Day One Hundred & Six - Life Is Real

"I live my life the way I want I got nothing to hide nothing at all. Life is not a fairy tale life, they should know that life is real. I live my life the way I want, I got nothing to hide nothing at all. Life is not a fairy tale, life is about more cause life is real."

These words come from a song sung by Ayo. I have recently discovered her and really like this song of hers, specifically these words.

Life is real and ultimately you make the decisions that determine the direction your life is going to in. Even if you did not directly made the decision, at some point you made a decision which brought you to where you are today. I am sure we have all asked ourselves, "Am I living the life that I’m capable of living with all my talents? Have I fully explored the possibilities within me?" Can any of us really say that we’re living life 100%, and living up to the possibilities hidden away within us? Can you and I live lives dramatically more powerful than the lives we’re living now?

Living a good life, living life as real as you can, certainly means different things to different people. "The good life" is the life you want to live that is full of simple pleasures that make you happy, the compassionate deeds you perform, the goals you set for yourself, the relationships you make and maintain and the legacy you leave behind. Living a life that is 'real' is about appreciating all of your time, not just the time you have to relax, leisure time, but every moment in life. Good or bad. There are way too many people who are caught up in the mad rush of corporate lifestyle, absorbed completely in ourselves, slowly growing numb to the little moments in life, the simple moments that make life magical. Obviously this is a generalization, not everyone is like this but it is so easy to get caught up in our own lives, our own problems. This causes us to lose sight of the simple pleasures in life, which ultimately make life more enjoyable. Appreciatte life's simple pleasures. The best things in life are free. A beautiful night sky. A first glimpse of a firefly. Life's greatest simple pleasures can only be observed when you have a mindful awareness of your surroundings and you are taking the time to really take in your surroundings.

Slow your step. Slow down. Appreciate life's simple pleasures. Take the time to strengthen and nurture relationships in your life. Learn about different things. Who wants to know everything about only one thing. This is what many people, employers, etc are desiring from people. Let me tell you. Apparently you need to have a specialization in order to get anywhere in this world. Stupid. I reject that. What is wrong with knowing a little bit about everything. A jack of all trades.
Concentrate on your passions. Travel to distant places. Travelling opens your mind to realities that you could never imagine. Travelling gives you new perspectives, new experiences, new adventures. Travelling changes you.
Talk to strangers. You can learn something new if you talk to strangers. Obviously be smart about it but in my experience I have had very interesting conversations with a complete stranger.
Always keep your promises. Always find the positive side of things. Even negative outcomes hold a positive side. A positive lesson.
Forget perfection. Who wants to be perfect. I certainly do not. The idea of perfection is all relative and personal opinion. Finding what satisfies your needs is all that is necessary.
Do not forget to laugh. Take the road less travelled. It may be a little more rocky and rough but you may discover something no one else has.
And be here now. Right now if the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. Real life. Don't miss it.


-THE ROAD NOT TAKEN-

TWO ROADS DIVERGED IN A YELLOW WOOD,
AND SORRY I COULD NOT TRAVEL BOTH
AND BE ONE TRAVELLER, LONG I STOOD
AND LOOKED DOWN ONE AS FAR AS I COULD
TO WHERE IT BENT IN THE UNDERGROWTH;

THEN TOOK THE OTHER, AS JUST AS FAIR,
AND HAVING PERHAPS THE BETTER CLAIM,
BECAUSE IT WAS GRASSY AND WANTED WEAR;
THOUGH AS FOR THAT THE PASSING THERE
HAD WORN THEM REALLY ABOUT THE SAME,

AND BOTH THAT MORNING EQUALLY LAY
IN LEAVES NO STEP HAD TRODDEN BLACK.
OH, I KEPT THE FIRST FOR ANOTHER DAY!
YET KNOWING HOW WAY LEADS ON TO WAY,
I DOUBTED IF I SHOULD EVER COME BACK.

I SHALL BE TELLING THIS WITH A SIGH
SOMEWHERE AGES AND AGES HENCE:
TWO ROADS DIVERGED IN A WOOD, AND I--
I TOOK THE ONE LESS TRAVELED BY,
AND THAT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

...ROBERT FROST