Clarity

The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man. -Euripides (484 BC - 406 BC)

Clarity. Where does it come from? How do we gain it? And what do we do with it once we have it? I will try my best to answer all three of these questions in a reasonably understandable format.

Although first I must say that for the first time in my life I have clarity. The fog of uncertainty has lifted and is now replaced with hope and a prosperous view. I don't know where it came from. I don't know how I got it. I pray that I hold on to it. But, I can only live moment to moment and adapt to the change in the path that is lain in front of me. The reason I have to hope, is like I said, the fog has lifted and I may not be able to see around the bend, but I can see the beauty of the trees, the ground... I can hear the crunch of gravel and feel a soft wind. I can experience life as the sun shines brightly upon my future. Thus, my reason for hope.

Where does clarity come from? This one is simple to answer, yin yang it. What is the opposite of clarity? To be unclear, cluttered. Clarity is defined as 1. Clearness or lucidity as to perception or understanding; freedom from indistinctness or ambiguity.
2. The state or quality of being clear or transparent to the eye; pellucidity: the clarity of pure water. It's synonyms are intelligibility, exactness and simplicity.

So my thoughts on where clarity comes from is derived from it's synonyms. They are exactly the words I would have used to answer this question if I had not looked up the definition.

First, intelligible make yourself clear and aim for the capability to be understood. Speak clearly, think clearly and unclutter your brain.

Second, exactness. In one of my favorite books "The Peaceful Warrior" Socrates (A pseudonym for a character) says to unclutter your mind use the sword and the sword is meditation. Earlier in the book he says that the difference between himself and his student is that Dan only concentrates on one thing at a time and Socrates is precise and every act is a meditative one, meaning that he is exact in every action. SO I would then recommend exactly what he said. Be exact in every action and realize what you are doing.

Third, simplicity. This one is short, simplify, every situation in life is simple, it's all about how you react. It is your choice. If you have clarity from the three things I have described here, being clear, being exact and by simplifying your world seems all too clear. It sounds easy, but it is not. Whenever things seem too complex, use the sword, forget about everything and meditate with every action, control your emotions and then YOU choose how you react to life and it's extremes. Thus, it becomes simple to achieve clarity.

Last but not least, what do we do with clarity once we have it? Well, my friend... that is up to you. Hold on to it moment to moment and live in a clear-cut world. My world has turned into this. Life really is simple, as humans we over complicate it all. But, really, listen to your instincts, quiet your mind, live simply and humbly but most of all live with love in your heart and I promise your world will be clear and YOU will be the one telling people how to simplify their life, you will notice all the complexities around you and they will not phase you. You will sit there in your own world with love in your heart, a bounce in your step and a presence that other people will notice and be attracted to.

...Amazing how me telling you to simplify has turned into my longest entry yet, right?

As always with love,
Jacob Gabriel

Questions? Comments? Feel free to email me at Hippie2012blogspot@hotmail.com

The