The Cycle of Patterns: Introduction

‎[This is the first part in a series of articles which are draft forms of the new non-fiction booklets I am writing to help bless, edify, encourage and mentor the soul of humanity]

The first critical step in implementing change in your life is confession. Self-awareness is the key to growth and development. You can't change unless you first realize a change is required. To believe you need to change is one thing, to confess is another altogether.

I've heard it countless times before. How do I know I need to make changes in my life?

The response: Simply thinking about the notion of implementing change in your life is the first indicator. Your soul is the spiritual representation of your true nature--your true self. When your spirit is at conflict with your physical and outward actions--the life choices you are making--there is conflict. That inner turmoil, that 'tug-of-war' you feel within your mind, when you're happy one minute and unhappy the next, is the clash between your mind--your Ego--and your Soul--your true identity.

You can't buy happiness. It can't be purchased in a book, it can't be found in a store, in another person (male or female companion), you can't find it in your own children or grandchildren, it can only be discovered. To discover happiness is to land on its shores. It's a journey, a trip, a symbolic road trip away from the mundane routines you are already implementing in your life, which must be altered, like a course down the wrong path to the right location.

The Cycle of Patterns, as I call it, clearly defines the steps to implement change. You have to first be aware that a change is required. That is where confession comes in. Secondly, after making the outward verbal confession you must then replicate that action by verbalizing the belief that you are (or are not) what you are at the present moment.

Do not be afraid to come to terms with your short-comings, hindrances or mere necessity of change. Change is great. Change is a wonderful breath of fresh air on a muggy, humid day. Welcome it. Look for it in expectance by creating it with the power of the spoken (and written as you will see) word.

Spend some time along and identify first, the desire and necessity to change. Verbalize it. Say it out loud. Tell a friend, tell a loved one, a stranger, a pet or simply look yourself in the mirror and say, "It's time for a change." This is the first step towards discovering true happiness and changing the present life course of your life.

(to be continued...)

...serving the soul of humanity...

~Bobby Ozuna

The Serving Soul--May 22nd, 2011

"The Serving Soul"--May 22nd, 2011

When does the world end?

In light of the comical following to a fanatical belief [that] the world was supposed to end yesterday, May 21st, 2011, I thought I'd interject with my own poetic rendition to this possibly historical event, by sharing a tale that was relayed to me when I was a child.

There is a passage in the Book of Matthew (first book of the New Testament) where Jesus is asked point blank by his disciples when the world will end. I remember the first time I read this particular passage because as I was spending more time dissecting the scriptures, I couldn't help but ask myself: Why doesn't someone ask the real questions!? Then, ironically, I ran across the scripture myself. I remember feeling justified in that, yes, it seems these disciples were human after all.

I remember asking my father this same question when I was young. I thought it was harmless and my father must have seen in me, the same inquisitiveness stirring at an early age that has since defined my life path--my approach to all aspects of life. His answer was simple and it has been the very response I share to the multitudes of people who have posed the same question to me over the years.

When does the world end?

Simple.

It ends the day you die.

That was the response my father gave me and looking back, I realize it had a very powerful implication in that one, it did answer the immediate question and secondly, it offered some sense of peace to an inquiring soul like myself. It is no doubt obvious that people can spend so much time tending to the details of this possible known event [that] they put their life on hold and almost quit living altogether. Worse still, if you aren't careful you can find yourself spending a vast majority of your time judging or scaring others into following particiular religious processions because of their own indecision. I think the response is enlightening because it offers a sense of tranquility that says: You only have to worry about what you can control, while you are living, and because of this, your only real obligation to the fear that the "world is going to end soon" is [that] you fulfill a life of purpose until that day.

I have no doubt there are people and groups or organizations who dedicate every resource available to determining a solid answer to this common question: When is the world going to end? But I ask this particular question in return: Is the purpose of such a discovery to help offer a greater sense of life, for the rest of humanity, while we yet live? If not, then there is no reason to chase this illusive tail (or tale for that matter). I see this research and study (or worry) no different than someone who says, "I know which team is going to lose the game!" Then, during the entire course of a sporting event they chant, parade around the house and interrupt other spectators to share their own conclusion on what the final outcome will be. Yes, there is always a 50% chance they might be accurate in their hypothesis. Then, if they are, the euphoria is telling everyone "I was right!" And yes, if they guessed (or somehow evaluated correctly) I think they missed the greatest treasure and reward: They missed the entire game and in focusing on the end result, they caused others to miss the game as well.

Life to me is similar in pattern to a sporting event. There is heightened enthusiasm leading up to the event, then the announcement--the birth of the life participants. Then, the game is commenced and we watch, we look for mistakes, we celebrate the small victories and then we almost die with the hero as they fall short. There are break periods, for the hero's and for all the spectators. There is advise, counsel and coaching along the way. Support is rallied and faith is lost. Then, as the game comes to a close, there are multitudes of professionals offering insight and in time, the hero is forgotten, remembered only on special occasions. We honor their attempt over time and we try not to focus on the losses, but rather the victory their game offered us in mere entertainment--entertainment that pulled the rest of us away from our ordinary, mundane sports of our lives.

I say celebrate the life you have been given, and the time you are aware of, now, as it matters. Because, at the end of the day, what else truly matters, when the game is over?

...serving the soul of humanity...


~Bobby Ozuna

The Serving Soul--May 11th, 2011

What does it take to live a life of reason? A life of value? A life of purpose?

You have to assume that service to others, the unselfish act of living, does NOT come naturally...therefore...to act on behalf of others, selflessly, without concern for your own needs, is a miracle in itself to perform...small miracles, yes...but miraculous  nonetheless. The notion [that] others would heed the subtle whisper of the spirit, to be keen to the sensitivities of others and their necessities and thereby offer it up freely, without consideration for what you (they) need, is a rare and seldom gift. I am a firm believer that when you bless others secretly, God rewards you openly. It is one thing for a man to brag of his own abilities (the egoist) and another to serve for the sake of others without consideration of receiving (the altruist). The altruist is a man I believe, after God's own heart and God loves a cheerful giver and thereby, when you do for others, God opens doors, windows of opportunity and chance happenings that make your life better, not always easier, but better in the sense that you have chance opportunities to do things others work and slave an entire life to hope to experience. As Paulo Coelho says (in summation),  when you are living your personal legend (the life of your soul and your calling) all the Universe conspires in your favor. We all secretly want to see others succeed...as we believe in the possibility of our own successes. Keep steady...even when it gets hard...and know, you ARE making an impact and influencing lives the way we were called to: as Men...as Leaders...as Pillars...as Strength...as Light...as Warriors, Companions, and mostly, as Friends and Brothers.

...serving the soul of humanity...

~Bobby