The Tryin Times is dedicated to being a spiritual warrior in the face of temptation and believing in something, to help others believe. Last night I was reflecting on why I’ve become more and more fascinated by combat sports, both MMA and boxing. Many are drawn to the first stages of it, the fear or seeing someones brain matter leaking out of their face.. There certainly is an art form though. There is a commitment to willpower and individual spiritual grace. There is inspiration EVERYWHERE in 1on1 combat. It truly is the global timeless martial art. I imagine any athlete or competitor could understand this chase.. This desire to be great and become the best. Finding that passion is important. Whatever it is that makes you feel great, to get better at, athletic or spiritual or occupational.. do more of it I say. Keep it clean though, as a sober mind free from alcohol and hard drugs can do you wonders..
My personal reflections on the art of fighting, and observing something so heinous and dark with so much grace and splendor and gratitude for beauty is what led me to today’s Tryin Times blessin (lesson) I’ve learned. Athletics, but fighting specifically shows us the RAW, unfiltered, REAL heart, mind and soul of an athlete. Everything in the tank. Pure soul nakedness in front of millions. It’s incredible the balance of will, mindfulness, courage and belief that those athletes show.
The pandemic showed us all who we really are.. Are you okay with it? I’ve never been personally okay with many parts of society. I’ve grown to understand that I must evolve, adapt, and overcome adversity. I’ve learned who is loyal and who cares. I know a lot more post-pandemic about myself and the globe’s readiness to fight than I did before… So I’m ready to keep going. I am still inspired.
Overcoming adversity. Supporting those in need. Having FAITH that good will overcome. Caring about something or someone more than you care about your self. These are the dedications of spirit that this blog is intended to induce. The Tryin TImes began in the doldrums of 2020, when almost everything stopped, and we sunk into a hole that no one (at least my age) had ever experienced. I originally sought to show light in darkness, feeling as though it was time to step up..
The challenge has shifted now however, as I reflect back on my then, newfound ignition of personal desire.
The challenge now will be continuing. To be aware and continue living in a state of evolution and growth. To think in terms of having a thirst to grow your mind, body, and spirit to survive and advance. You found something during the darkness of 2020. You found you’re a survivor. You found that darkness inside you you need to survive when shit gets real. You have the grace too. You have the great awareness that keeps that beast in control. You are ready to grow. You are ready to step up.
The challenge now will be not falling back into the ways of pre-pandemic. The medical, operational, social, and legal/justice impacts that we saw great shifts in power and awareness…. will probably level out.. and, at the surface begin to appear more and more “normal.” Don’t be fooled. BILLIONS of people are ready to grow. Ready to evolve. Ready to take a step UP the pyramid of influence and power.
The BIG beast is back in control, and even though Donald Trump isn’t, the USA locomotive is back online, and chugging Beeline back through nature’s bounty again, as shopping malls grow more and more echoey, as the church of capitalism fails faster than the attendance at Sunday Mass, and with much less controversy. Rose-carpeted echo-chambers of Congress return to their deliberations over their wretched fingers slowly writing slow words like dottie filling out a crossword in a nursing home.
Malls that were once full of commerce and smiles, growing individuality through cultural and commercial competition and data experimentation has moved into creating human-like avatars of our figural form to induce a response in someone that makes them feel a type of way. People once turned to priests and sprit guides in brick and mortar learning zones not for answers but for help on the “quest.” Government was once tangible, attainable, winnable, and including the people’s voice.. not ritualistic caverns- it was not too bad to see the people walk in, even if it was a Jerry Springer crowd..
Pre pandemic I wondered even..What are we here for?
Now that I’ve both quit alcohol, and endured a pandemic I wonder..Are you going to be a part of the matrix? or learn how to write code?
How long were we all just resting on our laurels and sitting back on a ride we never wanted to get on in the first place? As much as the conspiracists and rebels and protesters and looters and all the purging that was done, be it destructive, should be telling.. People aren’t happy. People want more. People from every background should be joining as one, against tyranny!
I for one, choose to learn how to write the future of my life, if this is the game I must play.
Money still talks, and will always be a challenge to get ahead in this game, yet small battles are won on the battlefield, seeing things like YouTube stars, $AMC, Gamestonk, dogecoin, even the Paul Brothers for crying out loud are inspirations. MMA fighters, comedians, psychologists, spiritual teachers, leaders of good men and women and defiers of evil are speaking up and stepping up.
Portnoy from Barstool Sports, Bill Simmons from The Ringer, the local guys from Buffalo’s Trainwreck Sports *Shahtaht, former athletes like Pat Macafee, Brandon Marshall, Matt Barnes, podcasters like Russell Brand, Theo Vonn and the beauty of the internet and e-commerce grow individual net worths through monetization of content.
It’s fun seeing “regular” people become “influencers.” The “people” on TV, are the people next door. There seems to be a shift happening, where control has been lost, and that can be good or bad.. Create or Consume.. Write or Read.. Create or Negate.. If TikTok shows us anything it’s there is beauty in being creative and sharing our creations.
So I will continue to write and continue to push the message of The Tryin TImes that I took in on my spiritual journey that is life. Helping other people get better, and get out of a negative place is something I’m good at, and enjoy doing… so quickly,
Here are a simple 10 rules to follow toward the pathway to victory over mania, addiction, and depression for my case…
1. Abstain
2. Find Unconditional Love
3. Train Mind
4. Train Body
5. Compete
6. Go to Bed
7. See Beauty
8. Feel Beauty
9. Show don’t tell
10. Create don’t negate
I write these pieces as a simple guide to help show you a few bright lights in case anyone out there is “feeling blue.” I write these blogs because I know undoubtedly, my life travels show hard evidence that no matter who you are, where you are, what you do or how much you have… everyone goes through trying times. Maybe not yet, but will, or have.
Trauma is an odd word, much less misused in my opinion. Trauma is something that both happens, and is felt. Trauma is inside of you once you experience it, it is you. Some people may not like that notion, as they try to separate from trauma, or detach from trauma, especially when it is something distasteful or embarrassing.
I offer these silent blessins as a link you could share with someone when you perhaps “don’t have the words,” or don’t know what to say.. I seek you to be the teacher in this moment…
Those who experience trauma may run from normalcy or toward oddity in favor of being cared for, loved, or respected. We see this all over, in all cultures. The black sheep. The odd one. The weird one. Every family “has one”. Our world has become so customary and customizable that no one is ok being anything really. Nothing is weird enough. If you settle and enjoy generic you’re too plain, if you cover yourself with tattoos you’re too weird. Lately it seems if you have a few tattoos, that’s less normal than having many!
What is odd changes. What is normal changes. More and more people have run from what is good or holy to them because of darkness, trauma, or a lack of faith in a system that seems artificial. The malls are empty. The churches are empty. Husbands and wives cheat. Kids lie. People steal. People sin. The world is dark, and depending how far you want to go into it… you will become dark with it.
It is important that we recognize the darkness, and the light, because it helps us feel separate from both. We are are own being, we are conscious in this life. We have the ability to look out at the figural world and play the game in the real world, not through a screen. We have the ability to see, feel, tough, smell, taste the fucking rainbow! LIVE! YOU ARE ALIVE! DO NOT WAIT for life to come for you any longer, free yourself from the trance.
I for one, have committed to this reality. The reality that is showing people that they are not forced to play the game. The game is yours. (ours) You must follow laws, both legal and karmic, or there will be consequences, sure. The sooner you recognize that this matrix is your game, and you are writing it, the more fun you will have in it.
We see many people sinning, or living with haste, and we think we must follow the sheep, be like those around us.
Or maybe we are the opposite, and constantly try to act out against who we see as sheep, and need to recognize we could help SHEPHERD.
Start making yourself again. From the inside out. Let yourself be pure so you can enjoy these years of your life. You made it this far, however far you are. Write your future, it’s a great time to start. Once you start feeling pure and healthy, then you can get back to living, loving, and shepherding your flock.
Thank you guys for reading, I am going to try and commit more and more of my energy to helping others see the light, see the dark, and see that they are neither. If you like my stuff, please don’t be shy there’s no rules here, in this inter-faith journey to happiness and trust. I am open to discussion, reflections, criticisms etc just drop a comment or dm me or email…I aim to continue to push other spiritual warriors who want to push the soul a bit and contribute a piece to The TRYIN TIMES so whenever you’re ready let me know 🙂 Thanks guys Love you Have a great week.
