Expect Nothing

April 14, 2021 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

What would life be like if you released all expectations of how things should be, taking your day minute-by-minute, focused always on the present; letting events unfold as they will?

Imagine a day where you didn’t expect anything from anyone or anything.

I don’t mean – as Frank Sinatra sang, “Roll myself up in a big ball and die;” rather totally, unequivocally releasing all pre-suppositions and judgment – from the minute to the significant. You wouldn’t fret about the weather. No longer would anger be the default reaction when tailgated on the freeway. The cost of groceries or the number of your bills wouldn’t sway you. You would be a student of the news; not an angry viewer. If someone didn’t treat you in a manner you considered “fair,” you’d move on, not held in a prison of perturbation.

Nothing would get under your skin; you’d be in a sublime, ever-calm, state of peace and acceptance.

Gautama Buddha lived 2500 years ago. Born to a royal family, he held within a great desire to help his people, liberating them from physical and mental tribulations. Giving up his inheritance, and setting out in search of the truth which would bring peace to the world; after seven years, he recognized that all sorrow was caused by attachment to having things stay the same when in fact they are constantly changing. As stated else wise, it was the expectation of what we assumed, rather than the acceptance of what is, that caused the hurt.

Think about it.

Not only do the physical world and our relationships change, but so even does our very being. Although Gautama wouldn’t know it, our bodies replace themselves with a new set of cells every seven years to ten years; some of our most important parts are revamped even more rapidly [sources: Stanford University, Northrup]. Physically you are no longer who you were not too long ago.

That’s a striking concept by itself, but let’s take it deeper. [Read more…]

Life Lessons from a Sick/Healthy Cat

April 29, 2020 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

Even though we live with three cats and a dog, my wife and I don’t refer not to ourselves as “pet owners,” opting rather for the moniker, “pet guardians.”

You are now thinking either:

“Meh, so what?” yet, continuing to read
“Oh, you’re one of those type of people,” possibly even falsely labeling me as “wacko animal rights activist.”
“Right on! I so agree with you. I wish more people felt that way.”
“This is nonsense,” deciding you have something better to do with your time and returning to your quarantined life.

I judge not your response.

What’s the difference between “pet owner” and “pet guardian”?

Well, um, honestly, probably not much beyond semantics. Countless millions of people share living quarters with animals while considering themselves good “pet owners.” Assuming they love, nurture, and take care of their furry, feathered, or reptilian family members; they’re correct.

Speaking on behalf of those of us who opt for the term “guardian,” the difference is that I don’t believe I “own” the animals. I mean, sure, legally, I’m responsible and all; but believe each soul exists to pursue its own path. As guardian to Tiger, Oreo, Hobbs, and Willie, my responsibility is to help clear their paths to allow them the fullest, happiest, healthiest four-legged existence possible. (Go ahead, cue the “woo-woo,” artsy-fartsy, new age, hippie music; I’m used to it.)

The manner in which this choice of terms manifests itself with us is that there are cat and dog toys strewn everywhere. A giant dog bed occupies our living room floor with countless lesser versions scattered elsewhere. For the feline contingent, there are perches, walkways, all manner of hanging things, and even a “catio” attached to our back door (so they can go outside but not run the risk of being hit by cars).

As stated, we are animal guardians.

Starting late last year, Tiger, our eldest, has been suffering from all manner of severe health conditions with symptoms pin-balling from lethargy to vomiting to constipation; dropping from a robust 12 pounds down to seven. In February, we were discussing end-of-life options, actually assuming a date. Whether “owner” or “guardian,” or neither, I’m sure you empathize with this gut-wrenching, emotional, devastating period.

Yet, in what I can only describe as a miracle, our 15-year-old Tiger rebounded.

As if treated by magic wand, he woke up and started eating, and eating, and eating, and eating. His fur regained its smooth texture; his eyes cleared; he even reverted to kitten-like behaviors. He filled out so much, we referred to him as “Buddha belly.” Give praise! Sing hallelujah! Life is good.

Last weekend, noticing some fur was missing, we returned to the vet.

[Read more…]

Getting Though It – What Will the Future Be?

March 18, 2020 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

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Last week, I forecast that within a week the 1,000 United States COVID cases and the 120,000 international cases would seem nostalgic.

Sadly, they are; everyone saw that coming. I’m not a soothsayer. Oh-so-seven days ago, states were floating the concept of limiting gatherings to 250-500 people. How quaint is that? Seniors were outside; the Bay Area was bustling; coffee shops, diners, and bars were open for business.

Oh, what a difference makes one week.

Currently the U.S. now has 7,668 cases with 117 deaths. The world count has risen to 212,799 with 8,787 people succumbing. It is recommended that those of us 65+ “self-isolate,” a term utterly unknown but a few weeks past. Recommendations are that we limit crowds to fewer than ten. Pubs, restaurants and eateries are shuttered. The markets are off approximately 35 percent from their highs, companies are failing, average people — like you and me — are without income. San Francisco is closed. Hospital ships are being sent to New York and the West Coast.

Four to five days from now, this might read like sentimental history.

I am case-closed certain that I am not the only person who feels like he or she has been transported into a sci-fi, environmental, economic, post-apocalyptic, end-of-times, action-adventure movie for which I did not audition; nor did I have any interest in being cast. Certainly, soon, the credits will roll, house lights will come up, and we can rise from our seats and leave the theater; a great idea if movie houses were even open for business.

If someone would have written this as a plot for a movie, it wouldn’t have been green-lit. No one would believe it.

Nonetheless, here we are. There’s no sugar coating it; things appear dire.

So, now that I’ve harshed your mellow, let’s look at where we go from here.

Recently, I heard an eloquent, simple analysis of how we react. It went approximately like this: Something happens; we create a story about its meaning; that story in turn creates our reality, and therefore what we believe is possible or not. In effect, “What we say to ourselves determines what we do to ourselves.”

Don’t misinterpret; this is scary stuff. Real lives are being affected. Some people will not survive, others will suffer long term economic and physical damage. Thinking positively and placing our hands on our chests, closing our eyes, and chanting “Om”, will not eradicate the virus nor heal the economy.

Yet, while we gingerly, one-step-in-front of the other, shakily traverse the swaying rope bridge from what was to what will be, it is essential we keep first and foremost the notion that we will emerge from this fiery, molten, hellscape. The terrain in which we will find ourselves will be shaped by how we think now, today, as we struggle to endure. We need to examine the thoughts and beliefs — in effect, the stories — we are telling ourselves; if we are going to find our way to a better place.

To that end, some thoughts to remember.

[Read more…]

Spontaneity: To Nurture Our Lives

October 29, 2013 by Featured Author Leave a Comment

You wake up, switch the alarm off, stretch and stand to your feet.

You race down the stairs, inhaling the fresh, cooked breakfast. The wife has done it again! Today, however, something strange happens. Your car keys are missing. No recollection of where they could be. Then, thankfully, your wife finds them. Alright, you’re not going to be late for work. I mean come on, you’re never late.

You’re almost to work when the unexplainable happens, again. You make that usual right turn and enter bumper to bumper traffic. You take this street specifically to avoid traffic. And usually there is no traffic. Now you’re definitely going to be late!

You barely make it to work on time. Break time sneaks up on you and the only thing on your mind is the uninvited intrusions from earlier. You’re a person who values punctuality, organization and a special order. For your entire life you’ve painted every aspect of your life.

I ask you to not just read my words but allow them saturate within your mind and soul.

For the avid believers who feel they can literally shape their life any which way they want. No matter how perfectly you plan each day, hour, minute or moment, you cannot decide every aspect of your life. Take part and envision a day when everything went according to plan. Probably a great day I imagine. I love those days!

Marinate your mind with this question. Where does life’s spontaneous adventures originate? Unfortunately, they don’t originate from those perfectly planned days! You think Steve Job would have been a future tech prodigy if he hadn’t first been fired from Apple? Ruth Graves Wakefield had a bad day when she realized she ran out of the baking chocolate she used for her chocolate chip cookies. This spontaneously forced her to chop up Nestlé’s Semi-Sweet morsels. Thus, creating the chocolate chip cookies we have today. The spontaneity event of each day is what keeps the future an adventure. And those are the days that become stained memories for our hearts. Embrace the uninvited intrusions and you might just meet that right person or influence a positive change in somebody’s life.

Understand I’m not saying you shouldn’t keep a planner or an organizer.

No, pride the organization in your life! But do not allow yourself to think you have ALL control. If you knew each day from beginning, middle and end, I imagine you would grow quite bored. With my education still in progress and working a full time job and taking care of my son, I know I would certainly grow bored if I knew every aspect of my future! Yes, it’s scary and sometimes it’s dark. However, if you search with your heart there is always light in times of darkness.

Life is too fun to know its inner workings!

Today, something spontaneous will happen to you friend! Go ahead, smile at it!

Bad or good, it will change your life for the better!

About the author: My name is Anthony Johnson. I’m 23 years old. I have a son, who truly means the world to me. I’ve been writing for about ten years. It became a serious passion of mine about six years ago. I’ve done all types of unpublished writing such as; fictional short stories, poetry, inspirational and of course motivational pieces. My hobbies include running, biking or anything that will keep a sweat going for me! I’m also a huge advocate of board games with family and friends! I enjoy the simple pleasures of life. I consider myself a man/father trying to change the world one day at a time. What more could I actually ask for!?