The Eye of the Beholder

Wake up, bang on the alarm. Another monotonous day. Slowly turn out of bed and open my eyes. Look forward unto the first strokes of sunlight. The sun will rise whether I choose to go to work or stay in bed and waste away until I got into a bag of bone wrapped neatly in a skin suit. Debating between the choices I inevitably drag my cold feet across the carpet and take that first step. The step wakes you right up as the tile as cold as ice sends shivers up the leg and through the spine. My eyes open and start to feel cold but I ignore the feeling as it will soon go away. Going about my morning routine. Standing over the sink rinsing my face off with splashes of clear refreshing water. The water does its job and begins the cleansing of my body, next I follow up by brushing my teeth. This is one thing I enjoy in the morning. Cool palette clearing mint kills the bacteria and has my breath tasting so good I could start biting my tongue as if it’s a nice juicy piece of gum.

After all the pleasantries I take care of in the bathroom I start every morning with a nice cup of nature’s own energy supplement. Coffee keeps me going through the ups and downs of my day as everyone else’s. I never could understand those people, you know that just have all of that energy. No matter how much sleep they get it’s as if they are wired to never feel tired. The never ending story of their dreams and ambitions being told to anyone that shows the slightest interest even if unintentionally. Ah those type of people get on my nerves, I wish I could just shut them up for once.

Feeling the rush of coffee in the morning is like no other, once the caffeine kicks in I’m on my way to hopping in the shower, fixing a breakfast to ruin that minty taste I savored so much earlier. Before throwing on my clothes I check to make sure the pleat is right and I have shoes that match. The appearance one holds makes the first impression and in the world ones image is everything. When the view one has created is distorted their life will fall apart and the intricate webs will begin to crumble leaving a mess to be cleaned up.

The car is started. Lunch made. Bag backed. Phone check. Keys check. Wallet check. Off to work after another rigorous morning. The tantalizing drive is nothing more than a gateway where the mind begins to wander. The street signs now become a blur as the trip is made on autopilot. I often find myself drifting away and realizing some breakthrough that could end world hunger or lower the countries unemployment rate. In the end the delusion is forgotten as I come to the same parking spot I left my car yesterday, and the day before, and before that and on for as long as I remember.

Walking in is a joy because you get to see who you work with. The people at the office will undoubtable walk in with two outlooks. The first is that they will use their job to build up within the company and eventually they will peak at their desired area. The second is that they are only working here to pay their bills, nothing more, nor anything less. Personally I prefer watching the people who take a positive outlook. These are the people that never know when to shut up but are good to know in case you ever need a favor. The first and most important rule when dealing with them is that under no circumstance should you ever ask them a question regarding themselves or anything that may be considered as small talk. Clear concise and to the point. Otherwise you’ll end up like a record that’s gone flat and you will be unable to ever return to what you once were.

Passing through security to the elevator then up to my floor of servitude I stand eagerly anticipating the excitement that boredom incurs. Shuffling through papers, running copies and fulfilling all of my tasks with mediocrity. The key to remaining undetectable in the workplace is to finish your work promptly but not turning anything in until the deadline. The over achievers always back themselves into a corner which I am still unable to comprehend. Why someone would willing accept workload that piles so high that the sun is hibernating in a nice den with some internet and a satellite TV connection, maybe a fire burning why not. The work eventually becomes too much to bear and the weight of it all simply causes them to snap. The snap is what I enjoy so much out of these optimistic cookies.

The little branch will bend and sway in the wind but once that weight builds up the snap it makes is a very loud noise. Those people really never shut up, instead of staying quiet they end up shoving their foot so far up their ass that they start spitting up toenails. The only thing that can make the day any better is watching these people as the climb higher and higher to only cause themselves to crash and burn. As I sit there and watching them fall I wish I had some buttery popcorn to feed my cravings of desire.

Each day begins the same with me waking up and dreading those first rays of sun but after my body drags itself from the warm comforts of a blanket and pillow I begin to yearn for something. Not knowing what creates this feeling I search for the beauty of life and all of its surprises. No one can teach you what this beauty represents but instead the search motivates each person to find a glimpse of something that may catch ones attention and form a path to solace. Wandering through life each day becomes repetitive except for these surprises. Anything that ignites this burning passion will bring light to one’s eyes free them from the chains of life.

Once you have taken in even a little of the warmth felt during these chance encounters we will never be the same. Instead people will disregard all other events in exchange for the opportunity to prevail over all odds and find what makes us whole. Often logic and laws are left limiting distractions for the living. Until the day we die desire consumes the flesh and the metamorphosis of desire sets in.

 

Sephirot(The Tree of Life)

This is just a short story that I dreamt of one night that happened to stick with me, hop you enjoy.

Caring for nature was a cultural norm for Ian. Born to a small village deep in the forests of the wilderness, this was the only lifestyle he knew. In this village the people who lived there worshipped a great tree. This tree in particular was told to have been born at the beginning of time. The radiant sun would shine down and the tree would provide protection for the golden rays. Throughout the seasons, in time of famine the tree would bear fruit for the village. In times of draught the roots would stretch out and fill their dusty wells. IN times of plague, the leaves of the great tree would fall and be used as a cure to all aliments. Left untouched by civilization the village had prospered in its own way for generations.

After a time colonists began to appear. One by one, each ben to encroach on the lands of the village until only one large forest separated the two civilizations. In order to prevent any misgivings between the two, the village elder decided to send his grandson Ian to be taught in the ways of the foreigners. At the time he was only a young boy no older than 10. Before the boy first left his grandfather gave him one bit of advice, “Do not discuss the great tree with anyone outside the village”. The boy did not quite understand what his grandfather had meant but he continued on anyway.

The task for the boy was a very simple one but in the end became extremely difficult. He would travel to the city during the week to learn the ways of the foreigners and at times be allowed to return for a break. After about three months the young boy returned home with tales of all the inventions that the foreigners used. How they had water that moved through metal and would pour out warm or cold, depending on what was needed. The boy was fascinated with the society and all of its inner workings. For hours Ian would describe the buildings of the city and how everything worked together for the whole. He truly believed it to be a magical place where all people were happy. After a few days Ian returned to the city to pick up where he had left off.  Again his grandfather gave him one bit of advice, “Do not discuss the great tree with anyone outside the village”. Ian then left for his long journey through the forest and back to the city.

Ian did not return after his first break for 3 more months. This time he brought gifts for other children in the village. He had brought with him metal tipped pens and paper.  These pens were used to either draw with or write on the paper. Now the village did have a language that was used to record their history but other than that there was no use. Ian described how the pictures they used, were nowhere near as intricate as the writing was in the city. After a few days of drawing pictures with the other children it became time for Ian to return again. Again his grandfather gave him one bit of advice, “Do not discuss the great tree with anyone outside the village”. Before his grandfather had finished speaking, Ian was off to the city to learn more.

Ian did not return after this break for 6 more months. Upon returning he brought with him the knowledge of books. The scholars in the city had begun to teach young Ian how to read. Although he was far behind other students in the city, the scholars still admired his thirst for knowledge. He returned this time with books in tow. These books were to be read and used to help teach the children the power of words on paper. Ian gave little thought to the matter, but every time he returned, he spent less and less time in the village. After reading to the children, Ian was off to the city before his grandfather could bid him farewell.

After leaving the books behind in the village he did not return for a year and a half. Upon his return there was a great celebration because it had been so long since his last village. Staying for a total of three days Ian discussed all that he had learned with the people of the village. After the third night of festivities with his people, Ian prepared for his journey to the village. While packing for the trip Ian’s grandfather met with him to ask him a question. “Have you spoken about the great tree with anyone outside the village?” Ian replied very aggressively towards his grandfather “The people of the city couldn’t care less about some tree in a village”. With that Ian grabbed his pack and stormed into the forest towards the town.

While walking back to the city, Ian started to get very hungry and realized he hadn’t eaten anything before he left. Quickly rummaging through his bag he found a bunch of fruit that came from the great tree. His grandfather must have slipped it in his pack before he left. With that he continued his journey to the city. Upon returning to the city he climbed the stairs to where he stayed and put the last piece of fruit in a box under his bed.

Before Ian knew it time had flown by and he was not 14 years old. While playing with the other children of the city he noticed an apple tree. Climbing the tree he picked the fruit and took a bite. After one taste he spit it out and declared it was rotten. Handing the remaining apple to the other children, they in turn each took a bite and said it tasted fine. After declaring the fruit was rotten he left for his home village to retrieve a proper fruit. Sneaking into his own village he then grabbed as much fruit as he could from the great tree and left to prove the children of the city wrong. Upon arrival he handed each a bundle of the sweet fruit. Each then took a bite and could not stop themselves from a second and third, until the fruit was gone.

The children then left for the night and returned home. Each child then shared the remainder of the fruit with their families. As soon as the fruit touched their lips they were in love. The parents of the children then asked where they had gotten it. When they knew who they ran to young Ian asking for more of the glorious fruit stating they would pay a pretty penny for more. The next night Ian returned to the village and began to sell the fruit off for a high price.

Ian continued to sell the fruit for two more years until a plague spread throughout the city. One by one each of his friends began to get sick but the doctors of the city said there was no cure. Pondering over what he could do Ian then remembered that the leaves of the great tree could cure any aliment. Traveling to the village as quickly as he could he plucked a few leaves and returned to the doctors and asked them to use the leaves for a cure. It was a miracle, almost overnight the few boys that were treated made a full recovery. The doctors than asked where he got the leaves and he told them there was a tree in the village that provided what was needed.

Slowly but surely the city eradicated every bit of the plague. It was a miracle to say the least and the boy was glad he could help. After he had helped cure the plague he did not return to the village until four years later when he came up short on money. So he decided he would gather his belongings and return for a long period of time to help teach his village all he has learned. During his walk to the village, it seemed to him that there were fewer trees than before. He thought that it was only that he had grown older and the trees seemed smaller. Walking through the bushes he arrived at his village….or what remained of it.

From what he remembered the village should have stood where he was. Yet within the clearing there was nothing. Walking closer to where the great tree once stood, he felt the cracking of branches under his feet. Looking down he was horrified by what he saw lying there. Charred bones covered the dirt and at the center was a hole. Moving closer to the tree he saw that the hole was where the great tree once stood. The roots had been cut off leaving everything dead in its wake.

Ian then fell to his knees in tears after realizing that this was his doing. While tears streamed down his face he remembered the fruit from years ago. Panicking to find the fruit he flung all of his belongings from his bags. Eventually finding the box with the fruit, Ian then placed the fruit in the great hole left behind and covered it with dirt. Using his tears to wet the ground, he left the fruit there to remain where it was born. After 10 years Ian returned to the village to see a small tree in the fruit’s place. He then vowed to uphold his grandfather’s teachings and guard the small tree for the remainder of his life.

Analysis

When considering ideas to write a fairy tale about the first thing that comes to mind is the Sephirot. After learning about many things the idea of The Tree of Life is very intriguing to me. In order to transform the idea into a tale, it must first be translated into a specific culture. To me the tree represents how it is able to provide for the village in times of crisis. When abused it becomes lost to those who are unable to appreciate its beauty.

The tale itself does not hold much dialogue as compared to others we have read but instead it completes the story. By creating a story that is short, dialogue can sometimes hinder the development of the plot. Instead of communicating through characters the story is meant to complete the whole of its premise. However the dialogue used, is then accentuated to show the importance of ideas behind the words.

The main character Ian begins not at an older age, but around ten in order for the beliefs of the village to be instilled in him but still allow room for growth. As the boy develops he learns of new ways and customs. After learning the value of rewards, he has yet to learn of the sacrifices he made until returning to the village as an adult. Learning to appreciate life is what is important in this story and the only way to learn this is from loss.

After learning from his mistakes our protagonist is able to overcome adversity and grow to be a man. The story is not as appealing as others but that does not mean it is not valuable. The lesson learned is far greater a lesson than what could be made after using extreme detail. By writing for the story, the details come together and instead build a story that can be used for children to grow and develop.

Mental Break

Life will often give you a lemon and tell you to eat it. Depending on how you handle the situation you may take a bite of lemon and wretch from bitterness. The wrenching leads to vomiting and then you feel terrible. On the other hand you may take the same lemon and make it into lemonade. The lemonade is then refreshing and helps you relax. These are two possible outcomes to the same scenario. Every person is different a problems are handled differently by each. The thing is sometimes problems can’t be dealt with. This may be due to a difference in knowledge or how you were actually taught to deal with problems. After being unable to properly deal with the problem you may become upset and have an outbreak. Now this is what I like to call a mental break (break for short). Breaks can vary from kicking a rock or cussing all the way to kill someone for something.

Now a few cuss words are nothing to be ashamed off but these words could lead to offending someone. After offending them you then take action to shut them up because they are only pilling on to you problems. You push them and when they push back you shove harder and knock them into someone else. After that now you have three pissed off people and no outlet. Wait you get the idea to hit something or someone. Now you have three people fighting and slowly the atmosphere is affecting others around you. This creates a negative demeanor and in turn now you have a larger group of people fighting. Eventually you could create a massive riot and then sever consequences may include, death, arrest, injury or kicked in the nuts.

When someone snaps it isn’t always physically orientated. Sometimes the person may become depressed or they may direct their anger inwards. This comes with a different set of problems but causes the same effect on other people. You may become depressed or your temper could flare. This would make it so that the smallest little thing could set you off and in turn you get momentarily pissed at someone. It won’t necessarily end in someone getting hit but now they are pissed off and you leave them. After a while you cool down but if the depressive anger continues it will have lasting effects on your personal or business relationships.

After people learn that you have recently been quick to pop your top they may start to ignore or avoid you. This only compounds the damage because instead of being able to release the pent up frustration it only gains momentum. After gaining momentum the stress may become unbearable and instead of slowly releasing it and returning to normal you can spiral to the extreme. The extreme is a major case of depression which would ultimately lead to suicide or the upward spiral. This spiral will come at a different cost. Instead of simple hitting someone it may lead a loner to find a weapon and attack someone. It may be a random or predetermined case but it all started because how things ended up.

All people are different and they don’t always handle a break the same way but it is a common factor that leads them all together. Stress is usually the common factor which can be lead to the beginning of what caused the problem. I’m not talking about just a little stress but it is more of a combined total that has begun to accrue interest over time. This interest only adds to increasing the chances and severity of the break exponentially.

This is something that will always exist but before someone acts they should always use their heads because emotions are awry. Emotions can never be counted on when you are looking for the well-being of yourself or others. The sad thing is that emotions are what stop people from thinking and preventing these actions.

Ignoring

Nothing good ever comes from ignoring something. While someone may believe they are ignoring something that won’t matter, it always ends up biting them in the ass. There are many different things that one can ignore. Most of the time when a problem is avoided people tend to ignore it because they think it doesn’t really matter. When you ignore the seatbelt signal in a car you may think that it doesn’t matter most of the time, but there’s a reason that it was put in. What happens to you when you get into a wreck without that buckle on? Some of the time you may be all right but there are those times where you could end up flying through your windshield, landing 15 feet from the car, and then sliding on the road for another 20 or 30 feet. This is only one example but there are many others I plan to cover.

Sometimes when you ignore something, it may not end up affecting you but those around you. I can say for one instance, I have experienced times where I’ve made friends and talked to them fine one day. The very next day I’m being ignored. The problem is that when you are being ignored you sometimes won’t notice it quite at first. You may think they are busy or that something bad happened. It’s always the worst that comes to your mind first. No matter what you do to try to get ahold of them nothing works. After a while you may think that they were pulling a joke on you or just messing with you when in fact they had a reason however stupid to ignore you.

After going through a whole stage of worry, no matter how long it takes you can come to a different conclusion. This would be, that you did something to piss them off. Now from here depending on how well you know them or don’t it can go a few different ways. If you are talking to someone you may not know very well you could decide that they just don’t want to talk to you. If they are a friend or someone you know, one may think they are mad. So either way when it comes to friends, family or just acquaintances you can come to either conclusion but usually they stay as I have listed them.

Now that you believe that they are healthy and everything is ok, you may leave things as they are for a few days. After that it is okay to try to connect with them again although they are still ignoring you. Now from here is where it gets bad. When being ignored, you may think you did something wrong but it may not be clear what exactly you did wrong. At this point you may panic or try to apologize but the point of being ignored is to punish someone for something they did.

Depending on what kind of person you are, you may take this is a multitude of ways. You could take the carefree approach and end up just letting it be until they either get tired of ignoring you or you just drift apart. This is a decent way to deal with the problem but only if you don’t mind losing contact with someone or being replaced as an important person to them. A second way is that while thinking about the problem over and over, it could end up building inside you until you get severely irritated or pissed off to the point that you do something rash. This is hardly every acceptable but some people are just the way they are and there’s not much that can be changed. If you are not the passive or aggressive type, you may fall into the third category. This category is by far the worst. After being ignored you become upset that you did something wrong but even when you try to apologize you are unable to. Attempt after attempt and from the looks of things it just won’t get better. This sadness starts to weigh a person down and unless you do something it can develop into a consistency of depression. Sometimes the depression will be handled or go away but in actual truth it can end up clouding the person mind until they do something stupid. Now as for stupid it can range from cutting, pills, outcries for help pretty much but with all attempts there are a few who actually succeed in suicide.

Once it gets to this point someone will have to step in. The problem is, this all started because one person ignored another instead of confronting the other person about what bothered them. The fact is I’ve been ignored for no reason at all before. Now what to say that some unlucky person is ignored and goes to the extreme over nothing. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

As a student I commonly ignore things such as homework but there are a few things that should never be ignored and those that even when ignored are still important and must be followed through on. The problem with this is that people often don’t understand these small differences. People are all different and they take things differently because they were raised under different circumstances. One may have a military background and is strict and to the point while another is free natured. There are a lot of problems that may occur between them because they are different. If only people were able to understand the differences people hold inside them, I believe this is what causes strife.