There’s Enough for Everyone.

Well, it surely is 2012 and the break from my blog was well deserved and wonderful. I must say, however, in loo of the break I have still  been keeping up with the inner growth, which remains vastly undocumented. I am well into conversing in real time and sharing person to person over these last many weeks and months. In fact, it has done remarkable things to this sphere I call life. What an unbelievable journey through 2011 it was!

I spent over 10000km on my Harley.

I spent the entire year sober from alcohol and drugs (still going, because it’s slightly amazing and ridiculously challenging).

I reconnected with the once love of my life.

I met many new, amazing individuals whom I now call friends.

I got a ton of ink!

I went through as much change as a Blaskin & Lane’s tire shop in the fall season and I am still still on that path!

So, thank you for your patience. This year I am looking to continue growing in my art, working along side some amazing new and repeat clients, as well as launch a new solo project in April. Stay tuned for that!

This morning I woke up and not so shortly after, tweeted: No one is gonna steal your thunder. Your own insecurities, fear, greed and pride will do that just fine. Just a short while afterward, I added: Give a little more today. There’s enough for everyone.

The premise of my Tweets were simple; in looking at the world at large, which we often only have a limited view of, it has become clear to me that we regularly get defensive of our positions. Whether that position is of noble worth or less than desirable, we have earned it, or so we understand. We greatly protect our positions, and thereto our egos, from all sorts of pain by sometimes casting blame, ignoring truths and generally making our kingdom seem the greatest. Sadly, this protective stance can only help for so long. In fact, while we are out protecting our built up positions, we are missing out on developing them even more, with greater influence and more growth.

Maintaining one’s position amidst an ever growing, ever changing world becomes increasingly difficult. Heck, we need our thrones, right? We need to be at the center stage, recognized for all we’ve accomplished and put in, all of our hard work and our valiant efforts. We need it! We need it to be who we are! Or do we? Do we really need all that we protect; our image, our accolades, our rights? It seems as though the most humble of people walk in peace while the most strong characters strive and strive without ceasing. This is played out marvelously in one of Guy Ritchie’s greatest works, Revolver. It is a regular rotation in my player and often I get something new from each viewing.

The reason I am writing on thunder and therefore, there being enough for everyone, is that I am finding it an aroma in my life. Like a scent permeates the air around you in a kitchen with either a pleasant smell of something freshly baked, or one of stench emitting from a rotten compost or garbage, so too are the aromas of our interior lives. The fresh, lovely scent attracts like-hearted, like-minded individuals. Never perfect, their presence around one another only helps to build and challenge their growth, if they remain open and willing. It’s a promising plateau and one that seems most desirable. Likewise, the stench that can flood a space from someone’s life is also noticeable, though can be concealed ever so wonderfully by accolades, awards, beauty and many other things. In the end, our beauty comes not from our praise worthy triumphs and remarkable skin tone, features and shape, but more so from character, purity of heart and the desire to ever surpass the ego and its knotted sense of life.

Like a thorn pulled from the side of one’s body, deeply gouged in the flesh, is the ego’s sense of removal. It’s pride. It’s selfishness. It’s self pity. It’s greed. It’s deceit. It’s removal is the most god-awful feeling and that is why so many would rather choose a life of striving, of ceasing, of constant facades, cover-ups and comfort than one of challenge, change, growth and vulnerability. No one wins who chooses the humble road, we are told. No one comes out on top who puts another before himself. No one will receive just reward who puts love at its highest spot. No, no person will arrive a winner who does put themselves first. What lies we have learned, what lies we have bought into and what non-truths have been esteemed and built our society, culture and families upon! The very fabric of our lives exist to worship, but of who or what we worship, we are so misconstrued. Pride comes before the fall and even after the fall, pain will keep the ego well preserved. It is a growing concern to me to see more and more static and distraction ruin our clarity as it lessens with each poor choice.

I have no idea where this year will take me or where this learning will leave me. To be quite frank, I am just opening up to something deep within myself. Daily the common, the comfortable, the habitual and the known remind me of who I am, who I once was and what I am to do. The soft, faint sound of that whisper that is calling me to something more, is all that I want to hear. There is some peace in that sound. I once feared that sound and chose instead to drown in out with all I could.

That I may be called into the unknown where surely I will lose all comfort and instead gain true peace, in You; I would rather those steps than ones which lead cyclically about in a haze of mindlessness or pride.

That is all for tonight and maybe enough for a week or so. I must reflect. That’s a heavy.

TKB

Ten Tips

Oh you faithful bunch, following the writings of myself, all the while as I leave out nice pictures and easy topics that are fluffy and fun.

Yes, you choice few read and take in the very account of this public display of my inner thoughts and feelings toward subjects as diverse as each day.

I would like to suggest a few things in your education process, as we all know, ceasing to learn means ceasing to grow and that just doesn’t work well with humanity, should we want to see change.

So…

1. Purchase the movie documentary, Wisdom. You will watch this over and over, again. Trust me. Listen to it.

2. Decide what slow you down, and get rid of it. For me, I chose to rid myself of pasta and breads. It physically slows me down. On an emotional level, I am ridding myself of baggage carrying people. Not that we all do not have baggage, but there are some who seem to never want to change. Instead, I am surrounding myself with people who encourage others, give, help and improve my life and other people’s lives, daily.

3. Buy a juicer! I bought a Breville juicer (top of the line) and have been at it over 3 weeks now, consuming no less than 2L of juice a day. What do I juice? Beets, carrots, fruits, all sorts of green leafy foods and the like. Basically, I have lost some weight, built up better energy and allowed myself to feel much better in body and mind.

4. Give things away! I cannot stress how much this is important in our self-consumed world. My father says it is a gift I have, but to be honest, its practice only helps to build discipline and make for more room to live. By giving, whether in money, time, possessions or other ways, you are freeing your mind and heart from the grip of what we consumers are torn by; greed! Basically, practicing this and living it out will not only free you of the trap of debt, but will honestly allow more room for what matters.

5. Cut out fast food. Hard to do for some, but try to do it, even for a month. Then try that with pop or candy. The reason I am saying this is that it helps in balancing your dietary system and gives you a better understanding of how your body feels. Just as eating poorly becomes tasty, so too does eating healthy. It’s been great to switch it up.

6. Read a book. Cable is still non-existent in this house of mine and has been for well over 7 years. Go have coffee, meet with a friend, do something creative, read, write, start a blog, think about what you truly want to do, but by all means, read a book and cut the tube off a bit more.

7. Push ups. 100 a day! Ok, most days I am certain to do 25, but in some form or fashion make a small goal like 100 push ups and see it through your entire day. It may be 25 first thing in the morning, 50 in the afternoon and 25 before bed. Point is, you get it accomplished and it feels great.

8. Make your yes, yes, and your no, no. Simple right? Hardly. Maybe’s are not fun to deal with and often end up meaning no, as we just feel we may hurt the person by being forward and honest. Try it out. There is nothing more freeing than honesty. If you don;t weant to hang out, don’t. Maybe just wastes another person;s time.

9. Be yourself. As Bill Wither’s once said, you can try to be someone else but in the end, you gotta be you. You will waste energy galore on being someone else. It will suck the life out of you, trust me! So get to knowing yourself well and watch your world turn upside down!

10. Laugh.

That’s it. Quick, without much thought yet with much practice. That is all. Go about it and tell me how it goes. =)

Graces.

Calvin said this to me…”Just love yourself bro. Look in the mirror and be content and accepting like you would if you were looking at a brother or a friend.” It’s real funny how this simple thing can slip your mind, even after as many posts and as many insights that I write about or speak about. We need connection. We need peace. Grace, as much needed as it is, must be shown to yourself and be received by you in order to make it through this life. I am certain of this. I often tell close friends to do the same and today I am being reminded by a close friend, one of the best.

I torn up within about success, as you read in my last post, as well as social media and revealing your insides for an online community to read, many of whom are unknown to me. We have addressed this type of living now as normal and seem to get to know people without ever really meeting them in person. I have friends whom I cherish in the UK who I have never personally met, yet share words with on a regular basis. I have friends in Brazil who I have met once and yet encourage and enjoy their life from a distance. I have a friend in the States at the moment who lives a closely connected life with just a few and she often reminds me to do the same. I explain to her that I am not in that category any longer as with all the notoriety of being an artist and being in the public has taught me a new way of life, a new way of living and one that is often hard to juggle at times.

So, thank you Calvin and thank you Mandy. Another day, another holler!

RWD FFWD

You know what’s funny? FFWD Magazine in Calgary did not contact me when I won Best Visual Artist of the year for 2011. They contacted me in 2008 when I won the same award and even had me full page front cover, with a full write up within. This year I received no email, no phone call and no invitation to the award reception. Nothing. I didn’t know until Aaron Ellard and I, The Gallery and Understudy owner, viewed results online. What’s even more bizarre is that they cut out an article on my show that was to be released today, by Cadence Mandybura, last minute before print. FFWD Magazine, what’s the deal? Get it together, thank you. I read you often. It was a disappointing morning to say the least. Thanks for the cut – enjoy your day. =)

Here is the article online. Thank you Cadence. Art is the Window to the Soul

This dude was not impressed this morning.

Simple rules the day.

Simple rules the day, as my friend Nic would say, and so here I go with 3 simple daily and weekly practices that have changed my life and made it much more interesting.

Day to Day

1. Devotion. Each day, commit 15 to 30 minutes to a devotion of some sort. For some it will be meditation, prayer or silence. It could be stretching, going for a walk, having a bath, etc. Whatever it may be, it is yours. Try not to speak. Put your devices away and keep from distraction. Tell others this is your time, if need be, and do not disturb. It may start off noisy inside your mind or could be misunderstood by another, but it will ease over time. This practice alone will change your day and bring clarity.

2. Newness. Every day, choose to try something new. This is as simple as trying your coffee without cream, getting up 15 minutes early, wearing that color of tie that you avoid, not putting on as much make-up or it could be as trying as choosing to listen more than you speak. You know your day and your habits. Change is one of our only constants and it is change that keeps us alive and well, so do not try to avoid it. Embrace it. Avoiding change only grows you old. Again, this is yours to do. You need not share it with anyone if you do not want to and I would advise you not to. Keep it simple. Surprise yourself and surprise others. It is best to keep things interesting.

3. Relationships. I know not your circumstances in life but I do know we all bleed the same color and therefore, are all connected. Daily, do not text, do not email, Facebook or Tweet someone in your life that you love. Phone them. If you are able to meet up with them, please do, but for no other reason than to share how you feel about them. This could be as simple as telling an old school friend they inspired you or telling your partner whom you’re not getting along with that you’re sorry and that you appreciate them. It’s not easy all the time, but the practice will keep you truly connected and as I’ve witnessed, it can really change the day someone is having. Make the effort, it takes little time and fulfills a lot within.

Week to Week

1. Devotion. Each week choose a time slot where you can be with another person you admire or love and ask about their lives. If it’s a new friend, do the same. Getting to know others is often great and keeps your life interesting! All too often we talk about ourselves so please make an effort to listen. Again, shut your devices down and commit to this time with a person for at least an hour without distraction. I’ve met some of the most amazing people doing this and have got to know so much about those I already thought I knew by listening to their stories. It opens up your world view a lot, as well.

2. Newness. Step outside of your comfort zone once a week and try something new. It sounds easy but can scare the crap out of you. If you don’t go to live shows, buy some tickets and go. If you don’t go to theater, try that out by going to see a performance. If you have wanted to try a new food, go and get your eat on somewhere new. This is a tough one for me as I’m a comfort person. Most of us are comfort people. Heck, you could do a dance class at Pulse or a yoga class at Hot Yoga 17th. The point here is that with 52 weeks each year, you could potentially become a very well-rounded individually and it may also allow more relationships to form and strengthen, as well as interests arise that make you a more appealing individual.

3. Relationships. Weeks can go by without any real communication, fun or love resounding within the relationships we have. Often this is seen with comfortable couples and friendships, from season to season. Busyness can also creep in and crap out our lives. Build against those things by choosing to consciously do something for another person each week. Personally, since leaving a lot of my old life behind and choosing to develop new habits, I have seen within each week a chance and opportunity to make someone’s day. I love gifts and I love giving gifts, so I often find the time and resources to see someone’s week brighten up by listening to a need earlier on and surprising them with something down the line. It does not have to be a gift, but could be time, a meal, an experience or the like. Do this though, as you will become much more attractive a person by giving of yourself.

These 3 day to day and week to week practices are not overwhelming and very simple in thought. For you to start to take action, it can be difficult, so be patient with yourself and start off small at first. When I look at us, as a species and as a people, it confounds my mind as to how intricate we make our lives and little we do for others, when it is others that make up our lives. I generally think that we are inherently selfish so it comes as no surprise that we look out for ourselves and choose comfort over chancing something new. That mentality got me nowhere, nor has it done any good for humanity. These things I have listed I practice myself and have gotten into a habit of practicing. Beyond these things, I have also chosen to start even more difficult processes of freeing myself that which holds me down, traps me or desires to consume of energy in a negative way. I will not speak about those things now but only encourage you to review and put into practice these simple things.

TKB

Photo by: TheKidBelo

A friend on perfectionism.

Reminds me of you.