My Cake Isn't Very Nice

Thursday, March 3, 2022,

In the more developed and affluent areas of the world there isn't much, if any, lack of necessity and physical comforts.  At reading this, many would bristle and cry foul, and say, "that's not true.....there's underserved communities....something-something-1%.....", etc., but the truth is that people do not die of starvation in the developed/western countries of the world; there are base-line, foundational systems in place to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and clothe the naked.

What people can become sick with in developed and affluent areas of the world, is complete dissatisfaction with their lives.  Dissatisfaction can come from many things, but a primary driver is an unhealthy curiosity and interest with the lives of others (almost always shown through social media, which is a part of the entertainment industry).  Curiosity, fixation, and unbalanced interest in the social media of famous celebrities inevitably leaves the consumer of the social media (you/me), disappointed and unhappy with our lives; you can have a piece of cake in front of you, but XYZ celebrity in L.A. has an even bigger piece of cake, with more sprinkles, and more icing......the cake you have in front of you now isn't very nice......throw it on the ground and complain that forces (which are out of your control) caused your cake to be lame, and create discord until someone gives you a better piece of cake.  This is the way to get what you want.....

Unraveling, angering, and unhinging a group of people who've been led to believe their cake isn't very nice, and that they're underprivileged, is easy (in fact,....it's almost automated).  The inverse of this is true as well in that attempting to convince, reason-with, and otherwise show this same group how good their life is, is almost impossible.  Remember, they view the cake they have in front of them as cake that isn't very nice.

Part II:

I write my Part II post-practice.  I am on my mat, having just come out of Savasana.  

Even though I'm aware of it, I also fall prey to thinking that my slice of cake isn't very nice.  Sometimes I'm aware of it...sometimes it simply creeps in without me realizing.  To level-set, I "zoom out", and take stock of things.....I have a fridge full of food.......I have a home that I can heat/cool to any temperature I want........I have a car.....I have clothes....I have a family whom I love, and who loves me........I could go on.....

Taking stock of what one has is a healthy mental activity, as it brings you back down to reality, and shows you that your piece of cake is lovely. 

Namaste