life

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When understanding…was simple

I grew up in a time when understanding…was simple.

Prime example is the first twelve years of my formal education. I knew in advance that the purpose for attending school was to receive an education in order to improve my chances of becoming successful.  The word “successful” is a subjective word meaning different things to different people…which we will discuss another day.

Ok….let me backup a little…in the first few years of my education I couldn’t even conceive the words that I just used above…must less spell them. The first few years were spent learning (without my awareness) to interact with other kids, structure, sharing, respect for authority, discipline…and heartache.  Yes…heartache, there was a little girl in the third grade that was cute that had absolutely no interest in becoming my girl friend.

Beyond those first few years I gained the “simple understanding” of several things. If I didn’t listen and study…not only would I not learn…but there would be consequences. I would not be promoted to the next grade level with my friends if I didn’t meet the minimum academic requirements… that my family who cared about me would be disappointed… that it was my fault that I didn’t pass because I didn’t apply myself because of my priorities.  I had a great deal of respect for my teachers and their attitude toward us as developing individuals. That respect never wavered…even when I was sent to the Principal’s office to have my ass whipped…that’s right …have my ass whipped.  I didn’t need a thirty minute lecture or therapy session with the Principal, I knew what I had done was wrong and I new the consequences beforehand…it was my choice.  I also knew when I got home that my Pop would not be going to the school the next day to try and have the Principal fired…but that he would just whip my ass to reconfirm the Principal’s action.  I began to make better choices after a couple of those sessions.

This was also an age that you learned in life that everything was not necessarily equal.   I am hesitant to use the word “fair” because to me that meant you “cheated or didn’t play by the rules”. Today I feel that word is used more too express “resentment or entitlement”. It was a time…if you didn’t win your ball game…it’s was because the other team was better that day. It was fair…it just wasn’t equal on that given day. You also realized that your physical skill level may not be equal to some of your team mates, but you didn’t resent their talent…you used it as an incentive to play your best.

The first twelve years of my formal education was for the purpose to help me reach a level of knowledge and understanding that should benefit me in making choices in the “real world”.  There would no longer be a bell ringing every 50 minutes to direct me to the next event of my life… it was my time to make my own choices in life…the understanding was simple.

Johnny J

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Success vs. Success

The general acceptance of success is defined as…

“the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted…the attainment of fame, wealth, or social status”.

The most interesting question is the simplest of all “What does success mean to you?”

Success is not the same for all people…the most common perception is…the attainment of fame, wealth, or social status.  The other side of the coin could be described as self-confident, contentment, awareness, fulfillment…knowing “who you are” is more important than “how other people perceive you”.  We are all wired differently and it’s not that either of these two or correct or incorrect…and if a person possesses a combination of these…so be it. I believe that personal success is only obtainable when you “reach” an understanding within yourself.

Here lies the purpose for this thought:

We are taught at an early age to strive and plan for success…and specific people were pointed out as examples that had reached that plateau…only to find out later in life that some of those examples were the most insecure, unhappy and self-destructive individuals that you could  possibly imagine.  Perception does not always reflect reality…contrary to the over used phrase of “perception is reality”.

Surface observations do not always reveal the truth.  It reminds me of the old line “are you going to believe me or you’re lying eyes?”  If you judge an individual only by fame or fortune rather than by ones’ self contentment …then you may be judging a false sense of success.  I have seen individuals that have achieved monetary wealth and fame…and yet still strive for other people’s approval and acceptance because of their own insecurity.  Success is not a group-awareness but self-awareness. In my opinion the more important question.. as it pertains to “success” is simple… “Have you achieved self-confidence and happiness within yourself”?

It is never too late in life to achieve success…sometimes the achievement is the “discovery” not the intended journey.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented is either my opinion or information obtained from sources believed to be reliable and factual; however, I make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy thereof. Any errors, including misuse or misspelling of words is either due to my fingers hitting the wrong keys, oversight, or my own ignorance.

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“Choices”

I wrote this several years ago as a defining factor of my life and my beliefs. I look at it every now and then to see if my thoughts have changed.

CHOICES

 Life is a journey navigated by choices…for every conscious moment of the day we make decisions…some that may seem to be without thought.

We are the products of those thoughts and decisions…they are the directional signs of our existence.

These decisions are fueled by attitude and emotions of the moment…they may reflect the appearance of hatred or anger…or a heart filled with love and compassion…but without emotion there is no core.

We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world…but our substance of what we are must come from the deep inner feelings and convictions of who we are.

We must always continue to hunger for knowledge…but have awareness that the two most powerful tools of good and evil are “words” and ‘actions”.

From the words of William Earnest Henley…”I am the captain of my faith, I am the Master of my soul”.

My beliefs are my choices…I make no excuses…I am only me.

Johnny J. 

DISCLAIMER: The information presented is either my opinion or information obtained from sources believed to be reliable and factual; however, I make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy thereof. Any errors, including misuse or misspelling of words is either due to my fingers hitting the wrong keys, oversight, or my own ignorance.

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Where do you live?

This question doesn’t pertain to a geographical area…but one of your mind-set and reality.

Even though our body lives in the present, our thoughts and decisions do not always follow it’s lead.

In my opinion there is no right or wrong answer to this question… and its above my pay grade to judge, but I do find it interesting to analyze myself as well as others based on their actions.

If you should decide to do the same consider the three components of past, present and future.  Start with a 100% and start moving the scale based on your mind-set and the decisions that you make in your daily life….and analyze the results.  If the end result doesn’t  provide a form of contentment  within yourself …just remember only you have the ability to change it.

I know many people who live the majority of their time in the past.  When you are around them they are always reflecting on the past and most of their conversation always starts with… I remember when…They retain the same small circle of friends that they have brought with them to the present to relive those past moments  ever time they get together.  Current events or future plans are very seldom discussed…unless it’s a conversation about when they plan to get together again.

I am a person who lives the majority of his time in the present.  There are many poetic clichés that I could use to reference this…but I won’t.  For me…the past is the past…I can’t change it…its over.  I do have what I refer to as 15 second flashbacks …some are painful…some are happy moments but the more time you spend there the more you steal from the present. The future for me is about 2 weeks from the present.  Is this a healthy environment to live in?…probably not if you ask an economist or financial planner.  I have become comfortable and content with my life… by doing what is necessary in the present… to produce the financial means for that comfort.

The people that live for the future are some of the most optimistic people that I know. They are certain that there is a future and are constantly preparing for it. These individuals tend to lose site of “living life in the present” by only preparing for the future…and when (and if) their definition of the future arrives unfortunately their health and physical condition may prevent them from enjoying the fruits of their labor. The only thing that I am certain about is that the past is gone… the future is not guaranteed and at the time I wrote this…there was a present.

So…back to the original question…where do you live?

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Lessons of Life…

Regina Brett, 90 years in age of

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio…Listed 45 lessons that life has taught him.

Below are 15 of my favorite…

  1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
  2.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
  3. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
  4. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
  5. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
  6. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
  7.  Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
  8.  It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
  9. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
  10. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
  11. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
  12. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
  13. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
  14. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
  15. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.