Category: Uncategorized (Page 124 of 158)

I wish I could be Chicken Joe.

Who is Chicken Joe, you say?

There’s a character in the feature animated film “Surf’s Up,” in which all the character’s are animals. Mostly penguins I believe. He is a chicken who’s name is Chicken Joe. He’s a surfer with a style that’s as laid-back as his life (Think Spicoli on steroids).

He aimlessly – for the most part – walks through the movie with no real intention other than to remain in the present moment.

At one point he is “captured” by a tribe of “indigenous” penguins and they are ready to have him for a meal. As Chicken Joe sits in a huge pot of water over the fire as the tribesmen cut and drop vegetables into the water, Joe sits comfortably with his arms (wings) resting on the lip of the pot as if he’s relaxing in a hot tub. Not a care in the world.

He is a contestant in a surf competition and finds himself in the finals due to sheer coincidence only to become champion of the tournament after unkowningly catching a final wave that picks him and his board up to ride to the winner’s trophy as he lay’s on his surfboard looking at clouds in the sky.

What a way to live your day. What a way to live your life.

Man, I wish I had a little more Chicken Joe in me.

Granted he is a chicken. And he’s animated.

That’s a phrase I grew up with as a kid. Especially as a boy who played sports – including football. You don’t hear it as much anymore nowadays. I’m not sure where it fits in today’s society.

Is that a good thing? Is it a bad thing?

I’m always teetering back and forth when it comes to the ego – and the process of letting it go – and competition. Where, it would appear the ego needs to be present in order to compete. I’m not sure.

Can we compete with ourselves in setting goals and intentions, as well as against others and still remain centered with our ego sitting on the sidelines? That’s a tough one for me.

The balance I struck in the past was to remain egoless before and after competition, but during the event I allowed the ego to run a muck. Don’t get me wrong, I was respectful and fair to my opponents but it was my intention to bury them during the game. After the final whistle blew I was as gentle as a kitten.

Maybe that’s the ticket. Feels a bit like Jekyll and Hyde to me.

What say you?

When I was in junior high and I liked a girl, it didn’t matter what my friends said about her – good or bad – I wasn’t going to take their word for it. Not because I didn’t believe them, but because I needed to go through the experience myself to solidify the truth. Besides, it’s ME. No one would treat me less than.

Well, that’s not always the case. And yes, she can be like my friends said. However, the only way I was going to find out was by going through it. They say you learn your hardest lessons by going through the most pain. I believe that.

These life experiences are how we become wizened. Without them, it would be all theory. So, we know what we know.

I always have to remind myself this when I’m in a situation with my children and remember, these are their life lessons. This is how they are learning to navigate themselves in the world.

And as much as I try to get out in front of them to solve their problems before they arise, it will never be the same as allowing them to go through them first hand.

Now they know what they didn’t know.

Love is comprehensive. Desire has a singular focus.

Love is gentle. Desire is rigid.

Love gives back. Desire only takes.

Love feeds the soul. Desire is never satisfied.

Love heals. Desire ignores the pain.

Love brings us together. Desire isolates.

Loving someone is difficult. Desire is a shortcut to indulgence.

Love nullifies low energy. Desire perpetuates selfishness.

Love is a choice. So is Desire.

Whether it’s your writing or conversations you have with someone in passing; are you revealing your authentic self? There’s no doubt, it can be frightening in today’s world with enough judgement and cancel culture to go around for a few lifetime’s, however, I could argue there is no better time than now to be the individual you intend to be – that you must be. Why? Because that is who you are.

I find it interesting how most high school kids will do whatever it takes to “fit in” the crowd and be absorbed into the group losing their individuality. Just as long as they don’t stand out with unwanted attention. It was like that when I was in high school and I did early on. Then we begin to mature and realize that’s exactly the opposite of what we want in life.

I think what we want more than anything is strike out and find our individuality – no matter how frightening it is – and make a statement of who we are. In turn elevating those around us up to do the same.

And to be recognized and respected for that individuality by others. This is how we can connect and cultivate our relationships with others.

There’s a million ways to do it. This is one.