Open Mind Archives - Page 24 of 25

April 16, 2016October 11, 2015 by Pete Wiley

Adventure

When we were children, we were constantly pushing our boundaries, learning what we can do, and then going beyond what we have done. This involves taking risks, trying new things and learning about the world. For a child, everything is an adventure and horizons are constantly expanding.

As we get older, it is easy to become jaded—life becomes routine and we lose our ability to see new things even when they are right in front of us. We begin to acquire commitments and responsibilities, and we tend toward living safer, more stable lives. But does that mean that we shouldn’t continue to take risks or do exciting things? Absolutely not.

Adventure and stability are not mutually exclusive.

January 23, 2016August 31, 2015 by Pete Wiley

Comfort

For the most part, humans are creatures of habit – we generally stick to what we are comfortable with. We make a circle of friends, get a job, and engage in a fairly established set of activities. This may be due to a variety of factors, including economic stability and convenience, but it may also be related to a desire to stay in our comfort zones.

There are some who thrive on trying new things, but even they know what they like and will retreat to trusted friends and familiar places when they need comfort.

There are dedicated homebodies and there are those who can talk to anyone and love new experiences. How long can you stay out of your comfort zone?

in Open Mind 3 comments

November 14, 2015September 5, 2018 by Pete Wiley

Affectation

It’s very interesting to see how the lingo changes through the years and how phrases that are firmly associated with a certain subset of society (e.g. surfers, bikers, environmental scientists) explode into common usage.

For example, I started thinking about this entry and have since noticed that I use the word “dude” a lot.

It’s not intentional. I have no idea where it came from.

I’m not proud of it.

But is it in affectation? I can honestly say that I do not say the word “dude” to elicit any specific response or present myself in any particular light. But it begs the question, when is a figure of speech (or action or fashion statement) an affectation?

in Mindful / Open Mind 1 comments

September 5, 2015September 5, 2015 by Pete Wiley

Honesty

Who are you?

When you answer that question, are you being honest with yourself? With others?

Being true to yourself is a necessary first step on the journey to figuring out who you are. Honesty is the fuel for that personal journey. Honesty with ourselves and honesty in our interactions will contribute toward a life that is real and vastly more interesting and exciting than one that cuts corners or takes the easy way around.

in Open Mind 0 comments

July 25, 2015July 17, 2015 by Pete Wiley

Breathe

Do you consider yourself spiritual? What does that mean to you?

Spirituality can mean a deeper connection; a connection that transcends the corporeal and the rational. We can access those connections in a variety of ways, which are vital for a fulfilling life. For me, these include meditation, music, time spent in natural places (particularly the ocean), and time spent in the presence of those people who mean the most to me. In the way I perceive the landscape of the universe, these are the brightest lights, and I’m constantly drawn to them.

in Emotions / Open Mind 2 comments