Motivations and Agendas

From henceforth, I will concentrate my energy on understanding people from the inside, rather than evaluating them from a superficial skin-deep level. I will attempt to understand people's motivations and agenda, whether good or bad, generous or selfish and respond with goodwill no matter what the case.

Detached Awareness

From henceforth, I plan to be more conscious of my awareness. When is my mind on autopilot? When am I most perceptive? Hopefully by recognizing my level of detachment or attachment, I can learn to control them more voluntarily. I am thinking that by mentally detaching myself from daily physical abstractions, it will lead to more of a broad understanding of everything. Kind of like seeing the forest through the trees.

Eliminating the Deleterious

From henceforth I resolve to abstain from foods containing:

1. Added Fructose (except perhaps during periods of post-exercise muscle replenishment).
2. Hydrogenated oils (anything with "hydrogenated" on the label)
3. Mono-sodium glutamate (aka MSG)
4. Refined flours and foods, especially those with gratuitous levels of added sugar

Suffer the Delusion

Humans are rational, ego-driven creatures and it is natural for us to rationalize our actions and behaviors. But, unfortunately, our egos often sneak in and surreptitiously taint this process by disguising wrong as right or surreptitiously swapping truth for lies. I think a lifetime of habitually deluding oneself, is what causes so many old folks to cling to some wildly crazy, obsessive and irrational beliefs.

Therefore, from henceforth (before I too succumb), I vow to consciously increase my awareness of when I enter this "rationalization-mode". Through insightful and conscious intervention, I can then attempt to thwart the attempts of my mind to compromise the rationalization process.

Hopefully this will develop into a habit and the thoughts circulating my mind will remain free of such self-induced ignorance.

But a Test

From henceforth, I resolve to never let others' irrationally accusatory behavior spark a defensive or retaliatory response. I will respond to such acrimony with calm and indifferent apathy -- and a smile.

Thoughts Carve Perception

From henceforth, I will make a continuous effort to refine all thoughts and thinking to terms of undefined possibility. Worry and doubt will shrivel and starve and I will begin to see paths where none were unapparent before.

Limited Thinking

Its human nature to mentally attach limits to our endeavors. From henceforth, I will strive to be conscious of any limiting thoughts and dispense them from my thinking.

Reflection on Wanting

"Wanting" is an unfortunate habit which leads down a road of patheticism*. From henceforth, I resolve to be more conscious of my wanting. If the desire is truly worthwhile, I will elevate it to an "expectation" where it can take root and bear fruit. Otherwise, it will be dispensed from my consciousness.

* I know this is not a word.  But it should be.

Fast Food Anathema

From henceforth, I detest fast food. It is almost as deceitful as candy. Today, I begin nurturing a repulsion towards it.

That Burger King/Hardees smell is particularly loathsome.

Non-Smilers

Non-smilers suck. They are the worst kind of polluters. They pollute the cosmic energy with negativity. They are perpetuators of bad Karma.

I hope to never become a non-smiler. I want good Karma. So, from henceforth, whether confronted with good, bad or indifference, I will smile. When someone talks to me, I will smile. When I pass people I don't know, I will smile. If someone wants to kick my butt, I will smile.

Candy Conflicted

Candy is a tool of the devil. I am constantly tempted by it's chocolaty goodness. I try to refuse it's call... but fail. For, candy is very persistent. It surreptitiously tempts me with visions of yumminess.  "Just one", it whispers, and eventually I relent. But, candy does not uphold it's end of the bargain. It is a liar and deceiver. After infiltrating my digestive track, it unleashes a barrage of mind altering chemicals, sabotaging any remaining willpower. I become helpless to prevent an onslaught of additional uneaten candies from subsequent consumption where they join the first in a celebration of successfully overcoming another weak-minded human individual.

From henceforth, I loathe candy. (Unless its dark chocolate)... And, I exercise really hard afterward.