“Oh, When the STRESS Comes Marching In!” #127

NO VACANCY!! The romance of a long weekend’s escape occupies the only room you had left in the anticipation apartment.

As the days come marching in, your heart beat seems to synchronize with the rhythms of a Bourbon Street celebration. You are prepared to depart for a family wedding in New Orleans and to arrive in the middle of a good time.

But first, you must fit a week of work into two days… and, oh yeah, you are bringing your 8 and 6 year old children with you… and, oh yeah, those kids are carrying cartoon-themed luggage as well as strep-throat…

Stress.

We associate it to the bad times, but too often let it snake its way into the special ones.

So, today we ask… How do we minimize stress to maximize the moments that matter most?!

‘GOTTA HEAR ITS’!

“…then, after everyone is celebrating you for great speeches, smiles, high-fives, and hugs… you get strep-throat yourself, and have to carry around two 50lbs bags and a couple of kids all the way from Bourbon Street to Ohio.“
You, or someone you know

Bonus Content:
** disclaimer: by reading this you subscribe to the fact you should have already hit play! **
> Reflect on the singular scenario Buddha totally stress beads out
> Let the mysteries of constipation flow through you
> Learn how listening to the Joe Rogan podcast will scientifically cure your anxiety! http://podcasts.joerogan.net/

#127 “Oh, When the STRESS Comes Marching In!”

The Infamous Loopholes on Life Podcast

#127 "Oh, When the STRESS Comes Marching In!"

00:00 / 00:56:38

NO VACANCY!! The romance of a long weekend’s escape occupies the only room you had left in the anticipation apartment.

Stress.

We associate it to the bad times, but too often let it snake its way into the special ones.

So, today we ask… How do we minimize stress to maximize the moments that matter most?!

‘GOTTA HEAR ITS’!

“…then, after everyone is celebrating you for great speeches, smiles, high-fives, and hugs… you get strep-throat yourself, and have to carry around two 50lbs bags and a couple of kids all the way from Bourbon Street to Ohio.“
You, or someone you know

“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:” – a message from our distant relatives.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
This letter came to you from the place you’ll soon find timelessness;
We hope you get the message… before there’s a need for writing it.

Hope… a redeeming quality which you had deemed too childish;
We were born to bring revival, but grown to be survivalists.
Saw you playing “Simon Says”; so we did as Simon did…
Only shown how to rock a boat, never how to right the ship.

Since innocence seemed ignorant, we sought our bliss from sciences;
Our character’s best measured by the depth of our one-sidedness.
Taught to win at any cost…. But when we lost, our fight would end.
So this time when you teach us, can you please try “try again”?

We have the drive of motorized rides equipped with nitrogen;
While working just as tireless as the hovercrafts we’re flying in.
And we were taught to dream, but not to sleep until retirement…
There’s no peace in counting sheep, while lyin in a lion’s den!

A pill for that, a pill for this; a pill so both will strike more quick;
A pill to help us swallow all the truth of our reliances…
Now we’re living even longer – thanks to stronger vitamins;
Our ignorance was thinking it’d bring incremental life with it!

A device for that, a device for this; a device to make devices quick;
So desensitized by devices, we don’t even see the vice in it…
Now we’re obnoxiously robotic, a product of our environment…
Great at catching breaks we’ll never make the time to fix.

A fight for that, a fight for this; a fight so that the fight exists;
Standing by our right for peace, we’ll never cease the fight for it!
What goes around comes around; we found the reason spite exists.
So you can pay the piper, and in time we’ll pay the piper’s kid….

Pride for that, pride for this; pride for pride we might omit;
Pride which is tightly clinched in a fist too mighty to be pried of it.
With a sense of entitlement stemming from senseless mindfulness;
You could find us in the darkest age, describing it as enlightenment.

Until one day: a device ended the fight, a pill killed off the viruses.
Loved winning; but having won – we didn’t take much pride in it.
Then suddenly, we were blinded by a liquid leaking out our irises!
Perplexed, we entered the question in our engine: “Why is this?”

Across every generation, the gap is bridged by righteousness.
It was the first message off the presses when Gutenberg provided his.
The trend reflects the plight of men, who rise then fall to rise again;
But the cycle can recycle; there’s no wound that time won’t mend.

SO TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Too few were too concerned…
But there’s still time to change your lesson plan, before our lesson’s learned.

Yours Truly,
GENERATION ALPHA, EST 2010
Your future is our present, help us change it today.

“An Enlightening Game of 20 Questions”

What if you had the chance to play a game of 20 questions… with someone you knew, for certain, had all the answers?

“First question first: what’s the meaning of life?”
For you to keep on asking until you get it right.
“Gee, great insight… what on earth does it mean??”
What it means on earth is the same as in your dreams.
“Um, elaborate please! Where do I find what I seek?
You’ll find it in the hiding place which only you perceive.
“That’s three questions for you – still no answers for me?”
Or maybe just not the ones that you think you need?

“Why answer with more questions?” To show you what they mean.
“How am I to interpret that??” That’ll be the key.
“Clearly understanding’s key, yet I’m trapped in ambiguity!”
The key’s to find yourself; the truth’s to set you free.
“Can you spell it out by chance?” In no language that you read.
“Please extend an olive branch!” Please accept the olive seed.
“I know less than when I started.” You’ll know more once you cease.
“How long can I ask the same question?” Until you answer it for me.

“HERE WE GO AGAIN!!” Here you go again.
“Why would ‘I’ go here again?” To hear it all again.
“Well this time, can you say it clear?” That depends on how you hear.
“You’re confusing with your words!” You confuse them with your ears.
“This is all one big cycle.” I’m glad you’re seeing it show.
“I think we’re digressing.” I think you’re beginning to grow.
“I think ya don’t know what I think.” You think you think all that you know.
“Your answers breed more questions” Your questions breed both.

“AND HERE WE GO AGAIN‼” And here you go again.
“I don’t see where this is going,” you don’t see where this has been.
“I’ve become a better person, and I never looked back…
But I looked forward for the answers”…And you never looked back.
“How many questions do I have?” Since you ask, you’re down to nine.
“Not surprised you counted that!” Those with less, use more wise.

“Where will this end??” That would be a start.
“I’m getting lost again…” Try following your heart.
“Just enlighten me; please, all I need’s a little spark!”
If you want to see the light, you need to start out in the dark.
“Can’t you just point me to the grail or philosophers stone?”
I can, and I have, and I will, by pointing you back home.
“I don’t see how you’re helping!” That doesn’t mean you won’t.
“I just REALLY wanna know!” Are you really sure you don’t?

“Well if you’re the source of truth, why do you keep me guessin?”
Because it isn’t learned until discerned by the source of the question.
“I turn to you once more, and get turned away again!”
You turned to me, and as before, I’m turning you within.
“So why does he who helps himself even need you in the end?”
The conclusion can’t be reached until he sees where to begin.
Before you’d only seek externally when conquering your doubt.
The outward helped you inward, now going in will help you out.
With no thoughts but their own, one can hear what’s hardly heard.
You will find the key alone… and then see you never were.

“So discernment is the truth?” No, that’ll be the key.
“and with the key, I’ll see the truth?” You’ll perceive the tree.
“and what’s the tree lead to?” Truth. Living in all you see & do.
As the creative root branches through all you’ve created too.

“Why didn’t you just say so?” It’s the cost of being free.
Those who don’t find it for themselves, find it harder to believe.
“Well, that’s 19! I got more than I could ask in a 20 question game,
so for my final one: how can I help others do the same?”

JUST GIVE THEM 20 QUESTIONS! Then listen to them speak!
How you learned how to learn is how I’d teach you how to teach.
For every soul speaks differently, each language is unique.
But each one has a key; tailor-made for them by me.
And forcing the key will more often lead to broken locks and pride.
But fortunately, the doors made to be opened from inside.

So note this, as you notice folks roaming off the road:
Sharing where ya been does more than showing where to go!
They won’t believe what you know ’til they perceive it on their own;
They’ll care little how big you are, but they’ll respond to how you’ve grown.
For while there are many different paths, there’s only one summit.
And the key to life is love…
…but that’s not what it’d be if I took the choice from it.

Forgiving and Forgetting

“Forgiving & Forgetting

…it’s a gift FOR GIVING,
not FOR GETTING!“

Universe You: Your Reality Check Bounced!

What is your Awareness of Reality?

Do you fancy yourself to be more of a rational thinker or unbridled spirit – a man or woman of reason, or a child of God? Depending on one’s level of awareness, perhaps you do not make a distinction between the two.

Independent of your worldview, one thing holds true – at some level of granularity, your journey through life is 100% unique. This also means that, at some level, all journeys are 100% the same, paradoxical as it may seem.

This series is designed to explore, challenge, and ultimately/ ideally expand your level of awareness. Depending on your current vantage point and your receptiveness to expanding it you could be in for a wild ride, so buckle-up.

Chapter 1: Your Reality Check Bounced!

In this installment, let’s start with the beginning and end points – two points make a line, let’s see where you draw yours!

The “Starting Point”:

A single cell on the fingertip of an outstretched arm

Stretch your right arm outward and extend your right index finger as if you are pointing to something in the distance. Close your eyes and picture a single cell on the utmost tip of your finger.

Envision THIS single point as your current point of awareness.

THIS single cell and everything within it is your universe.

Is this single cell too small to utilize as an analogy for your entire universe? Yes, no, maybe – all of the above. After all, what is ‘small’? An objective assessment of the term would lead an individual to conclude the word is ‘relative’ at best! So let’s start here – because it is THAT relativity which will help tear down your ‘relative’ walls of perception.

While your universe is encapsulated in a single cell – there is no shortage of activity, potential, and quite literally, LIFE, within it. It has been said that a single cell in the human body contains 100 times as many atoms as there are stars in the Milky Way (which has hundreds of billions of stars).

Now envision the world as you know it (a microcosm of the universe), as one of the trillions of atoms existing within the single cell on the utmost tip of your right index finger.

On that morning, you became aware of the other universes around you

Imagine that one idle morning, while oscillating with nearby friends and family somewhere in the universe of your fingertip, something changed. YOU BECAME AWARE.

You functioned as a critical component in a critical atom which made up a critical cell – and the combination of awareness, perception, individualism, and ego were the ingredients which caused you to once believe the universe stopped there….

But that critical component you played in that critical atom which was part of a critical cell was part of something bigger. By being part of something bigger – one can feel smaller at first, or recognize that their contribution has not changed, but rather, they are contributing to something greater as well.

You became aware of the other cells which make up that fingertip around you.

And your universe expands to include those adjacent universes …

As one acknowledges the other universes contributing to the same cause your ‘original’ universe is – one can stop differentiating between them. Their separation was caused by your perception that they are separate – but at some level, they are not separate at all. Thus, your awareness of ‘your universe’ expands to include those adjacent universes.

And it continues. Your awareness expands exponentially.

You see your part in the finger, and the finger’s part in the hand. You see the hand as an extension of the universal arm, you see the universal arm as a limb in the universal body.

Even within that single cell, which you still perceive yourself as residing in, you become conscious of a ‘greater whole’, and your consciousness shifts from ‘that of the cell’ to ‘that of the body’.

The “Final Point”:

From a sub-particle to a cell at the tip of your finger, your universe expanded beyond to recognize the part you played, not just in the cell – but in the hand, the arm, the limb, and body as a whole.

You have the consciousness of “the body”. This is now “you”, and YOUR UNIVERSE. But what was the real lesson learned?

The lesson learned was not in a “finite point” my friend – it was in the PATTERN ITSELF…. You broke down (cellular) walls to see life beyond your original perspective, freed yourself from the concept of time (a whole other series), freed yourself from the need to ‘stop’ just because ‘you started’ — you embraced the pattern.

An infinite loop – the circular reference of perception:

For there you sit today – with the consciousness of the body. You have a name – and you recognize that there are others around you, similar but unique, you are together but separate.

Have you ever felt you were ‘a part’ of something bigger? As your consciousness resides in the body – THAT IS JUST THE TIP! That body is part of an atom in the fingertip (perhaps the country you live in) – which is a component of the hand (perhaps planet earth) – which is a part of a limb (perhaps the solar system), that is part of a body (perhaps the milky way)…

You recognize this as the body of “all that is”… and with that recognition, you’re reminded of the pattern…. and you wake up, all over again.

And in conclusion, there isn’t one.

You recognize the pattern, it is infinite. This ‘expanded awareness’ lead you back to the same place all over again – the body of the milky way, seen from an expanded vantage point, is merely the cell of a body in the tip of your (our) right index finger. One is bred to perceive one body.

This cycle continues through all time – time is a characteristic making up other aspects of the similar but different universes. There are cells as they are today and bodies made of cells as they were yesterday and others as they will be tomorrow.

What hasn’t changed is your role. No matter your level of awareness and current perception of reality – you are always a critical part of a critical atom in a critical cell which makes up something greater.

You are a critical part of an infinite cycle in a finite world, a critical milestone in a timeless trend in a world bound by time.

Expand your awareness and, in the next installment, this awareness will help you perceive the patterns of creation!

Shout out to Bert!

This series was inspired by a conversation between Bert and myself in the comments of the “What are you gaining” one-liner (“all that is gained in life is lost in death”).

There is some great dialogue in those comments regarding the concept of the ego, afterlife, the state of ‘being’, and perception of the ‘whole’ for those interested.

Please take some time to review the great perspective he has to offer on his “Who is Bert” blog – “a dialogue on mind, consciousness and existence”. Relevant to the topic at hand, I recommend his recent post on “identity, separation and love”. Enjoy!

– – +- -+- -+-+- = IT’S ALL RELATED = -+-+- -+- -+ – –
(Part 1) Universe You: Intro to Connecting the Dots
(Part 2a) Universe You: Positive Relationships
(Part 2b) Universe You: 3 Pillars of a Positive Relationship
(Part 3) Universe You: Why YOU Matter
(Part 4) Universe You: Giving Yourself Space

How Relocation Can Help You Move Past the Loss

Relocating can be a moving experience in more ways than one. This article contains some great information regarding the benefits of “Relocation Therapy”, provided by Elliman brokers exclusively for Loopholes readers – enjoy!

How Relocation Can Help You Move Past the Loss

Relocation therapy is a new form of healing that requires people to move to new locations and start their lives over. This method has been proven effective by numerous therapists who have tried it with patients. Many patients have relocated to areas different from their current location to recover from a job loss, death of a spouse, mid-life crisis, or a divorce. Here are reasons why relocation therapy works:

Removes People From an Environment Causing Angst

Unfortunately, when we lose a spouse to death or divorce or a job, there are reminders in the home and in the city where you spent the most time with the spouse or co-workers. The reminders can be unbearable if you are trying to move beyond the hurt. Moving to a new city can remove the triggers that may cause you to cry or feel uncomfortable when you see the reminders. When people relocate to new states from their current state, the new environment can give them the push they need to meet new people and recover from loss.

Creates New Networking Opportunity

When you have exhausted resources in one city, it may be time to move on to another city. A new city may have opportunities that your old city does not. You may have been looking for a job in a city for nine months and move to a new city and find a job within six weeks. The job market may be saturated where you are currently. Relocation may be the best option.

New Homes Build Positive Energy

New homes build positive energy. When you redecorate and invite new friends, you build new memories. This is essential in the healing process. Buying a new home can also help with a mid-life crisis. It is like buying a new car. Having something new in your life to wrap your mind around is healthy. So often people get stuck in the same daily routine in their home life that they get into a rut, making a change to a new scenery can make a worlds difference. Moving into an area such as NY real estate, in the city that never sleeps, can provide you with an endless amount of positive energy with the surrounding activities. You will find yourself looking forward to getting up the next day with there always being something to do.

Try relocation therapy, it may work for you. Relocation therapy works! You just have to find a therapist who is familiar with the process who can walk you through and ensure that you are making the proper decision. Consider relocation therapy if you cannot move past a loss in your life.

This information was written by Ken Torrino, web relations for Elliman, brokers for New York City real estate.

Are you Complaining, Waiting, or Changing?

“While you’re busy complaining…
…that others don’t change;
They’re busy waiting…
…for you to do the same.”

~LoopholesOnLife.com

A REAL Butterfly Effect

“The Extended Hand has a tremendous Butterfly Effect.”

~LoopholesOnLife.com

A Reflection of Us:

Every single gesture can change a life;
and a single moment is not made of time.
If one person needs help, then others do too;
World Peace is a decision beginning with you.

PROJECT E.G.O.- 3 Phase Plan to Win the Conflict Within

Make no mistake, we are at war friends.

Our enemy is deceitful, conniving, and…. surprisingly logical.

Our adversary will strive to convince us that it is not a foe, but a friend.

Our opponent will remind us of all the great things we are, and attribute it to our successes. Then subsequently remind us of all we are not, and attribute it to the failures of others.

Our rival goes by the name of “Ego”, and it has been called the source of ALL conflict! Welcome to Project: E.G.O., the 3-step battle plan for shared victory in our individual battles.

Continue reading “PROJECT E.G.O.- 3 Phase Plan to Win the Conflict Within”