Tag Archives: thoughts

What really matters?

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Happy Monday,

What really matters (in a non-pessimist, non-depressing manner, of course)?

Does a healthy diet matter? Does an unhealthy diet matter? Do calories matter? Does an exercise routine matter? Does being the best matter? Does being the smartest matter? Does being good-looking matter? Does being ugly matter? Does having a job matter? Does winning matter? Does losing matter? Do actions matter? Does the past matter? Does the future matter? Do definitions matter? Do comparisons matter? Do experiences matter? Do opinions matter?

I have to say that a lot of the bullshit we put ourselves through, good bullshit included, means nada, zip, zilch, absolutely nothing. And by bullshit, I simply mean thinking, thoughts, brain thingamajigs.

Our thoughts can easily predict our lives – how we perceive, believe, act, and react to our experiences/personal realities – if we let them. Who controls your thoughts? Y-o-u, you! What can influence your thoughts? Absolutely everything! Who’s gonna win today? We are! Beliefs, perceptions, expectations, assumptions, conditionings, religion, faith, family, friends, diet, hydration, digestion, sleep, physical exertion, physical environment, or that bird outside the window at 5am when you’re just trying to get some f-ing sleep, man! can all influence our thoughts, BUT you ultimately determine how you are affected by those influences and, thus, by your idea of what really matters. This shouldn’t be a new concept to anyone – it’s more of a nudge that says, “Wake up and smell the tunafish, kid.”

Don’t be a puppet. Don’t let your thoughts control you. Don’t write off your thoughts thinking that they’re real when you literally make them up. When we are a puppet of our thoughts by yielding an absolute zero awareness of how we think, why we think, where our thoughts come from, and of all the influential factors being throw at us on a daily basis, we can experience a (possibly never-ending) blindness to what really matters (and also some insight into who we truly are/what we’re all about). Seeing isn’t believing, my franz. Thinking is. You can conjure up anything of your choosing within that imagination of yours and then have it manifest in various ways, i.e. turning the non-physical into physical. I literally sat in my bed the other night and imagined a situation of “What would I do if I encountered a purse-snatcher while on a date.” I thought about the various scenarios where I ran after the thief and the possible outcomes, in my favor and not. With each passing scene, I managed to increase my heart rate more and more, and thus, I increased my blood pressure and my stress hormone response (adrenaline or cortisol) in correlation with my mentality. Shit was nuts, but, more importantly, it was a great perspective experiment into what is [not] actually real.

Diving a little further into this shindig, to hold anything in a state of importance (expectation, attachment, or perceived necessity) may rock the life-boat a bit in the sense that this alleged importance could also bring along a state of unease. Because what happens to that boat when we lose something important or are prevented from its access or even consider the thought of losing said importance? That boat will be swimmin’ with the fishes in no time. I am not saying that nothing in life should be important (or a priority), but what I am suggesting is that maybe some (by some I probably mean most) things aren’t so important after-all. The external foundations, ones outside of ourselves in which we rely upon, believe that we need, or reach outwardly to in times of confusion, are the main factors in this case. Externals will never be able to fill or replace your own two metaphorical feet.

Ok, enough jibber jabber. Let’s have some incorporating-perspectives-practice time: Write down a list of however many things you consider to be important, things that matter to you.

[10-minute recess...]

Chances are the volunteered participants of this great experiment will have an equal amount of similarities as they do differences. Self-love, trust, confidence, understanding, compassion, forgiveness, faith, family, or friends are some of my optimistic predictions for similarities while electronics, clothing, transportation and things-of-the-materialistic-like are my god-help-us-all predictions for differences.

Now, what you have written down (or contemplated)… do they really matter?

Although I am still in the process of learning their (hint: my) value and place, I like to think that I have a pretty good idea of what matters to me at this point in my life. After going through my-reality-of the ringer and being forced to step back to look at my life as a much bigger picture, I am certain that all of the bullshit I once considered to be important does not really matter like I had once thought.

I will leave you all with this… a thought that should raise some eyebrows in regard to my main point of this week’s jibberish: When you leave this miracle, this world, this physical existence… what can you bring with you?

If you’d like to discuss these perspective along with other health-related insights, please contact me for a FREE Conversation.

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Sunday wrap up august 5th

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Miss any posts this week?

Check out the blog archives for all posts!

If you’d like to discuss these perspective along with other health-related insights, please contact me for a FREE Conversation.

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Unhealthy symptoms and causes

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Originally, I started this post geared towards headache-prevention and my thoughts as to what could be its various causes. For some reason I always get the headache question from my friends – hey, I’ve had a headache all day and I don’t know why so I figured to ask you - and most of the time it just requires a small effort on their end to reflect, gain perspective, and put the pieces together themselves. Headaches (amongst other dis-eases) are always the symptom to a greater cause: they just don’t happen, there’s a reason why they occur and it’s good to pay attention because your body is trying to tell you something important. So, as I got more involved with writing I realized that my perspectives and suggestions are really geared towards all types of “symptoms” – headaches, stomach aches, sleeplessness, restless leg, fatigue, swelling, muscle spasms, constipation, weight gain, muscle loss, dizziness, fainting, brain fog, forgetfulness, etc. – and that a universal post would make more sense.

Of course, it’s better to take the steps to prevent symptoms before they occur (awareness, priorities, responsibility), but sometimes it takes the experience of discomfort to help put comfort into perspective and how it can be achieved. Below are a few simple thoughts as to what could be causing various “dis-eases”…

  • Hydration is usually my first thought: What/how much have you had to drink today/in the past few days? Were you dehydrated a few days ago and never caught up? How frequently do you urinate? What color was your urine? Dark yellow urine = dehydrated. Clear urine = over-hydration. Light yellow = hydrated. Do you consume Salt regularly or do you limit its intake? Dietary Salt can provide potassium and magnesium; all three are big factors in hydration and cellular function (add salt to drinks or food). Epsom Salt baths can also provide hydration through skin absorption (just make sure they’re not overwhelmingly hot and long because that situation can create a stress hormone reaction, encourage hypoglycemia and use up all stored sugar = light headed, dizzy, faintness, shaky hands, muscle atrophy, cortisol/adrenaline rush).
  • Nutrition is next: What/how much have you eaten today or in the past few days? Are you eating proper meals or just picking on things? I come across many people who don’t eat breakfast or will “forget” to eat dinner the previous night or may go a whole day without eating because they were “busy.” My thought: What fuel does the body to be busy, to operate, to expend and create energy? Food! Make time or get into the habit of putting it on your daily schedule. Yeah, it’s important to eat the right food, in the right ratio and at the right time but for energy’s sake just make sure that you’re providing yourself with some calories.
  • Sleep: How much have you slept in the past few days? Did you experience a restful night’s sleep or was it tossing, turning, and waking up intermittently? Ok, so sleeping is one thing, sleeping enough is another, sleeping at the right times is next, and sleeping well ties it all together. Hydration and nutrition affect sleeping patterns, too: dehydration or malnourishment (not enough caloric energy) can disrupt sleeping patterns because the body also needs energy to rest effectively. I’d like to see people take sleep more seriously and not just write it off as a lazy-man’s game.
  • Exercise: How much and how often do you exercise? Are you overtraining? Are you staying hydrated, nourished, and sleep enough (all energy input) to compliment your energy output? Exercise is a major stressor on the body – it breaks down muscle and depletes energy. Without a complimentary diet and lifestyle, exercise can be an extremely hindering activity in achieving health. 
  • Digestion: Are your bowel movements like clockwork? Do you go regularly (1-3x daily) and eliminate fully? Are they healthy BM’s? Do you experience bloating, gas, fatigue, or mood swings after eating certain foods? It is important to eat right. It is even more important that you are able to digest, utilize, and eliminate food properly. What good does food do if the body cannot even absorb it or if it becomes “stuck” within the intestinal tract? You are what you eat. You are what you digest and absorb. You are what you don’t eliminate. 
  • Posture: Do you sit up straight? Do you look down when you walk? Are you shoulders rounded? Is your spine straight? Does your neck align with your back to align with your pelvis? Do you wear restricting clothing that doesn’t allow for proper movement or circulation? Posture is important for all bodily functions: breathing, thinking, drinking, eating, digestion, eliminating, moving, and sleeping. Any sort of imbalance or “kink” can throw one or more things off and can cause the body to find other round-about ways to function.
  • Mental/Emotional Stressors: What’s on your mind lately? Do you have work, school, family, social, relationship, or self-image on your mind? Are you happy? The mind-body connection is real and it’s an important factor. Non-physical stress can very well lead to physical dis-ease.

So, those are some of my thoughts without going too in depth or in great detail as to what may be the “simple” causes to many of life’s unhealthy symptoms. Bring some awareness into your thoughts simply by taking perspective and reflecting on the symptoms to find the underlying cause. We all know why our body may be out of balance, in pain, tired, aching, or sore. It is a matter of looking within to find the answer from self.

The answer is within the question.

jdperryhealth.com
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Does your diet and lifestyle work for you?

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Obviously there are plenty of diets out there claiming that they’re the one. There are endless research studies promoting that this food has vitamins, this food builds muscle, this food is an anti-oxidant, this food promotes inflammation, this food causes heart disease, this food is a superfood, or this food burns fat. We can go from one diet to the next or from one food to the next because of what is read in a biased health magazine or what’s advised from Doctor full-Oz-crap or what’s heard through treadmill gossip, but how do we really know what works? Going further, does the diet compliment the lifestyle and vice-versa? Is the lifestyle trying to make up for a lackluster diet? Is the real problem diet or is it a lifestyle that prevents a diet from working?

  1. Listen
  2. Write & Record
  3. Reflect
  4. Gain Perspective

Listening to our body is our best resource. The best method to listen is by writing down what we hear, see, feel, and observe. Writing down our thoughts make them more real...

Create a Lifestyle Journal
Ideally a 7-day journal but it can last up to a month if more perspective is needed

Food

  • Time of day
  • Hunger Level (1-5)
  • All ingredients and portions
  • How was it prepared – cooked, cold, room temp, microwave
  • Energy Levels (1-5) and Mood/Personality – 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after

Liquids

  • Time of day
  • Thirst level (1-5)
  • All ingredients and portions
  • How was it prepared – heated, cold, room temp, microwave
  • Energy Levels (1-5) and Mood/Personality – 5 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after

Exercise

  • Time of day
  • Type, duration, total of exercises, total of reps, amount of rest
  • Energy Levels (1-5) and Mood/Personality – 30 minutes before, during, 30 minutes after, and 2 hours after

Supplements or Medications

  • Time of day
  • Type
  • Purpose?
  • Energy Levels (1-5) and Mood/Personality – 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after

Sleep

  • Time of day – sleep and wake
  • Quality of sleep – slept through the night, toss and turn, fall asleep easily, wake up feeling rested/tired?
  • Dreams – good, bad, able to remember dreams
  • Energy Levels (1-5) and Mood/Personality – before and after

Bowel Movements

  • Time of day
  • How many times a day
  • Healthy or unhealthy?

Stress

  • Stress Level (1-5)
  • What is stressful, why, and how do you react?

Daily Activities

  • Time of day and duration
  • Type – Work, School, Driving, Cooking, Cleaning, Talking, Relaxing
  • Energy Levels (1-5) and Mood/Personality – General observation
  • How do you feel about the activity – Emotions when thinking about the activity, when involved in the activity, or when the activity is over

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The best advice ever given to me

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You’ll figure it out, J.

I’ve heard this perspective plenty of times throughout the past 8 years of my life. While I was not always welcoming of this advice, I knew that these words were genuine and that they held a universal truth. You’ll figure it out was a reminder that no matter what I was going through at any given point in my life – trials, errors, hardships, pains, shames, blames, ups, downs, or confusions – that I will eventually figure it out.

The last time I heard these words from my friend was on August 2nd, 2011. I didn’t know that would truly be the last time I heard them from his mouth and with his genuine delivery because two months later my friend passed away in an accident. While I wish I still had him a phone call or a hang out away to ask for his advice through my ups and downs, I already know what he would tell me: You’ll figure it out, J.

No matter what happens – good or bad, right or wrong, healthy or sick, happy or sad, loved or unloved, accepted or un-accepted, understood or misunderstood, strong or weak, bulls-eye or complete miss – I’ll always figure it out. It may not happen in the most ideal time frame or in the most ideal experience or on the most ideal terms… but I’ll figure it out. I always have and I always will.

I have used this advice over the years to get me through the hardest of hard and the easiest of ease. Currently, this is where I’m at…

  • Love and accept myself and others
  • Forgive myself and others
  • Be happy with myself and others
  • Give myself and others the benefit – never the doubt
  • Have faith in myself and others
  • Have an open and honest heart with myself and others
  • Listen to my mind, heart, and body – they always know best
  • Have perspective when my Ego is calling the shots
  • Find a balance of Wants vs Needs
  • Do not judge, assume, or shame my battles or other’s battles
  • Do not place unrealistic expectations on myself or others
  • Do not provide myself with unnecessary boundaries or limitations
  • Surround myself with caring people who unconditionally support and understand me, and to not waste my efforts on those don’t
  • Take everything and everyone that I experience into perspective
  • Learn from everything – even if I don’t learn right away
  • Appreciate every single experience that I go through – good or bad
  • Be kind and easy on myself and others
  • I am always doing my best – that’s all I can ask of myself and others
  • Communication is the foundation of a good relationship with self and with others
  • Take responsibility for my actions and reactions
  • Never run away because it’ll only create more problems in the end
  • Fear is an illusion – I create all of my fears and fears create all of my dis-eases
  • Trust that what I give will be received in return
  • Try not to take myself so seriously
  • Have fun!
  • At the end of the day… I’ll figure it out

I share this story because I have faith that we all will figure it out. Some may figure it out quicker than others. Some may figure it out and have it fall through their hands only to figure it out again. Some may figure it out longer than others. Some may think they figured it out only to realize they have a lot more figuring out to do. Some may figure it out in different ways than others. Some may not think they need to figure it out only to experience quite the figure-it-out-wake-up-call. In the end, we all figure it out.

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What is Ego?

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  • The Ego is the opposite of your real Self.
  • The Ego is not you.
  • The Ego is the deception created by the society so that you can go on playing with the toy and never ask about the real thing.
  • Unless you drop the Ego, you’ll never come to know your true Self.
  • When you were born you had your authentic Self then [society] started creating a false Self.
    • You are Christian. You are Catholic. You are white. You are black. You are German. You are Irish. You are the chosen race of God. You are supposed to rule over the world. 
  • [Society] creates a false idea of who you are – they give you a name and around the name they create ambitions, conditionings, and rules to bind by.
  • It takes 1/3 of your life working on your Ego – school.
  • By the time you come back from University you have forgotten your innocent being – you are now a very big Ego – “now, you are ready to go into the world” as if the world doesn’t being when we are born.
    • This Ego has all the desires and ambitions. It wants to always be on the top of everything. It never allows you even a glimpse of your real, authentic Self.
  • The Ego only produces misery, suffering, fighting, frustration, madness, martyrdom, crime, loneliness, running, pushing, confusion, misunderstanding, selfishness.
  • A seeker of truth has to begin from this very point – whatever you have been told by society must be discarded.
  • Nobody can know who you are except for yourself – not your parents, teachers, priests, friends, or loved ones.
  • Except for yourself, nobody can enter in the privacy of your Being.
  • Nobody knows about you – whatever is said is all wrong – put it aside.
  • Dismantle the Ego – in destroying the Ego you will discover your Being.
  • The discovery of your Being is the greatest discovery possible – it starts a totally new pilgrammage towards ultimate bliss, towards eternal life.
  • You can choose frustration, suffering, misery – go on holding the Ego, nursing it.
  • Choose silence and bliss, and recover your innocence.

[via]

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Osho’s 10 Commandments

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“You have asked for my Ten Commandments. It’s a difficult matter, because I am gainst any kind of commandment. Yet, just for the fun of it, I write:”

  1. Never obey anyone’s command unless it is coming from within you also.
  2. There is no God other than life itself.
  3. Truth is within you, do not search for it elsewhere.
  4. Love is a prayer.
  5. To become a nothingness is the door to truth. Nothingness itself is the means, the goal and attainment.
  6. Life is now and here.
  7. Live wakefully.
  8. Do not swim – float.
  9. Die each moment so that you can be new each moment.
  10. Do not search. That which is, is. Stop and see.

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Define: Experience

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  • An Experience is a moment of one’s reality
  • An Experience is purely individualized
  • No two people Experience the same reality
  • No two people equally define an Experience or a reality
  • Reality is an independent perspective of our Experiences – non-physical – past and present
  • A non-physical Experience is our true reality
  • We Experience reality solely through our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and beliefs
  • One cannot “have” an Experience without the Experience of the mind
  • A physical reality is a manifested Experience of the non-physical self
  • A physical reality is not actually a “real” – it is only Experienced by our non-physical self
  • We have the power to choose how an Experience influences or defines our reality
  • We can choose if an Experience is good or bad, right or wrong, positive or negative
  • We can choose if an Experience makes us happy or makes us sad
  • The same moment will be Experienced differently by two (or more) people
  • It is important to understand that your Experience will be different than someone else’s Experience
  • It is important to understand that your Experience of me is different than my Experience of myself
  • Our present Experiences are a reflection of our past Experiences
  • It is impossible to recreate a past Experience – it can be a reflection of, yet entirely new
  • We can choose to repeat past Experiences or to learn from past Experiences (good or bad)
  • Experiences are necessary and an integral part of life

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Video Clip: The Cure is U – Can thoughts create disease?

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A clip from “The Cure is U” – Can Thoughts Create Disease?

Where the does chemistry of the blood come from? The brain is the chemist – it releases the chemistry into the blood through our thoughts. What determines which of the chemicals that are released by the brain? Your thoughts, your beliefs, and your perceptions – your mind interpreting the world. My perception of someone I love causes me to release chemicals [that encourage] pleasure, bonding, relationships, growth hormone – hormones that when they get into the blood enhance a body’s health and maintenance of the body and growth of the body. When you open your eyes and you’re in love, you are feeding the best nutrition and information to the cells as possible. If I were to take the chemistry of negative thoughts, which are stress hormones (cortisol) and inflammatory agents, and add those to my culture dish my cells would ultimately die out in that cultured environment. It’s the chemistry of the body the regulates the behavior and genetics of the cell, and the chemistry of the body is controlled by the brain releasing all these different modulators of our health.

When we feel stressed, when we are frightened, when we live our lives in perpetual and chronic fear – that is a very different kind of signal. It’s not right or wrong, or good or bad because all of these signals serve us in one way or another. Chronic perpetual stress, chronic perpetual fear shuts down the ability to create the healing our bodies because we are in what’s called “fight or flight” and that kind of experiences signals our heart to tell our brain to the create hormones – cortisol, for example, and high levels of adrenaline – that prepare us for the “fight or flight” that we are receiving.

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