Sunday, October 1, 2017

Turning a Downward Spiral into an Upward Force of Nature

Social media, honestly it is a wondrous thing when it works. When you find a clan of like-minded individuals who elevate your thinking, the sky is the limit. Those distant clouds of intention, solution and conception become a womb of strength below you. Like a stronghold of certainty. You are forever changed. The wisdom, encouragement and illumination of your clansman can take even the darkest moments of frustration and give them meaning.

Isolation of spirit is forever transformed into a conglomeration of ideas. Swirling around you like a cool breeze on a hot afternoon. Tantalizing and energizing you to enjoy the essence of nature. The whistling of the trees, the vibrancy of color and shade, the bouquet of life's aroma. Each layer of wilderness adding another dimension, beckoning you to venture in a little bit deeper. But, if you do not leave some breadcrumbs to track your journey into the clear, you often get lost and entangled in the muddle.

You need to recognize that social media is both an adventure of thought-provoking conversations as well as a platform you often allow yourself to rely on. You not only follow the path provided to build relationships, you also let it raise your confidence and set your sights on new opportunities. These are life changing. But social media can also distract you and lead you away from where you need to be.

What you can not allow social media to do is to tear away at your courage, poise and tenacity. You must acknowledge that every sword of progression and strength is double edged. That as fast as you wield it for joy and mindfulness another wields it for negativity. All you can do is put your boldness and fortitude into statements and send them out into the world. They may be read, they may be ignored, but they will be out there. You need to try every day to make an impact, to change the dialogue from what is happening around you, to what can you do to improve it. You need to ask yourself how can I, with a few simple words, alter the mindset of another through humbleness and honesty? Through positive expression and meaningful ideas?

I have fallen into a downward spiral lately. Reading more than I have been contributing. The force of doubt and insecurity steering me astray. It is not something someone wrote or anything in particular but somehow I had my foundation shaken and the solid ground crumbled a bit. My footing came loose and down I went. A downward spiral.

When you give of yourself without consideration you often grow tired, the type of exhaustion sleep will not repair. It takes some time to harden the soil and regain your vision. You may keep drudging along, not taking the time to solidify your terrain and this, in turn, deepens the gap.

I needed to alter my landscape. Dig myself out from the quagmire and climb to the peak. To stand atop the precipice and use the elevation to see the panorama that is social media. To be able to turn 360 degrees and not look upon distant lands, but familiar scenery. To gaze upon the artistry, grace and prudence of my fellow travelers. We are all equipped with a nap sack, ax and pick for our journey to the summit. We are even given a map of the treacherous topography ahead. Often however, we neglect to pause and take a look around us, accept those around us as comrades and friends.

What we need to remember is that we do not need to traverse the climb alone. We have Sherpas and hikers all around us. Some have conquered the pinnacle before. Many have made the journey several times, while others only see the first crest towering above them: intimidated and shaky until someone offers them a rope and harness for security. It is both the bravery of the few and the perseverance of the many that allow triumph through disillusionment.  But together even the highest of ridges is attainable.

Together we are an upward force of nature, the air may be thin at the top, but the view is breathtaking. What appears out of reach, through the right lens is closer than we think. That hazy, secluded, obscure thought we see lurking through the fogginess of expanse, gets picked up by the energy of altitude and carried on the wind until it is swirls around us, becoming a part of our mindset. This is why social media is both the crown and confinement of innovation and discovery. It uses the force of many voices to orchestrate the climb, ascension, the ultimate trek to new heights so that every one can witness new perspectives.


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