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Purveyor of Acceptance, authenticity, and expression.

Oliver J. Shannon


Today is a present. It comes with the knowledge of yesterday, and the opportunity of tomorrow.
— THIS GUY

 

So What?

Living to be happy is like trying to catch sunshine in a glass jar.

Most people are looking to obtain a newfound level of understanding and peace in their lives. This can mean things like wealth, love, a higher level of awareness, or anything they desire. I’ve asked people "are you happy?" and most will say yes, and then step back and think about their answer. It seems our core reaction is to be happy then second-guess our own good nature.

People think of current situations, reminisce of the past, or attempt to project into the future, our initial decision to be happy fades into anxiety, stress, or depression. These emotional imbalances can also manifest themselves in physical pain, or diseases. Once we place ourselves into these other timelines, we divide ourselves in an attempt to gain the upper hand in life and always spread ourselves too thin. The currency to achieve our dreams is Attention. Be mindful to whom or to what you are Paying Attention.


good & evil

Night must fall for stars to shine

Hate and frustration are as equal as joy and love. Without our deepest sorrows and gut-busting laughter, we cannot strike balance! Good music requires silence and spaces between the notes. Allow yourself, and allow others to be silent, as only then can a true symphony be heard. Life is a miraculous machine, for if you give 50% of your best you get 50% of what you’re hoping for back. There is no loss, but certainly no gain. To get it all, you must give it all. A great Hero needs a better villain, and fortunately for us, we get to be both.

As medication and science advance, we may find a mix of chemicals to limit our emotions. The studies on the effectiveness would all be inconclusive at best. We’d try it and then not know if we liked the feeling or not! Our most inspiring, wonderous, and valuable lessons come from our emotions.


Obligatory Title

Be as you are. Accept as it is. Express sincerely.

Acceptance

Inclusive, eternal, generous.

Acceptance is silence that is not based on judgment, or opinions. It is a calm stillness asking nothing more than we acknowledge it. Observe what is surrounding us and be willing to accept that thing of expression for whatever it is without asking for it to be other than what it currently is. To leave a desire for more alone.

I believe we must shift our focus from wanting more to being grateful for what we have. This is a slow process, and one which takes time (impossible to say HOW long) for us to recognize that our thirst for more water when we have a lake, is what is making us so dehydrated. It should be our goal to see that the way we’ve been living is not sufficient. It does not nourish our soul, it does not make one happy.

Let us strive to change our perspective and shift our focus from victim to hero. The good news about this change is that it’s much easier than one may expect, for who we were and now who we aim to be has been with us all along. We’ve seen our past and mistakes, and now as this outside force, there is no need to judge ourselves for what we didn’t know or perhaps chose not to believe. It’s ok to be where you are, as much as it’s ok for others for where they are.


authenticity

The hardest one to be is YOURSELF

I have found completely raw and unfiltered Authenticity to come from only one place, within my being. Many have been insincere, lied, and perhaps most foolishly tried to hide from ourselves. While I lurked in the shadows of my own image, I felt resentment towards who I was, who I was trying to be, and worst yet, who I wanted to be seen as. We should not be embarrassed by our flaws or lifestyle choices. These pieces are us, so why do we try so hard to hide them? Being authentic is not about being right or wrong, it simply is.

Being who you are is exposing the soft underbelly of our human nature. To be the one who bows first. Being someone you’re happy with when you rest your head at night. Knowing we’ve done our best, and that the best means something different each day.

It’s ok to be who you are, it always has been.


Expression

The something everything is made of

Our experience of life is our brain’s best guess of what the hell we think is happening. This environment of where we are with made-up names for things so small we cannot see them with our eyes. We’ve zoomed in so much in an attempt to understand why we’re here and what we’re made of. Damn near invisible atoms have been proven to exist in two places at once, and only by our attention do they snap into a position.

By viewing this truth through rose-colored lenses, we can see how each of us builds our own world inside of our individual existence of expression.

Expressing ourselves comes from our curious nature. I’ve found myself eager to explore canyons, the mind of myself, and the thought process of others. The most efficient way to self-growth is action and specific expression. Whatever speaks to you, listen and act upon it.


TYING it together

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as we fall, do so with grace

It’s my hope to plant the seed to accept ourselves as we accept others. To be authentic enough to be human and courageous enough to show people it’s ok to be themselves, even when they don’t think they are good enough. Then, to be expressive enough to flourish in life living their dreams, without resentment or jealousy.

For those who continue to learn, please share. Share a meal with a stranger, talk of times from yesteryear with family, and build plans for the future.

As I share what has worked for me, it is just that, what has worked for me. There truly is no right way to meet yourself. To drop the expectations, insecurities, or baggage we’ve carried with us. All of that is ok, for the weight on our shoulders and in our hands have made us strong. They’ve made us resilient. They’ve shown us how far we can do while we sleep, just imagine how far you can go once you awaken.

Words will fail to convey the truest meaning I hold in my heart for others. Knowing of the inevitable communication gap, I hope these letters fall with grace and without angst, but I cannot give you any real certainty. On that, I am certain.


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Happiness is awaiting you on the other side of all these damn expectations.


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