Sacred Communication/Journey 2022

 In class, we discussed a lot about the state of flow. I have had a similar experience to this state of flow as I prepare for finals. As I study I sometimes slip into what is commonly called "the zone" and I am much more productive and I am able to recall more information than I used to be able to. I have found that this state happens frequently when I am listening to music and with my phone out of reach. It eliminates the distractions around me and I completely get locked in on whatever I am studying. It is an extremely useful tool that is likely going to ensure that I perform well on my exams. It is also a tool that I will have to utilize likely for the rest of my life, not only in college. Anytime I find myself in a spot where I have to get work done I now know the best way to do that. However, it is sometimes hard to get into this zone and I become frustrated, and when that happens it makes it even harder to get back into that zone. So, when I have these difficulties I li...

 Over Thanksgiving, I had a chance to see a lot of my family. It is always nice after lots of stress and problems to relax with family and enjoy good food. It was a good time to unwind from college and refocus my mind on what was ahead. Every thanksgiving we have traditions as a family that are not broken and those traditions always bring comfort to me when I partake in them. I think it is important to have these traditions as families as it helps the family stay connected and gives a sense of pride to be a part of that family. Although traditions are rarely completely unique, they all hold a unique meaning with unique memories for the families that partake in them. It is less about the tradition itself, and more about what that tradition gives to the family. 

 Over Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to sit in a tree stand to hunt deer. This experience is unique because it is a test of patience rather than stamina like some nature trails are. Sitting in the tree stand above the forest floor and in between several trees, it is a breathtaking point of view. Just sitting there in the harmony of the ecosystem with several animals moving around you is something that is hard to describe and just uniquely personal to anyone who gives it a try. I sat in the tree stand for several hours and it was never a dull moment, and it gives you a lot of time to think introspectively. A great experience, and for anyone who has the chance to do something like this I  recommend taking that opportunity. 

 During my time on the Noland trail, I found it very soothing to be in nature. It was nice to escape the endless hub of consumerism and traffic that we encounter every day in the modern world. It allowed me to slip into a mindset where I could escape the stresses of my normal life, and all that lay in front of me were the endless rows of trees and scurrying squirrels along tree branches.  A few encounters with deer were tame in comparison to places in nature where they do not see very many people. I was able to get a few feet away from a doe which is usually impossible, as they tend to run away at any sign of people. It was really just nice to get a break from a typical day and enjoy nature. I can see why people crave experiences like the Noland trail and take it to extremes like the Appalachian trail which we have learned and researched so much about. I think anyone can benefit from being in nature, as it was where humanity began so I think there is always that instinctual ch...

 An interesting book I purchased earlier this semester was the 48 Laws Of Power  by Robert Greene. This book dives deep into the principles of intrigue and manipulation that have been used since the formation of human civilization. It gives the blueprints to manipulate people in order to gain power. It's a very fascinating read, although it does give the tools to be an immoral person. But there are a few tips that you can apply to your life for certain business opportunities for example, rather than on people in your life. It can also be useful to safeguard against people who may try and use the techniques against you. Overall the book is just an interesting read and you do not really have to keep its teachings to heart. I recommend the book to anyone who is interested in starting a business or entering the business world. I especially recommend the book for someone who aims to be elected to a public position in the future. 

 A book that I discovered that has completely transformed my way of thinking is Meditations  by Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor who had unlimited power yet he wielded it with kindness, and did what was best for the empire rather than act selfishly like other roman emperors had in the past, such as emperor Nero who was a tyrant. The book is the personal writings of Marcus Aurelius to himself, in order to track his thinking and to help him grow as a person. The lessons he wrote of are timeless, and applicable to the modern world which made this the most influential book I have ever read. It teaches you not to mind the things out of your control and instead focus inward where you have full control of yourself. The book is written for the philosophy of stoicism, but as I mentioned anyone could pick this book up and walk away a changed person when they put it down. 

         I was reading an autobiography titled Can't Hurt Me  by David Goggins. A truly inspiring book that makes you really question just how far someone can push the limit of both mental and physical endurance. Every chapter fully engages the reader and made me personally want to run through walls and climb mountains. I had never encountered a book that was able to move me to act like this one. It also gives the blueprints for self-improvement leaving you with no excuse to remain as you are. He frequently comments about how often he wanted to give up which is showing that even the toughest people out there struggle frequently with these issues of motivation. I highly recommend the book to anyone who has had issues with motivation or discipline in the past and it has personally helped me grow tremendously.