I am reminded of Plato

I recently had a falling out and regathering with a very special friend. One of the things she told me was that I had said things that made her cry. While apologizing and saying it wouldnt happen anymore, she said she didnt want me to say I would change because she would know there was something more I ment to say. However I was meditating on this subject and came to a realization. I want to change not just when talking to her, but when talking to anyone and everyone. There is never an acceptable reason to verbally shit on someone. She may notice me not saying such harsh things anymore. But it wont be because I have changed for her. It will be because I believe I must always strive to better myself for positive personal growth. As such I will try my best to change who I am, so that I can be better to and for everyone around me. This is my ninja way. Always strive to be a better person. Thats something most people dont do anymore. So many people think that once they have hit a certain age that they have become exactly who they will be. Let me say this. When I was 14 I had no idea who I would be at 16. When I was 16 I had no idea who I was going to be at 18, I never even contemplated it. But I have looked back and seen how different I was during each of those spans. Even the latest. Who I was at 18 I had no idea who I would become and 20. And now at 21 I have no idea who I will be at 22. I will always be willing to learn the lessons life throws my way, I must never become complacent and believe that I know the absolute truth of everything, there is always more to understand. I can say with absolute certainty that I am looking forward to who I will be. Because I have never worked so hard to be a better person. Inside and Out.

"You are young, my son, and, as the years go by, time will change and even reverse many of your present opinions. Refrain therefore awhile from setting yourself up as a judge of the highest matters."--Plato

Fear, the Universe and Everything

"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."-Yoda

Fear destroys from within, it is giving in to what is around you. Of all the areas of fear, I have most recently become acquainted with the fear of relationships. Not my own fear, but the fear of the one I care so much about. So many people around me lately have displayed fears of being rejected, fear of being hurt. And so their natural remedy is anywhere from automatically rejecting all forms of romantic interest, to completely shutting down and deciding to be celibate for the rest of their lives. We are social animals. It is necessary to experience a loving relationship for our own healthy state of mind. I wont go into whether that is just a social stigma placed by society or not right now. My point is that when you fear something you want, when you fear something you need, all you are doing is giving in to the twisted effects of something within you.

Fear grips us, and the longer we let it sit dormant the darker and more dire effects we receive from it. How does one rid themselves of such a fear? When fear has taken root so deeply you can not simply ignore it. You must go to the root of the fear. What traumatic event caused such a seed to sprout? When did it all begin? Why did it happen? How did I let it happen to me? How did I react to the events? How has my reaction effected my life till now? And how could I have done it differently? Ask yourself these questions, search within yourself for the answers. Only once you have found the answers, specially the last two, can you prepare to meet your fears head-on.

But you are afraid to face it, that is the nature of fear. You must take control of your life and learn to make decisions while questioning whether it is you, or your fear making the choices for you. Once you have identified the fear pulling the strings to your decisions you must fight it. You must let go of the handrail and be able to trust yourself to be able to manage without the automatic responses fear has placed within you. This doesnt mean that love will be easy, you may still get hurt in the end. But if that time comes, you can not allow yourself to be gripped by the fear again. You must take your future into your own hands and become stronger than you were before.