Category Archives: The Curve

Tie Goes to a Winner

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children of the world

My tie was just a tie.  I had worn the same tie to the same event for the past two years.  As I gathered my clothes for this year’s event, I made a particular effort to locate a different tie, telling myself that maybe I had one that would look better—I ended up wearing the same ol’ tie. Why not anyway?  The tie was perfect for the occasion, a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Though the picture above is not of my actual tie, the two look the same.  In short, this is the story of why after nearly twenty years of ownership, I no longer have this tie.  With that in mind, let’s move forward.  The event went on as normal, a great inspiring occasion.  For some reason, this year, the longtime pastor of the church where the event is held, noticed my tie.  It was when the event had come to an end, and as the musical postlude poured from the choir loft.  The pastor, who had been seated on the opposing side of the podium from me, made his way across the stage where he and I eventually exchanged sentiments.  The last words he said to me were, “That’s a great tie.”  I replied to him with, “It takes a special person to recognize a special tie.”

I’m not sure why he noticed my tie this year, I had shaken his hand with the same tie on for the two prior events.  Maybe it was the difference in the lighting on the stage.  You see, the previous years I was an usher for the event, this year I was seated on stage—yes, maybe it was the light.  Nonetheless, at this point, my tie became a great tie.

As the event wrapped up and the rumble of capacity lulled, I found myself waiting for the guest speaker to finish exchanging dialogue with all of those interested.  He took time with each one, smiled, and offered meaningful exchanges.  My work was done—but I lingered. In my mind I believed it prudent to “see him off” and to make sure nothing more could be done for him before he left.  I could tell at this point he had arrived alone.  When he had shaken every hand, taken every picture, and signed every autograph, we walked together, engaged in conversation on the way to his vehicle.  While he situated the items from the event for transport.  I stood close, near the driver’s side mirror, he opened the driver’s door, put some items in, closed it, opened the rear door, placed some items inside and closed it.  As he moved back toward me he lightly tapped my tie with the knuckle of his forefinger and said, “You know we use to have this thing called [tie-take].”  He explained this as a matter of exchanging ties with others as a networking tool.  “We should bring that back,” he said, and as he spoke he looked down and touched his own tie—purple with a pattern of small orange dots.

To this day I don’t know the “we” he was referring to, but I turned my tie over to expose the keeper loop and shared with him the tie was from The Children’s Foundation—a novelty item meant to inspire the calling to “save the children.”  To me the tie represented unity despite difference.  It always put the song Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World in my head.

As I write this now, I am reminded of when my five year old daughter recalled what she had learned at school last week.  She said, “I learned about Martin Luther King, Jr.”  My wife responded inquisitively with, “And what did he do?” “He dreamed,” my daughter responded.  “And what did he dream?”  “He dreamed we were all the same.”

I am not sure why, but in that moment, as my hands reached up to the knot in my tie, I explained to him that I had worn that tie to (now) the last three of these annual events.  I told him I wouldn’t be a part of the event in the future, at least not in the capacity I was that day.  And I said, “You know what…I want you to have this tie.”  “You sure?” he asked.  I responded with “Yeah, I think you can use it.”

It was at this point my tie morphed from a great tie, to something much more special.  Yes, for me the gesture brought closure to my role concerning the event.  But moreover, in that moment, I meant to inspire the person who had just moments before inspired over six hundred others, who over his lifetime and on many occasions performed in front of tens of thousands, and who will likely forever be remembered.  I meant to make real to him that there is no other time, only now.  The words I had just moments before spoken to the pastor came to life.  And with a feeling I cannot explain, we parted ways.

It wasn’t a tie-trade—I didn’t get his tie.  In the instance it didn’t remotely cross my mind.  I wanted him to know he was special in a real way.  As we inhabited that particular space on earth it was as if all around us stood still.  I wanted him to know that despite our differences, we were the same.  To me, my tie became a moment in time.  A piece of history.  From time to time, I wonder what it meant to him.

Originally written January 2017, this article is finally published and dedicated to a true superstar.  To him, I say once more “We will see each other again.”

Jordache Williams

Jordache Williams is currently based in Rock Hill, SC and is the CEO for Atlas Concepts, LLC.  Additionally, he is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and Certified Life Coach.

Dying: The Process of Losing Energy

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The energy of life from a biological standpoint is fascinating.  In short, humans receive energy from the sun and exert it mechanically, or as heat.  The easiest way to see death in terms of energy is that the body eventually stops moving and likewise ceases to produce heat.  These facts outlast death in the traditional sense—on a molecular level, energy transference occurs for quite some time after announcements of death.  Bodies require energy to perform cellular breakdown and support the spread of bacteria.

For further thought, decomposition occurring in nature prolongs the body as a source of energy.  The body becomes a host for insects and microbes, and in certain situations, consumed by various animals as well.  Thus after death, the energy continues to be transferred even if simply on a chemical or molecular level.  Leading into natural death there are signs of a change in the level of energy associated with the body; the bowels and blood circulation slow and there is a loss of appetite.  Pain medications consumed in the last days of life tend to exacerbate the symptoms of death.

An informed caregiver knows food and liquids are not welcomed by the dying, and this is a result of the physical changes a person goes through near death.  Those approaching death sleep as if they did when they arrived into the world—in other words, like a baby.  Although sleep requires energy, there is a distinct loss in probability that mechanical energy will be exerted, such as through physical movement.  Death is often associated with hospitals, hospices, and beds.  Though many hospitals and hospices have windows there is factually a reduction in exposure to natural light within the confines of a facility.

Beds are associated with sleep, rest, and a lack of activity.  Think about the term deathbed; a term that extends beyond the frame and mattress to include the last hours of life.  Human’s sleep when they are tired, which may often be referred to as having little or no energy.  The key question being whether the manner by which humans systematically deal with those near death make matters worse?

As humans transfer energy near death, they are likely not receiving energy from a source (e.g. food, liquids, and the sun).  Free energy maintains order and thus the loss of energy creates the aforementioned somatic issues and essentially disorder.  It is this lack of organization which begins to deny organ function and results in death.

Jordache Williams

Jordache Williams is currently based in Rock Hill, SC and is the Program Manager for Atlas Concepts, LLC.  He is a Certified Life Coach and holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services.

Preparing for the Fall

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Jordache Williams | Atlas Concepts | fieldsofknowledgeblog.com

In December of 2016 I was fortunate to have the story of Freddie shared with me.  I encourage our followers to take some time to review the video The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, and utilize this blog to contrast your own reflections.  Feel free to interact in the comments section below with your observations, especially those that may differ from my perspective or address aspects of the story which I do not.  Valued reader, I look forward to this opportunity to learn from you.

Freddie was a wide and strong leaf; this speaks to his existence, self-perception, and perceptions of others.  He acknowledges his surroundings, noting the differences and similarities between himself and the other leaves—his life is shared with the lives of others.  Daniel, the wise and experienced leaf, helps Freddie understand life.  The relationship between Freddie and Daniel illuminates the hierarchical nature of existence.  Additionally, it is important to note Freddie enjoys life, his relationship with Daniel, and the interconnection between himself and the other leaves with which he shares proximity.

Daniel explains to Freddie that part of Daniel’s purpose or reason for existing is to help others feel better about their existence.  Freddie shows great insight as well, understanding that despite the faults of others it is self-satisfying to assist them and it is still possible to enjoy their presence.

The frost represents the acknowledgement of the change in season and despite not knowing exactly what would take place, Freddie has Daniel to turn to for wisdom and insight.  Freddie notices he has begun to change color and so did the leaves around him; he recognizes the colors are different.  This aspect of the story represents the differences in how death is approached and the relevance of life concerning the process of death.  In essence, how one lives is not too dissimilar from how one dies.

The breeze represents the change in perspective occurring during the process of aging and specifically following the acknowledgement of the imminence of death.  Things once enjoyed may become challenging and even detrimental and frightening.  The season of fall represents the change which occurs in relation to the lifespan, in the story it is referred to as a change in one’s home.  This season is marked by the realization of death.  Freddie must understand everything dies and thus may better come to terms with his own death.  Freddie goes through a period of denial of death but eventually receives more insight from Daniel.  Insight including understanding everything approaches death differently, there is no manner to exactly predict the moment of death, life is not forever, life after death is a mystery, and the transition to death is natural.  When these thoughts are acknowledged, one begins to question the purpose or reason for life—iterating that life is about life.  This point rationalizes the natural tendency for questions of life to be a concern of death and in the moment of death life cannot be changed.  This concept, if grasped early in life, provides a guide for life itself.  Unfortunately, many do not come to terms with these matters before the season of fall, and are left to question if they capitalized on the previous seasons.

As Daniel falls, he smiles peacefully, and Freddie has lost a dear friend.  The days began to shorten and the snow weighs heavy.  In the days leading to natural death occurring in old age, the days do shorten and the grief of losing others weighs heavy.  The loss of those dear is a reminder that we will follow and we will undergo death without those who are already dead.  As Freddie falls it is the first time he sees the whole tree.  He seemed to finally obtain an understanding of the vastness of the world, he acknowledged there was much he did not experience and much he did not know.  In that moment, he conceptualized his existence in a new way, as a part of something much bigger than he had ever imagined.  In Freddie’s last moments he recognizes he will certainly die, and he does not know what manner of life exists beyond death.

My hope for you is holistic acknowledgement of your current season through the lens of both the past and future.

Jordache Williams

Jordache Williams is currently based in Rock Hill, SC and is the Program Manager for Atlas Concepts, LLC. He is a Certified Life Coach and holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services.

The Improbable Therapeutic Relationship

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Jordache Williams | Therapy | Fields of Knowledge

How does a therapist appear inviting, even friendly, when they don’t know who you are?  When you don’t know them?  How do they encourage you to tell them every single deep, dark secret in your life?  How can you tell them things you have never told anyone else?

MYTH: If I see a therapist, I will have to tell them things I don’t want to share with anyone.

TRUTH: Effective therapy does not always consist of digging into your past.  If this is something you are worried about, it’s simply not a valid excuse for avoiding counseling services.  However, since this is a common practice in several models of therapy, it is best to share your concerns with any potential therapist early in the process.  This allows the clinician to determine if they are skilled to work within your comfort zone.

For more myths, take a look at Margaria Tartakovsky’s Therapists Spill: 11 Myths About Therapy.

What things effect you prior to your first therapeutic encounter with a particular therapist?

Past experiences with therapy.  “I’ve tried this before and it didn’t work.”  Whether you have bad, or even good, recollections of past therapeutic encounters, these expectations may prove to be obstacles in your current effort.

Baggage being brought to therapy.  The intensity of the presenting problem(s) at the time you arrive is likely heightened.  The final straw has landed on the camel’s back, so to speak.

Starting over.  You may feel like you already know your problems and having to relay information about them requires starting back at step one.

The journey to the office.  Most people experience anxiety in some form or fashion—bad traffic, you’re running late, or the simple fact you’re missing work (i.e. “Things are going to pile up before I get back” or “I need that money”).

Paperwork.  The amount of paperwork you fill out beforehand and how much or what type of information is requested may leave an impression.

Fees.  You are anticipating paying for a service in some form or fashion, which you are not entirely sure is worth it.

So what happens when you see the therapist for the first time?

You’re looking to be wowed.  You’re evaluating the environment, the therapist’s clothes, and the way they present themselves.  You expect their presentation to be on point, and you expect to see several framed degrees perfectly positioned on the wall.  In a way, you want to feel better by simply being in their presence.

You’re looking for them to be relatable.  You make judgements based on things you perceive: race, ethnicity, mannerisms, and level of attractiveness.  You’re looking for any religious symbology in the office, a golf bag in the corner, maybe photos of their family.

Ultimately how do you know if you and a particular therapist are a match?

The therapist’s experience.  It is your right to ask the clinician if they have experience working with clients of your race, gender, and general perspective.  It’s a good idea to ask if they have experience assisting others with issues similar to yours.

Observation.  Evaluate whether the therapist appears to show genuine concern and a willingness to be present in the moment.  Understand that therapists must inform you of their experience and credentials but they are not required to pontificate.

Are they “working?”  Oftentimes, therapist don’t work by doing all of the talking.  In most settings, if therapy is going well, you are the one doing the majority of the work.  Therapist work may include: enabling you to express yourself openly, asking questions you can’t answer with one word, using words you have introduced into the session, and asking how you feel about certain things you describe.

You leave with a shopping bag.  When you walk away you may leave some things behind, but you should also exit understanding what you should be doing prior to your next appointment.  Whether or not the counselor has specifically told you to do something (i.e. homework) or you’ve gained a certain clarity, you should feel like you have work to do.

Here are a few things you may have to get over—they may not mean what you perceive them to mean.

The therapist doesn’t stand to greet you, they don’t walk you out, they don’t shake your hand or hug you, they don’t open doors for you, they sit beside you, they don’t sit beside you, they offer you drinks or snacks, they look at you over the top of their glasses, they write notes while you talk, or they type on a computer during the session or intake process.

The point is, that it’s okay to not like everything about a therapist.  While most clinicians have been trained in some form or fashion on cultural competence, you must understand that each client is different and most of the time a counselor is just being themselves.  Many times, if you ask about a particular nuance which bothers you, the clinician may be able to make accommodations for you.  If things aren’t adding up for you as the client, express yourself, and make a determination on whether you would like to continue seeking the services of that particular therapist.

The more important point is that you should not write-off the mental health industry because of one bad experience (or several for that matter).  For more information on how therapists may differ, take a look at Therapists Differ and so do Their Approaches.

Finally…

It is an expectation of therapists to establish trust.  Many do this well which creates an unrealistic view of the splendor of its accomplishment.  Factors exist outside of the control of the clinician, but others they do direct: the physical environment, the way they dress, talk, act, and present themselves, and sometimes the administrative processes.  As interaction increases, the use of “I” statements, being present in the moment, active listening, rapport building, joining, and even the manner they orchestrate therapeutic transitions can all affect trust.  It’s difficult in itself to build someone’s trust in you, because trust is a personal process—they’ve just met you.  Trust is more probable over time and through shared experiences.  If there are barriers to trust based on superficial things such as gender and race, these barriers can only be overcome through conversation—conversation which is relatable.  Finding common ground may be an effective way, in the early stages of counseling, to achieve trust.  This can be done through acknowledging similarities and the clinician proving motivational.  Establishing individualized and agreeable goals as well as serving as a beacon of hope, also assist the formation of a therapeutic alliance.  When you land across the room from a therapist for the first time, understand the number one objective may very well be the establishment of a relationship between the two of you.  Engaging this process with an open mind is one of the best things you can do to get the most from the experience.

Additional resources (paid links):

Rosen, D. C., Nakash, O., & Alegría, M. (2016). The impact of computer use on therapeutic alliance and continuance in care during the mental health intake. Psychotherapy, 53(1), 117-123. doi:10.1037/pst0000022

Smith-Hansen, L. (2016). The therapeutic alliance: From correlational studies to training models. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 26(3), 217-229. doi:10.1037/int0000012

Wiarda, N. R., McMinn, M. R., Peterson, M. A., & Gregor, J. A. (2014). Use of technology for note taking and therapeutic alliance. Psychotherapy, 51(3), 443-446. doi:10.1037/a0035075

Jordache Williams

Jordache Williams is currently based in Rock Hill, SC and is the Program Manager for Atlas Concepts, LLC. He is a Certified Life Coach and holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services.

Facing the Sun: Tomorrow’s Counselor

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Jordache Williams | Counseling | fields of knowledge

Among a sparse excerpt within President Donald J. Trump’s position on healthcare reform he states, “Families, without the ability to get the information needed to help those who are ailing, are too often not given the tools to help their loved ones.”  Let us ignore, for a moment, the larger issue being less than five percent of said paper addresses mental healthcare to assess the beneficiary of effective mental healthcare reform.  Undoubtedly, individuals with mental health degradation, their family and friends, and the mental health industry benefit; however, America is the ultimate heiress.  Furthermore, if there is only one, a case exists for mental healthcare as the preeminent global solution.

The mental health professional is the information and tool needed for individuals, families, and communities to achieve sustained functionality across the life span.  Each year, over fifty million adults in the United States suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder.  Among the largest difficulties is the tendency for mental health issues to occur on a continuum, ranging from severe disorders to temporary, undiagnosible mental dilemmas.  Essential federal policy reform includes: standardization of clinical assessments, access to quality care across the life span, and the extension of care to underserved populations, as well as beyond the bounds of severe mental health diagnosis.  Additionally, reform must address deficits in the career-long training, education, and supervision of mental healthcare providers.

Physical and mental wounds are alike as both heal from the inside out.  The difference between medical and mental healthcare is the former often focuses on cure and the latter care.  America is a culture built on bleeding hearts and weary minds.  Outfit the surgeon to stop the bleeding but forget not the solicitation of counsel to repair cognition.  Federally funded research must remain prioritized; however, an overdue effort includes incentivizing collaborative efforts across the various sectors of mental healthcare.  Strength results from collaboration, bolstering the resilience of the helping community concerning emotional fatigue, moral distress, and grief.

Mental health is a cumulative lifelong phenomenon and human susceptibility to discernable mental disorders persists from birth to death; for example, consider trauma and grief.  Increased provisions for school counselors, employment assistance programs, and private practice as well as integration of mental health clinicians in government, hospital, and hospice settings ensures individuals and families are afforded continual relevant mental health support.  Regardless of America’s leadership, achieving greatness is agreeable; notwithstanding, as a culture, the efforts remain unpalatable and above all the measure of greatness requires discernment.  The potential for America to be great likens the potential for individuals with mental health issues to be great—the capacity exists but requires cognitive changes, emotional healing, and alternate behaviors.  Remember in the darkest hour, when hope seems lost, counselors remain affixed on the glimmer of hope.  Invest well America.

Jordache Williams

Jordache Williams is currently based in Rock Hill, SC and is the Program Manager for Atlas Concepts, LLC. He is a Certified Life Coach and holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services.

body image

What does it take to be beautiful?

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Individuals with a high level of self-compassion are mindful and typically kind as well as nurturing toward themselves.  Essentially, self-compassion allows individuals to be okay with imperfections and resistant to threats of inadequacy.  Self-compassion is a holistic concept, which correlates to individuals’ frequency of body comparison, level of body appreciation, and appearance of self-worth.  When an individual frequently compares their body to others and/or allows their appearance to weigh-in on their self-worth, they are less likely to have an appreciation for their body.  However, high self-compassion helps individuals appreciate their bodies and curbs the negative effects of both body-related social comparisons and self-worth contingent on appearance.

Many of us value and enjoy attraction—physically, socially, and psychologically.  Indeed, culture and media play a role in the development of what we are attracted to, but that influence should not negate our sense of ownership of our attractions.  Likewise, external influences affect our view on care, concern, compassion, and acceptance.  If we looked differently than we currently do, we would consequently think, behave, and feel differently.  This understanding should allow us to remain cognizant of the influence of society.  The fact is, others’ acceptance of us shapes who we are.  Think about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.  Aside from the simple fact that “belonging” is a human need, self-actualization is not likely to occur during our pre-teen and teen years (and can arguably never be fully attained).  Thus if verbal instruction, imitation, and prosociality positively correlate with performance and success, as children and teenagers, we are influenced to be acceptable to others.

Before any of us begin the process of self-actualization, we have embarked on the navigation of self-compassion and sought esteem through recognition and/or achievement.  What is commonly not addressed concerning the relationship between the media, self-compassion, and body image, is the simple fact that our bodies are one of the best indicators of the fulfillment of physiological needs.  Parenting and family dynamics play a substantial role in the progression of one’s self-compassion.  Beyond all of the research and barring psychological abnormalities, parents are responsible for being responsible, which means understanding the negative influences of life, including those stemming from society at large, and educating and empowering their children.  Though as a society we continue to “advance” in our understandings of the world, we often get wrapped up in “what’s next” versus tradition.  We often think of “how things use to be” as simplistic, unenlightened artifacts; in reality, your grandmother pronouncing delight in how “plump” you looked was likely an expression of her contentment based on you appearing healthy.

As a society, we seem to be more and more conscious of how others feel.  The voices of the masses are being heard through social media at a rate I am not sure we are ready for.  This is likely due to those voices rarely telling us to look inside of ourselves.  Those voices seldom blaming themselves or taking responsibility.  Those voices all too often resemble a cantilever towards a problem they can’t change versus projected inward, at the one thing they matter-of-factly can (change).  Is it realistic or helpful to blame candy bar commercials for obesity, the clever design of a cigarette package for cancer, or someone who is fit for an unhealthy person’s shame?  By the end of every day, until the end of time, individuals will be faced with external factors and in each instance, each individual has a choice.  Until we accept responsibility we will find it very difficult to achieve self-compassion and nearly impossible to obtain self-actualization.  I am not suggesting any other steps or efforts are unnecessary, rather merely highlighting where we should begin.

Additional Resources (paid links)

Dean, L. G., Kendal, R. L., Schapiro, S. J., Thierry, B., & Laland, K. N. (2012). Identification of the social and cognitive processes underlying human cumulative culture. Science, 335(6072), 1114-1118. doi:10.1126/science.1213969

Homan, K. J., & Tylka, T. L. (2015). Self-compassion moderates body comparison and appearance self-worth’s inverse relationships with body appreciation. Body Image, 151-7. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.04.007

Koltko-Rivera, M. E. (2006). Rediscovering the later version of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Self-transcendence and opportunities for theory, research, and unification. Review of General Psychology, 10(4), 302-317. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.10.4.302

Jordache Williams

Jordache Williams is currently based in Rock Hill, SC and is the Program Manager for Atlas Concepts, LLC. He is a Certified Life Coach and holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services.

Alcoholism: Disease or Behavior

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Criterion A.2. of Alcohol Use Disorder, as presented in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), is the foundation for my conceptualization of alcoholism as either a disease or a behavior.  Obviously a person who meets the criteria for a mental disorder warrants a diagnosis of a mental disorder, right?  Isn’t the DSM gospel?  Okay, so cynicism aside, the criterion of which I am referring is as follows: “There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.”  In short, if a person is behaving in a manner that they do not wish to behave, and they have put forth significant honest efforts to stop that behavior (or emotion, etc.) then they need help.  If help is most effective by way of mental health intervention, then I believe that the mechanisms should be in place for that assistance to be received (thus a diagnosis be present within the DSM).

It is in the assessment of the criterion of reference where the distinction is made between people who are engaging in an irresponsible manner versus a person who is “ill”.  I would almost go as far as to say that the criterion should be listed separately from the others and be required in addition to “at least two of the others.”  The reality is that due to its subjectability, the criterion is not a foolproof method for determining “disease.”  What a person says they have done to stop, cut down or control alcohol is unfortunately not always factual in nature.  This in itself creates a conflict with therapeutic approaches that the clinician accepts the client’s reality (regardless of truth), similar to the process of dealing with victims of violence or abuse.

Gaining an understanding of the hopelessness a client feels is often a prerequisite for intervention (which sometimes proves therapeutic in itself); however, validation of the hopelessness should not be required of a clinician.  With this thought process in mind, which is often best, clinicians commit due diligence to understanding the problem as the client sees it, and make some efforts to validate the claims the client makes with regard to their unsuccessful efforts to control their alcohol use.

During this validation process it is useful to understand the means by which the client has presented themselves to therapy.  Was it court-ordered, were they pressured or did they come on their own accord?  The reason for a client sitting in your office is oftentimes a predictor of the level of expected success, though asking the client directly may be illuminating as well.

With the work of Michele Weiner-Davis in mind, a therapist should also search for evidence of pretreatment change.  These are all factors that are associated with determining the “classification” of alcoholism and more importantly the need for intervention.  Regardless of how it’s classified, as a clinician, with a client sitting in front of you, you have an obligation.

Consideration of the factors mentioned above may also serve as a guide to a therapist evaluating which approach to intervention may best suit a particular client.  Due to my affinity for Marriage and Family Therapy, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention an assessment of the effects of the alcohol use, regarding the family (if present), should also be a factor in determining the goals of therapy.

Jordache Williams

 

Jordache Williams is currently based in Rock Hill, SC and is the Program Manager for Atlas Concepts, LLC. He is a Certified Life Coach and holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services.

 

Are we selfish enough?

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are we selfish enough

We are at our very core, oftentimes, very selfish.  Even in the midst of our most conceptually unselfish acts we are selfish.  We can deny it, we can point our fingers at others comparatively or look to morality for justification, but we cannot holistically evade our selfishness.  Thirst, hunger and the repetition of breath are purposed with our own survival.  When we physically drink, eat and breathe we deprive others.

There is a great deal of talk in this day.  Talk about responsibility, justice, peace, scapegoating, racism, prejudice, oppression, law and order.

There are even those who claim to mentally rise above this level of thinking to discuss concepts more pragmatically.  This dialogue often includes such notions as rational lies, generalizations, meta-programming and the list goes on.  Frequently such discussions fail to evade theory, mostly due to the theoretical approaches inherent to science.  Regardless of the approach, we seek evidence and proof to use as a cornerstone for justification.

You are a product of your encounters, actions, reactions and experiences.  Your thoughts are a product of your existence.  To think that you cannot control your own thoughts is perilous, and to believe you can control the thoughts of others is a fallacy.

There are those who turn to spirituality, religion and morality, in an attempt to avoid the delusions of man.  Yet are taught by men.  Men who created the language which is used as justification.  Ordained…chosen…vessel.  By any and all means seek your inner peace.  Truly realizing your effort, allows you to understand the powerless nature of your tools, when applied to others through you.  It’s okay…regardless of their origin, they are your tools.

Notwithstanding your beliefs regarding our creation, we are the captains of the creation of this moment.  Education is not teaching; education is learning.  However, a poor education is in fact influenced by a lack of resources.  Such resources are independence, motivation, determination, vision and fortitude.  There are so many questions, but I only have one.  Why does our selfishness often elude our desire to learn?

We are random at the atomic level.  We are never going to “fit” on this earth.  Even a snapshot of a moment in time is history, even at the instant it was taken.  There is discussion of a movement.  We are movement.  Moving about this land…blood moving through our veins.  When you speak of a movement, you are speaking of joining.  We join together based on our thoughts and the thought that our thoughts allow us to relate.  The thought that our power and justification increases with number.  The fact is that you are more comfortable with yourself when you join with others.

Whatever your path you must recognize, understand and harness your own selfishness.  Personally, seek prosperity and pursue happiness.

We often, within an instant, say so much and yet say nothing, as I myself have done in this moment.  Today, I am thankful for my selfishness, as for it, I owe this day.

Atlas Concepts, LLC_Jordache Williams

 

Jordache Williams is currently based in Rock Hill, SC and is the Program Manager for Atlas Concepts, LLC.  He is a Certified Life Coach and holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services.