Epiphany by The Trans Siberian Orchestra

You'll need to look up and read the lyrics to "Epiphany".

'BE WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU WERE, WHAT THEY SEE, FROM ETERNITY'S VIEW, TELL ME WHICH ONE IS ME!'
From birth, to being a young child; we all go through so many changes.  So many experiences that mold who we are. Trials, struggles, decisions to make(guided or not) You either survive, survived, or became a victim of circumstance. To take the other path; to end your own life? Well that is a step pondered by many.   

Truth is, if you truly did Believe, in a higher power or entity; you wouldn't question much, rather you'd just know.( What is wrong and what is right)  You'll live your life, no matter what obstacles are thrown in your path.  Finally, when that day arrives and it is your time; you'll just go. 

With arms open wide, and you'll fly! With peace and a sense of completion, whether young in age, or old.  There are no certainties in life, for anyone. You're tasked to simply survive!
Any success, matters of wealth or accomplishment is for others to decide.  You do not take any of it with you.  Impressions or wisdom you leave upon others however, can last for many lifetimes.
You are only given one life:  Choose what is right!

(Have you ever wondered about reincarnation?   Whether you have been here before, or perhaps many,many times?)

Think outside the box.  Get the bigger picture of life-  it hasn't been what it seemed to be, all along.

MODERATION

Moderation:

It has immense significance throughout life.  As subtle as it sounds, it can have a huge impact on who you are, who you were or who you become.  It will affect the young in your life; whether they are your children or simply related otherwise.
Physically, mentally,  or even emotionally. Think of what one weekend watching a few tear-jerker, movies would do to you ladies or guys.(emotional exhaustion!)  Moderation and its simple meaning can have a significant impact, particularly if it isn't adhered too.

Look closer at your life; those around you( family, friends and co-workers) supervisors to those at the top level of where you may work.  It affects all, and where there is a lack of moderation; there is usually indulgence, excessive, intense desire and neediness to the worst; being addiction.
I honestly cannot see very many around in my life and extended people that I know; that are not addicted to something. * ( A television show, beverage, food, images, games or the usual suspects)
Your loss of control/self control.
 Culturally, it speaks for itself.  You can generally tell which cultures have more self control or moderation; and those lacking(significantly for some)
Where do you fit in all of this?  Simply look at yourself, your routines and or habits.
No wonder we are currently living in a society of such information technology to an extreme!

I believe that one of the secrets to a longer life, is moderation.
Think about that for a moment.  Just like most habits, they tend to begin at a young age. Typically cemented into your mind at home; your structuring or the lack of. 

Step back and look at most cities or metro areas today and tell me we are not feeding, the over indulgence and excessive patronizing of all that you see around.  Look at your regular and fast food restaurants galore.  It used to be that to go to a favorite or specific place; you had to have an occasion or plan ahead to decide to visit one. (Papa John's or Pizza Hut.  Mcdonald's or Wendy's and IN-n-Out burger.  Chick Fil-A or any other fast food restaurant.  All restaurants!

Question; Why do we need so many varieties of beef, chicken or taco places?   
Can you see where we have issues with things being added to those animals, so we have enough for the demand?  Fish from the ocean etc.  How is this all sustainable for the next 25 years or even 10?
(See cloning; GMO products)  I believe that is the only other possibility folks; we will be eating things that was never intended for us to venture into.  Genetically modified products and or animals being duplicated.

(Oh how I miss the simpler times of our world and the lesser demand of all things.)

Get the idea? Now they are conveniently located within most cities so that you can go on a whim, whenever you like.  Much to convenient and it certainly makes it harder to choose not, to patronize them.  I enjoyed having to plan the occasion or day in a month or season, to go to one of those places. You actually appreciate it all that much more generally.      

      (It just isn't the same anymore.)
We are spoiled in a sense, aren't we?  So what happens with cause and effect?  Could it possibly explain the obesity in the past 2 or 3 decades?  I think so!  Without self control, what else do you think happens?
Well look around you, the simplicity of life is gone and the details, surround you.
Moderation is for the few, the select people who remain in control (self control)
You, do not excessively drink, eat or do anything without you considering the cause and effect.
Not excessively working, sleeping, working out at the gym(for those it applies too) tattoos, piercing, to extreme adventure. Why should you? 

 The countries with people fairly happy and content with their lives, live without the distractions on a level our society has ever seen in generations.  With all these ongoing changes:
No wonder there is anxiety and stress!

Be yourself (is all that you can do)

Be yourself~
When you are feeling overwhelmed and nothing seems to go your way.
You rise in the morning, wondering how you'll make it through the day.
For a moment; look beyond your life and think, some still have never had it as good as you have(seriously).
You look at your life, compared to those regularly around you; within your circle.
You're wondering why, sometimes life seems so unfair(why your prayers, if any) go unanswered?


Take a few steps back, a few short breath's to clear your mind.
Imagine now, you had it all; millions of dollars with a home near the ocean or on the hill.

(Now think about your life; family that all but forgot about you, or even those that are regularly around you.) Suddenly everyone wants a part of your life!  Money isn't everything; only the happiness matters and the little things that bring you happiness.  What can certainly go with you when you pass on(the memories, songs or thoughts from some time ago)
Life would never be the same!  It may be worse having all the wealth; than you are living today(indeed more miserable)
Accept what is and what should never be.  Work hard for all that you need, want and desire in life.
Cherish your solitary moments, your freedom, your LIFE!
Make the best of your social engagements, and be yourself!
You'll find genuine happiness in yourself, and share it with those who genuinely enjoy
you, being YOU! 

Click here and listen too the song that gets me back on track to what matters most! 

Mankind has got to know(His limitations)

What is wrong with just being here,  as you are?

Simply being yourself, not some creation of what you'd like to be.

Where or who you are in society, or the world itself.

Why all the excesses of this/that?

Overindulgence/gluttony 

Varieties of food(fast food restaurants etc)

Varieties of beverages (alcoholic,  sodas, energy drinks etc)

Varieties of vehicles (conveyances,  be it automobiles, boats, recreational)

Varieties of religions, sports leagues, music genres, to education institutions.

What is the reasoning(purpose) behind it all?   

-Control- the attempt to control, subjugate. 

Distracting us from ourselves.  Ultimately, a distraction in life towards an unseen ending, as of yet.

Life is not that complicated, it is merely survival and making the best life for yourself.  It does not need to be competitive, though challenges can make life interesting. 

But what is (history) and what should never be?  A distant memory, being buried in the past.

Mankind has been deceived  for far too long.

Seek the truth, and the truth shall set you free!

Industries,  solely created around death, destruction. Contamination,  and profit!

Mankind has got to know

                                          His limitations~

It's a messed up world(We are living)

Click to listen to Arcade's music, titled "Messed up world"

https://youtu.be/JU9bPm0OSn8

Is life today getting better, or worse than years before?
Depends on how far back you look and in what aspect.  I'd say the noose is tightening(privacy is fading) more and more; going on two decades.
 That's where it seemed to have all began.
A grand plan from several decades before(some might say)

 "Behold a pale horse":  That book will certainly open your mind up to perspectives beyond today's imagination. You have to read it with an open mind to decide which part of  it is real and what is fiction?   People are far to preoccupied today however.  All the 'what if's' are certainly possible, as the old saying goes:
"Truth is stranger than fiction."  

Take several steps away from your daily grind in life.  

All of the routines you mindlessly do just to get through each week, month, season, and finally, year.
Look closer at all the details surrounding us in the news, events and the rules that are ever-changing.
The bigger picture of what is going on.   

You know you can only extract, partial reality from the news on any given day.  So much is being hurled into our minds at a faster pace and you really cannot tell what is news or homogenized/slanted opinion.  Unable to think but only react as emotional individuals do.  No time for deep thought, or patience to get a clearer view.  It is madness in the making, and a breaking down of our society.  

How can we keep going in this direction  (and as a country)survive!?
We are being pushed against and 'corralled' into a direction we will not be able to undo(change) so easily.
The difference is only in being able to think, to draw conclusions and foresee the aftermath beforehand.  

Our belief in God, and our will to survive through it all, til our very end or it's own demise.  Strength in numbers and a power of one  (God/Ourselves)

Remove all your distractions and pay attention, so you'll know when it is time.  

For now, take control of your life!

Break the chains that bind you!

Do you ever wonder why you are still here?
facing each and every new day that awaits you?
(It is because you aren't dead) yet.                                                                                       AWAKEN THE MIND! 

America (First and foremost)

 The United States of America
Land of opportunity!

Where are you from, and where are you now in life?
It is meant to be a loaded question.  Lets start from the bottom.
From the beginning of your roots; what did you want out of life?
For most, it was simply a better life.  Better than the life you had growing up or experiencing.
You knew you needed more opportunities or a path to a better life(at whatever sacrifice) for some.
Reality was, whether you were from here or another country; there were dead ends, short cuts and risks to take that may or may not bring reward.  The land of opportunity(America) is where you needed to be!  It was so close for some, and others(America)was so far away.  
In what other country  are you given so much freedom?  Freedom to speak, freedom to choose, freedom to travel and feel relatively safe in the country?  Freedom to work hard from your own ideas or for another (private enterprise) and be successful financially and stable with roots ( your own home and transportation)?  Those with the wheels of determination and are driven with a passion to succeed!  Maybe just a simple life with all the basic means of survival and living comfortable throughout life.  Where else but in America!  So why do so many born and raised here take so much for granted?  Everything that is offered and the potential for a good life, all for just a little(or a lot) of hard work!  They simply do not know life anywhere else and how much people do struggle in South America, the Philippines, India or Venezuela to name a few.  The hardships, lack of free speech without fear of dire consequence.  The basic lack of structured law enforcement and laws of the land without to much corruption.  Fairness in trial and fairness in justice!  A lack of respect and the history as it truly was and not some whitewashed, diluted version that some individuals only want to be told.  (a twist in the tale?)   So where are you now?  If you're in America, and you enjoy the freedoms this country offers, ( opportunities like no other does give you) Then why are you not American, first and foremost?  Like the immigrants of the early 1900's or those born generations before you that truly knew what privilege it was to live and breathe on American soil? 

Only one other name do you deserve being here and that is a 'TAKER'  (the entitled)  and that is as low as they come.  However you got to where you are today and who you are now; either American or Taker.  The line is drawn! We all speak one language here even if we have different tongues.  Respect the land you live in, the people and the language. For the very privilege of what you attain being in America.  Here in America, we are all ONE and we stand together!  For those with beliefs opposite us all?  There is land somewhere else for you(Not here!)
United we all stand, and those divided will fall.