dappiduck

In the last year or so I’ve realised, through observation I guess, that I’ve actually really been missing out on music. I’m ashamed. I’ve always said I’m not a lyrical person – I never truly appreciated what this actually meant until recently.

When music is played, it should be listened to. Not just heard. Every word digested, every note of every instrument, every beat & rhythm, tones & all that stuff one learnt in music at school. Then, if you take it to a further level, you can feel the musician (this perhaps suggests assumption) & the effort they have put into creating this sound.

- One reason why I hate the larger music industries, they take this away from the bands; push them in directions they don’t want to take, piss on their parade.

But yeah, I wanna hear it all, especially the words. Like Bob Dylan. I’ll report back soon =P

Music that provoked this post: Bonobo (funny how there’s not many words)

I think it’s fair to say that I can play guitar, not very well, but I’ve the general idea of the whole thing…. but I’m not content with just playing songs I know, or strumming 3 chords over & over again without much… diversity.

I want to be confident enough in my skills to be able to just go with the flow & let something new come from my fingers each time… painting a musical picture, or tonal diary. Maybe let my voice out that way too.. who knows where I go with this one.

I play for about 30-60 mins every night, just replaying the songs I already know, concentrating on where & how my fingers move, practising exercises that are meant to improve everything (we’ll see about that >_<) so maybe this goal will meet progress in the near future.

Image: Guitar – Alex Grey

Over thinking; an epidemic spreading throughout the western world. People perhaps feeling as though they have to .. live up to something, or maybe ensure that any decision is flawless (usually by asking everyone their opinion, never having faith in ones own intuition). One can never really know all the answers. There can always be another perspective that could turn everything upside down. Something you hadn’t considered.

I guess this is why being open, & keeping ones head clear of these cluttered thoughts, allows us to be more carefree & accepting of all opinions & ideas….. Scientifically, our brain is designed to make over thinking too easy, unfortunately >_< as we experience a negative situation that provokes overthinking & doubt, our brain works a bit like a search engine, sparking up any similar memories or thought patterns to what we’re experiencing in that moment. A bit like a plane landing strip. If we’re not aware of this moment (the NOW) then it can take us down a nasty road, replaying every feeling of doubt & regret. The good news is, this works in a similar way with positive thoughts. The even better news is, that we are highly evolved creatures & can manipulate our thoughts; even stop them from happening. What a blessing!

Everytime I start overcrowding my mind with these thoughts, I’m going to try & take a step back, watch them happening… Observe what has provoked them. Accept them, and move on to the next moment, where I will find something to provoke positive thought. There is a balance in the world, within nature it’s easily visible… Animals, silent, free & simple. One can wallow in the negative vibes, tune into them with their own – like a crackly radiostation. Where your perspective is a bit foggy, where your body lags behind everyone else. Allow your thoughts not to question or label, just to observe… in every moment that passes, observe something that has changed in your environment…

Over thinking doesn’t have to be a negative process, it can bring forth vibrant, colourful thoughts. Perhaps over thinkers have a larger capacity & have just never been shown how to use it… So fall into a vicious circle of self doubt…. I dunno.

This is me over thinking & rambling, I want to direct it into a creative outlet, or at least so it can be of use to other people. Over thinking in this way might be referred to as philosophy perhaps?

The only thing that limits us is ourselves. All it takes is a simple decision (that perhaps seems so hard at first…) & then we can move on….

I’m done….

Peace ^_

This has been my goal for almost a year, yet I have let myself down & my saving account still looks bare. This has been getting me down a lot, because I feel that I’m not doing myself justice – The only person that could put this in action & make progress is me. But I keep spending….

So now this goal has been written, it’s official & must be done!

Since a child I have moved around 10 times, only around the UK – but it was enough distance each time, to show the diversity of cultures – from family, to friends, to communities, to countries… I want to see & experience it all. I’m also fed-up of our miserable british weather (I have a theory that it can lead to a general weary, depressive state.. whereas sunshine can bring out the best in people).

I want to ponder upon the idea of a unified, peaceful world… But to do this I must first understand the cultures of other countries. I don’t intend to pry or stick my nose in where it’s unwanted. Just to be in their environment, to live their lifestyle.

I don’t want to simply go on holiday, I want to live everywhere. Explore the global consciousness, the similarities and differences (the former will probably come into play more than I can imagine)

Although a career is obviously important, so is life, and presently that is all I care for. Money doesn’t need to be the be all and end all.

Peace ^^

I am incredibly lazy; to me, the best feeling in the world is to wake up, roll over & go back to sleep again.. ^^

But if I woke up earlier, then it would be so much easier to move forward with my goals. Getting a job with early hours doesn’t help much – chances are I’d just get fired & my morning routine would be completely & utterly non-existent.

I’ve been practising just holding my eyes as wide open as they can be, blinking, more wide eyes….. you get the idea. It seems to snap me open a bit, dunno if it helps anyone else?

But could someone please give some advice on how to resist the temptation of the snooze button? Gets me every time ><

Water is an essential life giving drink, yet mostly forgotten because there’s so many other tasty beverages available – most of which do the complete opposite.

I like the simplicity of keeping a bottle handy at all times.

Some other handy drinks that some may wish to research:
- Kambucha (aka: “Tea of Immortality” intriguing.. no?)
- Apple Cider Vinegar (similar properties to the above. must be purchased with the “mother”... should be a tad cloudy..)

If you want to dig further, have a look at other teas… (not your pg tips though =P)

I am hopeless at keeping to my goals (hopefully this website should help me out a bit =P) but this is one that has been on my mind a long while.

I hope to incorporate it into my morning routine so I start the day with a level head on my shoulders… I’ll let you all know how that goes =P

In the meantime, could anyone recommend a good collection of resources, perhaps within one website? Is that even possible? xD

Thankees ^^ happy bending to all!

I’ve always been shy & bit of a wallflower. More an observer I guess. I don’t think I ever learned much. >_<

I’ve always wanted people in my surroundings to feel comfortable & to be happy…. & therefore strive to make sure it is so; most of the time with complete disregard for my own comfort (which has now almost completely disappeared).

I was always taught that we are all equal, & every time I don’t consider myself before someone else I am putting them on a pedestal (in the worst case, with strangers – when one doesn’t even know if they deserve a pedestal!) therefore breaking the equilibrium.

I think unquestionably bending over backwards for people is not necessarily a bad thing because it shows a sense of humility & kindness, and keeps you from putting yourself on a pedestal, but it’s still unequality.

It’s a difficult balance to uphold, but the easiest trick is just to be honest I think. If you feel uncomfortable with a situation, but still going along with it because you don’t want to offend the person in question – be honest! Ask anyone, I think they’d rather hear it from you, rather than find out later. This is where humility & kindness truly comes into play.

I think it all boils down to having faith in YOURSELF, loving yourself. Only when you love yourself, do you have then have love to give to others. When the only happiness is found from the actions rather than from the people you’re doing it for…. well, think about it. I am.

“It’s far more difficult just to be simple than complicated”

Although it is said that anyone can do it, not anyone does. Some can sculpt amazing sounds out of two vinyls played together. It takes creativity & knowing what the people on the other side want to hear.

Most parties I go to, DnB is the focus. When the sun rises I think there needs to be a mellow vibe, so people can chill & recover a little. I am a complete virgin to the whole process, but understand it from the textbook point of view – just need to put it into practice!

I think electronic beats & rhythms can manipulate your state of mind, & I don’t think there is a limit to how much you can manipulate the sounds either – I would just like to experiment with this idea a little.

I have always been more of a book worm than sports fiend… but I’m beginning to understand more & more that balance is the key!

I want to start off slow, & the more I fulfil my goal, I’m sure I would begin to have more faith in myself, more energy.. I’ve even heard that some people who start exercising regularly start to feel drained if they don’t o_0

Starting off with basic yoga & pilates, maybe a walk around the park – becoming a jog, then a run… Maybe a bike ride every now & again.

I even have a skipping rope I can use. For anyone reading this, 10/20 mins a day does you the woorrrld of good! (Google it!!)

I’m not a fan of the gym, I think it would become boring. I think to go somewhere new each time would keep the motivation sparked up.

Maybe to keep things interesting, I could join a dance class – I’ve always been curious about that!

As an end note for other people trying to achieve this – I don’t think the goal should be to lose weight or anything like that; just for a healthy, happy body that can do anything you want it to do =P This way you can avoid disappointment of any kind, because everytime you exercise you will feel refreshed & alive! ^^

“Your body is the greatest instrument you’ll ever own”

One more thing I’m going to try, & thought I would share in case anyone else is as hopeless as me…. I’m going to keep a calendar with said exercises clearly written, so I have no choice but to do them so I can cross them off after – that would give a satisfying feeling I reckon =P

Everytime I arrive somewhere, I’m wondering where we’re going to go next – I don’t appreciate the moment I’m in. I fidget, never really sit still perhaps because I am uncomfortable with my circumstances. I always seem to be waiting for something that isn’t going to come, because the future remains as it is – the future.

I think what I need to concentrate on, is the present. Enjoying every second, enjoying the company of new people, to stop saying no & making excuses…

Something like that anyway ^^