Took a while for my ship to crash. Along the way I would come across different sources of inspiration to help keep it flying a bit longer, but in the end I knew she was too badly damaged and needed to go down. What I didn't know at the time was that these bits of inspiration were actually laying the groundwork for a future path that I was to follow. An honorable path.
Aside from films and action heroes, literature also played a strong role in the definition of the self. Robert Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" was one such tome that gave me pause, as did Dan Millman's "Way of the Peaceful Warrior". While I couldn't fully live their words and meanings at the time because of my own delusions, enough of the material seeped through my self constructed walls to help me emerge a better soul from the fiery wreckage of my crash.
Another such literary piece would be the more recent "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. New Age nonsense aside, mister Ruiz listed four practical ways (or agreements) in which one can live a more enlightened life. You can find those agreements here:
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Don_Miguel_Ruiz
Upon my return to this world, I have since adopted Ruiz's four agreements into my life, and they certainly have helped me see the world free from any constructed walls that had previously blocked my view.
But why stop there? These four are a good starting point, but there are other 'agreements' of mine that help to keep my ship flying higher and farther than ever. Here are four Honor Knight agreements which I'd like to contribute to the mix:
5. MAINTAIN A SENSE OF HUMOR
Life is funny. Seriously. Laughter heals, and you should be laughing every moment that you can. My sense of humor (one of the few genuine gifts from my mother) has kept me sane even in the darkest of times. Laughter generates a lot of positive energy, and it's contagious (in a good way), so spread it around. Once you lose your sense of humor, you lose your perspective on what this life truly has to offer. Find the funny.
6. BE CHILDLIKE
This is not to be confused with 'childish', which acting like this would be counterproductive to your self definition. To be childlike like simply means to maintain a wonderment about all that surrounds you in this life. When you were a kid, even the simplest of things were thought to be 'cool', and you know what? They still are. Falling leaves, hermit crabs, the setting sun, and ocean waves never get old no matter how often you experience them. The 'Verse is still a pretty amazing place, regardless of age. Find the 'cool stuff'.
7. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS
Dirty Harry Callahan taught me this one from "Magnum Force" when he said, "A man's got to know his limitations." How true. To live outside the walls you must know the limits of your own soul, and how best to self define in this world. You may have the passion to be a heart surgeon, but if you can't stand the sight of blood, you may want to rethink your career choice, regardless of how much it means to you. The options may be limitless, but you aren't. Find your balance and you'll find your place.
8. HAVE FUN!
Please lighten up. Just because you're older, you've been through hell, you've had your heart broken, doesn't mean you can't (or shouldn't) still have a great time in this 'Verse. Go out and play. Often. Have fun in all that you do. Only one time around in this life, so don't be a sourpuss. We have enough of those. Find the fun.
So there you have it, four extra agreements to hopefully add balance to your soul. Maybe you'll find value in them for your own life, or maybe you'll follow your own agreements. Please feel free to add to the list.
It's a big 'Verse out there...
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Internal Breakrooms
"You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
Your wanna go where everybody knows
your name."
- "Cheers" theme song
On a typical busy day, the breakroom held so many cast members that it resembled a one room family residence in a third world country. These employees were of all ages, and all walks of life. Regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs, they found themselves bound together by the job, and the close quarters of the small refuge. You would think this melting pot of so many different personalities would be an HR nightmare, but you know what? It never was. Ever.
The breakroom was the Switzerland of our work place. Completely neutral. Conversations consisting of all different topics were always welcome, open, and honest. Sometimes brutally honest. There were no taboo subjects within those walls, and even though it has been many years since I've been a part of that environment, I still remember many of those conversations, some of which would no doubt turn your hair gray, and others still I cannot repeat even unto this day.
Our breakroom was a haven in a world overrun by political correctness, a last resort of sorts where your soul could be laid bare in the company of others. We got a real sense of who each other was, and what we were really about. There were many heated discussions, to be sure, but there were also just as many deeply personal discussions that occured as well. Friendships were forged and lost within that space, but never once did anyone lodge a human resources complaint that they were offended by something they overheard. The unwritten rule was that if you were offended (and ALL of us were at some point), you simply got up and left.
That's it.
Sooner or later the conversation would shift to another topic, and the offended person could return and reengage with the group. It was tough to stay away from such honesty. No matter how upset or angry you were, you always came back. Why? We were afraid to miss anything! These were life's best moments, unfolding right before our eyes and ears. We sure as hell weren't going to miss any of this highlight reel.
Even to this very day, as now 'former' cast members, we're still afraid to miss anything. We gather together once a year to celebrate our time at that job, and the time spent within those walls. Even though some of us haven't seen each other in years, within ten minutes of reuniting we find ourselves back inside the breakroom, where no subject is off limits, and no walls are necessary to shield our souls.
Since the days of that external breakroom have long since passed, I've maintained a sort of internal breakroom that keeps me centered as I move through this 'Verse. It's a place within myself where I can tackle any part of my soul with the same openness and brutal honesty that I found in the company of those coworkers. It's a place of self definition, of healing, of laughter, and of solace. Sometimes a quick trip to the internal breakroom is all I need to rebalance myself when the world tips a little too far in one direction.
Find your own internal breakroom. We all have one tucked away somewhere inside, a judgment free zone, and we need that special place where we can step away from the chaos every now and then and take comfort in the nakedness of our soul.
A place where we know our own name.
people are all the same,
Your wanna go where everybody knows
your name."
- "Cheers" theme song
On a typical busy day, the breakroom held so many cast members that it resembled a one room family residence in a third world country. These employees were of all ages, and all walks of life. Regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs, they found themselves bound together by the job, and the close quarters of the small refuge. You would think this melting pot of so many different personalities would be an HR nightmare, but you know what? It never was. Ever.
The breakroom was the Switzerland of our work place. Completely neutral. Conversations consisting of all different topics were always welcome, open, and honest. Sometimes brutally honest. There were no taboo subjects within those walls, and even though it has been many years since I've been a part of that environment, I still remember many of those conversations, some of which would no doubt turn your hair gray, and others still I cannot repeat even unto this day.
Our breakroom was a haven in a world overrun by political correctness, a last resort of sorts where your soul could be laid bare in the company of others. We got a real sense of who each other was, and what we were really about. There were many heated discussions, to be sure, but there were also just as many deeply personal discussions that occured as well. Friendships were forged and lost within that space, but never once did anyone lodge a human resources complaint that they were offended by something they overheard. The unwritten rule was that if you were offended (and ALL of us were at some point), you simply got up and left.
That's it.
Sooner or later the conversation would shift to another topic, and the offended person could return and reengage with the group. It was tough to stay away from such honesty. No matter how upset or angry you were, you always came back. Why? We were afraid to miss anything! These were life's best moments, unfolding right before our eyes and ears. We sure as hell weren't going to miss any of this highlight reel.
Even to this very day, as now 'former' cast members, we're still afraid to miss anything. We gather together once a year to celebrate our time at that job, and the time spent within those walls. Even though some of us haven't seen each other in years, within ten minutes of reuniting we find ourselves back inside the breakroom, where no subject is off limits, and no walls are necessary to shield our souls.
Since the days of that external breakroom have long since passed, I've maintained a sort of internal breakroom that keeps me centered as I move through this 'Verse. It's a place within myself where I can tackle any part of my soul with the same openness and brutal honesty that I found in the company of those coworkers. It's a place of self definition, of healing, of laughter, and of solace. Sometimes a quick trip to the internal breakroom is all I need to rebalance myself when the world tips a little too far in one direction.
Find your own internal breakroom. We all have one tucked away somewhere inside, a judgment free zone, and we need that special place where we can step away from the chaos every now and then and take comfort in the nakedness of our soul.
A place where we know our own name.
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