Author: MAÔ

We don’t always get to be our best selves

Sometimes we have to settle. Sometimes we should put others first. We do not live in a perfect world and there are times when we have to make compromises. We have obligations to ourselves, to our families, and to our communities, and sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good.

So, maybe we don’t necessarily get to be our best selves. Maybe we don’t get to shine, or display the entirety of what we have to offer.

But giving up a little of your glow to help others shine brighter – that’s really not so bad.

Every phrase has an intention. Every sentence has a message. Every story has a meaning.

What we do with words is create. From within ourselves comes a spark of creativity, and the words we use are the tools that shape our ideas and bring them to life. Our words have the power to influence and inspire, and to bring people together. 

I believe that an undervalued benefit of travel is developing a better relationship with yourself. In the process of visiting other places, and exploring, you are also getting closer to yourself. 

Maybe that should be the primary goal. You are your constant companion. Even with others, finding time to explore a bit on your own is fruitful.

It’s important to be comfortable in your own company and to know yourself. Traveling gives you a chance to do that, and to understand who you are and what you want. It helps to gain perspective and to be more mindful in all aspects of life.

There is a vast amount of information in this world. Through schooling, it is acquired in a systematic and formulaic manner. Textbooks, assignments, and readings are provided to you. There are coursework assignments, critical thinking exercises, and research projects.

You slowly and steadily accumulate knowledge. Yet, knowledge is not limited to what is taught in school. There are countless books, lectures, websites, and podcasts that can open your eyes to a world outside the classroom. Through self-learning, exploration, and experience, one can gain a much deeper understanding of any given topic.

It seems that we have tried so many times to create what we want. The perfect job, the perfect romance, the perfect life. But no matter how hard we try, it seems to be just beyond our grasp. We can go to the edge of madness searching for it, but the perfect thing is always just out of reach.

Perfection itself is fleeting and challenging to obtain. Even when we do get close, something is always missing. 

We’re told that we should learn to accept that life is imperfect and that it’s OK to be content with the good in our lives, instead of striving for the impossible. But there are those for whom this message is difficult to internalize. For them, striving for the impossible is a way of life, and it’s what gives them hope and drive. It’s hard for them to be content with the good, when they know there could be so much more.

Is there a limit to the ways in which we communicate, understand, and interact with one another? Technology has enabled us to communicate in ways never before imagined, and its impact on our lives and relationships is undeniable.

However, at its core, communication is a human experience, and the success of any interaction is ultimately determined by our ability to effectively connect with one another on a deeper level.

I’ve felt more in tune with my writing lately. I’m maybe only knocking out about 2,000 words a day, but given the slump I’d been in, 2,000 words seems fairly significant. 

I’m even going through old notes and ideas I’ve had, fleshing them out and clearing way for newer ones. This could be due to the fact that I’ve been writing more consistently, which has allowed me to develop a better rhythm and flow in my writing. Additionally, revisiting old ideas can help to give me a fresh perspective and new insights into the material.

Some don’t make the cut. Found one line that went “I’ve been thinking a lot about…” And that was it. What had I been thinking a lot about?

Who’s to say?

I’m just happy to be crossing them off.

Early on in the new era of a burgeoning internet, clever individuals were posting opinions online. These opinions were falling into niche markets, but they were getting shared. For the first time, an unknown individual had a voice that could be projected.

This online presence was a great opportunity for those who were previously unheard. It allowed them to create content that would reach a wide audience and gain attention from the public. This gave them a platform to share their ideas and opinions with the world.

Besides blogs, which were just individual journals that were shared, the zine moved onto the web. “Zines were first created in the science fiction fandoms of the 1930s, taking their name from fanzine, which is short for “fan magazine.” Long before the advent of the Internet, zines allowed fans to create networks, share ideas and analyses, and collaborate on writing and artwork.” (UNC Blog) 

Zines were seen as tools of subversion, allowing independent voices to be heard. Zines were, and still are, a way for people to create and share their stories and perspectives without interference from mainstream media. They are a powerful form of self-expression and a way to strengthen communities, often around marginalized identities. Though somewhat supplanted by social media, there are still active zines out there in cyberspace. 

Sometimes, the old way doesn’t work. I mean, it does. But what you’ve gotten out of it up to now may be all that you’ll ever get. So why not try something new? You may find a different way of doing things that yields better results. Take a chance and see what happens.