The belly button conundrum

Just what WOULD you do to be a success?

I really do not like having my hair cut. When I was younger an incident occurred and the top of my ear was sliced off by careless scissors, operated by a side of the neck talking gossip monger.

I wore the proverbial crimson mask, and the image returned upon every nervous visit.

It is with some delicious irony that I saw, and understood. How a person can be successful. This came to me through my greatest fear.

On Tuesday evening I was walking home from work, and caught a glimpse of my untamed mane in a passing window. On a whim or more of a necessity, I ventured into the hairdressers.

There was of course the usual customs and pleasantries; I was shown to the chair and at that point my nerves must have shown, and she asked me my name.

This is the first key to success: PAY ATTENTION

Nerves are one thing, and a trip to the hair dressers is one full of polite chit-chat, clichés and banal opinions. I was made to feel at ease, and for the first time I was able to express what style I required. I have had in the past, dozens of hairstyles of pictures that were closest to my eye line. (Pretty glad no mullets were nearby)

My hair was rinsed, washed and my face massaged. She proceeded to scissor cut my hair, taking her time, measuring and cross referencing each side. It was pretty late in the day, and had no appointment yet the enthusiasm and energy was equal to her first cut of the day.

The second key to success: CONSISTENCY

Whilst cutting my hair, and to my embarrassment but with discretion, she informed me that there was a large spot on my scalp. The next thing however surprised me; she proceeded to separate my hair around the infected area and fully lanced the skin eruption. The seeping puss and follow through blood was mopped up and cleaned without question and we carried on.

The third key to success: BESPOKE SERVICE

The haircut was a success.

All the above does seem innocuous, but through a fear came a good experience. Life is like this and I want to shout from the roof tops about the service received.

Normally a product or service is instantly forgettable, and we have had tens of thousands of these experiences in our lives.

The devil is in the detail, the same goes for love. The yearning by middle aged woman who bemoan the small things that there young lovers did for them in the distant past such as; pull out a chair, open a door, order wine, fluff the pillow, tumble dry a towel and handing to them after a bath that they run when they came back from work ....... (A womans Number 1 fantasy)

Life is just a series of moments with forgettable fluff in-between; this fluff gets into your belly button when you are not paying ATTENTION, not washing with any CONSISTENCY and paying or awarding yourself with BESPOKE SERVICE.

In summary look after yourself and other and do nice things for people, this is of course what you SHOULD do, to be a success.

‘Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves’ - Albert Einstein

I love the above quote, it defines your life. A simple premise of how to move forward. If your are going to do something, then DO IT

HO HO HO HO XXXXXX

PS - Take a wet wipe and clean your belly button daily, constant attention will prevent build up ; )

Baby, it's cold outside........

‘There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time’ - Malcolm X


I have made so many mistakes in my life; some have even been made repeatedly. As an adolescent you were insulated from any serious outcome, as your parents protected you from liabilities.

We often bewail our luck, and curse inanimate objects, systems, universe, companies and institutions when bad things happen. The long and short of it is that rarely we look for that silver lining in every single cloud that storms upon us.

The proverbial silver lining in every painful situation is what is called ‘the lesson’. I am not trying to patronise anyone, but the lesson is sometimes the experience itself. Our natural instincts drive the fight or flight response and our reaction is from the trigger from the issue occurring in the first place.

For example, something happens and then the issue is not the issue, but how we respond to that issue, then it becomes the real issue! The lesson is not learned or even recognised but instead of a solution an additional problem is created.

To the title of my blog, although a Christmas song from the late 1940’s, the title and melody have always resonated with me, however, my interpretation of the song, as it plays in my mind, has always been to suppress my out of control ego.

Whenever, something happens, I do have to check my behaviour, it forces me to learn the lesson. The song is my fight reflex response to negative behaviour; it does remind me that if you fight against the world, the world will win as I am attracting back my own negativity ten-fold. I could always be friendless, jobless or homeless.

As the song intimates, it is cold outside. Swallowing your pride is a fallacy, as the reaction to the problem should not have been created in the first instance.

This is the lesson you should take, as to quote Oscar Wilde ‘Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes’


I have been your Captain for today’s flight, and hope you enjoyed flying with Everest Airways and welcome you again soon.

Tally ho!

PS. Humility is now my strong point, I am VERY experienced

Take that, Mr Barlow

They say that you become your abuser.

The wicked irony is, that my adult life vampire obsession was fuelled by the sheer terror as a child, that the very thought of Mr Kurt Barlow could bring.

I am not a recently converted twilight groupie; I find the whole Bella Swan character far too whiny for my liking. Although totally feeling True Blood.

However, I digress.

Today’s blog, is quite personal, and tend to throw these in once in a while. The theme is looser than a skater boy’s trousers, but hopefully a glimmer of a point will shine through.

The film Salem’s Lot had a profound effect on me, as a child these things do. I also used to think that Chewbacca who was on my curtains was going to kill me in the night, so I used to sleep with my Lightsaber, so Kurt Barlow was a certainly worthy of special attention.

Let’s look past the whole blue nosferatu thing he had going on, Mr Barlow was in my eyes, the first true personification of Evil. As children we are shielded from such imagery and behaviour, this is natural as all parents want to protect. However, at 5 years old, you would have hoped for a few lessened encounters or imagery of bad people to kind of lessen the blow, or the Barlow!

There you have it, my first tangible conscious fear. However, not my last, and must of spent the better part of 30-years harbouring more and more and more.....

I have spent countless nights with these fears running through my mind, awake as emotions take control of me. These emotions range from anger, frustration, morbid outcomes and total irrationality.

At the top of this blog, I stated that you can become your own abuser, or in a non-sexual way your subconscious irrationality can penetrate your conscious reality.

Why? It is because I have never faced my fear. We always put these things down to bad luck, Murphy’s Law and of course develop the paranoia that the universe is against us.

The truth is, it is! We are powerful being and we can manifest our fears to become an irrational reality. Hold on one second though, if negative and fearful thankful brings about such results surely.............

That is right folks; we know the answer for creating happiness and a positive and abundant life, but it does not answer how we manage our fears.

Feel the fear and do it anyway, Susan Jeffers did get it right with this great book, and recommend to everyone.

Now back to Mr Barlow, I have long moved on from that fear, but the penny finally dropped that instead of banishing fear all together, I just dealt with every personification and manifestation that came along. It was seem that some fears were instantly banished, some were embraced and some have been with me for decades.

Fear has affected me physically, and have been regularly been seeing a Kinesiologist, Life Coach and today even Hypnotherapy. The truth is, and an accurate summary of my fear behaviour is that I have been playing a game of eternal hide and seek. My hiding place is somewhat better than behind a sofa, but another disturbing reality is that it is still seeking me.

What am I afraid of? Shouting? Well last I check that cannot hurt me, the raising of the voice as an intimidation tool is kind of juvenile. I can scare myself more.

The break-though moment, we scare ourselves more with a morbid unrealistic outcome than actual reality.

I will never succeed with such thoughts, I will never become rich if I am scared of money, I will never grow as a person unless I nourish myself with spirituality, I will not intellectually expand with exposure to all forms of higher reasoning (This includes relinquishing my personal boycott of Satre)

I must name my fear, write it down and place the words on a wall for me to stare and absorb. Then give that fear a colour, imagine it wearing a parka coat and yellow Wellington boots. Place the fear in its rain wear and imagine it place precariously on top of a steep hill. Then place the fear on a skate board, and watch it speed down the hill to the deep lake at the bottom and watch it sink away into oblivion.

I cannot absorb or become, what is no longer there.

‘Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free’ - Jim Morrison

I truly am free; my greatest successes are yet to come, my biggest adventures have yet to be taken and my happiness will never peak and plateau it will ascend to the stars and beyond.

We turn a page a day in our lives; we need to want to read on.

Thank you Mr Barlow, you have taught me well.

Love peace and hair grease

Scott

Dreams can come true......

“There is nothing like a dream to create the future” – Victor Hugo

I have dreams, not blow a candle out and wish real hard throwaway dreams, nor get rich quick or sudden fame or fortune type of dreams. The dreams which play out in my mind are these days more altruistic, and less selfish.

There is nothing wrong with pursuing personal wealth and fame; however, you must dream your happiness to run alongside your success.

So to truly believe and succeed, the everlasting circle certainly symbolises this.

Could life be so simple, and that dreams albeit subconsciously can themselves be self fulfilling prophesies?

A goal without a plan is just a dream!

A vision without action is just a dream?

A vision without execution is just a hallucination?

A life without dreams is like a garden without flowers?

A goal without a plan is just a wish?

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it” – Michelangelo

Ok, in the middle of this blog, it would seem that I am talking to myself, however I always find it necessary for my mind to confirm what my eyes can see in front of me, and a dream becoming a self fulfilling prophesy resonates on a positive vibration with me.


So let’s explore this, dreams, ideas, visions, beliefs, goals, ability, self worth can all suffer or prosper in what is called the ‘Thomas Theorem’

This theory states "If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences." So this could be all about one person’s perception in the situation they find themselves in.

I suppose that self fulfilling prophesies are always playing the protagonist in many a novel or cheap straight to DVD feature film.

Another version of this theory is called ‘The Oedipus effect’ the oracle (the protagonist or the dream) announced the ‘prophesy’ that Oedipus would kill his father for the love of his mother. The oracle, instead of encouraging Laius to break the ‘prophesy’ actually instigated it.

The legend of Romulus and Remus, Herod and Jesus of Nazareth and various others are all based of self fulfilling prophesies.

We give such credence to our own limited beliefs, but let’s make them real again and relative.

It won’t work
I am always late
I am not lucky
I won’t get that job
I won’t pass
I am not attractive
I will never be rich

This is why I do believe in affirmations, to break the cycle and turn a self defeating prophesy to a self fulfilling positive and successful philosophy.

So back on topic, and to the mystical and comforting world of dreams, it would seem that dreams are seen as wistful thinking and cannot take away planning and creative vision. This is a common view, not shared by me.

There is something in dreams, and with self discipline and living a clean conscious life, should transpire to our subconscious creative soul.

To explain dreams, I have done this with myself does require a leap of faith, and ignoring the brutal reality of someone likes Rene Descartes (I think there I am); dreams can serve as a seed towards an ultimate goal.

I heard Dr Wayne Dyer explain this best, when he describes a seed from an oak tree, it bears no resemblance to a tree, even if you cut it open and examine it fully. However, you know that inside, there is treeness. It just needs a few things to get that way.

Dreams are the same, so a seed will need luscious soil, water, sun and nurturing the same principle could be use for our most inner lucid thoughts or dreams.

The matrix does not control me, I ignore the oracle, I am not the victim of my circumstance, I am not a bad person, and I am NEVER going to highlight the negative and will ONLY accentuate the positive.

I will close my eyes tonight, and this very day will dream my happiest dream, the vision for the rest of my life will start to grow and tomorrow ................ will start to live it.

Sleep tight

Scott

Pain begets pain

“There is something terribly morbid in the modern sympathy with pain. One should sympathise with the colour, the beauty, the joy of life. The less said about life's sores the better” - Oscar Wilde

Sometimes, less is more. Today’s blog is about pain and will purposely keep it short.

There are moments in one’s life, where the meaning which we all seek becomes clearer. The question is dwarfed in comparison to the answer; however, one main part is how to be happy?

Happiness is elusive to many, and hard to maintain for the few, however, some masters out there all prescribe to one of many ethoses. With one being the understanding of what to do when the body, soul or heart is in pain.

Deep thought and an innocuous line from Eckhart Tolle, has brought this idea to life, and for me summed up where I have gone wrong all of these years.

In summary, pain is additive so much so it manifests itself to become a cannibal. A self ingesting being which engulfs the host’s body, mind and soul, the taste and frequency of the pain felt needs to attract more of the same to keep going, growing and overflowing.

There is hope with pain, as it can only feed on more pain, the fatty additives become addictive and we feel pain about feeding the pain. The good news is that there is some which is quite ingestible.

Pain can consume one’s body, but to alleviate, a dose of sudden ‘joy’ can break the symptoms dead.

‘Life is Difficult’ the author Scott Peck famous opening words were in his novel, a ‘Road less Travelled’ and this is one of the truths of life. However, I am trying to convey a break in the cycle. Sure life is difficult and everyone life is beset by pain on occasions, but these episodes are always broken by joy.

My point is to choose joy to enter your life, never feed the beast who brings your biggest nightmares to the fore.

So if your feel your pain can be solved by a large slice of chocolate cake, be aware that further pain is always felt by eating that cake. Pain begets pain, joy begets joy, evil begets evil and love begets love.

Cheesy chips and mango dips

Scott xxx

PS Can every this Friday, think about me, visualise me wearing a yellow t-shirt. My face book status will remind everyone.

The Beast and the shadow

Dark eyes and a spine of spikes, hunched with muscles tensed.
Nails pointed teeth sharp and putrid breath anticipating death.


No bad deed undone, no bad thought not followed through, the bestial belief is fear!
Though tears are shed, so private the pain for the desire for light, pierces his heart with despair


My father, my grandfather and every sired master, so the long line of learned lust brings me to this very day
The act, the evil, the flesh devoured to satisfy nourish me but peace in my soul does not allay


I am the darkness, the nightmares are light, and my presence on this path is unwelcomed by the predator himself and tasteless prey
My prey is the light, their path is virtue, yet there journey is broken and often strayed

I look upon my shadow the light of the golden sun, unattached from my body, but leaked from my soul. The master reflection is still dark
My prey, yet hero’s shadow is dark as my soul that brightens with melancholy and feeling of certainty in my heart


I desire your life, my banshee scream, directed towards my prey in a moment of confused clarity
The scared reply of pity and condemnation towards a beast’s plea of redemption and purity


This was met with equal shame from the beast; the new belief of hope was dashed by the cruelty of the light
Was there not a way, to trade our opposing souls? Righteousness, beauty can be achieved without a celestial fight


The prey pointed to the beast’s shadow pearlescent and comparatively brimming with beauty and self worth
The beast sold his shadow for the prey’s offering of his own dark soul and for eternal pain he felt deserved



The daylight rose, and the golden sun revealed the truth, hidden by the twilight’s stillness and darkness despair
Then the beast and prey’s shadows, both crept away from the body whose against their souls they have no care


The eternal truth revealed itself, through the enlightenment the beast knew and upon his shadow he did gaze
The lightness in his darkest reflection was gone and a paradox ensued and his hope was raised


He understood the dichotomy and how the truth once exposed can lead one to a righteous path
The idea that a shadow is not a reflection, but equilibrium in the universe from the soul to the body mass

PPPPPPPPPorkerface.........

‘There is the satisfaction of providing your public with a vision of true beautology, true sytlisity, - how can I put it? – true glamorositude’ – Miss Piggy

We are not speaking about the music industry manufactured pretentious and pretend eccentric pop diva Lady Gaga, we are talking about the delightfully violent and bourgeois star of the sliver (and furry) screen Miss Piggy.

I have always been a great fan; the dry cutting remarks could cut the biggest and most respectable people down to size. She would also use her sexuality to reduce any man to be her willing slave. Although Kermit did finally receive the pork tongue, his obvious repressed homosexuality made the chase a little too long.

However, I digress. The character of Miss Piggy was one of the few 3-dimesional characters from the Muppets whilst popularity is questionable, she did become the most recognisable facet of the long running show.

Legend has it, the name ‘Piggy’ was actual shortened from the Greek word ‘Pigathius’ which literally means’ river of passion’. A lot more thought and a high political agenda was at work to creating this character, and theories range from her being a metaphor for 80’s greed, to a parody of Zsa Zsa Gabor.

The character has many depths from the comical karate chopping of men who rebuff her to my favourite the undeniable self-belief that she is destined for greatness. I am sure than subconsciously there is some self-awareness, but the obvious denial she displays is quite impressive.

Now to make my point about the whole blog the metaphor of Miss Piggy has always meant to me a reminder of the phrase ‘Fake it till you make it’ a positive phrase that stops you from entering those self full-filling prophecies of self doubt, loathing and destruction.

The phrase is used a lot by the AA (Alcoholics anonymous) and newcomers are encouraged to use phrases, to talk about their present tense as if they have already succeeded.

In essence everything we say and do affects our anxiety, somewhat a contradiction to my normal line, but hope you will appreciate a different perspective.

We all have fears, this is natural. We can feed our anxiety or negativity with limited beliefs and self fulfil our worst nightmare. However, on the flipside we can trivialise those same such things and rise above with self belief and of course self fulfil our biggest dreams.

Just remember talent, like behaviour can be learnt. You may as well visualise the best possible outcome. To get to where you want to go, and have what you want to have and be what you want to be, always just needs a little belief to grow.

If you're properly attired, you're hired. And if you're not, I don't care how “Qualified” you may be – it will be a case of “clothes, but no cigar.” – Miss Piggy

A short blog today, however next Monday will be pushing myself way out of comfort zone and will writing a poem, something I have not attempted for a while.

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic’.– Miss Piggy

Speak to you all soon

Scott x

Reply from CEO Herald Tribune

To: Samael A Tanner (S.A_Tanner@morningstar.com)

From: Godfrey O ‘Dell (G.O_Dell@heraldtribune.com

Subject: Re: It has been a long time.......

Dear Samael

I would like to take this time to thank you for your letter, and it is nice to hear how you are doing.

I appreciate your feedback with regards to the appointment of my Son, however his popularity and unique story has certainly increased our customer base and somewhat polarised us from our competitors. I do not regret that decision.

Through-out the letter you made many references to our ‘new mandate’, we are an organisation which prides ourselves on being traditional and consistent. However, some customers who have been exposed to your message have somewhat taken a different view.

I feel that we would dilute our message by constantly justifying ourselves, so we never appear defensive. We just exist.

We ask people to have faith, not unbridled worship that skews the message. I feel this is how the situation between us has gotten to this point; your drive to become my favourite is what brought about the unforgivable sin. Thus you were cast out.

There is some confusion, and that is that we are to blame for people’s actions, even if they choose negative, violent actions in my name. Surely, if anything I taught you is that you are responsible for your own behaviour. Every person is equal.

I agree with your point on morality, however we all make mistakes and our code of conduct is a just a guide. We all decide how we should live, it is just one path will always lead towards happiness. This is the path that we choose to illuminate. This is an irony that we must show as your mandate is to enlighten. However, we like to illuminate and radiate. It is all semantics.

You talk of paradox, which did make me smile. You know about equilibrium and you made mention to it. Then surely paradox itself is included and the normal to the absurd is featured between the lines of balance.

I do not think you thought that one through!

The point regarding the disaffected youth is not new. Every generation claims to have a higher knowledge or superior view point. This goes round in cycles. However, this is done because deep down they have the comfort and knowledge to know that we are always here, consistent and can be slipped on like a pair of warm winter slippers.

The accusation of propaganda is certainly interesting; I must admit that it does take a special type of person to be in marketing and Public relations. I think our combined effort cannot save these people.

Not for one moment, do I think that ‘The Dawkins Standard’ and when it comes to the crunch will disappear quicker than an X Factor finalist.

I have to admit that my nature is usually that of good nature, and most please that your two children Jon and Edward are doing so well on X-Factor. I bet you are a proud father.

It was nice to hear from you, and maybe add me as a friend on Facebook? We did have a mutual friend in Scott Everest, but we agree that he is beyond help these days. He does seem to have declared himself ‘King of the World’ and bestowed upon himself the role of a Jedi. This, I blame you for!

Anyway, Tally ho!

Godfrey O ‘Dell
Chief Executive Officer
Herald Tribune

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
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E-mail from CEO of the Morning Star

To: Godfrey O ‘Dell (G.O_Dell@heraldtribune.com

From: Samael A Tanner (S.A_Tanner@morningstar.com)

Subject: It has been a long time.......

Dear Godfrey

How are you?

It has been quite a few years since we last spoke, with the last meeting as you recall ending quite abruptly. This meeting, as you are of course aware, ended with my leaving the established Herald Tribune.

I thought after all this time I had better try and clear the air, and to explain my position. I was of course upset at the time when you brought your son to the organisation; all of the staff at the Herald Tribune was upset as we all wanted that position in the office – the right of yours. We did all feel that our hard work at the time was not going noticed and the appointment of your son was pure nepotism.

I have a lot of pride, some say this led to my downfall, but at the time I felt that I had to say something. I do regret that some of my colleagues, whilst they colluded did not all stand with me. However, that says more about their behaviour than mine.

During my tenure at the Herald Tribune, I did learn a lot, and this grounding experience did put me in good stead to create my own organisation, The Morning Star.

Our businesses of course, were at the opposite end of the spectrum with regards to view points and political leanings. I purposely tried to stir up apathy towards your regime, so that we can compete equally. This of course led to a long propaganda war, for which you have endless resources.

I write today to mainly point out a paradox; the political agendas and morality of each of our messages have become blurred. Whilst I have been consistent, albeit scarred by the false hoods and your sheep-dipping of the weak willed. The actions of your loyal clients have been somewhat of a concern.

There was a time were the disaffected youth of the world were easily sold our message, however the seven step anti-morality code you preached and subscribed to has now become the behaviour of choice towards our clients and my loyal team.

Our mandate, which was always to enlighten and to test the political leanings of your clients and convert them across to us, was always a strategy which garnered us followers. However, we never persisted just existed in reflection and a viable alternative towards your intense message.

I think that would appreciate the point of the e-mail, and that is for us to return back to the status quo. All these acts that are widely reported around the world that have fatal consequences are being carried out to your new mandate. Although this has not been reported, I fear that the whole industry is in danger of collapsing because of this.

The conclusion that would satisfy our company and hopefully stabilise the industry is for both of our messages to be consistent and that each of set of clients, colleagues and affiliates all act accordingly to own code of practice.

I not sure that you are aware, that even some of your most loyal clients see us now as a viable alternative. I am not however, changing our philosophies to fit with your disenchanted followers and your disenfranchised affiliates.

Another paradox, which I am pains to point out of course follows from your propaganda, which states than any one of my followers, or people who breach your 7 anti morality codes would forever live and be tortured in eternity. This utterly laughable, however the paradox does lie when in your name, people breach these codes regularly inwardly, outwardly and to us. You seem to attack us with the very thing that should separate us. Not a very clever strategy.

You were, and still are my hero, however we both still need to make a living in this industry and there does seem to be an opportunity for the Dawkins Standard to steal the majority of the market share if we procrastinate any longer.

The greater good of this industry is in your hands.

Faithfully yours

Samael A Tanner

Chief Executive Officer
The Morning Star
“Not creating delusions is enlightenment.”

PS. I will be away from my desk for the next 7-days, my secretary Madame Lilith Blackwing, will forward the return message to my blackberry.

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The contents of this e-mail must not be disclosed or copied without the senders consent.
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The Jedi and the Force

“[Luke:] I can’t believe it. [Yoda:] That is why you fail.”

I was 6 years old, and at that age you are fully aware of the world surrounding you, soaking up every experience like a sponge. There is still important emotional learning for every child, to filter out the difference between right and wrong. In 1980 parental guidance and my own peer group took a back seat as the ultimate reference for me was ‘The Empire Strikes back’.

The playground legends were true, and the future battle, today, for the entire universe as we know it, was being played across our cinema screens. The thirst for this new knowledge, allowed us to absorb the first part of the sci-fi genesis as we first consulted the oracle of Star Wars.

I made my decision as soon as the wise sage Obi-Wan Kenobi presence crossed my screen and my lucid childhood fantasies; I am going to be on the good side of the force. The over merchandised world youth agreed too.

During the middle ages the romantic notion of a young boy being a noble warrior, a Knight of the round table or an altruistic forest dwelling thief, was our aspiration. The dream mutated, evolved but continued through the late 1970’s until today.

The paradigm was the same, but the adventure fresh; it encouraged us to look forward and into the future. Coupled with Man’s successful mission to the Moon (insert own conspiracy theory here), being an Astronaut, Buck Rogers a Rebel Fighter was the playground fantasy of every adolescent boy.

There was something obvious, familiar, a repackaged paradigm designed to inspire a new generation. This was a religious concept or a way of life. This was the ‘Force’. A cosmic unified energy that was abundant in every corner of the universe. It was split between the light (Jedi) and dark (Sith / Empire). The practitioners are at the extreme polar opposites of morality.

As we always keep the ascent on the positive, we are going to look at the light side of the Force. The way is based on real aspects of various religions. The discipline of Taoist Monks, the nature and actions of Japanese Shinto, the mysticism of Sufism, Hinduism and the unifying belief of a Braham energy, the inner peace of Buddhism and the contact with the past much like Spiritualism. The truth is that all esoteric aspects of every religion have been melded into one true form.

The subject is huge, and like a lantern with infinite genies, you get a different one appear every time it is rubbed, and a different reason to rub it.

I would like to pay homage to the force by talking through three quotes by the Jedi Master Yoda, each one can provoke us to think about our lives and how we live.

“Do or do not.......... there is no try”

There are a few masters out there, in today’s reality and fast paced world. I will give you one example. Brian Tracy, I have picked this example as he has the message.

Now the message itself is a call to achieving anything you want and can, by doing three things. I will change the format of what the master Brian Tracy teaches, and although plagiarism saves time, it is lazy.

Brian Tracy does however, mocks procrastination with the story of us all visiting Someday Isle (Some day I will). His formula is unique, and would encourage everyone to invest an hour reading ‘eat that frog’

The example I will give is Imagine, Plan & Action................. To successfully achieve something you have to begin with an end in mind (Stephen Covey – 2nd Habit of highly effective people). You can do this by using the one uncensored personal entertainment system, the imagination. You have to know what it is you want to achieve, the imagined desired outcome is always the beginning.

The next stage is planning, the boring bit, the unsexy bit, the sitting down with a pen and paper mapping every move in timed sections. Sure, you can imagine something and do it! However, this rarely brings sustained success. This is the nuts and bolts, the laying out the whole flat pack assembly kit. If this part is not down, do not be surprised when in pure frustration you smashed up that wardrobe with a hammer.

The world’s worst planners are also the world’s worst diary keepers, time keepers, dieters, Christmas shoppers, Jedi Knights, parents and an endless list.
The simple truth is that more time planning will always reduce time in action. If anything energy conservation, and greater energy to achieve even more is motivation enough.

Anyone can have a dream; imagine anything that can be achieved. However trying to do it without a valid plan, is just foolish. A circle of personal error.

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

I fear that I have belaboured this point over the past 7-weeks with my series on deadly sins; in summary we must learn our triggers. Once known we can master control of our emotions. We embrace every day as it comes, as we do not have control of what crosses our paths, only our reaction to it. Why curse the darkness? As its existence is the axiom and equilibrium to light.

Do something every day that scares you, is the saying. This can be as simple as showing no fear to the unknown, this is the true meaning behind this quote from the Dalai Llama.

“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.”

Fear is irrational, and is held deep within us with various phobias borne from limited beliefs. It can manifest itself to such a point it can consume someone’s life. However, more often than not this fear is unspoken and the intensity builds within oneself until the phobia does overtake us.

Fear does not define you, does your name cease to exist and your fear is now you?

This is power of therapy and self healing; I have spoken of the Sedona method before and simple affirmations can help. You have convinced yourself through limited irrational beliefs and you can likewise, undo these.


Jedi is a real religion (a unified commitment to good), the last national census in 2001 in the United Kingdom, it was first officially recognised with nearly 1% of the population declaring their faith (in Brighton this is 2.6%). It is quite sad that before this census Satanists had a higher official status than Jedi.

The largest cultural phenomenon is happening today in New Zealand where in again 2001, Jedi has risen to the 4th largest religion. Although this part of a practical joke and petered out in the 2006 census.

However, New Zealand is also the home of the Jedi Church. There a support website, where for a small donation you can become ordained, online. I have chosen to do so, not to mess with the system but a commitment to live my life according to the positive aspects and natural moral code.

The church of Jedi doctrine states that all living things share a living force and we are all born with the innate sense of what is right or wrong. The existence of good and evil is necessary for freewill.

So there you have my commitment, I have said it out loud and declared my Jedi status, and I have also become ordained as a minister in another new religion Dudeism. This following the teachings of ‘The Dude’ the main protagonist in the Coen brothers film, The Big Lebowski.

To join the church of Jedi, you can make a small donation. They are a charity and any surplus funds find their way back to back worldwide charities. Click the link and see what it is about.

http://www.jedichurch.org/

Is the Jedi religion real, surely it is concept from a film?

All religions claim to be the one and only, and in summary, no religion is truth...... it is just a matter of faith.

I will be back next week, with something quite controversial and provocative. It will be a two part blog in the format of an open letter. The week after that will be the reply.

See you next week, thank you for the support and my continued efforts to introduce Jedi teachings into my everyday work.


Cheesy chips and mango dips.......... Scott xx

PS, My Religions gained so far are.... Church of England, Dudeism, Spiritualism, Vampirism and Jedism

Part VII - Anger

‘Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured’ - Mark Twain

I am writing this blog quite early in the day, and I am fortunate enough to be looking after my daughter. She is coming up to two years old and is quite talkative and even though she is attaching pegs to my laptop and asking me to the whereabouts of her shoes, I am not angry.

So why do we get angry? A different answer from everyone I expect, however there are things that trigger these angry moods, outburst or regrettable actions.

I have many, which I will list. For some reason admitting those, puts them out in the open and dilutes the pent up rage.

· Slow Drivers / Walkers / shop assistants
· Old people who go shopping on weekends, who clearly have all week to shop
· Simon Cowell and any related person or TV show
· Soap Operas
· Newspapers
· Lateness

I think Freud would have suggested that as a child I had to wait too long for a cuddle, but maybe patience is not my strong point.

However, an irony is that I have stood on street corners in my youth, waiting hours for girls to turn up and remained as enthusiastic upon their arrival as if they were there on my arrival.

So this confusion as to why anger affects different people needs to be explained, but each case is full of ironic hypocrisy and overriding limited beliefs.

How to explain?

The most suitable metaphor would the case of the ‘Incredible Hulk’. The human element in this story is played by Bruce Banner, who as a brilliant scientist but totally emotionally withdrawn. He is described as a genius; however this higher knowledge led him to design a Gamma Bomb which was capable of killing millions of people.

A test goes wrong, and there is an irony that the Bomb causes an affliction which heightens the emotions that have been withdrawn for so long.

Now the very thing that Bruce Banner avoided before the accident is the very normality he craves, and now has to avoid emotionally charged situations, as fear of the monster erupting within.

Anger is a complex emotion, but for a 1000 word blog will try and simplify and look at two different types.

The first one is INWARD anger, and keeping with the theme of deadly sins one of the worst sins was to take one’s life. To be angry within was deemed as spite and suicide was the final act of wrath and rejection of god’s gifts. (As per the Catholic Religion)

This is the origin as to why suicide is classed as morally wrong and illegal, as it a rejection of god itself as his manifestation is every man. This subject can be argued and debated upon, and without having either viewpoint with this scenario, my bum with feel the splinters as I sit on the proverbial fence.

Inward anger can be externally expressed through self harm, with examples of cutting, over eating and sexual promiscuity. This list is not exhaustive.

There are many reasons but self-loathing through limited beliefs is usually the seed that sprouts into full inward rage. So before the shouting begins, there are genuine victims, however once the person makes the choice and decides that it will not be the status quo the healing process begins.

One example of this is the mother of the murdered 8-year old Sarah Payne. You will expect this woman to be raging with the authorities and the world because her daughter was murdered by a well known and released paedophile. Yet when asked she states, that she can’t hate the person as that will overshadow the love and memories of her daughter.

I for one do not have the self-control and strength to do that. I sincerely hope that is never tested and will be happy in my ignorance and my character not to be tested.

‘For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.’ - Ralph Waldo Emerson

We often have triggers that ignite our outward anger, and this emotion can stay with us for a long period. We often use the trigger as the excuse for the projected emotional trauma we put our colleagues, friends and loved ones through. We almost try to justify our behaviour.

The trigger can more often than not be a person and the most evil part of anger is the act of vengeance. It is when we act upon our anger, and the trigger is the target of elimination, is when we truly lose control.

Dante described vengeance as “love of justice perverted to revenge and spite” and we all have the warped sense of righteousness in all of us. This level malevolence manifests itself in many ways from Hitler’s, Pol Pots, Genghis Khan’s, Saladin’s and British led genocides have all been born from vengeance. These acts have all come from one place or emotional act.

They are called limited beliefs.

These are learned from your social environment, but can be unlearned.

So I sign off from this series and will be back on form next week.


TTFN

Scott

Part VI - Greed

‘There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed’ - Gandhi

I do spend some time each week in-between blogs, contemplating the subject, the tone and some key points and just fill the rest with my opinions and observations.

This blog will be the easiest for me to write out of the whole series, as the vision came quite easily.

I am by nature generous, which is of course the synonym of Greed. My habits of over delegating, over empowering, and wealth sharing, do shy me away from avarice. Although there are quite a few people who do complain that I do not give them enough time. However, if I had it and could give it, then surely would hand that over too.

The overriding vision of this blog had to come from an article in a newspaper not so long ago, and the journalist proceeded to describe a scenario quite unbelievable, but summed up man’s appetite for lustful greed.

I am sure that most of you have seen the film Wall Street, a cinematic masterpiece and lives up to its hype. The central character Gordon Gecko (the bad guy) was played by Michael Douglas. It was as the film’s title suggests set in the financial district of New York – Wall Street. Gordon Gecko was a trader, with vast personal wealth and an even bigger thirst to obtain more. His catchphrase was ‘Greed is good’.

To cut a long story short, Michael Douglas was invited for a tour around the trading area of the Dow Jones stock exchange, which I believe is because of an upcoming sequel of the hit film. The moment he stepped onto the floor he was mobbed like a 1960’s Beatle, the traders were beside themselves. They had come face-to-face with their messiah, the chanting which of course is the traders and banker’s mantra is ‘greed is good’, ‘greed is good’, and ‘greed is good’ rung out uncomfortably around the trading floor.

Why was this uncomfortable?

Two weeks before the recession had seen it’s catalyst, with Bear Stearns going under, causing shock waves around the world and every financial institution.

To look at the quote from Ghandi, every man in the world in this crisis did not think that there would be sufficient abundance for their own and families needs, yet how can the world learn from this with institutionalised, aspirational greed.

It is too obvious to use this blog to dig at Bankers, so I want to look at some lower level activities that show the same abhorrence and condescension towards morality.

The first point is one that any parent can relate too. The summer is over and winter is coming closer, and thought of Christmas is never far away. As a parent you need to plan ahead, as the part which brings the most pleasure is providing your siblings with the gift that they desire.

This year my daughter loves ‘Waybuloo’ a children’s TV series on CBeebies (BBC) which she absolutely adores. She is totally enamoured with the Orange ‘Pipling’ Yojojo and verbalises her pleasure at every opportunity. As a new programme the toys have just been released, and as a father the very vision of her face upon opening the Yojojo toy will be my Christmas present.

So where does greed come into this?

There are only a few retailers with the Waybuloo range, so to my surprise (or not) when you go to purchase an item the shelves are cleared out. So as a concerned father you look for the on-line option, only to see the sheer abundance of items that are available on e-bay, however, in some cases 2-3 times the retail price.

I cannot imagine what goes through peoples mind but there behaviour can be described as rapacious. The plundering of children’s toys to sell for excess profit does not fall under the umbrella of ‘Entrepreneur’ but does sit with the more sinister parasol of Extortion.

There is another example of greed which allegedly does come from a good place, but is just manipulation of authority, hoarding and trickery. This behaviour has more negative consequences than good.

As you all are aware the world has a Swine Flu pandemic, and in the UK there has been a variety of fatalities and widespread infection. The Government has moved from an isolate to a treatment phase. There is enough of the drug ‘Tamiflu’ for 50% of the nation, which would be more than enough to control the spread of disease.

Due to being infectious there are several ways how you get diagnosed and obtain the Tamiflu antiviral. The main outlet is the Internet, and you log onto the NHS swine flu website and go through the questions, enter your details and they diagnose your symptoms.

If they match them or near to Swine flu then you are given a unique reference number and a member of family or friend (with your ID) can collect the drug on your behalf free of charge.

Now with Swine Flu the funny thing is, that during the hot spell in August reported cases were dropping but fatalities remained steady. Now with a bit of cold weather coming the cases have now doubled but fatalities dropped. How?

This is because that people are not sick but using the web service to obtain Tamiflu, just in case. At this rate, with my calculation of 8-weeks. The country will run out of the vaccine thus causing widespread panic and accusation of mismanagement.

However, the street price of Tamiflu has just gone up.

Does greed make you happy?

No, all greed does is exaggerate the positive aspects of any object. If no association of happiness is placed on said object then it is reasonable to assume that happiness can be obtained without it.

Another metaphor is someone who buys and wears more and more jewellery. It makes you appear wealthy, displays affluence, the attention to detail is all to see. However, eventually you will conclude that it is what you put inside you and share from inside you which make you happy.

Selflessness, gratitude, generosity, charity are greed’s antonyms and inevitable nemesis. It is just sad that greed battles them so hard.

‘If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble’ - Bob Hope

Last blog in the series next week – Anger!

Thank you for all the messages and comments, please keep them coming

Lots of love

Scott

Part V - Gluttony

‘Gluttony is not a secret vice’ - Orson Welles

To start off this week’s blog the dictionary meaning of gluttony, is when you eat, drink and take intoxicants more than you need to, with extraordinary waste.

This is a Christian sin, and when researching and deciphering the usual associated fire and brimstone verses I came across an amusing excerpt from a Christian website.

Synopsis

What it is: Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires.

Why you do it: Because you were weaned improperly as an infant.

Your punishment in Hell will be: You'll be force-fed rats, toads, and snakes.

Associated symbols & suchlike: Gluttony is linked with the pig and the colour orange.

Of course the above is absurd, but does not really deal with the cause and effect of gluttony, there can be many issues as to why one person over indulges for gratification, over another.

Eating feels good! food is meant to taste good, and we are meant to enjoy it. However, there becomes a line when the basic hygiene need of enjoying refuelling and nourishing your body is in conflict with the end user, who see’s this time as the only outlet of pleasure.

This is someone who now associates food with pleasure, and will continue to feed that feeling. They will salivate and gorge to the point of no control.

The signs and symptoms of this become abundantly clear, with excess weight, low self esteem, no fitness and no energy.

The no energy part comes from your body’s motor functions resting to conserve energy, for your automatic functions to work overtime to digest all the food in the system. The quality of the food is also a factor, as the sugar content gives a temporary high, which of course comes down. The end users mood darkens and can only be lifted with additional sugars or calorific content.

The viscous circle of gluttony with food can easily be substituted with alcohol and intoxicants (drugs prescribed / illegal).

So gluttony can be a cry for help, but pails in comparison (sin wise) with my next example. It would be fair to say that the judgement (dogma) with relation to gluttony does come from an order that do live, let’s say, a more Spartan lifestyle! – I am talking about organised religion

The example that we shall look at is no more than a feast, or more modern attack on what we would call a Dinner Party. This is representative of people using food (excess of) to demonstrate their social status, and the issue of waste is not considered. The security of having more than enough food has been an accusation towards the wealthy for many years.

Whilst this does have a whiff, of the first sin that was the subject of my first blog in the series, Jealousy (envy). It is the waste element and the presence of the ego that is the offensive part.

Now I am not advocating the abolishment of social gatherings of food, however to do so to the point of excess, is vulgar.

The world we live in gluttony is prevalent, we have collectively been outraged at the sheer contempt our elected MP’s have shown with expenses, coupled with the hypocritical 30% pay increases of all union leaders that highlights that gluttonous behaviour is the sickest vice of all. Sure, greed plays a part but socialising with food and liquor and searching for greater eating experiences is pure ego. The abstract idea and description of this, is gluttony.

So in summary how does one succumb? I think St Thomas Aquinas summed this up perfectly with the 6 ways to commit gluttony.

Praepropere - eating too soon.
Laute - eating too expensively (washedly).
Nimis - eating too much.
Ardenter - eating too eagerly (burningly).
Studiose - eating too daintily (keenly).
Forente - eating wildly (boringly).


We live in the Western society, and the rest of the world does see us as fat gluttonous pigs. This is the shadow that we cast, regardless of our best defense of our actions, perception is reality.

However, all is well. The good news is that we are only responsible for our own behaviour. The simple mantra of enjoying food because it is nourishing and gives us energy is the primary goal of our existence.

Food does not equal happiness; once we associate food with emotions then the result will certainly be gluttony.

My top line quote from Orson Wells was quite apt, bearing in mind that he certainly was a portly gentleman who did of course personify gluttony. It is a very droll quote, with a hint of self loathing.

The blog next week does follow on quite nicely and will be Greed.

I apologise for not posting my blog on the usual day and time, I am afraid that my health was not quite as it should be. I am sure that it is nothing that a few star jumps, ice bath and a bowl of soup would not sort out.

Toodle pip peep’s..........................

Part IV - Pride

“I think national pride leads to nothing but wars and hates” - Johnny Rotten

Why is pride a sin?

Surely it is an emotion that portrays someone’s self worth, which has been attained through hard work?

It is surprising however that Pride is considered the original sin, and the one which all others derive. In essence it is the desire to be better than everyone else. All you have to do is to examine its synonyms arrogance, self-importance, conceit, superiority and my favourite description smugness.

There is a Hyacinth Bouquet in all of us, but reduced down, it is an emotion that outwardly projects our temporary high position that covers our insecurities.

The old adage of being house proud is not without personal sacrifice on the portrayer’s part. I am sure the endless cleaning, mowing and dressing like a stepford wife do have its downsides. I would hazard a guess that loneliness, lack of self worth and possibly alcoholism would be prevalent behind those ever so well presented and clean doors.

There is nothing wrong in living in a clean and tidy environment, the trick is not to be smug about it.

I hate smug people (yes, need to work on that emotion) and someone who is self made, I have been looked down upon and could say that it has affected me. However, I could fall into the trap of demonstrating the same behaviour as my abuser. These blogs could be deemed that, so the pitch, tone and the place where I am coming from need to be pure and free from pride.

A wicked irony indeed.

I also need to be self effacing and not throwing newly attained internet, DVD and literature gained wisdom to everyone. and come from a personal deep place that is sincere and honest.

I like what William Penn said about pride “Humility and knowledge in poor clothes excel pride and ignorance in costly attire”. There is however a caveat with that statement and it alludes to the notion that only the poor can be the enlightened. This is simply not true as there are many altruistic and truly wealthy individuals and foundations that donate lots of their time and money. I feel that it does come from a good place. This we should put aside our cynicism for.

There is however the flip side as of course there is also great truth in what William Penn says and it is summed up beautifully but quite brashly by John W. Foster “The pride of dying rich raises the loudest laugh in hell”
This quote is worthy of a blog on its own as we can all see the futility in this quote, the pride is constant but you can insert most scenarios or metaphors and see the nonsense that pride can bring.

For example, looking after my family and supporting them stopped me from becoming a millionaire and such like!

The pride in being successful in a small way, and maintaining it, is of course the issue. Pride in this case is the fancy robes for fear, and they cover this four letter meanie quite well, but every sin has FEAR molecules pumping around its evil black heart.

I love the parody of middle England in the sitcom ‘Keeping up Appearances’, and the undeserved smugness of Hyacinth Bouquet does overspill towards contempt for just about everybody. There were however incidences when her pride quickly turned into fear and that was when her unwashed common (in her eyes) family visited, or someone more afflicted with pride than her crossed paths with painful insincerity.

The whole thing of course is just one-upmanship and is f life’s cruel never ending game that two individuals affected with original sin, will never give up playing. Thomas Fuller said it best “Pride will spit in pride's face”
This is something that is often confused for principles, and no doubt why millions of people have died in wars across the spectrum of time. There are other traits involved and not so clear cut, however pride is the catalyst. Maybe Johnnie Rotten in the headline quote is onto something?

So does pride make us feel good or look good? I feel the latter, and agree with Thomas Merton who states that “Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real”. This is indeed a sobering thought.

Pride is an emotion (sin) that we need to let go, and the Lester Levenson Sedona method is a great example of how to do this.

First he identified what he calls the Scale of Emotions and is as follows.

Peace
Acceptance
Courageousness
_______________
Pride
Anger
Lust
Fear
Grief
Apathy


You see that there is a line separating Pride and Courageousness, this does symbolise that there is a fine line between them both and our natural happy state need to be with the first three emotions.

The information is freely available, and led by the infectious Hal Dwoskin (you tube) and in a nutshell you train yourself in all scenarios where you feel pain, are stuck, have emotional trauma to ask yourself the following questions.

Could I let this feeling go?
Could I allow this feeling to be here?
Could I welcome this feeling?

If you was to answer NO to any questions, then you re-question, and ask would and when?

Have a look at the site http://www.sedona.com/

I hope that pride does not stop you from looking, as we can avoid the FALL and not submit ourselves to such an old cliché.

I sincerely thank you for reading, and appreciate all feedback I receive. I have three more blog posts on this subject and have covered Jealousy (Envy) Lust, Sloth & Pride. This does leave Gluttony, Greed and Wrath

Toodle pip y’all, and see you next week.

Message me any feedback

Scott xx

Part III - Sloth

‘Thou seest how sloth wastes the sluggish body, as water is corrupted unless it moves’ – Ovid

Guess who is back? .........................................

I have been on a sabbatical, so I apologise for not writing a blog post last week. Today’s post is carrying on with the theme of the seven deadly sins with the topic this blog is, Sloth!

Quite ironic due to my slackness in writing last week, but apt. So what is sloth? The dictionary definition is below.

“Habitual disinclination to exertion; indolence; laziness “

I will not set of the hypocrite alert, and my own lassitude, and learned apathy towards exercise has been developed over many years.

How did we get to this stage?

Was television? ....... The schools system? ........... Was it our Parents? ........ The Government? ......... Lack of role models? ......... Or is it glandular?

I think the clue is in the dictionary description, and is habitual. I have spoken on a previous blog about habits. If you do something 12-times it can become a habit, do it for more than 30-times it can become a lifelong habit.

So what is sloth? I suppose for this blog’s purposes, someone who sits in front of the television every evening. The thought of exercise is a mere fleeting flicker in their mind, with the guilt numbed by sugary snack food. Thus a viscous circle ensues.

Ok, so without judgement and to generalise. We are all in the situation where we are carrying too much weight and have no energy to exercise. The underlying causes are irrelevant, however the viscous circle forms.
We try and get out of our viscous circle by applying artificial energy; this is usually in the form of sugar. Although the delivery system does leave some side affects which actually worsens the situation. The sugary food does give us energy but we crash quicker than before. The mind is tricked and suggests more energy. This brings us many highs and may lows – The chocolate SMACK as it is commonly known.

So sometimes we reach the point where we want to change, we have already tried quick fix sugary fixes to motivate us, and this has actually made our situation worse. The next point is to look at how we can change – there is a lot of stuff out there, which promises big change for little effort.

Atkins diet, weightwatchers, calorie counting, psychotherapy, hypnosis, support groups.........

There is the excuse as to why people get this way; glandular, genetics, injury..............

To simplify this all in a summary, is that we all have developed a habit; that is hard to break.

To stop over eating, laziness, lack of energy or the blog title, sloth, can be overcome, not by a fad diet or any shortcut.

The sloth in us is telling us all one big fat lie and that there is a magical formula out there, some miracle system, so undiscovered super food, some mystical meditation, some angelic affirmation, the secret of all secrets that is the elixir of life and path towards happiness

I can however give you a shortcut, and that is to ignore everything above, eat what you want and just read the following paragraphs and you will have more energy, lose weight and live longer.

I first want to draw your attention to Newton’s first Law of Physics, specifically motion - states that in order for the motion of an object to change, a force must act upon it, a concept generally called inertia.

The force terms is important, and hope you can appreciate why it is underlined. Force is the derivative of momentum with respect to time. What this is stating is simply, that constant motion over a period of time can force an object (you) to change.
The term inertia can have two meanings and more simply states that an object (you) will stay in constant motion or constant rest, unless acted on, by a force.

Is this a light bulb moment? You will only change, when you are constantly trying to change and in this analogy with regards to sloth. Your body and energy will change when in constant motion.

Your body does need rest, however this is the purpose of sleep. We are designed to be in constant motion. It is a fallacy that we need to be in a state of rest, and this belief is drawn from constant lack of motion. We then crave food so that the body can then create energy; however this is only burnt off through our automatic nervous system, such as the stomach, bowels etc...

The energy from this causes us to be in a state of rest and makes us lethargic, thus bringing is back to the viscous circle.

So my top tips.
1. Eat what you like! – You burn off what you eat that’s the deal. Sugary foods bring you to a high, then you crash and it makes you lethargic
2. Remain in a state of motion – You can sleep at nights. Constant rest requires greater force to restart and can make you lethargic (Do it 30-days in a row, then it will be a habit for life)
3. Eat little any often – It is better to maintain, than to refuel when empty. Eating a large meal makes you lethargic
4. Drink plenty of fluid – dehydration makes you lethargic and your kidneys cannot filter toxins and makes you lethargic

Sloth is a choice, maybe a subconscious one, but we can consciously get out of it.

Thank you for reading and look forward to next week.

Laying in bed with a bag of crisps ........

Scott xx

Lust

‘Lust is to the other passions what the nervous fluid is to life; it supports them all, lends strength to them all. Ambition, cruelty, avarice, revenge, are all founded on lust.’ - Marquis de Sade

We are all emotional; it is just that some of us are acutely emotional. Is that really the truth? We all have a story to tell.

Today’s blog, which will continue along the theme of the seven deadly sins, is Lust. I would like to thank everyone for the comments, and the tongue in cheek suggestions that this topic is very apt to me.

I must admit that this subject is the hardest to compose, and for that reason alone it must be the next one to write. You should never shy away from tackling the biggest and most difficult task first. Have I not taught you anything? LOL

The Theologisers or just plain devout Christians amongst my readers, all hopefully understand the concept ‘Judgement Day’ and when the rapture happens. I would be one of the many left standing. The more positive spin would also to be, that when I pass, my visit to the celestial plains and entry into heaven could be refused due to some major indiscretions. All of these more or less linked to lust.

In all fairness, I have forgiven myself, which is all that matters. All girlfriends who have been affected have all been apologised too. However the details of my naughty side are omitted from this blog.

So the meaning of Lust, which is simply, the inordinate craving for sexual intercourse. Put more simply it can be acted upon in a consensual way, or in more extreme cases the lust can cause a frenzy which can have a violent outcome.

I would like to focus today more on the consensual side, as with the extreme type the variables for why, is akin to rubbing a lamp and getting a different genie every time.

Sexual pleasure is actually still considered a sin in many new religions such as, Islam, Sikhism and Roman Catholicism. The latter religion states when lust was translated into Latin it means – Luxury.

The last word is something that struck a chord with me, and has done for quite a long time. A Luxury or allowing yourself pleasure, is not a sin. I always thought that to commit a temporary act of love is better than not committing to love at all.

There are of course the thoughts of the Psychologists, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. However with every other theory either an Oedipus complex, or latent homosexuality being the underlying reason, and a result from all childhood trauma. This does however mask the fact that both had a puritanical upbringing, and had no personal point of reference.

I can only have my own theories as to why one person suffers from lust more than another, and this to me flows simply that my parents were divorced when I was young. I would then on only derive pleasure from limited contact.

This is not in a sexual way; however the void does no doubt in your formative years, manifest with some transference towards your attitude towards your own body and to the female form. It just depends which was the dominant figure the Mother or the Father,

Or is this pure nonsense? As surely we all simply lust over the unattainable, with the visualisation of the person we want to be, in our hormone overloaded minds and raging phallus?

I want to simply suggest that lust is natural, and to make it a sin, is to deny yourself pleasure. This negates the point of existence, the meaning of life is surely to enjoy every second on Earth! There are other pleasures, sure, but the joy and pleasure of sex is what drives us to pro-create.

We could of course be Panda’s who do not seem to understand the joy of sex, so nature is of course de-selecting them. There extinction is imminent; this is not meant to downplay their plight. However, for whatever reason, their desire to procreate has gone.

To encourage denial of the flesh in the religious world does have its drawbacks, the Anglican Church does encourage its clergy to take a wife and live the family life. The Catholic Church does take an opposing view, and the build up of lust through their priests has had devastating effects. This is not glossing over the horrors of what these children faced, nor do I think that is actually justifies the original taboo they place on this sin. It does in fact highlight that it cannot be repressed so therefore could I surmise it is natural instinct?

I think we all have a perfect partner out there, someone who shares our lusts, passions and desires. This is what is sacred, and we should be free to safely express to each other, whatever our lifestyle choice with all adult consensual parties.

Sex is not wrong, failure to express ‘you’ consensually or privately is wrong. Repression leads to apathy and do kind of understand Freud’s theory about attacking your deepest desires.

The best modern day example that I can give you, is from the excellent ‘Sopranos’ when one of Tony Soprano’s Capo’s Vito is repressing his Homosexuality when in a safe environment, and instead of embracing his hearts desires he attacks his very fantasy. They do of course reconcile, but it does demonstrate and back up Freud’s most controversial theories.

Good society, and at the forefront organised religion, has often portrayed its self as the protagonist with regards to so called lustful activities of the minorities. It is however with deep thought, that these so called activists where not openly expressing their sexual preferences. There was persecution nonetheless.

The wicked irony and Freudian observation that these so called Ministers of god and parliament so often find themselves at the mercy of the newspapers in various scandals and sordid tales.

Maybe the moral of today is that you can fight for people to deny themselves pleasure of the flesh, but self repression just makes your natural instinct explode.

Or should we just listen to the top line quote from the Marquis De Sade, and finish with the thought that lust is the gateway emotion to all evil things?

If it feels good do it! As long as it is consensual, and fits with your inner moral compass.

Scott

New deadly sin next week..... from Greed, Gluttony, Sloth, Wrath and Pride

Jealousy Part 1

“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves” - William Penn

Rose....... A fragile flower, which is notoriously difficult to grow, and requires a lot of attention and maintenance, to look their best at all times.

So what is the topic of today’s blog? Well this topic is vast; and will touch upon the very essence of it; however I do not want this to consume me. It is primarily about the people who look down at you when they have themselves been put up on a pedestal.

There are labels that people are given when they are in the pubescent stage, and one of mine would be the cliché of ‘he will not achieve much’. In reflection it could be said by these same people, that I overachieved.

I do not look at it like that; my view is that I did not reach their low expectations of me. However many people do live up to their assigned monikers of low level roles of criminal, drug addict and benefit scrounger.

This does irk me, and I love reading on facebook and being in contact with friends from my past, who have done the complete opposite, and I am not even shocked to see that achieved what they have, they have not listened to the negativity that was supposed to label them for life.

These ‘people’ that I speak about are what we call ‘The Dream Stealers’ most commonly known as the British civil service, who have an anal obsession of labelling everything.

Everything must be measured (imperial only!); also to allow the possibility that every now and then and to quote Tupac Shakur ‘A rose can grow from concrete’.

However, a rose is fragile as you know and the expert gardener can easily crush this flower. It is unfortunately better known these days, and every past day, as the class system.

The class system! The colonial administrators of the vast Imperial Empire. I have said before that if there is such thing as Heaven or Hell, the British will run the reception desk and you will have to endure countless forms and protocols before entry.

We do enjoy making things difficult, try purchasing a Train Ticket, a meal from Burger King, Coffee, telephone a call centre all of which are met with multiple choice questions and a baffling array of selections.

Now apply the logic to today’s blog, if you are out of the Class system and you seem to have “in their eyes” over achieved and gone above your pre-assigned social status panic and immediate re-labelling is required.

Lol

I do not really believe this for one moment, it is an urban myth that is often perpetrated by the very people who subliminally oppress there selves and others. – The Upper classes are not out to get us!

This can boil down to one pure raw emotion, and that is jealously. A deadly sin that can be summed up quite simply by William Tell in the opening quote,

“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves”

How true that quote is, and can be kind of a breakthrough moment when you stop to think and absorb it. We allow jealously to eat away at us from both sides, and in some respects we could both be the victims.

Another way to appreciate jealously and its connotations, is to look at the dictionary meaning as below.

Jealous (adjective) unhappy and angry because someone has something or someone you want, or because you think they might take something or someone that you love away from you:

There could even be Freud’s conclusions that all jealous behaviour in Male & Female relationships bore down to latent homosexuality. A thought maybe?

This of course is a complex and emotive subject and without getting into the intricacies of relationships, the key essence of the blog is really about the jealously of success.

Allowing jealously projected towards you to consume you, allows your dreams to be stolen. The behaviour of the projection also results in deep unhappiness for that person.

Successful people are those who are single minded enough to go for their dreams and at every turn, unwaveringly assured that will achieve their desires.

So where are you? Where am I? My path is never straight, and the only person who has control of my guidance system is me.

So the burning question is, “Am I the jealous type?” Personally and emotionally the answer has always been NO. Professionally however, my frustration at times was a symptom of underlying jealously. The key thing is my behaviour has been modified. This does come with experience, and have grown as a person and evolved into a parental figure, kind of like Yoda.

I suspect that when Yoda was a teen, he was out drinking and publically arguing with his girlfriend. The lack of sleep and self loathing may have caused a scene or two.

So in summary, jealously leads to self loathing. Having a victim mentality to jealously will cost you your dreams. I made reference to social labels and the class system, this was merely to demonstrate subconscious jealously of people who have their lives in front of them, only to be judged in those few short seconds and opinions of others whose lives have passed. The sad thing is, they suffered the same fate. The abused always become the abuser.

I will be exploring over the next 6 blogs the seven deadly sins, and to remove my penchant for the dramatic my conclusion is that every sin or vice is the result of a flawed ego.

The control of the ego is the secret behind the secret, the forgotten secret of the hidden secret to the new secret and old secret.

My advice and without ego, is for everyone to live in the six inches in front of their faces by using the best moral compass available. Sometimes this can be helped by religion, spirituality, nature, family or just being.

Finally you never need anybody or anything to complete you, eliminate that need. You are already whole, be part of the collective not the jigsaw.

Thank you

“Sometimes I feel like dancing........................”

Scott

The Montana Syndrome

“Who put this thing together? Me, that's who, who do I trust? Me!” – Tony Montana

A growing trend and a favourite broadsheet soap box topic, is the continued decline of young males with regards to examination results. This fact is often misconstrued as girls doing better, but the hard fact is a decline in academic results. This is even across all the classes.

However, could this even be false thinking? Hysteria created by the inane chattering British press. A young male is meant to fail, his future is already written according and the only way this path can be changed is through hard work and luck.

Although there is always that caveat, that if success does come, then the test was too easy in the first place.

So what the context of today’s blog? As you noticed the title is reference to Tony Montana, and will be giving you my entire take as to why young men not only fail, but fail to even try.

Tony Montana is a classic anti hero, an infamous figure of fictional opulence and success. The portrayal by Al Pacino became an aspiration to many, not to be emulated, but as a cautionary tale of making it.

Now is this fear of making it? No, it is about fear about when you do someone taking it off you, and you fighting to the death to keep it.

The film plays out as many other theatrical releases do about similar subject matter, however the haunting electro soundtrack, which encapsulates the drug fuelled confusion, intensity and irrational anger and apathy that the anti hero has enraging in his ego and maniacal mind of portrayed sociopath.

Tony Montana starts off as someone with a dream, but the fork in the road showed one easy path and one unknown. As he was in a new country, familiarity and ease will always win.

The story is familiar; however there is the one part of the film that I can personally relate too. The feeling that he had sitting in that chair towards the end of the film; watching his life collapsing all around him. The look and the drooping of his jaw, the scowl that his ego did not allow to invert, but pierced the soul of the world who dared not give him what he wanted and felt he deserved. Ironically life did give him what he deserved.

I have had that feeling, watching your life unfold. Even to the point of the dark overture playing to a crescendo thumping away in your mind, the choir and drums gathering tempo towards the inevitable explosion. You have always two choices. 1. Snap or 2. Run.

I ran, and sincerely hope that no-one ever gets to that position, and my literal atonement, is my soul and words that lays before you today. When you can feel the tendons of sanity tensing in your mind and the pain is so intense, that you feel that its immediate rupture would be a release, and the downward spiral could be so intense that you will not feel the pain of dying.

So what did the fable of Tony Montana do to my generation? It mostly alluded to the fact that the greater the persons self made success, will result in the hardest and fatal of falls. All the good times, the sex, the money, the drugs and the power, meant nothing. As you realised that your own death with not be a glamorous finale, worthy of your life and accomplishments.

Did the film stop people from daring to dream? No, it just stopped people from daring to achieve anything other than having just enough to get by.

The manner of business that Tony Montano was is irrelevant, and hopefully you can see through this and apply the appropriate metaphor.

Your dream should not be someone else’s life; your aspirations should not be those of others, your peers or your hero’s. You are responsible for your own actions, your own dreams, and your own outcome to all the hard work you put into making it a reality.

The Montana syndrome is my metaphor for those young men of my generation, who chose not to be great and the fear of having it all and losing it, was greater than not having it in the first place.

I slid down that well, but with every ounce of my sweat and through grit and obstinate refusal, I will claw my way out of that deep shaft and bask in the warmth of the sunlight on my face, even though my eyes are hurt by the light, the pain will reduce to reveal the observation of beauty all around us. Wealth, health, happiness and spirituality are all a by product of actually taking the first steps on your journey.

We can all feel helpless, but the biggest paradox of the universe is that there must be balance, as the greatest gift is to give two parallel experiences. As it all boils down to my friends, that this is the equilibrium of the universe.

So who put this thing together? Us, that’s who, who do we trust? Us!

Surely life is not this simple is it?

Thank you once again for reading, today’s blog is not fluffy or meant to be comical. The oft used quote of “I will not die with my music still left in me” is totally relevant.

When did we develop into having such low expectations? Is this not the biggest plague and risk to our planet? The planet has so much benevolence, if only we asked for what we wanted and dared to dream and dared that little further into actuality.

My name is Scott Lee Everest, and I have enjoyed being your host this evening....... remember to always wear sunscreen.

Check out this awesome website from Declan Lestat, one-stop shop for all your development needs http://fullcontactliving.wordpress.com/

I wonder if a ghetto has a heaven

“I think there's an element where people get very comfortable in their ghetto. Which is fair enough” - Neil Tennant

I grew up listening to a lot of gangster rap, my favourites being 2Pac, Ice-T, NWA and every associated stereotypical artist.

One of the reasons was my ability to identify with their situation of being surrounded by drugs, drive-by’s and hopelessness.

Aspiring and identifying with hopelessness, no doubt stunted my emotional and spiritual growth for many years. This however is another blog; the one thing that did amuse me about rap music was the soft mantra that was always a theme on every album by the above artists.

That was “I wonder if Heaven has a ghetto?”

Even as a disaffected teen, I could see that there perceived situation was so bad that they even wished the same in the afterlife. That right there is some very low expectations.

That my friends, is a ghetto state of mind. I remember at school, that there were teenage girls who used to discuss that they could get a flat from the council on the local tower blocks (amongst drug addicts and prostitutes) if they got themselves pregnant. They could set themselves up for life!!

Thinking back, we all aspired to be ghetto superstars, our role models were the drug dealers, with the nice cars, great sound system and every gadget a man can have. It only occurred to me recently that all of these guys still lived with their parents. I suppose the income streams did not hold up for regular mortgage payments and bank scrutiny.

This is not the theme of today’s blog, but the premise that there is a heaven in every ghetto. You can even go as far as say that “ghetto” is just a metaphor of a world that scares us, and the only way to survive is to purvey a cold tough exterior.

We all know the phrase, ‘that you cannot polish a turd’ this has been used to describe the youth from urban areas but as we all know is not the case.

There is beauty all around us, and we can see that once we affirm our own vision of heaven we can start to see beauty and experience true bliss. We all understand the idea of heaven, but one question we never ask our self is how can we live in heaven today?

So what is your vision of heaven as a concept?

Spending time with loved ones, deceased family and friends, BBQ’s, live in big castle, surrounded by sexy angels and living the rock star life.

So what is it that stopped us from us enjoying this on Earth? Oh yes our circumstances and the ghetto.

I have thought on this for a while, and my concept of heaven is a continuous collection of those moments that make us smile and love unconditionally.

These moments to me are plentiful, the first bite of a delicious meal, eating chocolate ice-cream (doing that now), a kiss from your children, watching your efforts being appreciated, validation, a sunset, a sunrise, the rain nourishing the ground, the smell of flowers, your sports team being successful, a long walk, the countryside, time with your parents, a wedding, winning on bingo and much more that I can list but you maybe understand the concept.

The true irony is; that I would rather accept that there is no concept of heaven, and enjoy all of the above in my life today.

There is no point of spend all of your real life in misery, in hope of redemption in heaven.

However, if you had the keys to paradise, would you rather let in people who have lived and enjoyed their lives or those who lived without pleasure?

If heaven is a party, having Mother Theresa looking over your shoulder will kind of suck balls. So I can understand the ghetto mentality, as of course the concept of heaven it is just a collection of good times with your friends.

I am a kind of a seek forgiveness, than ask permission kind of guy. We are all animals at the end of the day, and the strongest should always prosper.

This is what Darwin was alluding to with Natural selection.................no, I have gone too far!

Ok, I apologise for the Mother Theresa comment, but the point that I would like to make, is not to ponder the concept of heaven, as it should not be your aspiration. This should be of course to live, be happy, love, and do things that bring that smile and unconditional love bubbling in your tummy.

In the unlikely event that there is a heaven or associated spiritual plane, it would no doubt be run by deceased British civil servants. I can imagine the forms and protocol now (shudder). The weather would be a slight drizzle, and there is a dress code for most places. Tea served at 11am and 3pm and Fish on a Friday.

Heaven as a metaphor is all around us, we can see it once we accept its reality.

Like licking the spoon from the cake mix, can taste better than the cake itself. The little things in life are the ingredients; time is what cooks it all together. However, let’s not wait until we die to eat the cake! (Wheat free though)

More Tea Vicar?

Scott

PS. Today’s blog is just my thoughts, we all think things and once we agree and something affirms that though it becomes an opinion. As I have said, nothing has affirmed my opinion and just my meandering mind wandering though nonsense.