Inspiraelevation

Category: Attributes of Excellence

Selfless and Selfish: The Nitty Gritty

May 11th, 2022
Self-lessness considered a badge of honor.

The person who puts others before themselves is often seen as a paragon of service. In fact, some of history’s greatest heroes are esteemed for their selflessness or perceived selfless acts.

Selfishness is spurned.

Selfless or Selfish

When one thinks of selfish individuals, they think of the ugliness of character or sacrifice of others.

However, we don’t get to see underneath the skin. So, it’s impossible to see intent with human eyes. And that often leads to misjudgment or misconceptions.

And sadly, it will shock many to know that some of those held as paragons of selflessness weren’t selfless.

But to uncover truth, one must look beyond the surface.

Uprooting What One Knows of Selfishness

The truth is putting oneself first is a good thing. In fact, it is essential.

Someone once defined the purpose of self-care as thus.

You can’t pour from an empty cup.

No matter how much you desire to give, you simply can’t give what you don’t have. A bankrupt bank can’t bankroll anyone. And that is why pouring into yourself or choosing things or people that pour into you is essential.

Image by Bruno Henrique from Pixabay

Be it material or immaterial, you can give something from nothing.

The flipped of selflessness.

For those who have ascertained to pour into others, it’s a beautiful thing and is commendable in its purest form.

But one must face the fact that some selflessness often stems from selfishness.

Some acts as selfless as they may seem are devoid of any emotion, making them selfish to the core.

Determining Authenticity of Selflessness

Authentic selflessness comes from a pure place; it is untarnished and unblemished.

So, those who aspire to be genuinely selfless must consider the place it stems from.

Admittedly sometimes it is hard to discern. Habit and Duty are the biggest blinders to true intent.

Honestly, habit and Duty are big taskmasters. They hop in the drivers seat and drive individuals not the other way around.

So acting from either is not an indicator of the purity of benevolence.

In fact, it may prove the opposite.

So, Let’s Examine
- If your cup is full and you pour from it out of habit, actions are automated and robotic. There is likely to be very little passion behind giving. Because, in this case giving is just something that one does because they have done it so many times before. So, it is a soulless expression.
Image by АвгустФидлер from Pixabay
- If your cup is full and you give out of duty, it is not necessarily heart-driven but more so oath-driven. There is nothing wrong with doing something out of obligation. Remember, the person on the other end gets blessed regardless. However, there is an extra gift to the giver who gives out the freedom of the heart’s expression. That is the kind of giving that overflows.
An extreme word of caution to those who give out of expectation.

Your cup will never truly be refilled.

True giving is pouring out without expecting a return; otherwise, you are merely loaning and not giving.

“Expectations were [are] like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.”
― Brandon Sanderson,

Cracked vessels are incapable of holding more, they lose what they have. Everything that is poured in leaks out.

Final Heart Check: Are your Actions Selfless or Selfish?

Nine times out of ten, if your giving leaves you with a bitter taste, it’s time to do a heart check. Selflessness should never lead to resentment. And if it does, it’s more than likely not selflessness.

For those who seek to live a life of such, selflessness is as noble a goal. And it can be done. However, one vital thing to remember is we are constantly striving to actualize what we want to be. In striving, we are working to arrive.

Some days we will hit the mark, and other days we will miss it. That’s the beauty and curse of life and humanity. Life is cyclical, and we are human.

Thus, no one can be selfless all the time. This isn’t possible in a mortal body.

But it is nice to know our striving is never totally in vain. And if one is willing to learn and evolve, one can achieve their heart’s desires including being self-less no matter how spread apart the authentic encounters to do so.

That’s refreshing
Inquiry Series: What?

April 18th, 2022
What is the meaning of inquiry?

Inquiry means to question. It is the process by which we find insight.

Inquiry is an investigation, a seeking after. It is a tool that drives knowledge.

As one person once said, the more you know, the more you grow.

And in the words of another,

“Part of being successful is about asking questions and listening to the answers.” Anne Burrell

The Purpose of this Series

So, this series touches on some of the most important points of inquiry one will put forth in their life. With great hope, this series may guide you into asking better questions. Or, it may also help you determine which question you should be asking to move forward and live your best life. Whatever measure you might find this useful, hopefully, it serves to motivate you.

Six Major Investigative Questions

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

There are six major investigative questions, as most of us have learned from our grade school studies. Those questions are what, why, when, where, who, and how? And as an extra measure, I included the question, what if at the start of this series.

Exploring the question, what.

Image by an_photos from Pixabay

What is an inquiry of direction? It is the question one poses when definition or clarity is needed.

In life, one must remember that it is impossible to go anywhere or accomplish anything unless they have defined their what.

And, so it is, what becomes one of the most important guiding questions on the path to success.

Very Little Clarity at the Start

Starting is never as simple as it seems. You might not always have everything figured out when you start on a path. In fact, you may be very confused because acclimation is a process.

And confirmation often comes after the start.

That is why “what” is one of the best questions one can ask when setting on a path to better understanding?

The Role of Inquiry in Finding our Identity

Photo by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-with-binary-code-projected-on-his-face-5474028/

In all our lives, we have a period of learning ourselves. This period starts when we become toddlers and start exploring our world.

We then seek to understand how and where we fit in.

Funny enough, before we can completely understand ourselves and how we relate to our environments, one of the first questions we are asked is, what do we want to be when we grow up?

At the time of such an inquisition, it is rare that we even have an inkling of who we desire to be. So we go by the things we observe, the things most prevalent in our environments. That is how we determine our choice.

Our initial selection rarely becomes our last!

Sometimes it takes a lifetime to discover what we want or are meant to become.

We look at our world, our separate environments for markers, for cues to help us determine what is possible and acceptable. And, if the things that fill our imagination neither seem possible nor acceptable, we reshape our aim.

This is sad, but that is how we come to choose our paths. Fortunately, there is a silver lining.

Things don’t have to remain the way they were.

Never too Late to Find Your What?

Yes, much of what you want is shaped by your environment and peers, which can be stifling.

But it’s never too late to make alterations.

Because fortunately, if you want something enough, you have the power to shape your reality to match your desires rather than bowing to what you have been taught to believe was an impossibility.

However, this requires a constant re-examination, asking oneself,

Is this what I really want? And then what can I do about what I have discovered?

Trust that If you want to live a fulfilled life, what is a question you cannot avoid asking?

Being Earnest About Going Forward

You must be earnest with yourself!

As Stephen Covey proclaimed

“Self-awareness involves deep personal honesty. It comes from asking and answering hard questions.

As you become more earnest with yourself and your desires and set your path, you will feel a sense of liberation.

Why? Because when you discover your what, you will also find your truth. And subsequently, everything else will flow.
- You will no longer need to find the motivation.
- The approval once sought from others, you will no longer need.
- You will live authentically in your calling.
So, I urge you to constantly check in with yourself.

If you are restless, ask yourself, am I doing what I desire to do?

If you find yourself coasting, ask yourself, is what I’m doing challenging me? What can I do to live a more fruitful existence?

If you find your life is mundane and repetitive. Ask yourself, what greater purpose could I be fulfilling?

Once you have discovered what that is, you will know it.

And at that moment, you will find fulfillment.

That is not to say that it will be easy, but it will be worth it!
Where do you Reside?

March 14th, 2022
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/collage-photo-of-woman-3812743/

We all have a place we live, a place we call home.

When one asks where one lives, they often refer to a specific location, country, city, town, or neighborhood.

Today I pose the question that you may look at it in a different light.

I want to know where you reside internally?

Where do you set up your home?

Your Neighborhood (Residence)

“when it comes to emotions, we are designed to feel and experience them all. The only difference is where you live and where you visit?” – Peter Sage (The Inside Track)

We reside in the emotional state where we spend the most time.

So, where do you reside?

Does your listing reflect the truth?

Listing Your Residence

A real estate listing indicates the location and value of a home.

And as an individual, your external (actions/behavior) is like a real-estate listing.

What the world sees is a walking advertisement of where you live mentally.

So knowing where you live is important. Because If your permanent way of thinking is pessimistic, pessimism is your home address. That is the state others will find you in most of the time. You may be able to fool yourself but you will be unable to fool others. Your speech and action will give away your residence.

Visitation vs. Residence

Although we spend most of our time at our residence, from time to time, we leave. We visit other places. We even have lengthy vacations.

The difference is, those who visit always go back to their residences.

So the emotional states they visit or vacation to never determine their total identity/

One positive thought does not make one an optimist.

However, a pessimist is not excluded from having moments of optimism. But the optimist will rise from the pessimistic state and return to where they live.

However;
“If you live in stress and ocassionally visit joy, that’s a very different life to say, living in peace and ocassionally visiting fear.” (Sage 15)

So, I ask, where do you reside?

What is your permanent mental residence?

Because understanding is a powerful beginning for shaping your life into the life you want.

Let’s not forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives and we obey them without realizing it. –Vincent van Gogh

How Does This Help?

One can’t know how to change unless one recognizes what needs to be changed.

The Importance of Self-examination

So I Implore you today to take inventory. Look at the state you most find yourself in.
- Are you unhappy a lot?
- Do you want to be happier or more content?
Then you must reframe your experiences. You must choose to spend more time on the positive side of life.

Residing on The Bright Side (Changing Your Residence)

If one looks closer, one will always find at least one positive in a situation.

So the thing to do is to make that one positive bigger than the negatives.

Make it so big it overshadows the negative.

Make that the forefront of your focus.

You will find the more you commit to this the more positive you become. You will find yourself residing on the bright side.

Of course, it’s not as easy as relocating from your physical address. But the transformation is worth it.

When your inner world begins to shift, so does your outer world.
Protect Your Energy

February 26th, 2022

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

When we think of energy, fuel comes to mind. In biological/physiological terms, one thinks of a powering source needed to meet our objectives, to get work done.

Transference

As humans, we derive our chemical energy to power body processes from food sources.

Those sources transfer nutrients to us, which our body uses to create energy (ATP process)

However this is not a physiology/Biology lesson. I

Instead, this is about transference.

Spiritual Energy

We all carry spiritual energy. The energy that we travel with is either positive or negative that precedes and follows us.

Some have powerful fields while others have weaker ones.

Nevertheless, we are all subject to energy transfer.

What does Transfer Mean in (vibration) Spirit?

When we encounter others, there is an energy exchange.

Those who are particularly sensitive to energy fields will immediately feel a change upon meeting another person. Others will be affected over time (after spending some time in the company of others). Meaning others rub off on us.

How does this knowledge work for you? How does it help you?

Positive energy creates a mental state and an environmental state conducive to success.

“There’s a direct connection between positive energy and positive results,” Joe Rogan.

So, If you desire success, you must create ideal circumstances to make that happen. So, your aim is to emit positivity to create a more positive space.

“Energy flows where attention goes!” -James Redfield.

To create and maintain that state of being, place yourself in a position to draw more of that to yourself. You must direct your attention to positive things and people.

You must extract yourself from the negative.

“If you ever walk down a path surrounded by negative energy, look for the fork in the path then cross over to the positive side.” Victoria Addino

Protect your peace and state of mind at all costs.

Using Directed Energy to Increase Momentum

If seeking to increase momentum and focus, seek people with similar energies. This may and may not take effort on your part. However, the more positive you are, the more likely you will draw those people to you.

“You draw the people and events that resonate with the energy you are radiating. You attract what you are, so be your best.” Lynda Field

Here is the kicker.

If you always seem to draw negative people or find yourself in adverse situations, you must ask questions.

What are you emitting? We typically attract what we are.

Self-Evaluation Time

If you don’t like what you are attracting or the things occurring in your life, chances are some internal assessment is necessary. Change is necessary.

Remember that if you want the world to change, your circumstances to change, or your outcomes to change, you must become the change you desire from the world.
Where is your heart (passion)?

February 7th, 2022
Some time ago I wrote an article on the need for self-examination. And I touched on the need to ask an important question, am I really into what I’m doing? Self-examination is a critical component of building success; no questions asked. In addition, finding your passion results from self-examination.

Direction is important.

Knowing what you want is everything. And one of the primary ways to determine what you want is to sit down and find where your heart is.

I know our hearts are encased within our bodies sustaining life.

When I speak of heart, I speak of passion. Where in lies your passion.

Deciphering what passion is

Passion is not synonymous with talent or desire.

Talent is one thing, desire is another. However passion is everything.

Talent puts you on a path gives you a direction.

Desire gives you a purpose, something to shoot for.

Desire is something you want, plain and simple. (Without desire, there is no need to commit to anything because the output will always be mediocre).

However, you will need so much more to live a fulfilled life.

If you have a desire, that’s great

Even when desirous of something, you will need a certain amount of gumption to fulfill the desire. However, that doesn’t necessarily require passion.

Fulfilling a desire does require willpower. Face it, You need to show up.

Desire sounds an awful lot like passion.

Yes, it does, but there is a distinguishable difference.

Passion, keeps you moving, long after you’ve felt you’ve exerted every drop of energy . Passion pushes beyond the drain. It’s zeal .

So, it surpasses desire.

Why?

Fundamentally, passion is a calling. Meaning it’s deeper than what you want to do; it’s a must-do.

Where does passion come from?

“Passion is something in you, not something you engage in.”-Les Brown.

So, it cannot be falsified.

There is no knock-off passion like knock-off designer purses. Either you have the real thing, or you don’t

So, if you can’t engage in passion, you can’t fake it.

Thus it is already within you! And, you must mine it.

You must get outside of yourself!

Of course, it’s essential to get outside your head!

But, first, you must understand who you are?

“You can’t read the label if you’re locked in the box! – Les Brown

So get out of the box (outside yourself). Mine to determine who you are (read the label). Then do the work to find what will make you get up in the morning!

Some questions to help you mine
- What would you do even if you didn’t get paid for it?
- Is there one thing you could go to bed late and still wake up early ready to do again.
- What will you be willing to push through the pain to do?
My Passion

I have found my thing!

Writing brings me immense enjoyment. I feel alive and driven.

Over the past two months, I have had COVID, and I have had an infection necessitating an emergency extraction. Through both, I wrote. I got up, and I wrote.

Fevered, I wrote.

Writhing in pain, I wrote.

I didn’t write because I had to.

A writer is who I am ! Unequivocally I love what I do.

David Cuschieri said, “Love what you do and do what you love. Passion is the key that opens the door to joy and abundance.”

A word for you

When you discover it lean into it wholly; that’s the ticket; it will put you on the path to fulfillment.

No one will have to push to put in the work. Instead, you will willingly leap to do what is necessary to level up daily.