Tag: experiences

Blogpost, self-reliance

One!

Pete Huryk

It’s the start of things! Or the last thing before nothing is left! Zero to one is often a herculean effort that requires more fortitude than all the progress that comes later. Yet we often dismiss it at the beginning. Act like it’s the same as the next door neighbor, zero. When traveling on the decline, it’s far easier to see the value of one because it’s all that’s left. Teetering on the brink of empty puts one into perspective. The life-giving force that it is.

It’s funny to think how oblivious we are at times. Perhaps delusion is baked into our brains naturally but we tend to think we have unlimited time, unlimited attention and unlimited options. We don’t! And we should really know it. Not because someone wrote about it but because we’ve experienced it on both sides. The joy of single focus where time melts away. The desire for one more moment with a person lost. The recognition that by trying to do everything, nothing was done. We chide ourselves and promise to be different. Yet, when we get confronted again with the multitude, we forget about one.

This one moment is all that you truly have. It’s impossible to live every moment to the fullest because basic needs would get overrun by maximization. However, we can be cognizant of the moment know that it’s not coming back. So do what you can with it. The juxtaposition of two songs called “one” give a great perspective on the human experience of oneness. Metallica’s “One” is the story of a soldier who is injured in combat and lost his sight and his limbs. He is kept alive in an agonizing existence for the study of others while all he wants is to die. He is singular but separate. The “One” by U2 makes us all one. That we are connected and share our experiences whether painful or joyous by being one.

Our lives are meant for more than the mental masturbation that comes from being stimulated but not engaged. An endless loop of input without connection or meaning. Giving ourselves over to the only moment that exists with the idea of connecting with all that we can, that’s probably the point. We should probably try to remember that until the next time that we realize we forgot and went back to zero.

“We carry each other”

Pete

Blogpost, self-reliance

Cliches Are So Cliche!

Pete Huryk

“It’s never too late!” and other cliches exist for a reason. They’ve been said and believed enough to be repeated. It’s not problematic if they are true enough to be helpful or helpful enough that they don’t have to be true. Yet they’re familiarity is their greatest weakness. People roll their eyes! “I already know that” is the thought running through their head. And the possibly helpful becomes ignored.

What if we leaned in? What if we discerned the quality from the crap and utilized them? What could change for the better? Everything? The proof is in the pudding and there’s only one way to find out!

One day at a time!

Pete

Blogpost, self-reliance

Brush Your Teeth and… Conquer the World

Pete Huryk

The two don’t seem like they should be in rapid succession on a “to do list” right? Brushing your teeth is such a mundane task that most people would take it off the list if they could. Conquering the world is so big and amorphous. How does one even begin to wrap their head around the concept? Genghis Khan probably came the closest when you think of access and scope. However, we now know that he had much farther to go. Even if he could have laid siege to lands on all seven continents. He could not effectively manage them in his time. The world is just too big!

There’s a lot of space in between these two concepts but it’s easy to get stuck at one extreme or the other. Maintenance is a necessary component to life. But it’s also a convenient place to hide. The “have to’s” on our list can overrun our lives if we let them and we would feel justified in never going beyond because we “had to…” It’s also easy to get stuck with our heads in the clouds. Thinking of all the distant horizons that we’ll conquer when the time is right and the stars align. Until that time comes, nothing else much happens. Spirts of activity give the impression of forward progress but the amount of territory acquired on the world conquest is quite minimal.

To be honest, I’m not sure what the best strategy is for getting “the most” out of life. There is a break even point with many things like fuel efficiency and speed. There is a mathematical equation to find that equilibrium. With humans, I doubt there’s a true way to figure it out. It may just be one of those things that we have to feel our way through. After we brush our teeth of course!

Pete

Blogpost, self-reliance

That Shoe Has Sailed!

Pete Huryk

Two letters difference and a new idea is born! Why is the shoe sailing? What happened to the ship that we were expecting? Can shoes really sail? All of these questions and more spring out of a small misstep. Just a 12% change and the idea is turned completely on its head.

The reaction to this type of upheaval depends completely on your disposition. For some people, the introduction of the new and unexpected is cause for alarm. Those shoes and their sailing are a threat on every possible level. The status quo was intended to be kept and they’ll not abide those sailing shoes! While other people are open to the new and unique, the shoes bring possibility to a mundane concept. Those shoes are trailblazing and its about time.

Both ideas have validity and their own fan groups. It’s worth the introspection to figure out whether or not you’re a shoe sailor or not. That simple knowledge can give you insight into setting up your life. Squeezing all of the juice that you can out of the known is not a bad way to live, if that’s who you are. If you’re infatuated with the new, you probably shouldn’t wallpaper your house because it’s difficult to remove. And maybe you should rent anyway! Knowing thyself is an old idea that rings true even today. So look in that mirror because the shoe hasn’t sailed on you yet!

Hoist the sails!

Pete

Blogpost, self-reliance

An Open Door Policy

Pete Huryk

One thing that can be easy to forget about an open door policy is that there is still a door. There are so many times that willingness to listen gets misconstrued as agreement. Information is a valuable currency and an open door policy invites it in. However, it is not a “no door policy.” The possibility still exists to close up shop at certain points to avoid negative outcomes.

We are a social species and we need each other in so many ways. However, doors exist because not everyone deserves to get inside or sometimes needs to be removed. Open door is just a predisposition, not a permanent state. Boundaries are healthy things to have. Being inviting and accepting can be counterbalanced by being discerning and observant.

For sure, let the door be open but don’t be afraid to close it when necessary. Access to you and your time should not be frivolously given because then they are not respected. You open the door because you care about others. You close it because you also need to care for yourself.

Shut the front door!

Pete

Blogpost, self-reliance

Believe!

Pete Huryk

Believe!

Believe that you can!

Believe that you will!

Believe that no one can stop you!

Believe that the obstacles in front of you can be overcome!

Believe that people are silently cheering you on!

Believe that you have all the resources in you!

Believe that it’s only a matter of time!

Believe it will be as good as you hope!

Believe in who you are!

Believe trying is worth it!

Believe in miracles!

Believe in you!

Believe!

Be!

Pete

Blogpost, self-reliance

Time To Rewrite The Script

Pete Huryk

Don Cheadle replaced Terrence Howard as Colonel Rhodes in the second Iron Man movie and the story pressed on. Actors ad lib lines that become iconic. Scripts are thrown out mid-filming sometimes. It’s not that odd! Just another day in Hollywood! Or life!

As the chief script writer of your life, you need know when it’s time for a rewrite, cast change or plot twist. Life is just throwing scenery and actors at you. What are you going to do with them? That’s what you need to figure out. If you don’t like your role, then change it! That may not happen overnight like a training montage from a Rocky movie but it can happen.

The problem is that we tend to stick with the script that we have. Even if it’s not working, we’ve become attached to it. The characters, the setting, the vibe and tone can all start to feel right, even if your character is heading in the wrong direction. There is no “cut!” It’s full time action! So you’re going to need to do this rewrite basically on the fly but you can figure it out! Make your character into the vision that you have in your head!

Action!

Pete

Blogpost, self-reliance

Who Are You Talking To?

Pete Huryk

We live in a society where some things just aren’t ok. People obviously have different levels of tolerance for bad behavior but almost everyone has their threshold. Being around rude, degrading, insulting people is just not something that most will endure. Somehow, we turn a blind eye when talking to ourselves inside of our own head.

I can see why it might happen. No one can hear it and it’s you. So open up and let out! RIght? Cut loose! Lean into every single insecurity that you have. And then what? The one person that you need to live with for your entire life is beaten down. Seems like a losing strategy.

So remember who you’re talking to! It’s you! You’ve only got one you! You need to build you up! Not be delusional! Just keep it moving forward!

Talk it up!

Pete

Blogpost, self-reliance

Don’t Talk About the Streak

Pete Huryk

When you’re on a streak, you’re not supposed to talk about the streak! Just like the first rule of Fight Club. From my perspective, it’s not the talking about the streak that needs to be avoided. It’s idea that the streak is something that’s out there rather than inside. Streaks are a collection of positive results that are based on appropriate action. If you want to attribute them to a deity or luck or your unwashed socks, go for it! But you’re taking your hands off the wheel at that point.

The idea is not to stay silent on the streak. It’s to keep talking about the process. How did you get here and can you keep doing those actions? At it’s core, that is what needs to be done but at the extreme, everything is given value. So superstition springs out of consistency. Don’t give the jinxes power. Just show up consistently and the results will take care of themselves.

What streak?

Pete

Blogpost, self-reliance

I Don’t Wanna!

Pete Huryk

That’s right! I’m ready to have a good old fashioned temper tantrum. Like a toddler who is exhausted but refuses to go to bed, I’m leaning into my own idiocy. It’s not my best state and in a very meta sense, I am watching myself from the outside. The question is, do I give in? Do I give into that base urge to emote rather than act?

Like so many of the problems that we all have, I know the answers but don’t particularly want to follow through on them. If all it took was knowing the right things to do, we’d all have six pack abs but we don’t because the knowledge isn’t enough. We also have to convince ourselves to do that which is necessary. And quite often as humans, we don’t wanna! As a functional human adult, I don’t get to stay in this state for long. I must snap myself out of it. The key to the change is decision. I need to decide to move forward.

That’s it! Nothing more from me tonight. Maybe you’re in the same position that I am. We could get together and have a pity party together but why don’t we just get going instead. Because at some point in the pity party, we’d both realize through the other person that we’re being quite ridiculous. Let’s get going!

Pete