Showing posts with label fate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fate. Show all posts

Friday, May 18, 2018

Waste Not



All of time, and all of space
Is but a chase within a race
A battle between life and death
To the very last beating breath


Throughout eternity’s infinite span
Men are cast away like specs of sand
And the one truth we can’t deny
Is that all who live, will surely die
So do not sulk and do not squander
This great world of wisping wonder


Dare to dream
Start to scheme
Take a chance
Make a stance
Be free to fail
And blaze a trail
Do not wait
To change your fate


For in the end when all is gone
And every word is said and done
You will not get a second chance
To dance within the great expanse


Make each moment earn its place
So that when you face death’s sweet embrace
You will not falter, you will not fret
You will not have one small regret


For underneath the stars that shine
You played a part in the divine
And through that connection with the whole
You’ll find yourself an immortal soul
The one thing that’s so sublime
It transcends all space and time


With that knowledge in your head
You’ll know that those who lived, cannot be dead
So take haste and do not waste
Another second you can’t replace
For all of time, and all of space
Is but a chase within a race

-Josh Coker

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Monday, January 30, 2017

Choose Your Destiny: Using Misfortune to Cultivate Success



Most of the time we blame our state of affairs on the following outside sources:

  • Family
  • Environment
  • Government
  • Luck
  • Education
  • Opportunities
  • Skills
  • Others

Taking this victim mentality does not help us in the long run. 

Despite the fact that we have started with no control over these forces, over time we gain control and can direct, redirect, or change all of these situations. Negative beginnings can act as great character builders. We can cultivate these difficulties—by turning them into life lessons--and use them to our advantage. For example, coming from poor family and living in destitute conditions is considered a disadvantage. However, if you look at it through a different lens, you are learning discipline, and to live off of less. With this experience, one can learn that they are strong enough to go without luxury--not only a valuable lesson for life, but a power many people lack. Not only will this make hard times easier, but it will make every success more meaningful. 

Negative situations drive us to push for the opposite outcome. If you came from a bad family life, this should drive you to be different and allow your children to have a better one. Also, the public loves and underdog because everyone relates with hard times. 

If you were born rich, and came from a great place with no obstacles, no one will understand what that’s like. 

Things might be slow going at first, but just imagine you’re river water. Soon the stream will flow into a waterfall, with crushing force. You will erode away rock, slip around corners, leak through cracks until your force builds so much momentum it floods everything/one. Only you can put a box around yourself. And only you can pull yourself out of that box.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Google Glass and Technological Determinism



It appears that the future is here. 


Google Glass is finally available to the public. And even though we're not sure how this new technology will disrupt the economy (or society), one things for certain; things will never be the same. It also seems to have been the next logical step, in an ongoing progression of technological advances. 


This got me thinking about what direction we're taking as a civilization. 


My conclusion?


Dubious...


Why? 


Because it appears that technological determinism may have merit.

For those who are unaware of what that the term means, I'll enlighten you. Technological determinism basically states that technology directs society based on it's own needs rather than human evolution. The computer is a great example. In its early stages, computers were quite simple, allowing humans to conduct complex calculations. Now they've proliferated into every home, car, and hand (think smart phone), in the world.

The question is: 

Was this our doing, or did technology direct us toward this reality?

The premise may seem a bit far fetched. But there’s actually quite a bit of merit to both the Utopian and dystopian views that have evolved over time. One suggests that technology advances humanity to new levels of innovation and freedom. These soft determinists, believe that technology guides human evolution, but we have the choice to change the course at any moment.The other states that it is directing our culture to self destruction and enslavement.  This sect would be considered the hard determinists. They predict that technology forces society in directions that are beneficial to its own development/expansion. 

Basically it's the age old argument of fate versus destiny.

Both ideas seem plausible, which would lead me to believe that they’re two sides of the same coin. At first one might think this is contradictory. But, to the contrary, humans are multifaceted beings and therefore the problems we face--and hence the future that lies before us--must also have layers and contradictions.


Let me also be very clear. I believe technology is neutral.


I will use a chair as an example. Primitive as it may be, it is a technology. A chair has no agenda. It’s intended purpose is to sit. And yet humans have found several other uses for the chair.


To name a few…
  1. They can stand on it t change a light-bulb.
  2. They can prop it against the door to fend off intruders.
  3. They can use it to defend themselves against circus lions.
  4. They can also take that same chair and use it as a weapon.
  5. It can be used as firewood.  


The point is, in each of the situations the chair does not care how it’s used (or if it is used). The chair is neutral. It’s the human who wields the chair that decides whether or not it is used for progress, utility, or destruction. 

And yet just like computers, chairs are ubiquitous. No mater what country in the world you go to, there is a chair.


The same applies to technology.



It’s also worth noting that humans could sit long before chairs were invented. However, once this technology was adopted, it paved the way for future advancements. Most notably in transportation and business. Could you imagine how difficult it would be to fly on a plane, drive in your car, or work at your desk without a chair? Some hardcore proponents of technological determinism would claim that we’ve been manipulated to use the chair in this way. I would suggest that it’s more of an evolution than a manipulation.  


If we look at World War II and the events that lead up to the clash of nations, we can see that technology played a vital role in determining the outcome.Throughout the war there were several ground-breaking innovations in warfare. None more powerful than the atomic bomb. It seems as though all of the battles and death culminated in the creation of this ultimate weapon. Humanity was forever changed by that one terrible discovery. But was it the technology that caused us to partake in such atrocious acts? Or was it the people behind the technology? And yet, if it wasn’t for this event in our history, we would not have advanced to where we are now. Several aspects of society were changed. Politics, economy, energy, etc... How will these changes affect us in the future? Will they pave the way for further advancements?


The other question we must ask ourselves is this:


If technological determinism is correct, then what direction is the human race being steered towards? Do we lose our humanity the more dependent we become on technology? Or do these enhancements just magnify our humanity?

Given the fact that our society has become global, it would seem as though the next logical step would be space expansion--the colonization our solar system. There are already missions to Mars planned for 2030. Perhaps what we call technological determinism is just a higher form of evolution. I would imagine that both atomic energy and chairs will play major roles in getting a man to Mars. If you ask me, it’s probably fair to say that both the invention of the chair, and nuclear technology will be used facilitate the Martian pilgrims on their mission to expand our reach.


The question is, will we consciously choose what direction we go, or will we allow technology to make the decision for us?

Monday, January 13, 2014

Eternal Gifts









Stop justifying.
Stop pretending.
The only person you’re fooling is yourself. The reason you procrastinate is that you’re scared.
Scared of change.  
Scared of failure.
Scared of vulnerability.
And in order to hide your cowardice, you’ve chosen to commit the ultimate transgression.
Uglier than abuse.
Crueler than torture.
Yours is the sin of Neglect.
You neglected your dreams. You locked them away in a dark dungeon called “someday,” deep in a fortress of solitude. You chained them to the walls of insecurity and sat them down on a foundation of fear. Shrouded in a smokescreen of obligations, this pit remains hidden from the rest of the world. They’ve all fallen for the facade of busy-work you’ve created. Words like, “maybe, probably, hopefully,” are the demons that torment your dreams. They whip and lash, bite and gnash until your dreams have no choice but to hide in the dark recesses of the mind.
There they sit and fester--seething on the inside.
Without proper attention, your dreams grow weak and tired. They hunger for the smallest of interactions. A letter or a phone call. But every time you revisit them, they seem more and more pathetic. It’s hard to look them in the eyes because you know you’ve failed them--completely.
Then, shame sets in and you try to justify your actions.
This wasn’t your fault. There were important things to do. Other people who needed you.
Work.
Friends.
Family.
Obligations.
This goes on and on until eventually, you wish that your dreams would just disappear. You desire nothing more than to be free of their burden, so you allow the waves of time to drown them out and wash them away.
But dreams are not earthly things.
They are eternal.
They are immortal.
They are everlasting.
These specters take the form of regret. And they will come back to haunt you. You, who abandoned them. Who forsook them. Who ignored them. And with one simple question, “WHY?” they will eat away at your soul--one salty, rotten piece of dignity at a time. What will you do when these nightmares confront you in the dark? Where can you run? Where can you hide? Who can you turn to on the day of reckoning? Did you think that the world would protect you from their vengeance?
Heed this warning before it’s too late.
Don’t wait until your life is all but spent.
Take action now.
Yes, it’s risky. Because the moment you take action, your dreams are no longer safe. The world is allowed inside. They can finally see you for what you are. Every flaw and every fault is on display. Make no mistake, it will be painful at times. The world is the consumer of egos and the ultimate judge. It will chew you up, and spit you out.
If your dreams aren’t strong enough, they might end up broken.
And you assume that must be avoided at all costs.
But it is quite the opposite.
Your dreams must be challenged and given a chance to grow. Like a toddler learning to walk, they’re bound to get bumps and bruises along the way. But this is necessary for them to fully develop. Dreams need a little friction. Like a muscle, they must first be torn down before they can be built back up. They must be pushed to failure constantly. Over time they’ll grow big and strong. You’ll build confidence in your abilities and soon enough your dreams will break free from the chains that bind them. The walls of insecurity will crumble and the foundations of fear will collapse under the mighty power of your dreams. A new sense of direction will lead you through the shroud of obligations and into great lands of adventure.
There, your dreams will face the world head-on.
No mettle is mightier, no blade sharper, than those forged in the flame of adversity. And so too, will your dreams be. Battle after battle, challenge after challenge, your dreams will lay waste to all those who question your resolve. Even the Fates themselves are no match for your dreams, for those who take hold of their future steer their own destiny.
Alas my friend, at some point your journey will end.
Everyone’s does.
Take solace in this somber, yet sobering truth.
For it is the only promise that will never be broken.
After sailing along the waves of time, we all reach shores beyond life’s horizon. It is both the final destination and a new beginning. On this glorious day, you will face the ultimate challenge.
Death.
She is mistress of the afterworld and keeper of mysteries. Her undying beauty is known throughout the universe, as is her prodigious power. In her hands, she holds the keys to eternity. One leads to absolution, while the other leads to pain. In order to pass peacefully, you must submit a worthy gift. Yet, many meet Death unprepared. They cower and cry out, begging for more time. Others come empty handed and are completely forgotten. But unlike all those who came before, you will look Death in the eyes and embrace her with open arms.
Because you know her secret.
Dreams are not earthly things.
They are eternal.
They are immortal.

They are everlasting...     

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-FREE WEBINAR: HOW TO WRITE COMMERCIAL FICTION THAT SELLS- https://www.story-ninjas.com/blockbus... Serious inquiries only--limited spots available: ➢ Josh’s Business and Consulting contact Email: jcoker@story-ninjas.com ➢ Online Coaching/Consulting: https://www.story-ninjas.com/free-ini... Show your support by subscribing, sharing and giving a thumbs up! Leave any questions or ideas for future videos in the comments below. Thanks! FOLLOW JOSH!!! ➢ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshumusprime/ ➢ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Joshumusprime ➢ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepolymathp... ➢ Snapchat: @Joshumusprime ➢ Amazon: Josh Coker ➢ Blog: http://thepolymathman.blogspot.com