Acknowledgement, Labelism, and Good feelings

Let's get the story straight. The one you tell your friends, the one you tell yourself, and the one you're actually living. How different these three stories can be is altogether shocking and intriguing. But as I've witnessed, our culture is great at putting a name to something or "labeling", so why not put that talent to good use. Our daily existence and everyday actions should not only be noted and acknowledged, but also given a name. This should not bring about stress or anxiety, having to note each detail, in fact much the opposite. For when we really sit down and reflect upon what we're doing, we have a better opportunity to enjoy each piece and experience it more fully. I'm afraid life is missed far too often simply because we do not take note.

The beginning of the day is the best place to start. For me, I awake, and acknowledge the blanket wrapped around me and the light peaking through the window. I especially appreciate the blanket in the winter time, and I don't so much hate the light coming in because that means another day has been offered up to us. Typically one of my first thoughts is "Coffee". My morning routine, as perhaps yours does too, involves a sudden reaction to get on my feet to prepare and consume this oddly addictive liquid. If we're labeling, I'd call it my "good feeling". We have lots of these throughout the day, or at least, we have many small things that will set it off. Do I actually require this beverage to function? No. Granted, it can provide a pick me up, but at the end of the day it's just a really "good feeling".

The day of course continues. I consume food at some point which is of some necessity, but even that is not appreciated as it should be. What i'm eating, how i'm eating it, and where the food came from all play important factors in my response. If someone gives me something to eat, i'm extremely grateful, and thus the food is enhanced. If i'm cold, eating a hot bowl of soup feels like i've made the best decision of my life. If it's natural, from the earth, filled with nutrients and sweetness and protein, my taste buds will have a field day. All of these things come together to provide a more full experience. Even as food is consumed on the run, it is providing necessary energy for me to continue.

It comes down to labeling good feelings, truly knowing them for what they are and what they do, and then understanding the cause and effect of life. Put simply, if one thing happens, then that will trigger a whole domino effect of other events down the line. For instance, you eat something 'off'' and all of a sudden get food poisoning. You will inevitably have a difficult next couple of weeks. One thing happened, and because of it, it caused something else to happen. However, cause and effect should not always have such a negative connotation. Cause and Effect is one of the major governing factors in life, and if recognized, can change your perspective on how you're living.

Take the simple question of "how's your day going?". We ask this question all the time, perhaps just out of habit, or maybe to make a discovery. I think asking how someone's day is going is a fantastic practice, along with asking them specifics about their life. You see, not only are you getting an insight into who they are and what they've done, but you're allowing them to recall and make note of their own experiences. In answering how their day went, it is a beautiful smack in the face reminding them they're alive and that today existed. Sure it could just be another day, filled with the usual stuff, but all this begins to get lost if we don't stop to pinpoint it. People are screaming out silently just wanting others to know they exist, which in a world of billions of people, is all too confusing. It obviously goes deeper and gets into our conscious and soul. We experience things at the core of our being, so we must somehow be in touch with that to access all of our own thoughts and memories. In this way we can fully experience everything.

Experiencing everything might be very overwhelming. But I think we must acknowledge the good and the bad, because there is so much to gain from both. We must acknowledge the joy of traveling with friends just as much as we note our own depression. If we are not open to learn from each experience, our growth will be stunted. David Foster Wallace said that "true freedom means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience". This belief allows us an open space for which we can not only develop thoughts, but align them where we can gather data and go back to it when necessary to help advance our understanding of the meaning of life.

We take pictures constantly wanting to remember a certain time, or remember how we looked, or to pass on to others. This idea is no different from that. We're taking note of something and whether we physically look back on it or not, it is lodged within our conscious records and will more easily be an event we will remember, one that had significance. One picture could take your mind spiraling into an entire season of your life, it's that powerful. Just as I believe the power of music can jumpstart your emotions and help you get more in touch with the depth of your soul. It must not be downplayed how important all these actions are of taking note. We are experiencing things on a daily basis and if nothing else, let's call things what they are. If it's coffee in the morning, enjoy it for that 'good feeling' and may it enhance your day. It's not always some major life event, it can be small things that together make a profound difference in knowing yourself and what you truly enjoy.

Acknowledgement should extend beyond self. As much as it will help you get in touch with your inner being, it can also help you get in touch with the world and beyond, into the great expanse of mystery and spirituality. Therefore, acknowledging our political climate and the ramifications of passing certain bills, can be just as important. Not just noting the effect it will have on yourself, but understanding the impact globally. Once again reminding ourselves that one action will inevitably lead to another action, and we have a responsibility in all of this chaos. Or at least, after my short period of living, i've come to a belief that we are responsible for our actions and cannot disassociate with the actions of the culture around us. But again, this isn't what I would call a bleak outlook, for if we are truly a part of something larger than ourselves we have the gift of living purposeful lives beyond our own understanding. This is where is can become grey. The unknown, like everything else, should be given the appropriate label. There is much we don't understand and shouldn't pretend to, but at the same time we shouldn't write it off.

Give time and focus for all of these fragments, these segments, moments, experiences, especially parts of life you can't put your finger on. Is this not where beauty and richness is cultivated? Is this not the natural good feelings of life that can't be missed? The speed of life is in direct correlation with your footing, your base, and whether your are constantly taking a step back. Label life as a beautiful mystery, one full of joy and misery, and never-ending experiences. Acknowledge your body, your soul, your surroundings, your progress, and the world outside your window. The sun peaks through the window reminding me once again another day has been offered up.