Essential, Random and Frivolous Thoughts of a Cabinet Maker

The desire to express oneself can certainly take on a myriad of activities and behaviors. Some may seem more rational/logical/sensible/etc. than others. Although, I’m not sure that’s important.

It seems to me that what’s paramount is the self-expression itself and the effect it has on one’s soul. Playing music, writing, attending Burning Man, dressing up as your favorite superhero or water-coloring on the weekends may satisfy that itch in oneself. There is really no rhyme or reason and it need-not make sense to anyone but you.

I believe the key is this: find that simple way to express oneself in order to scratch that itch. Not trying is our only failure.

We’re here to express our individuality as the perfectly flawed person we are in any way we can that enriches ourselves and others. As a result, we may not be the only ones who benefit from it – those around us may feel the positive residual effects as well.

There are some people going through their days in misery. Day after day, the monotony and lack of inspiration makes their brief visit on this earth less than a stellar experience. These people can be experiencing so much pain in their lives that they voluntarily choose to end it leaving loved ones behind to deal with the ramifications of such a loss.

And yet there are others who see each and every moment as an opportunity to explore their world and themselves with an attitude of discovery and excitement of a child by seeing what’s in store for them in each new moment.

Neither person is wrong. Neither is right. No doubt we are unable to control what happens to us at times and some of it can be quite debilitating if we allow it. But, we certainly have a choice in how we react to what has happened. And of course that makes all the difference in the world.

We all have been given the gift of grace. Everyday we have the choice of employing its’ availability to our benefit each and every hour.

It is only and always up to us to engage in it’s presence and bath in its’ light. To adopt a perspective that includes its’ vision.

Without it, we risk the chance of continuing the chaotic cycle of losing ourselves in the distractions of today’s world and not evolving into our best version of ourselves.

I know it sounds like I’m arriving extremely late to the game by saying this, but . . . It seems to me that lately I’ve embraced the idea of addressing the challenges in my life. Certainly not all of them. Probably not even most of them. But, some of them.

What do I mean by that? When looking forward in laying out my day, I’ve taken on the tasks – in certain aspects of my life – of addressing the actions that I’m not exactly sure how to accomplish. But, I’m showing up to them anyway. I know that sounds so simplistic, but you would be amazed what I and others do to avoid real work.

In fact, I’m sure that I do it daily. An example in my day-to-day would be: driving around town to jobsites dropping off material and running errands is not where I need to be spending my time. This is not my strength and anyone could accomplish the same thing if they have a truck to haul loads around town for an hourly rate. The real work I need to be doing is finalizing and refining our 30-day review that reflects our company’s core principles for an employee that has been with us for 30 days in order to systemize it as a live document we can use in our training for new hires and employees repeatedly. See the difference?

No doubt driving around LA making phone calls and listening to podcasts is much easier for me and appears as if something is happening – that work is getting done. The question I have to ask is: Is it real work?

The right hemisphere of our brains is responsible for the here and now. The presence of being in this moment. It’s not concerned with solving problems, numbers or what’s next on our schedule. Nor does it have our identities locked into it’s vault. Who am I? What’s my job title? Where do I live? What is my name? etc.

Although this could be a bit frightening for us – the feeling if you’ve ever woken up in a hotel room and for a brief moment forgetting where you are – it may have it’s benefits. It’s the same place we long to access when meditating. It’s more relaxing in there. It’s where we find our homeostasis.

I think we all know how to “do,” to worry, to “grind,” and kick up a whole lot of dust in the left hemisphere. Maybe we can try finding more balance throughout the day by occupying the right and utilizing the whole brain. But, more importantly find a more relaxed state of being.