We have so many selves that it is sometimes difficult to choose which self to use in certain situations. For example, there is a self in us that we never show anybody and there is a self that only our friends see. There is a self in us only our parents see, but not our friends. However, there is one self that is uniquely our own. It is the self that only we see and know. It is the center of our existence. It is who we really are. It takes courage to show that side of us to anyone. But when we do, it is a form of art that everyone will recognize.

If there is one thing that binds us humans together it is the fact that each one of us has doubt about ourselves in some subjective way. For one reason or the other we get hit with doubt usually at the most inopportune times. Like a baseball player striking out or a bowler getting a 7-10 split. If it happens once, doubt says that it can happen again. Overcoming doubt means that success is possible. It means that humanity has a chance to better itself. We all have that chance.

People talk down on philosophy for many reasons. But the most common reason is that they believe that thinking is the opposite of doing. That sitting around talking about life and the order of things is fine, but there ain't no money in it. Certainly it is an exercise in imagination when people engage in the "heavy" topics. However, those who believe that talking philosophy is a waste of time, that having a philosophical frame of mind is somehow damaging to the human soul, actually embrace the idea of having no philosophy. Having no philosophy is having a philosophy. It is the philosophy of nothing.

Have you ever had one of those days when you just weren't with the program? Well, I'm having one of those weeks right now and it's driving me absolutely batty. Every move I make feels like I am moving in slow motion under a strobe-light. Things are cloudy and my mind isn't thinking straight. I tried to take a nap, but my eye lids weren't heavy enough I guess. 

You have to start somewhere. Pick your spot and make your move. Know that the road will not be easy and you will be spending a lot of time alone. Once you get over the fact of being alone in your quest, you will feel more a part of things than you have ever felt before.

Life is a poem, a movie, a story as individual as one can imagine. Within the framework of life there exists ways to make your dreams come true. As long as your dreams are realistic, anything is actually possible. But dreams have to be deeper than money or fame or prestige-these things work just fine in the movies. They have to fit into your primary life, not the life that exists inside your mind (relating to media images and sounds). The dreams inside your mind, how you relate to movies and television programming; how you place yourself inside the story, are part of what is called The Secondary Life. It is fiction. It is where unrealistic dreams are manufactured and processed. The primary life is the day to day drag of having to do things you may not like doing for the sake of paying bills. It is difficult, but life is a poem in a movie... part of one great story.

Some people feel everything. They feel everything to the point where it hurts. They empathize with other people and feel their pain. This brings about anxiety which is caused from not paying enough attention to the self. But how? How do people just turn themselves off to the plight of other people? How can they learn to pay more attention to the things that have an effect on their own personal lives.... not in a selfish, uncaring way, but in a good way? Practice, practice makes perfect.