, such as a sports team’s win or loss or the rhetoric from coaches, politicians, and religious leaders.
As human beings, we possess spiritual awareness and self-regulation, so we shouldn’t be controlled by our hormonal influences like other creatures. Our personal responsibilities extend beyond simply avoiding recreational drugs and social crimes. They also encompass our responses to accepted truths, such as the chemicals associated with our sense of belonging. We cannot remain intoxicated by racism, prejudice, discrimination, or even excessive nationalism and religious fervor.
Each of us is individually responsible for our actions, not just because we are human, but because we are evolved beings. Unlike other creatures, we are not bound by chemically induced responses. Our court systems would falter if we tried to hide behind political excuses. We are personally accountable for our actions, not just in our lifetime but, as many believe, even after death. Regardless of your beliefs, you cannot commit social or spiritual crimes and avoid responsibility just because your group condones it. Atrocities such as the Holocaust or the Bosnian massacres were committed by individuals, not groups. It is our personal choices to join such groups that lead to spiritual crimes. Whether these crimes are committed for personal reasons or in the name of race, nation, or religion, they remain crimes.
Groups often recruit young people who have not yet fully developed, are influenced by hormonal changes, and lack spiritual awareness. If you are encouraged to take pride in your group’s crimes, you are under the influence of belonging-related chemicals. It is your responsibility to understand your behavior before acting, as you possess autonomy, a sense of justice, and inherent compassion and love. You cannot commit spiritual crimes for yourself, your race, nation, or religion, because you, as an individual, are a mini deity who judges yourself from within.
Consider why guilt is ingrained in us and why we experience PTSD-related issues. A bad action remains a bad action, regardless of its reasons. Just as you cannot drink and drive, you cannot treat others in a way that you would not wish to be treated yourself or wish upon your loved ones. This understanding is straightforward for an evolved human who can empathize with others. Yet, many people remain entangled in racism, nationalism, and religious disputes, making this understanding less clear. Avoiding intoxication not only robs you of your inhibitions—what makes you human—but also keeps you from regressing to a primal state. Without these inhibitions, we would merely be another primate, indistinguishable from baboons, lacking in spirituality.
If you fail to feel responsible for the actions committed on behalf of your group, how is this different from taking drugs or acting under the influence of politically or religiously inspired rhetoric? Regardless of external pressures, it remains your personal responsibility to think before you act. The judge and jury reside within you, and you do not want to face that internal conflict, which can lead to PTSD-related issues.
Our nature consistently points to our individual responsibilities, urging us to see beyond group politics and to work together as humanity. The evidence is clear: we have mixed generations, not pure racial or national categories. Despite superficial differences, humanity continues to call us to collaborate, as evidenced by global issues like extreme weather and infectious diseases that defy borders. These challenges remind us that our security walls and group politics are ineffective. Our weaponry of mass destruction highlights the urgent need to rethink our approach.
If I assert that no one’s knowledge is complete—including your own, your neighbor’s, your professor’s, or even that of religious or scientific authorities—would you believe me? Regardless of race, gender, nationality, or religion, if you are willing to harm others over political or religious differences, then you, your religious leader, or your politician are mistaken. We are always learning and evolving, and claiming complete knowledge is an illusion. This contradiction has persisted for thousands of years and will continue unless we start thinking beyond group politics and connecting spiritually to a higher source.
Our personal insecurities are often driven by political and religious leaders who overshadow our humanity. Religions, which speak of compassion and love, have historically been involved in bloody and prolonged conflicts. Our group’s politics often undermine individual significance, leaving people without the self-esteem to question authority. Religions, too, have followed this pattern, attributing power to metaphoric concepts like God and the Devil. However, these concepts depend on human action to become physical realities. Our belief in good and evil stems from our own actions, not divine intervention.
If we are taught that all bad things stem from a lack of education, we must ask: what defines bad things? Human societies have various schools of thought and levels of evolution. Differences often arise from critical thinking and understanding, and forced education discourages this critical approach. If people fear expressing their thoughts due to societal pressures, critical thinking cannot thrive. This suppression impedes progress and evolution. Historical advancements came from those who either escaped oppressive societies or those that recognized the value of encouraging critical thinking.
Logical thinking has debunked the carrot-and-stick philosophy. As spiritual beings, we can self-regulate better with love and knowledge. This means that fear of punishment or promises of reward cannot effectively curb negative behaviors. As soon as fear subsides or divine retribution is not evident, individuals might revert to criminal actions.
To address this, we need to understand the profound impact that the politics of belonging can have on less educated populations. Conservative leaders often resist broad education because questioning established norms could undermine their political power. These leaders quickly dismiss educated individuals who challenge traditions, customs, religious rituals, and rules.
Accepted truths should be open to scrutiny not only from the scientific community but also from opposing politicians, religions, and atheists. Historically, periods of intellectual advancement have often been stifled by conservative factions within societies. For instance, certain eras in Islamic history saw thinkers and inventors stymied by their own conservative counterparts. Today, we follow the lead of nations that encourage innovation, evidenced by the global demand for vaccines and advancements in science and technology from advanced countries.
Religions should not be politicized because their spiritual benefits to humanity should remain untarnished by political agendas. Removing politics from spirituality reveals a clearer perspective.
The concept of God, whether known as Allah, Ram, or Yahweh, represents a physical reality of divinity, regardless of religious affiliation. Individuals contribute to the good of life through their actions: one provides for their family, another nurtures life. If we question why God allows bad things to happen, we can consider three aspects:
- Good and bad are defined by their opposites.
- The belief that God punishes disobedience.
- Free will: If everything were predestined, human actions would be irrelevant.
Introducing a character like the Devil to explain bad actions does not fully resolve the issue. The notion that free will is involved suggests that humans are responsible for their actions. If humans cannot function without divine intervention, how can they be solely accountable for their actions?
Blaming the Devil for human misdeeds is politically motivated. In reality, both God and the Devil are metaphoric constructs that depend on human actions to give them substance. Claiming that external forces are solely responsible for our actions detracts from personal accountability.
Imagine a court case where someone claims, “The Devil made me do it” or “God instructed me to harm others.” While some might believe these justifications, it’s essential to recognize that humans are central to the reality of good and bad actions. If humans are not responsible, why do we still hold them accountable for their actions?
The political beneficiaries of maintaining ignorance among individuals have an interest in keeping people uneducated and low in self-esteem. This strategy ensures that people remain dependent on their groups and continue to support political agendas. The notion that individuals need groups and deities for survival is entirely political and has little to do with spirituality. Spiritually and physically, the presence of individuals is crucial to the existence and relevance of groups, gods, and devils.
The following lines from a poem I wrote encapsulate this concept: “We are like two wires intertwined as negative and positive. If there is no ‘me,’ you are not meaningful either. If there is no light in my nights, I see dark on the other side as well.”
Reciprocation should foster self-respect and self-esteem. However, political and religious institutions often exploit individual weaknesses for their gain. Both politics and religion sometimes sacrifice spirituality for control. Yet, individuals are essential in the spiritual equation, regardless of what political or religious doctrines suggest.
Respect and reciprocation are vital in all relationships. If someone supports you, whether financially or otherwise, it is your responsibility to reciprocate, demonstrating respect and honor. This applies to relationships with partners, family, friends, and even employers. A successful relationship requires understanding and mutual respect, with both partners contributing to each other’s well-being.
Our human nature includes both spiritual and animal instincts. Balancing these aspects is crucial for healthy relationships and personal growth. Dominating others or failing to respect their contributions will lead to conflict and dissatisfaction.
Regardless of personal characteristics like sexual orientation, race, gender, or religion, we are all human beings. Our relationships with others cannot be avoided. Thinking oneself superior based on these identities can detract from personal spirituality. Whether as a boss or subordinate, one’s title does not change the fundamental realities of mortality and spiritual significance.
Understanding your mortality helps foster a better self-awareness. Despite societal pressures and traditions, the reality of our finite existence remains constant. Recognizing this can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life, both spiritually and physically.
In relationships, whether personal or professional, it is essential to maintain balance and reciprocation. The foundation of a successful partnership lies in mutual respect and understanding, transcending superficial differences and focusing on shared humanity.
Sacrificing your happiness and contentment just to fit in with your group or to follow the prevailing trends of your era is your prerogative. However, it is your spiritual duty to contribute honestly by reciprocating. The key to achieving personal spiritual comfort lies in addressing the root cause of your problems, or as I like to call it, the “dead dog” of our issues.
If your inability to achieve personal and inner peace stems from your animal instincts, then evolution from these instincts is necessary. Humanity has struggled to achieve peace for thousands of years due to group politics. Clearly, changing deeply entrenched practices from millennia ago will not be easy. However, today’s individuals are not as weak and vulnerable as those in the past. With information readily available on the internet and injustices exposed in real-time, it is increasingly difficult for political agendas to remain hidden.
The rise of equal human rights and the flourishing of these principles worldwide reflect the growing strength of individuals today. Our next challenge is to overcome our prejudices and discrimination, and embrace a politics that includes all of humanity rather than sticking to outdated norms. Choosing humanity over specific groups allows you to prioritize spirituality over religious affiliations.
Humanity has long sought the elusive peace that has eluded us for thousands of years due to group politics. If we do not change our allegiance to these old political and religious structures, achieving peace will remain impossible for future millennia. True change cannot come from political groups or politically tainted religions. It must originate from modern, moderate individuals who are willing to uphold and receive equal human rights.
A strong and spiritually aware individual can influence their immediate family, community, nation, and religion, regardless of the challenges posed by political affiliations. As individuals are central to creating physical spirituality, they must understand their own spiritual significance to find inner comfort within themselves, rather than seeking physical security through political groups.
Regardless of the era or political context, this spiritual understanding is crucial not only for finding internal and external peace but also for achieving spiritual comfort within our mortal existence.