Poverty

Poverty: General scarcity, dearth, or the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money.

We see this scattered across the globe daily and it's truly heartbreaking at that. This is an article I've been thinking about for a little while now and it came across my mind again on the bus home a few days ago. Which, for all you bus-takers out there, we all know how that time crunch and the uncomfortable feelings of being pressed up against a stranger can be, sometimes unpleasant!

Back to the point, we see poverty all the time in various ways and in various places. Its embedded in our minds to have that image of a homeless man/woman living in a cardboard box on the sidewalk, a back alley near some dumpsters or the less-sighted, city parks. Every time we are to see such a visual, it brings most of us a sense of dispair, depression and loss. For others, it brings the feelings of fear, for not wanting to be in the position themselves or for their lives to ever amount to that.

The bad news, there actually are millions of people suffering daily like this. The good news, we can do something about it. While we may not be able to solve world hunger in a day or stop poverty entirely, we can certainly make our contributions to society and bettering it the best possible way we're able to. These little tidbits are ways to do so:

• Donate to charities.

• Buy a homeless person/people a meal for the day.

• Provide community services via homeless shelters, feeding the poor where and when we can.

• Smile at a stranger (seems minor but honestly, sometimes a simple smile can set the tone in an individual's day, just try it sometime)

• Offer a hug (also simple but does wonders)

• Hold the door open for someone.

• Recycle.

• Start a friendly conversation with a homeless person/individual in need.

The above ways of expressing your positivity and effort may not all directly relate to poverty but they are general ways to improve the way we go about our daily lives and furthermore, improve society and help towards the struggle of poverty. At first sight, they're minuscule but gradual progress will be made every day of our lives if we are to do so. Some may laugh and overlook these subtle, simple tasks but honestly, the energy you put out there will come back to you and karma will work its wonders unto you. These are not selfish deeds nor are they selfless, they are communal and universal. We are all connected after all and every breath of fresh air you take in in the morning, has once passed through the same individuals you look up to or the same ones that have suffered many tragedies. Seems blunt but it's the truth and being that we are all one, we must show and produce an effort towards love and happiness, these are life's foundations. It's what we're truly built on and love conquers all in the end.

This isn't to say that I know it all and have life figured out but what I do know, is that I put out to the world what I expect in return and how I'd like to be treated. Equality is a topic so overlooked in today's day in age it's saddening and we all need to realize that life isn't a competition, we're all born the same and we all pass away the same. Let's make the best use of our time now and live each moment in solace and bliss. Positivity and contentment with where you are in your life now is one of the most important things you could ever do for yourself. You may not be where you're headed but that's the point, life's a journey and you need to take in every lasting moment for what it is and with acceptance. You must appreciate what you have in your life now and accept yourself for who you are and all the amazing things that are currently in your life. You are perfect as is, smile and don't let anything/anyone bring you down because they are never in any place to judge. Life will get you where you need to be, just enjoy the ride along the way and do your part for positivity, happiness and self-acceptance. This is how you will achieve enlightenment.

Do not stress about the past or worry about the future, they are where they belong and as are you in the present moment. You can set goals for your dream home and still achieve them while enjoying where you are now, it's all about how you think of it. Mindfulness will bring you the peace you've been looking for. Stay present and don't worry about where you've been or are going to, it's happening for a reason, always remember that.

Namaste, everyone.

                     

                                         (Solace)

Travelling Thoughts

Over the past few months, I've wanted to travel desperately and finishing a few episodes of Departures recently has thrown me into that loop, need for travel again. It must become a reality and I will not stop until it is one :)

My aspirations to develop this into a travel blog may not happen overnight as not everything does but perseverance will get me there, perseverance can get anyone anywhere they want/need to be. I guarantee you that. The simple key is: Never. Give. Up.

I will not stop until I've visited the home of Bilbo Baggins in New Zealand. Until I've climbed trees in Capetown, Africa. Until I've crossed glaciers in Iceland. Until I've hiked across bridges in Cambodia. I'm going to fulfill these goals and dreams and I want all of you to be along with me for the ride. You'll get an insider's view of my travels and adventures and hopefully get the feeling as if you're there with me. I cannot make any promises as to when this will start happening but I can make the promise that it WILL happen. Getting there is what will need to fall into place.

This goes for anyone with any aspirations, goals and dreams, I want you to have this same attitude and feel as though there isn't a damn thing in this world that can stop you. We all have bills, debts, struggles and constraints in our lives that seemingly constantly hold us back but once we deal with these issues head on and tackle them, we can move forth onto bigger and better things in our lives. It sounds easier said than done but really, anything is possible when you apply yourself.

Every time I post an article, which this is my sixth, I state how important the mindframe you're in at all times is. Mindfulness is so powerful, yet so many of us have troubles abiding by it and allowing ourselves to live in the moment. This is where you need to physically (and mentally/emotionally) take a step back from what you're doing, inhale a few deep breaths and come to terms with where you are in the present moment and what can be done to better your life moving forward and get you to where you want to be. To be able to do things that you've always wanted to do, since you were a small child. Never let that childish passion die! 

That's definitely not to say that I'm telling you to be immature, I'm merely stating that you need to keep that sense of wonder and explorative nature alive because there's never a point to which you can stop learning, you can always learn more, you can always grow and you can always expand/adapt to life as it comes to you and throws you this way, and that. Keep an open mind, though don't be naive. Be strong, though don't let the world make you cold. Be smart, though never bestow judgement unto others who do not deserve it.

One day I'll make a post from the beaches of Honolulu and I'll be reaching out to all of you and hoping that you as well chased your dreams and continue chasing them, there's never a limit to what you can achieve and continue to create. Never stop, and furthermore never will your adventure either :)

This brief post was absolutely necessary and it's been on my mind since last night, I'm just being me, original and independent. I don't feel the need to conform to some piece of writing that someone WANTS me to write or feels that it SHOULD be a certain way. It comes from the heart and so should all of your actions, never let anyone make you feel bad for doing the things you love, and in your own way. It's you, it's your life and yours only. Live it originally because everyone else is already taken. Namaste.

                                          (Solace)

Anxious, Eager & Impatient (Continued)

So, I was in a little bit of a rush in the prior half of this article but I have a little bit of time now to finish it up, as I will.

Life has not treated me perfectly as of late but that's the funny thing about life, it never treats anyone that way because life isn't perfect for anyone, it's imperfectly perfect the way it is and its remarkable how the universe actually does work. The adage is true, the universe works in many mysterious ways and though we may think it not to be some days (particularly the rather gloomy, depressing, stressful and anxiety-filled days/nights), it always shines through in the long run.

Patience is key to achieving happiness within, something I've struggled with intensely in the past and still do every now and then. Patience is a trait that is learned, not an overnight sensation similar to the likes of Vine, as most of us all know and love.. Or hate.. Whichever suits your fancy. Back to the point, patience teaches us to persevere through these stressful times in our lives and look forward to the great things that lay ahead of us in our lifetimes. To do so, we must remain positive and optimistic in our everyday lives no matter what we're doing, as I've stressed this very point before.

Time is a valuable thing and you must use it wisely to your own liking. Not to someone else's who feels theirs is more important than yours. That is a selfish act and selfish people will never consider your thoughts or feelings about the matter, they're only focused on their personal goals and how they're to achieve them. As I mentioned earlier, that's the karma aspect of things in play again, they're treating you that way, so you need to buck up and act for yourself in your own manner as well. It's eye-for-an-eye ladies and gents, it may take longer sometimes for karma, alchemy and the way of the world to show itself through but I assure you, it always will.

I'm not some glorious know-it-all, though I have had my fair share of experiences and been through quite a lot of events in my 21-year span of life. The age may shock some of you that I'm speaking in such terms as if I'm to have a beard of grey stretching down forth unto my knees, though I'm just speaking from the heart and what I've learned in my own personal experience of this gem we call life. You can take what you may from my words of advice and treat it as your own, though I mean nothing but peace, harmony, positivity, happiness and of course, solace. I wish for everyone to have a happy, full, joyous, well-travelled life and no matter what their current circumstances are, I want EVERYONE to know, that it is NEVER too late to start something new.. You could be 75 and starting a new career, the choice is always yours and nobody can tell you otherwise as they will never have any right to. As spoken about before, none of us have a damn clue what we're doing here in the first place despite any religion, theories or pseudo-scientific evidence; so I suggest we all live our lives how we truly want to and experience the world for what it is and find the happiness and delight in waking up every morning and enjoying the fact that we are free, we live in a free country and have an opportunity each and everyday to make the best out of our lives as we can. Times may be tough but they're only permanent, as is everything. There is ALWAYS room for change, don't be afraid of it, let it happen. Change is good. Change brings new peace, love and perspective. Let it be.

Have a wonderful night everyone, goodnight and Godspeed! Stay tuned for more coming articles on mental well-being, health, music, fitness, travelling, the entrepeneurial experience and loving yourself, your life and everyone/everything in it, it's all about the mindset! Amen!

                                               (Solace)