Never Give Up

Audio

If you have an ideal you are pursuing, or are stuck on an assignment that you think will never end, I want to offer some advice.

A little hint, it is the title.

Seen it before? Almost all the entire earth’s population could say they have heard some iteration of this; to never give into the easy way of living. When the going gets tough, you must get tougher. But, when I say this to you, I do not aim to be perceived as another person, I tell this to you with the full confidence that you won’t give up.

To have someone tell you to never give up, it means that you have had some difficulty pursuing your desire. I may not know your situation, but what I know is your are smart enough to evaluate your current actions. This requires wisdom, which means you can complete your task, you just have to think of an alternative way to do it.

There are always different methods to achieve your goals, just because one way does not work, doesn’t make it impossible. We adapt and overcome to get what we desire.

We never give up. Once all methods are used, then is the time for another evaluation.

Keep going, to the very end

With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility…

Uncle Ben really said it best in this quote, but most people brush past the true meaning of his words, so I wanted to delve into it a bit today.

Well, it wasn’t said first by him, it was actually just the quote at the end of one of the comics in the 80s, where Peter is complementing his actions as a hero, and how he failed to save his Uncle, because he did not think it was his duty to help others. These words mean a tremendous amount to Peter, as it reminds him that no one should be put in the way of distress because Spider-Man failed to act. The words appeared at the end of the comic panel, as Peter accepted his responsibility.

This message can mean a great deal to many people around the world. Those who look up to the highly rich celebrities; beg them to do things with their money to benefit the world, but we seem to disgregard our own ability to help change the world.

Look no further than Greta Thunberg, her passion to stop the world succumbing to climate change, launched a campaign to push for a more eco-friendly planet. Ideals and beliefs together can incite change in our lives.

Events can change our views on responsibility too. In 2020, where the horrific killing of George Floyd inflamed the fires of Black Lives Matter Protesters, we have witnessed a more substantial change towards racial diversity. Unfortunately we have a long way to go, but everyday people’s voice, who were fuelled by rage due to inequality in our world, are creating change.

We all have a responsibility to do the right thing. It may be difficult; feeling like an uphill battle, but that is how change is made. We all have the power within ourselves to make a great impact on our planet; for the better. It is time we start fulfilling this ideology.

I am okay with just being me.

On social media, there has always been this posed message towards consumers, that you should be who you want to be on these platforms. It was nice, for a time. Then, many people on these platforms began trying to one-up themselves every-time they posted. For example, an instagrammer (remain anonymous) would climb onto different buildings, taking photos at the top. Unfortunately, he kept on trying to one up himself, so much that he climbed on of the highest cranes in the world and died. It is these kinds of actions that occur due to the toxicity of social media, and how it has control over our subconscious needs and desires.

We want to be recognised and affiliated with a group, it is human nature to do so. But, with the extent and force that the media has behind it, now has become one the most hardest times to be on your own. Covid has held our lives on pause for almost a year, it is difficult to get the gears moving again. Nobody wants to be alone, but it can be more enjoyable than you think.

One of the things I have found helpful when spending time on my own is occupying my mind and body. Running, school work and working out are great ways for me to pass the time. I find that the more I focus on something else, the less likely I will be constantly self conscious.

It is also good to tell others, though it is hard to listen to, that there will be times when you feel as though you are on your own. In some cases, accepting and being content with loneliness is rewarding, it can allow you to flourish.

Sometimes, if I feel alone, what I like to do is take a big breath in, and think about all the other people that are going to be breathing in the same oxygen (kind of) on the same planet, at the same time. If you do this, then you realise it is impossible to be alone, unless everyone but you moves to Mars tomorrow. Regardless, being alone can be incredible, if you learn to accept it and run with it. You have yourself, you are never alone.

when I look back when I was younger, I was so happy just being on my own, I did not care much about others besides my family. I was a true loner. But, now I have close friends, it can be difficult to be without them. You may feel that crippling loneliness. But, if you can learn to be happy with yourself, not having the need to change your personality to gain more friends on social media, and accepting the fact that you will always have your back, then you will be okay.

Just like I am okay with just being me.

Start trying the things you want to do.

This can be extremely difficult, to abandon all you know and start a brand new journey down an unfamiliar road. You may be alone, or isolated on your beliefs and desires compared to your family and friends. However my friends, we have one commonality; we will be going down this road together.

I have always been fascinated by content creation and sharing my experiences. Since I was incredibly young, I have watched YouTube for over a year’s worth of content. This has started to mess with me, my progress in my life and my happiness. It is one thing to watch others being happy, but what about your own?

So, I am starting to make content on the internet, just small stuff here and there to make myself a bit happier. Due to my addiction, I have decided to take a 30-day detox from the site. Though I have discussed this on the blog before, I was a lot less committed and disciplined to follow through, this time I am.

Even if, doing your favourite thing takes up a bit of your time, you can structure your day. It is difficult to have a change of schedule, but you will be more motivated to complete your mundane tasks, so you can focus on the bigger, exciting hobbies that you love.

Most people would tell you it’s easy; just get started. I know it is difficult. Once you get going, you will be in a flow state, being able to accomplish more than you thought.

So, let’s do it.

Saying Good bye…

Over the past few days, I have been looking back at things I used to like when I was younger. This went to old YouTube channels, to old video games that I cherish. The most notable one is Gravity Falls, which was a show on Disney XD based around the pine twins: Dipper and Mabel as they search to uncover the mysteries in the town. There is so much to this show, that I couldn’t describe it all in one post, but let’s just say it was an incredible series.

I sat down and watched the end of the series again, and I felt like I had an out of body experience. I saw myself looking at my younger self, 13 years old waking up at 4 in the morning just so I could see the ending first. Looking back on that time, I was very different, but I still carry a lot of the same values and likes as back then. But, there was a sense of distance and sadness; I know I cannot live as that boy for the rest of my life. That doesn’t mean I cannot get the same joy and excitement from things in the past, instead recognising that everything must come to an end. Things go in the past, which you look back on with joy and happiness, but you don’t relive them.

This is a sad realisation, but it can be looked on as a good thing. When I left school last year, I was really sad because we couldn’t finish properly. It used to make me upset when I knew I could not go back to that life. It is the same when your favourite show ends, you can’t go back and receive the same satisfaction from watching it, only in your memories.

You can’t go back in time, we must all keep moving forwards; rewriting our history books everyday with new details. At the end of the day, all we are is memories. The more you make, the more fufilled in life you will be.

What happens to the 13 year old me? He gets to enjoy his memories, but he will be taken along with me through the rest of my life to help make new memories. No part of you will be left behind, but their actions and habits will. You take the experiences with you.

Forward !

How beautiful the outside world is?

The pandemic has put a limit on our time spent outside. We can go on walks to places close to our houses to limit any contact with others, and we cannot see our friends and family. It can feel very lonely and sad when we are alone with ourselves.

But, one method that I have been using to combat this overwhelming sense has been to go on a run every morning. I really feel it liberates you, allowing you to see your thoughts clearly, making judgements about yourself you could not dwelling in our rooms.

The average viewer may list this as a normal exercise regime, not very special or important, but it is quite the opposite. Once I am outside, about halfway through my run, I stop and look around and take a deep breath in. Sometimes we miss the beauty of the world, because we are so focussed on our own lives, I am learning to be more grateful and welcoming of this beauty, recognising that I am not alone. We all breathe the same air, we all live on this planet, it’s mere impossible to be alone in this world. It may feel like it, but there are always people around you. Though you may not know them, they feel what you feel, they live where you live.

Just remember, when you are next outside, to take a moment to breathe in and look at the view, it is incredible.

Are our lives a simulation? Here is the answer?

I have discovered the most plain and simple answer to whether our lives are a simulated reality, based on a base reality created by a higher power. It may be disappointing and shocking to some, but for others this answer will make same.

Who cares? Does it matter?

This is underwhelming for the theorists who spend tireless hours pondering over this question. I myself have dabbled in this concept of simulated reality, but when it comes to the truth; what difference does it make whether we are in one or not.

The idea for this blog came up after viewing the first few episodes of the show: WandaVision on Disney Plus. This is where two avengers (Wanda and Vision) are in a sitcom show; aging every day through the decades of TV. This was supposedly created by Wanda, so that she could live the dream live with her “husband” Vision, who died in Marvel’s Avenger’s Infinity war 3 years ago. It is no surprise that this show is incredibly popular ( not to mention being released in quarantine) but the idea is so trivial, anyone would begin to ponder.

This theme also pays homage to “The Truman Show” staring Jim Carey who slowly uncovers that his entire life has been filmed as a TV show; everyone he knows and loves are fake; actors who are paid to create the scenario.

Due to the film, the concept of simulated reality became a possibility, Elon Musk and the US government have said that some areas of our life are simulated by our emotions. If you want a clear cut answer, that is the closest you’re going to get.

So what if it is? So what if it isn’t. Our lives are still our own. We are still in control of our actions and where we go to. You won’t wake up tomorrow, being able to fly. Stay in the moment, appreciate it and realise that THIS is your life, no matter what.

Follow your curiosity

When we were younger, we were told be teachers and family that we should stay curious and wonder about the world. My Primary School’s motto was to “look up at the stars, stay curious” showing that this idea has been in my life for a long time.

The reason that I am writing about this now, is because of a problem that I, and a lot of other people, fall into. We stop being curious.

Think about it, once we have settled into a career, or a line of study, we tend to delay the possibility of looking into other subjects. We become content with our way of living, because it works. This is usually provides the average amount of success and happiness, but at the cost of our awe and wonder of the world. The costs outweigh the benefits in this case.

This lack can have detrimental consequences on the future of ourselves. If you are unfortunate to be whisked out of your current comfort zone, the question of your next move is unanswerable. If you have a degree that everyone else has, never stretching outside of it to uncover something else, you are not going to find any success in anything else. Ultimately, if the entire human race follows the same method, not only do we come across like robots, but the absence of creativity and abundance of the mundane is apparent. We will not progress as a species without curiosity.

If you have got a topic that you want to learn more about, then look into it. Pursue your ideas, give into creativity and curiosity. The whole world will thank you for it.

Living With Intention

Just a few moments ago I watched a YouTube video by Andrew Kirby, explaining to the audience how passive viewing, compared to active viewing is affecting your life.

How you do one thing is how you do everything. If you fill up every single day with something, forgetting to allow your mind and body to take a breather, you are going to be overwhelmed and unhappy. You may be thinking more is better, but it can be quite the opposite.

It all comes down to how you are doing it.

If you are passive in the actions you pursue, such as YouTube videos and work, then you are likely to live an unfulfilling, underachieving passive life. I have lived this way all my life, and now have come to the realisation that this is true. It is scary that I have not noticed this before now. Every moment , I would fill my day with something, without realising it was all wasted.

The only view that I ever accounted for in my mind, were those who agreed with me. This does not just mean politically, but in all aspects of life. It is like my life has been an algorithm, and only things that appeal to me are the ones I engage in. Even as I write this, I realise that past experiences, where I have acted with only my thoughts and beliefs in mind, were wrong. Friendships lost because I had not seen their point of view. Kirby was right, this can lead to a passive life.

But, I want to live with intention from now. If I am going to relax, I am going to intend to relax, and not let it happen because it is something to fill the time. No longer will I put off goals for the future, because I cannot be bothered to pursue something now. If I want something, I am going to be more intentional with how I act with it.

I thought I would share this thought, because it really has opened my eyes. I hope it does the same for you.

Money Mistakes!

Today, I thought upof this idea, and compiled it into a Youtube video, but I think it is important to write about it on my blog as well.

Being an 18 year old man, I have not had the biggest encounters with money issues in my life. Usually I can make purchases with little to no repercussions within my life. But, as I learn more about the world, what makes it work, and what doesn’t.

So, here are my top 5 money saving and buying tips!

#1: Only buy things you actually want.

This sounds simple, but it is quite difficult to perfect. Throughout our lives, we are constantly bombarded with items the world thinks we need, but not actually what we want. Commercials are really good at persuading you into buying their product. I came close to purchasing the new iPad Air, thinking I needed it for who knows what. However, upon reflection, I am made to think that I needed it.

How? Our brains are wired to think new is good. This joyful period only lasts so long, until the motivation to buy something new depletes for that object, arising for the next product down the road.

The rule is slightly incorrect. What you want and need are two ends of a spectrum. When buying something new, you should aim for the middle of the two. That is when you should buy.

#2: Check that you can afford it.

In my life, when I want to buy something, I will rush into it and commit, before looking to see if I can afford it in the long term. With the Pandemic still highly present, I am still furloughed from my job; I am not earning the same as I used to. So when buying something, you need to look at your overall financial plan, see where you can cut down on expenditure in order to afford the new item, or don’t purchase it. No item will help you if it completely drains your account dry. Unless, it is a Pokémon card, then buy it.

#3: Save more than you spend.

It’s self explanatory. Either do the 5050 method of saving ( save half, spend half), but bills and living costs can make this impossible. Regardless, if you are aiming to spend your disposable income, assess how this money could be better spent, i.e saving for your children, or for an Emergency Fund. Money is not the be-all-end-all, but I would rather be a millionaire than penniless.

#4: Emergency Fund

Don’t spend all your money so you have nothing to fall back on if the time comes, and you need to pay for unexpected costs. Life is random and complex, you never know when you might need to spend your savings to save something, or someone precious to you.

Also, it’s good in case of job loss.

#5 Treat yourself.

I think this is one thing websites miss out on. It is okay to treat yourself once in a while. When the opportunity arises, and you can afford to spend a little money on yourself, why not? Our lives are too short to constantly work with no play; humans need it to satisfy our inner child. Whether this is buying a games console, or booking a holiday, you are allowed to do it.

What have I learned? When making big purchases, make sure you want it! Money is not unlimited, you have to be wise with your money, to help make your life better and happier.

But, do remember to look after yourself; treat yourself!