Our perception changes daily, now you can hold what you interpret to be all worldly information in the palm of your hand, without knowing anything about yourself.
Time heals all. As another decade comes to a close I remind myself of a few simple yet crucial footnotes in the scripture of life.
Stay connected, but don't confuse connectivity with connection. The ability to make connections isn't what's important, but the capacity to maintain them. People hold real value, belongings merely hold instrumental value. It doesn't matter who holds all the chips when the game is over but instead who found enjoyment while the game was played. Remember, acknowledge, cherish and remind yourself daily what makes you feel the most human. Come alive.
Harness your strength to conceive importance; don't seek something better, only you can actualize what's best for you.
There is no purpose to life, purpose is created by what you contribute to existence. Our family pastor mentioned he never liked the idea of God having a plan. Though we can find reason, sense and opportunity in each occurrence, the idea that life has been mapped out for us is something we simply refuse to believe. Control lies within each of us, following the path and expecting positive results is an ineffective means of achieving anything truly desired. Stop expecting it to look like you thought it would look like. Drive the bus or get off it. Refuse to be a passenger in life, traveling in your human conveyance without participating in its operation; unless of course you're not concerned with where you'll end up or what you failed to accomplish on the way.
Here I am just one human of billions, perhaps aimlessly wandering the universe while arbitrarily chronicling my mental travels through this open book. Life is transient, but the soul is everlasting. We're not the first to think this way, feel this way or act this way. The capability to expand on all levels is effortlessly in reach. Pony up
$100 for a smart phone and you'll find the answer to every meaningless question you can imagine at any moment. Our perception changes daily, now you can hold what you interpret to be all worldly information in the palm of your hand, without knowing anything about yourself.
My brother left me with a wealth of knowledge, tangible and intangible. His time here can't be summarized, nor can the capacity of his genius. Critics are not my concern - so say what you will, for because of him I've become capable of recognizing the truth.
Understand where importance lies, what its all about and what's really going on here. It has nothing to do with the news, status, gossip, haters, negativity, money, belongings, homes, diamonds, vacations, shoes, meaningless relationships, technology, jealousy, or pity. It is the simplest of the simple, the most basic form of everything, the most basic view of it all is the one you really need to pay attention to. But don't listen to me, this is something we all need to continue to discover for ourselves, throughout each moment we've been blessed to endure.
"The pit is only bottomless if you believe it is such." - Timothy Napoli
Is there such a thing as the end, or is it just a new beginning?
Tim was happily beyond happy, constantly doing his own thing and not having to adhere to guidelines prepared by life's made-up professionals. To me Tim's glass was half full on a table that was half sturdy. An opportunist that believed people were generally better off disregarding a format and living life freehandedly, opposing society's purposed equilibrium that eventually makes things worse.
- From "For What It's Worth" by Rob Faulkner
Scripture lifts me to stars, float through the creation I'm building, heres the talent im wielding, here's the credo I believe in. Revere life all seasons, do nothing but what you believe in, live dreaming, keep glossy eyes shining full of love for every reason.
This time something is different. The average post for bnapoli.com will write itself sentence by sentence as the month progresses, culminating usually at about 30 days when I can't help but to organize whats been running through the old noggin.
This time, rising in the late morning to a new tune I realize nothing is ever what it seems. The planet keeps growing and this rat race simply continues. Our connections, our lives, our way of life, the daily routine, your mind, your body, your friends, your entire existence is completely different now than just moments ago. We shed away the old to make anew, yet the soul remains ever intact - floating through this mystical landscape waving to the trees and oceans as it floats overhead.
Each day we'll be questioned, challenged, taught something new, battled, put up against the odds, thrown a curve ball, twisted, doubted, beaten up, enlightened, scared, happy, loved, unsure, uneasy, believed in and admired. We'll fluctuate from the highest highs to the lowest of lows and back again. We'll rebound, we'll rebuild, we'll overcome what troubles us at the moment we least expect. We will succeed in the face of adversity, we will rise.
The game never ends, so play. Fuck it, hug a tree if you feel like it. Dance in the light. Leave town. Cross the country. Do everything you want, life is temporary. You can't reach the center of the lake without stepping off the dock. Don't feel bad for yourself. Take risks. Take risks. Take risks. Put yourself out there. Stop with the excuses.
We think the world revolves around us until we take a step out of our bubble. This world is full of struggles and changes so don't get too comfortable because there's a new battle on the horizon. But remember not to be deterred; another beautiful sunset follows closely behind. Though aware of how low this life can make you feel, remember how high it can take you. Remember what you're here for and if anything remember you're here to have a good time. Enjoy the fruits of your ancestors, find yourself inspired by the gift of life and improve the lives of your fellow man to whom you pass the torch of enlightenment as you travel down this river of existence.
Friends, open all three eyes and embrace life. Laugh as much as humanly possible, let the light shine in... and out. The future is now, every day is the day to live.
Change is good. With perception dictating so much about the way our mind perceives things you might say the aesthetics of life are powerful beyond even our own recognition.
Making decisions can be time consuming depending on the approach. With choice in abundant variety we can easily forget the illusion of perfection. We learn that indifference to choices can lead to unexpected or unfavorable outcomes. Decide and run with it, follow your instincts, how many times did you switch a test answer to find your first choice was correct? Discover importance in changing the way we see things, the way we react and how we prepare. The guidebook ages, rules are rewritten, the trend drifts and things evolve whether we adapt or not.
Operate with a backup, a fail-safe, a multi front attack. Structured preparation, note-taking and patient analysis won't complicate things but simplify them. Look to streamline operations, optimize work-flow, accomplish more in a shorter time with less rate of return. Accumulation results in steady, manageable growth. Targeting talents to a single focus with more thorough attention to detail will create a better understanding of how to improve.
It's time for understanding and not just listening. The greater the challenge, the greater the preparation. Our High School Football Coach Chuck Drury would always remind the squad; "There is no such thing as luck, luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Weight room pounding. Mental toughness." Words that will stick with us for a lifetime. Prepare for the challenge, always stay focused with eyes on the prize and execute with confidence when the time is right.
He emphasized importance in realizing your potential, envisioning your goals and working to achieve them until you can't bear to stand any longer; then start crawling. Working so hard there's no disappointment in failure because you left everything on the table.
He would remind us not to work hard for anyone else, but to make the promise to improve within. That way giving up would be breaking a promise to ourselves. To do what you say you're going to do, to set goals, to strive for pursuit of the top and meet destiny with diligent preparation. Forget luck and realize we toil for the benefits we reap. Nothing great ever came without hard work and time. He said, "Every day you get better at something or you get worse at it, you never stay the same." How right you are, Coach.
