Right now I'm cruising Alaska until January as a Sound Engineer. On these weekly cruises I meet tons of great and interesting people. One of which recently stood out. I decided to stay in contact with him through email since onboard we had many challenging and thoughtful convo's. He is about 5 years younger than me and we relate on many things. I'm not at all saying I see myself in him because that would be a bit conceited. But I do understand where he's coming from. Okay now this post is a long one so if your ready, here goes.
This an email he sent me after leaving the ship:
Hey Tristan,
If I haven't said it enough, it is really awesome to get to
talk to someone such as yourself because what you say hits really hard
and we can relate on so many things since it seems almost everything
you've said, I have experienced first hand and it seems like i could
learn so many things about experienxe and life in general from you.
But yeah, you know what I am getting at - this is only the 18th time
I've told ya.
Yep, so this is my email.
Uhh...I know we were talking about something really interesting before
Andrew came and talked to us, something about ... I really can't
recall, but it was something I - do you remember? I know it was just
an extension of our previous conversations ...
Dude it was pretty cool to see you working your magic on Sydney...the
Asian cousin/really good looking girl when we were dancing last night
- it seems like you could've had her right then and there.
Talk to ya soonAnd this is my response:
What up brother. It was great getting to know you as well. I know where your coming from cause I've been there and I'm still working on things myself. Improvement is an ongoing thing and it is great that your becoming aware of yourself. Most people live blind to themselves and let opportunities pass by. But the way of thinking that I saw in you is a great start to building yourself to the person you truly want to be. The only blocks are the ones you and your mind create. Anything is possible once you can control your thoughts. It takes a while, but to start: every chance you get, step back from what your thinking and observe what your thinking and your behavior. I know that sounds strange, but try. We all have many levels of consciousness. The one that most of us get caught up with is the thinker, the one whos constantly talking inside. Thats ok. Don't try to stop the thoughts or control them yet, just let them flow and then you can step back in your mind as if your watching yourself think. observing the patterns of what your thinking. Do you notice yourself worrying? Are your thoughts of what to do today or tonight or this next minute? Is your thinking self constantly talking about something in particular? What every it is let the words and chatter in your mind flow, and watch them as the "silent observer". After some practice and getting used to it, you'll start to notice the thinker self slow down and even notice the calm space inbetween thoughts. Eventually that space and quiet will lengthen and lengthen to the point where you can relax into the simple silence. To most minds, silence is a scary thing. The thinker feels threatened like something is wrong if its not busy working. But an easy way to start this calming, is to just listen. Sit in a calm place like your room. Turn off music or TV and computer,
Close your eyes and just listen.
What do you hear?...... Is the heater/AC making a constant vibration in the air? ......Creaking of the floor/walls...... footsteps?....... the flow of Cars outside? .....voices in the house or wherever you are?....... The wind through the trees?...... even the buzzing of a fly?....... Try to really get into the moment by focusing on whats around you. By doing this your attention is to the world and to the present moment and there is little room for thoughts. If you hear a sound and start thinking about what it is or why is happening or where it is, which may lead you to more thoughts, thats ok. just let your thoughts happen and calmly try to regain focus on the present. No need to fight it or get frustrated that the loud voice inside keeps breaking through. Just laugh at it and observe. Do this whenever you can, or before big events, before making big decisions, before going up to someone and starting conversations, before a test, just take a second or 5/10 minutes if you can a listen and relax. In this tranquil state of mind, insecurities float away, indecisivness fades, "Clear your choice shall be" (Yoda) questions of what to do what to say wont matter, because you will be enjoying whats around you whethers its a busy mall, kids chatting/tapping their feet in class, music and people talking in a club or party. Just step back and take it all in. Then you can enjoy every experience for what it is.
I know thats a lot, but I also know your thirst for something more, more in life. And there is plenty out there. Just start slow and enjoy the little frustrations and road blocks and the learning process, because when your frustrated, that means your trying and making progress.
Every frustration in life is one step closer to the success you deserve.
TjaX
