“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.” ― Henry David Thoreau
Said so plainly, but so beautifully. I have been mulling this idea for weeks now and I find that it beckons me in a strangely enticing way. Ironic that the by definition, living simply, is in fact one of the most difficult and complex means of living. So what does living simply actually mean? I think indefinitely responses will vary on an individual basis - but surely it requires profound self-reflection and manifestation of one's innermost needs over superficial desires.
Through several years of introspection, I have concluded that my life is much more complex when I am living up to standards that are not of my own development. I have discovered increased stress, anguish, self-doubt and overall unhappiness when I try to succumb to expectations that have been forced upon me by others or from within myself. Inner peace only seems to be granted when I am able to overlook both blatant and nuanced assumptions and simply live in my own skin.
Life, inevitably revolves around perception, the discernment of what is true, acceptable or real based on one's own experiences and knowledge. Our perceptions fog the lens through which we are able to see not only ourselves, but those around us. Our vision becomes even less distinguishable when the mass media spews tidings of materialism and consumerism, spiraling us into an incessant cycle of desire and depression. How are we ever to be happy, to feel complete? There in lies the both problem and solution. Once we are able to recognize that perceptions are malleable illusions over which we can grant ourselves power, we will come to understand that the world is for our taking. No longer will we have to subdue ourselves to ideas of social and material status. We will be free to simply live and live simply.
Simple living is more than a mere reduction of physical possessions. Simplifying begins with reshaping our deeply ingrained perceptions and working to extinguish thoughts of eminence from our existence. So in reality, purging unused or unwanted tangible items is by far the easier task, while the lifelong battle becomes striving to find peace and happiness in what we already possess.
We as a people exert so much of our time, effort and emotion at our jobs. We spend hours, days or weeks away from our families, friends and loved ones. We run ourselves ragged with worry and stress and relinquish our days to places of employment which, for most of us, bring utter displeasure. And, we do this for what? We do this, for a paycheck which we know will provide the necessities and hope will indulge the fantasies of an easier and more enjoyable life.
When will we learn to stop working and begin enjoying our lives? Desire is infinite when comfort is not imminent. The simple solution to finding happiness is to trade in our unruly material appetites for modesty and contentment. For then, and only then shall we find true happiness and realization.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
A Pyramid Scheme Revealed
Recently, I became aware of the tragic passing of Jackie Lewis. I am sure that some people will look at this name and feel no immediate sentiment, however for literally hundreds of thousands of people around the world this name elicits and overwhelming aggregate of emotion. Jackie Lewis, along with her husband Bill have been an undeniable iconic duo in the world of pyramid structured business, achieving TEAM/LIFE Policy Council status in 2006. So, why is a pyramid power woman who has "dreamed and duped" so many so incontestably mourned? Well folks, as a former member of the TEAM/LIFE system I am here to expose the agenda this woman and this program have infectiously spread throughout our world.
My husband and I got our start in the TEAM/LIFE business when some casual acquaintances of ours asked if they could stop by and share some really exciting information with us. They failed to share any identifying details but overemphasized the dire immediacy and exuberance for the materials they were about enlighten us with.
Let's pause for brief second... any of this sounding strangely familiar to any folks out there? Have you ever received a call or interaction like this? If you have, your better instincts probably tell you to run as fast as you possibly can and never look back. I mean, come on, we have all heard of these types of businesses that lure the gullible and unsuspecting, fill their minds with nonsense, simultaneously draining their bank accounts.
So like most, we didn't have the heart to say no, and figured we would let them deliver their spiel, say no and be done with it. So, the meeting day came and we ushered our new friends into our tiny living room scattered with toys and kids. And, if I am being completely honest, I ingested very little about the product and even less about compensation plan. The only part of the unpolished presentation that I retained was the dream. So there I was, fancying this immaculate life in which I could stay home with my twins, we could travel the world, never have to worry about finances again and all we had to do was share this info with some of our friends? Needless to say, it was the fantasmic ideas dancing around in my head that led to our instant sign up and introduction to the TEAM.
For brevity, I will summarize our year of absorption as a plethora of house gatherings, local meetings and regional seminars, all structured to boost morale, drive, focus, self-confidence and material sales. The endpoint for my husband and I became clear when we had exhausted both our contact lists and our financial means of growth. Facing surmounting debt (accumulated through a variety of circumstances occuring at the time) we made the collective decision that while we throughly enjoyed the materials the program provided, we simply could not afford to invest another penny into a business that we were generating no profit from. So, that is our story. I imagine it is a pretty common story, an anecdote shared by many. And although it should so appear that it was the finale, ensuingly we would discover that it was just the beginning.
So, perhaps the pressing question centers on what we gained from the experience. Clearly there was loss (time, money, perhaps friends), but what were the fruits of our labor? I can say with complete honesty that what I gained from my participation in TEAM/LIFE far outweighs what I may have lost. Saying that the ideals of this group changed my outlook on life would be an understatement. So, here is is the revelation, the reason hundreds of thousands of people flock to this pyramid scheme: The Dream. This is probably the point where the anti-Semites of this system would chime in, "That is exactly how they lure you in... They trick you into believing your dreams are achievable". To which I ask you, when did we stop believing the were? It happens to probably about 98% of us, somewhere along the roller coaster of life. As we encounter obstacles, losses and failures, somewhere in there, our dreams start to disintegrate and we adhere ourselves to a life of ruthless reality. We trap ourselves in an endless cycle of cynicism and self-doubt; we stop ourselves from achieving and striving for greatness. We bandaid our wounded egos with materialism and media consumption which only perpetuates our greatest loss, the loss of self.
Thankfully, I was able to rediscovered desire, ambition and purpose. What I dreamed of, what I wanted more than anything, was to quit my job and come home to my twin babies. I wanted to care for them, to kiss the boo-boos and tuck the covers in, to watch them achieve physical, mental and spiritual milestones and to just relish in the love and joy that is parenthood. I was tired of being tired... and I knew that I was capable of more. I learned that there as an elite group - a group of people who were not just dreamers, but achievers. A group who not only worked hard to change their own lives, but awaken the change within others. I knew this was my ticket to a greater life, one which held absolute meaning, purpose and pride, one which could be used to positively influence others - and there is not a day that goes by that I regret our decision to join this group.
So, what is the point of this whole entry, you may ask. Is there an underlying effort to recruit you into a pyramid scheme? To this, I can genuinely say no. Upon hearing of the passing of Jackie Lewis, I was filled with so much emotion, so much sadness. I was heartbroken for her children who would have to grow up without their mother; and I was filled with sorrow for her husband who will no longer have his best friend and life partner to lean on. I was surprised however to find that out of this dolefulness I was also able to find comfort. I was consoled that this woman led an incredibly monumental life and that her children will undoubtedly follow in her footsteps and take lead of this revolution. I found peace in the thought that in her brief years on this planet, Jackie Lewis, was able to move mountains and that her legacy will live on through the hearts and minds and efforts of so many. How many of us can leave this world saying that of ourselves? The unfortunate truth is not many; however it is never too late for any of us to rediscover a dream and become our best selves.
With a heavy but peaceful heart, RIP Jackie Lewis, your dreams will forever live in the hearts of those you have touched along the way.
My husband and I got our start in the TEAM/LIFE business when some casual acquaintances of ours asked if they could stop by and share some really exciting information with us. They failed to share any identifying details but overemphasized the dire immediacy and exuberance for the materials they were about enlighten us with.
Let's pause for brief second... any of this sounding strangely familiar to any folks out there? Have you ever received a call or interaction like this? If you have, your better instincts probably tell you to run as fast as you possibly can and never look back. I mean, come on, we have all heard of these types of businesses that lure the gullible and unsuspecting, fill their minds with nonsense, simultaneously draining their bank accounts.
So like most, we didn't have the heart to say no, and figured we would let them deliver their spiel, say no and be done with it. So, the meeting day came and we ushered our new friends into our tiny living room scattered with toys and kids. And, if I am being completely honest, I ingested very little about the product and even less about compensation plan. The only part of the unpolished presentation that I retained was the dream. So there I was, fancying this immaculate life in which I could stay home with my twins, we could travel the world, never have to worry about finances again and all we had to do was share this info with some of our friends? Needless to say, it was the fantasmic ideas dancing around in my head that led to our instant sign up and introduction to the TEAM.
For brevity, I will summarize our year of absorption as a plethora of house gatherings, local meetings and regional seminars, all structured to boost morale, drive, focus, self-confidence and material sales. The endpoint for my husband and I became clear when we had exhausted both our contact lists and our financial means of growth. Facing surmounting debt (accumulated through a variety of circumstances occuring at the time) we made the collective decision that while we throughly enjoyed the materials the program provided, we simply could not afford to invest another penny into a business that we were generating no profit from. So, that is our story. I imagine it is a pretty common story, an anecdote shared by many. And although it should so appear that it was the finale, ensuingly we would discover that it was just the beginning.
So, perhaps the pressing question centers on what we gained from the experience. Clearly there was loss (time, money, perhaps friends), but what were the fruits of our labor? I can say with complete honesty that what I gained from my participation in TEAM/LIFE far outweighs what I may have lost. Saying that the ideals of this group changed my outlook on life would be an understatement. So, here is is the revelation, the reason hundreds of thousands of people flock to this pyramid scheme: The Dream. This is probably the point where the anti-Semites of this system would chime in, "That is exactly how they lure you in... They trick you into believing your dreams are achievable". To which I ask you, when did we stop believing the were? It happens to probably about 98% of us, somewhere along the roller coaster of life. As we encounter obstacles, losses and failures, somewhere in there, our dreams start to disintegrate and we adhere ourselves to a life of ruthless reality. We trap ourselves in an endless cycle of cynicism and self-doubt; we stop ourselves from achieving and striving for greatness. We bandaid our wounded egos with materialism and media consumption which only perpetuates our greatest loss, the loss of self.
Thankfully, I was able to rediscovered desire, ambition and purpose. What I dreamed of, what I wanted more than anything, was to quit my job and come home to my twin babies. I wanted to care for them, to kiss the boo-boos and tuck the covers in, to watch them achieve physical, mental and spiritual milestones and to just relish in the love and joy that is parenthood. I was tired of being tired... and I knew that I was capable of more. I learned that there as an elite group - a group of people who were not just dreamers, but achievers. A group who not only worked hard to change their own lives, but awaken the change within others. I knew this was my ticket to a greater life, one which held absolute meaning, purpose and pride, one which could be used to positively influence others - and there is not a day that goes by that I regret our decision to join this group.
So, what is the point of this whole entry, you may ask. Is there an underlying effort to recruit you into a pyramid scheme? To this, I can genuinely say no. Upon hearing of the passing of Jackie Lewis, I was filled with so much emotion, so much sadness. I was heartbroken for her children who would have to grow up without their mother; and I was filled with sorrow for her husband who will no longer have his best friend and life partner to lean on. I was surprised however to find that out of this dolefulness I was also able to find comfort. I was consoled that this woman led an incredibly monumental life and that her children will undoubtedly follow in her footsteps and take lead of this revolution. I found peace in the thought that in her brief years on this planet, Jackie Lewis, was able to move mountains and that her legacy will live on through the hearts and minds and efforts of so many. How many of us can leave this world saying that of ourselves? The unfortunate truth is not many; however it is never too late for any of us to rediscover a dream and become our best selves.
With a heavy but peaceful heart, RIP Jackie Lewis, your dreams will forever live in the hearts of those you have touched along the way.
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