" Inside The Cynic ... "

“I hear my poisons in the multitude

Why was I damned a human deemed too rude

Somewhere between the madness and my mind

I live with legions called the human kind

I wander aimlessly amongst the herd

Infesting shadows, I am undeterred

I give opinion cuz you give no peace

They say we manifest the new dis-ease

See the lies you've given me

This is not what I should be

You say your truth isn't mine

Everything, everything, everything you says's a lie”

~ Stone Sour ~ Inside The Cynic ~

***

Cynic’s are often portrayed as pessimistic, but a healthy dose of skepticism does help, a dose of caution.  And the original definition of cynicism was’t about seeing the world in a pessimistic way as much as advocating a simpler lifestyle in the pursuit of virtue.  Today, cynic’s are thought of those who always believe the worst in humanity.

Do you believe with cynicism has it’s place or do you believe it is just a disgruntle view on a popular trend or maybe just a grumpy disposition?  Human conditioning almost always leads us to a negative outlook before a positive one.  

So where did all this cynicism come from?

Lack of trust ... spend an evening with a few cynical people and you will realize that they are a special breed of person.  You may even know the type if you are not one yourself.  Because a true cynic ... distrusts EVERYTHING new they see or hear ... they are intolerant of new ideas ... and they are pessimistic about EVERYTHING.  And all this usually occurs when we are emotionally vulnerable.  It is a coping mechanism, a way to protect themselves.  And sadly, the more negativity they see in the world, the more likely they are to share that disposition with others.

Reflecting on a previous post on being selective ... you will usually become like the 5 people you hang out with.  So choose wisely.  Cynical people tend to surround themselves with other cynical people.  It’s worth considering what impact these social relationships have on you.  

From personal experience, I have had many cynical friends over the years.  Those friends were funny in my younger years, but as life continued, that cynicism and negativity wore on the friendship.  It was hard to kick the habit, but I am SO grateful they are no longer in my life.

You may be thinking that this is not you, and not your social circle.  If so, bravo! ... just honestly ask yourself ... do you spend the bulk of your time complaining about things, do you whine about trivial mishaps from the day, or do you resent anything new.  Because cynicism is the easiest of all reactions, but also the most self-defeating one.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Streamline ... "

But I can't see you 'cross the streamline

My love waits for me in daytime

But I can't see you through the snowblind

But I wasn't there for you

You are gone 

Goodbyes are long

Goodbye ...

Well, I know time reveals in hindsight

I can't wrestle with the stormy night

Because your love lasts a lifetime ...

You are gone ...

Goodbyes are long

~ System Of A Down ~ Streamline ~

***

Spring, the time of year when we can dig deep, take stock of what we have and de-clutter.  A time of year to streamline ... your closets, your home and your life.  Yes, your life ... the perfect time to look at the people you surround ourselves with and streamline.

It’s great to have a lot of friends, but it can be exhausting to work at friendships that don’t offer much in return.  You begin to understand that quality far outweighs the quantity of friendships.  So you contemplate “streamlining” your friends.  But do you have the courage to do it?

Most of the time we hold onto people because of a distant memory of how they were rather than come to terms with who they are.  We are afraid of reality, afraid of being alone and afraid to tell the truth.  

Remember the saying ... “no matter what happens, you should never burn a bridge”.  What an interesting thing to say so absolutely.  But aren’t there times when burning a bridge could be a good thing?  Aren’t there times you get the best light from a burning bridge?

Who we let into our lives is a choice ...

The very nature of being human means being social.  We are what we are in relation to other people.  Family, friends, co-workers, etc.  We need other people in order to become fully functioning.  We learn love, empathy, support, encouragement, honesty, commitment, respect and trust.  We learn to grow from each other and the experiences amongst us.  These connections fulfill us by bringing meaning into our lives. 

Finishing unfinished business is a satisfying feeling ...

Yet, if you then start to observe every relationship as a Divine connection, you understand that there are times when connections have served their purpose.  There was a reason or a lesson ... possibly to teach each other or learn from each other.  But when you start to ask “what’s in it for me?” rather than “what can I do for others?” it may be time to move on.

So get the courage to streamline ... to make changes and not excuses, to be motivated and not manipulated and to be useful and not used ... so that you can open yourself to all the new that is waiting for you.