Philosophical Thought of the Day

“Every act of perception, is to some degree an act of creation, and every act of memory is to some degree an act of imagination.”

- Oliver Sacks

I have found that on occasion we need to break from our normal conventions. One inclination of mine is quite literally not drawing outside of the lines. For example when I write in my journal I always keep everything very organized and structured. I don't like to break topic, write to big or to small, I always date my journal entries the same, and so forth and so on. I now have two journals for two very different types of writing. My main journal is for my personal ideas and development, where I don't experiment and write possible entries. It is for my thought out "formal" ideas.

However, what I have come to realize is that sometimes I just want to write freely without any thought or direction. I want to be free and let my mind open up. What's absurd is that I didn't need two journals to do this, but I was compelled to anyways. Everyone has pet peeves and border line compulsions in some form or another. I've found one of the best therapies is simply sitting down, taking a step back, and ask ourselves why do I do that? Then put your thoughts or emotions to paper. I prefer to write in this manner instead of typing, because I believe in the natural rhythm and harmony that writing opens up in our self consciousness. typing to me is arbitrary, it's simply just the moving of fingers to find keys with letters on them. But to each there own, "C'est la vie" right?

The point of this exercise to me is two fold: one it challenges my normal way of doing something, which in this case is writing in my journal; secondly it is liberating. So if you are right handed try using your toothbrush with your left hand, and vice versa. Maybe even take a different route home from work next time. The possibilities are quite literally endless. Once we start to realize the patterns and habits we have formed we will become quite amazed at how automatic we can become. In closing don't be afraid to challenge ones identity. Be progressive in your thinking, never stop learning, and always improve yourself. And last but not least we need to self reflect as often as we can. If we don't how else will we know how far we have come?

- Robby Silk