Events

"The wise adapt themselves to circumstances,
as water moulds itself to the pitcher."
-Chinese Proverb

Nature is a process of continuing Cycles, patterns and rhythms.
Her Cycles, patterns and rhythms produce Events. Events produce
circumstances and Consequences. This process has been in
existence longer than any one of us mortals. Yet we mortals actually
Believe we can out-think, control, and even defy, Nature's eternal
processes.

When we consider that every Consequence is the result of an Event,
and that every Event is a process of Nature, then we must also
accept the Truth that an Event is neither good nor bad; it is Simply
part of an eternal process.

With these Thoughts in mind, let us take a look at some Events,
their consequences, and how we often Choose to "label" the results
of these Events.

Large waves are natural occurrences on the vast oceans of our
planet. When they occur in uninhabited areas or upon the vast and
empty expanse of our seas, we consider them to be natural Events
and take very little, if any, interest in them. However, should a large
ship be capsized by one of these large waves we automatically
categorize this natural wave as a "rogue" wave and accuse Mother
Nature of creating a catastrophe. Whereas, in Truth, the fault
actually resides in our inability to understand and recognize this
natural rhythm of Nature.

It is interesting to note that on one hand we classify a large wave
as a natural Event while on the other hand we call it a calamity;
same Event yet different label.

Earthquakes and tectonic plate movements are part of Nature's
ongoing rhythmic process. When a seismic Event occurs under the
sea or in some remote area of our planet we dismiss the Event
almost immediately. However, should this same Event occur below
a community, town, or city, we consider this natural Event to be a
tragedy created by Mother Nature. Two identical Events: one
viewed with very little interest while the other is viewed as a great
misfortune.

This is not to say that the premature loss of life is not a tragedy,
for it is. It is to say that our Ignorance of, or complacency with,
Nature' s Laws, rhythms, and Cycles is what is tragic, not the
Event itself!

Another example of Events are the news "events" so many of us
anxiously await at the end of our day. What many of us call either
"good news" or "bad news" is really neither. The "news" we watch
and listen to is nothing more than an after-the-fact report of the
Consequences resulting from a previous Event, or Action. By the
Time we hear about these Consequences both the initial Event and
the ensuing Consequence have long since passed. It is merely how
we Choose to Interpret, or "label", these after-the-fact "news
events" that affect our emotions and Thoughts.

Every Event, or Action, has a Consequence. Therefore, an Event
is an Action which is simply a prelude, or catalyst, to a Consequence.
It is up to us to recognize an Event for what it is and thereby
understand, Foresee, and perhaps even profit from, its forthcoming
outcome.

We occupy this planet in partnership with Mother Nature. Mother
Nature is a Divine Principle; an Egyptian Neter. It is our personal
responsibility to be familiar with Her Laws, Cycles, rhythms, and
patterns. By understanding and being in Harmony with Her, we
will find Mother Nature to be nurturing and Giving. By doing
otherwise, we may find ourselves being disciplined for our
misbehavior and Ignorance.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010

Independent Thought

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost

"To find yourself, think for yourself."
- Socrates

If we Think, Act, and Believe as everyone else does, what makes us
special?

The Truth is, if we allow ourselves to be governed by the
expectations and dogmas of outside influences we are not special.
We are simply a part of a group, a crowd, or a faction which dictates
to us how we are expected to Think, Act, and Believe.

We merely need to comply and we are instantly accepted into
The Crowd...any crowd. There is no effort required on our part.
By simply conforming to the expectations of the crowd we are
immediately accepted into that crowd and presented with the
Illusion of being important. We relinquish our Individual
Sovereignty for group acceptance. For many persons, this is
quite alright.

We also become part of The Crowd when we allow our Thoughts,
Actions, and Beliefs to be governed by a news media which is
constantly bombarding us with its own special, self-serving,
brand of "information".

Any time we are Thinking, Acting, or Believing the same way as
"everyone else" we cease being unique and special. We cast aside
our Divine Gift of Independent Thought.

The Independent Thinker does not subject himself, or herself, to
mob Indoctrination. Nor does the Independent Thinker succumb
to the by-laws, rules, regulations, and Compromises which shackle,
stagnate, and numb the minds of the masses.

The Independent Thinker is a Lone Traveler on the Road that leads
to new ideas, concepts, innovations, experiences, and Adventures.

The Independent Thinker operates outside the boundaries of group
thinking and is a Trailblazer, a visionary, and a dreamer. The
Independent Thinker is the Lone Wolf that starts the wheels of
Change and innovation into motion.

Independent Thinkers suffer the brunt of ridicule, criticism, and
discreditment only to be eventually proven correct, and worshipped
as heroes, once their ideas and innovations are accepted by the
mainstream of society. It is the Independent Thinker who is the
David that smites the Goliath of mass stagnation and eventually
improves a business, a life style, a society, a nation and a world.

Our ancestors, we ourselves, and our posterity, owe everything we
enjoy, have enjoyed, and will enjoy to the Foresight and Awareness
of the Independent Thinker.

Each one of us is bestowed with the Divine Gift of Independent
Thinking. However, until we Choose to use our Free Will to
experience this Divine Gift it will lie dormant within us.

To embrace Independent Thought is to travel the "road less
traveled". We will not "enjoy" the company of groups and crowds
along this Less Traveled Way. But in the end we will enjoy the
peace and contentment that comes with knowing that we are truly
the Master of our physical, mental, and Spiritual Domains.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

Awareness (Foresight)

"Awareness: to observe and understand"
- Joseph Panek

Awareness is the Divine Faculty that allows us to be Unattached
Observers of the Events happening all around us. It is the ability
to see things as they really are; not the way we want them to be.

Awareness lets us determine which Events, if any, we should be
concerned with and which Events we should disregard. Awareness
protects us from being "pulled" off course and becoming "bogged
down" in the problems and crises of others which neither concern
us nor benefit us. Awareness is the Gift that allows us to steer clear
of danger and make sound Decisions.

Metaphorically, Awareness likens us to the Captain of a ship.
Although the Captain is Aware of sea conditions, rocks and
weather for as far as the eye can see, he is only concerned with
the conditions that actually affect the course his ship is sailing.
He is focused on his destination and knows how to maneuver
around any difficulties that may present themselves during his
Voyage.

There are times, however, when the Captain encounters
unavoidable danger that must be met head-on. It is at times like
these that the Captain's Gift of Awareness enables him to
recognize the real danger well in advance. By foreseeing the
potential dangers lying in his Path, the Captain is able to calmly
assess the situation, prepare his ship, and steer safely through the
crisis.

The Odyssey of Odysseus provides us with a great Metaphor
for Awareness. As Odysseus and his crew sailed home from the
Trojan War, Odysseus was Aware that their ship would have to
sail past the land of the Sirens. The Sirens were temptresses who
lured sailors to their deaths by way of their intoxicating Siren Song.
Odysseus ordered his men to seal his ears and tie him to the mast
of the ship until he steered it safely past the Siren's lair.

It was Odysseus' Awareness that enabled him to foresee, understand,
and calmly solve the Riddle of sailing past the Sirens.

Rocks, rough seas, bad weather, and Sirens are all part of our Voyage
on the Sea of Life. Awareness allows us to foresee and prepare for
these obstacles before they are upon us. It enables us to determine
how we will steer our ship safely, and calmly, around these hazards,
stay on course, and continue on to our Destination...Our Destiny!

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2008