Croissance, la: Growth

It's New Years Eve.
"Shhhhhh"
We're gathered in circular formation on the hardwood floor
"Quiet you guys!"
My fingers mingle amidst the fibres of Art's abominably soft rug
"yo... YO! Everyone shut the fuck up!"
Amigos abound
"15 seconds you guys!..."
Rest your beer on the table, we're counting down now...
"ten-
-nine-
-Eight-
-SEVENSIX-
-FIVEFOURTHREE-
-TWO-
-ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-"

It is now January 1st, 2015.

Poor planning in unison with good fortune has placed me amidst a sturdy collection of sumptuously groovy humans. We've agreed to take turns recanting tidbits of 2014 in the form of "describe one thing you've learned in the past year." My brain is scrambled eggs for a few seconds as I siphon memories, experiences, moments. It's my turn, I lock on and fire the wisdom laser; everyone nods, "Iloveyous" are exchanged and the next person tosses in their two cents.

This small gesture of casual ceremony has released a landslide of introspection and I've conceived a bouquet of personal learnings which are going to be expressed... here... for whomever should decide to take interest:

Before I begin, I'd like to take a moment and throw it up for bees... Bigup bees, you guys are doing tremendous things despite human negligence.

1. Time & Company.

I've yet to master the bending, stretching, halting, or reversal of time. As best I can figure, time runs in a linear manner. Daytime gives way to nightime, which in turn, gives way to daytime. In the face of this conundrum, I have found it increasingly difficult to spend my time in a disagreeable fashion. Over the years, I've developed an understanding of the importance of enjoying oneself. One activity of which I am rather fond, is spending my time in the company of other humans, and one thing I've learned about this activity (within the past year particularly) is that it's imperative I choose the right ones. I mean, giving is great, I'll give mostly anything to anyone at any moment... But at some point, with some folks, giving can quickly turn into 'hurling-masses-of-time-and-energy-into-a-black-hole-which-is-rarely-grateful-and-sometimes-yells-nasty-things-at-you. At this pinnacle moment, being a 'nice person' and a 'good buddy' becomes 'exhausting yourself in the name of altruism' and 'being self-depreciating'. I don't expect fireworks and marching bands every time I enter a room, but I must go where I am celebrated! NOT merely tolerated... Where the vibes are high and the smiles abundant.

2. Living like a Martian Beats the Heck out of Setting Goals.

Imagine I'm a Martian enduring an Earthly vacation. Everything is crisp, foreign, new. Aside from meeting my basic survival requirements, what would I be doing? Having participated in a vacation or two myself (sadly not of the interplanetary assortment), I feel little hesitation in announcing that my vacation priorities are as follows: Disregard everything, acquire fun. I'm going to slide into the New Age Hippie Pants for a moment here... While I'm not aware of the why, how, or what when it comes to the fine details of consciousness, I am aware of the fact that I am aware. Perhaps God, Jah, Shiva, or some other creator designed it, perhaps existence just blipped into existence because science, or maybe it's all some big simulation and I am actually the avatar of something else. I don't know, I apparently haven't been granted the appropriate level of security clearance to access that information. I do know that I'm here, that I possess senses with which I can experience being here, and that I will die. The resulting objective of all this is simple: become a sponge and absorb the pleasure, fury, glory, destruction, sorrow, and everything else that is available. Live simply, enjoy each moment, release everything that isn't right here right now (fatboy slim said it first.)

3. Love.

What is love? Is it needing someone? Is it sharing a conversation? sharing a meal? Is it butterflies in the core of your being? Is it a fleeting glance across a dark room? Is it the slyest of smiles? Is it comfort? Maybe security? Is it jealousy? Is it locking someone in a cage so that they may be yours and yours alone? Is it demanding that someone never change? Is it screaming matches and silent stalemates? I think..... I am so certain now... that love is giving, love is setting someone free, love is planting a beautiful garden for another to wander in and out of as they please, love is the fullest extent of appreciation. Perhaps the greatest aspect of love is its infinite nature; love can be shared and given to no end. Love is not a limited resource, in fact, one can manufacture love from essentially nothing! We are simply a massive flock of love factories! And while many neglect their potential to love, and an even greater quantity horde their love for 'someone special.' I have come to the understanding that I can produce stupid expanses of love and share varying amounts of it with nearly everyone I encounter in various manners.

4. Hugs > Drugs.

Yeah, dipping into the psychedelic realm can be a beautifully expansive experience (or a wickedly fun flail) and dancing until 6am is easier when you're assuming a pac-man worthy consumption of stimulants. But the party-rinse-repeat routine takes a hefty toll if one isn't careful. Oxytocin however, can be produced via the simple act of hugging, feels amazing, and doesn't generally entail nasty hangovers.

5. The Teachings of Jerry.

Once upon a time this guy named Jerry picked up a couple of  Canadian hitch hikers just outside of Coeur D'Alene Idaho. Jerry was heading south and the hitch hikers north, but the glimmer of adventure in the eyes of these kids reminded him of his youth, and well heck! he had to help 'em out. In a fit of excitement, Jerry performed an illegal U-turn and the youngsters hopped in (one of those whipper-snappers was myself.)

Jerry was at least half cut, but he drove us to the border and unloaded a world of knowledge in the process. The most profound and inspiring of his teachings are quoted verbatim:

"I want to use everything that I have to do everything for everyone that I can"
"Fuck you, I'm gonna have the best of everything."
"Do you know what I expect out of life? Fuckin' honesty?!!"
"If you don't care about people and you don't love who you are, you're never gonna get there."
"When I meet god and Jesus, we best be having a bong toke."

Words to live by to be certain.