Me & MinE

Bucket List

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:42:26 -0400

I recently viewed the movie with Jack Nicholson (Edward) & Morgan Freedman (Carter) called the Bucket List. The movie chronicled the shared last months of two men terminally diagnosed with cancer. Although faced with their own impending mortality, they decided to embrace their remaining days and follow their dreams. Life experiences meant to portend meaning and fulfillment were logged on a “Bucket List”, and the two began a journey, the sole purpose being the attainment of each item on the list. Edward’s list consisted of exciting and expensive achievements: skydiving, big game hunting, and penthouse suites. Whereas, Carter’s aspirations were more sentimental: “See something miraculous” and “Help someone for no reason”. The Bucket List concept is not a new one for me. I’ve been using goal assessment, prioritization and task management for years. You can see this in my Post Holiday Blues blog from January. So, I will not detail the process that I use again here. But se

Escape for the Vata

Fri, 23 May 2008 18:46:22 -0400

For someone with a vata personality like myself, infusing one’s life with routine is a necessity. If left unchecked, individuals with vata tendencies will exaggerate their imbalances even further if they nurture their instinctual desires. By insisting on constant change, excessively multi-tasking, over-exertion or avoiding regular habits, vata imbalances will manifest in a variety of physical, mental & emotional disturbances, such as fatigue, anxiety or the inability to relax. More on Dosha Imbalances HERE. If any type of life balance is expected to be achieved, those flighty and impulsive vata tendencies must be countered by dull monotony. But although bland foods, rigid routines and suppression of impulses will tame the raging vata beast, a dark cloud of ennui will also manifest in tandem. This plight, my friends, is where my life currently finds itself. Too much same old, same old..... not enough stimulation. So, after many, MANY months of succumbing to the self-inf

Is Terrorism Ever Justified?

Sat, 5 Apr 2008 19:21:47 -0400

Terrorism, as defined by Webster’s, is the unlawful use or threat of violence especially against the state or the public as a politically motivated means of attack or coercion. Terrorists use violent tactics in an effort to create political change, threaten or induce fear in the public and/or government, raise media attention or further their political cause. Unfortunately, many times, terrorist attacks fall upon innocent victims. One may argue as to the degree of innocence each individual may have. Terrorist attacks in current history most always end in the killing of children. There can be no argument as to a baby’s innocence. Terrorism when inflicted on innocent civilians can never be justified. Killing others for any reason other than self-defense is morally reprehensible. Kant believes in a universal law. Morally, we must “treat humanity…never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end.” In other words, terrorists cannot morally justify innocent deaths to

The Various Meanings of Tao

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:57:13 -0500

Taoism, a philosophy and way of life, originated in China, and is credited to a man named Lao Tzu, born in 640 BCE. The Tao Te Ching is the primary text of Taoism and consists of a variety of philosophy, mysticism, reflection and poetry. As many religions practiced today emphasize some type of unity, Taoism specifically concentrates on the connection between humanity and the universe. The word Tao can literally be translated as the ‘path’ or the ‘way’; and can be categorized into three distinct interpretations. The first interpretation is the way of ultimate reality. The Tao cannot be expressed, explained or conveyed in text or word. As the Tao Te Ching opens, “The Tao that can be spoken is not the true Tao.” The true Tao transcends the reality in which we live. It was not created and cannot be destroyed. This path is eternally existent and transcends all that is material. The next is the way of the universe. This interpretation suggests the omnipresent aspect of the Tao. I

Balance your Diet ~ Balance your Life

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:10:16 -0500

Most Americans start off their New Year with a few resolutions. We focus on areas of our lives that we want to improve. Even the U.S. Government acknowledges an individual’s need for constant reinvention. In their list, USA.GOV recognizes the most popular New Year’s Resolutions, many of which revolve around personal health; such as weight loss, fitness, healthy eating, reduction of alcohol consumption, smoking cessation and reduction of stress. For more information on the Most Popular Resolutions for Americans from the US Government, Click Here. But, as the Opinion Research Corporation reports, only 64% of Americans are still maintaining their goal through February, 46% by July, and only 8% of all resolutions are kept for the entire year. The high expectations we set for ourselves disappear for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they are too unrealistic or unattainable, maybe they are too vague. Often times we simply get tired of fighting the battle of willpower, give up or give in