how to be aware in an unaware world

Tag: meditation

Appreciation
Following up my last post on humankind, and all the reasons to be there for one another more now than ever, I wanted to reflect on how mindfulness and appreciation are two of the most connected topics.
With more awareness, we see the whole picture of our lives, neither good or bad, right or wrong, but what simply is.
One thing I have found rises to the top of simple awareness however is an appreciation for everyone and everything around me.
Anywho, this is the aim of this post, to uncover not just what appreciation does to us, but how to cultivate and feed the profound act of appreciation each and every day. Hope you like it!
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire.
Appreciation changes the mind of pure observation and adds a most important ingredient: gratitude.
Appreciation shifts the perspective of an experience from simple observance (which is often turned into judgmental observance because of the ego) to blessed observance (which is appreciating the fullness of an experience through the lens of gratefulness regardless of if the experience is good, bad, or ugly).
Blessed observance fully counteracts judgmental observance because it makes light of everything, not just the good.
And making light does not imply all attached emotions to the good, bad, and ugly aren’t there (in fact they are seen even greater). It means those emotions are lit up, illuminated by the light of appreciation for them.
You can appreciate something without giving it a pass. You can appreciate a bad or ugly experience without saying it’s okay.
It can very much not be okay, and action or speech must be taken to call out wrongdoing or injustice.
But even in those situations we are observing from fullness of appreciation and not partially from judgement.
So then, with the confidence and knowledge that appreciation is not just “good” for us, but rather essential, how do we find a way to express authentic appreciation each day?
This is where mindfulness comes in! During the daily practice of meditation, we open our hearts and minds to all that surrounds us, again, not tainted by any judgement of those surroundings.
If what we see, hear, and feel brings us down; then we can appreciate the light at the end of the tunnel they show us, and make steps to change our immediate environment.
One way during my meditation that I am able to hone in on appreciation is asking a simple question, “What are you blessed with?”
Then I name ten things on each finger that I am presently appreciative for in my life.
1. Family, who love and care for me deeply.
2. Friends, who enjoy my company.
3. A roof over my head.
4. Food in my belly.
5. Clean water to drink.
6. Clothes that keep me warm.
7. The profound practice of meditation.
8. A healthy body to run around in.
9. The gorgeous state of Utah I get to run around in.
10. A great car that gets me anywhere I want.
Appreciation for the littlest of things to the largest of moments. From the very breath I am taking right now to my beloved sister Amanda who passed away when I was eighteen.
Three More Things:
1. Read – How to be more apprecaitive every day.
2. Listen – Appreciating what we already have.
3. Watch – Want to be happy? Be grateful.
April 23, 2026
Why
Boy, it’s been a good while since I wrote a blog post, a process that was so dear to me, but, as they say, there is no time like the present, because, well, there is only the present.
Starting to share thoughts from this wild mind of mine feels like a breath of fresh air.
My mind exists in a jungle of vines, bushes, and strangling things, but through this process of creative writing and musing a door appears in the distance – opening into a land of blue skies, rolling hills, and the purest air known to man.
And it’s in getting to that land that the wild becomes tame and the dark jungle gives way to bright pastures.
I know. I know it’s cheesy. I’m a fiend for analogies, but this process of writing really is super impactful to me.
But alas, I digress, you wanted a new blog post and so I dug deep into my archive and found just the thing to write about!
It begins with a simple yet deeply insightful question.
What keeps you up at night and what gets you up in the morning?
These two questions will invariably answer the “Why?” in our lives and that “Why?” gets to the meat of it all, to the core of our very being.
There are obviously no right or wrong answers to this question.
There’s no one answer either. Highly fluctuating answers will come at different stages in life, that’s totally okay and only a reflection of our aspirations.
The “Why do I stay up at night?” in my life right now is to make money, or more specifically, to pay off some debt, save a good chunk of cash, and invest extra earnings. This “Why?” is not very glamorous, but it is necessary. I must stabilize myself financially so I can move on to my next “Why?”.
The next “Why?”, “Why do I get up in the morning?” is unquestionably to help others that come across my path live a happy and healthy life through deep listening, occasional words of wisdom, mindfulness teaching, emotional support, and guided meditations. In other words, my “Why?” is the very thing I am building: Mindfulness &
Each of these categories contain a plethora of direct and applicable advice, with mindfulness teaching being at the core.
I adamantly believe that mindfulness is the foundation by which we build a happy and healthy life on. Like the foundation of a house (which reminds me of the Series of Unfortunate Events movie scene when that house completely falls apart into the ocean, but the rock on which it stands is still perfectly intact).
The reason mindfulness is so important is because it opens our eyes and ears to even be aware of the very question. It brings us back to the present moment, forcing us to reflect on the “Why?”.
I would also say community support is equally foundational because it entails surrounding us with people that can enrich our lives and remind us that we are never alone in any stage of life. Without community support we are lost in the sea, and no man is an island.
This point of community was humorously illustrated when a man tried to make his own chicken sandwich from scratch (by procuring all that is needed to make the ingredients). I won’t spoil anything, just say that it was no easy process at all.
We live by way of a very complex system of logistics. Everything from the cup of coffee we drink to the very words I’m typing on this laptop took hundreds of thousands of people in order to be.
This is the beauty of interdependence. The quicker we understand how much we need each other, the quicker we can get out of our own way and serve.
Three More Things
February 7, 2026
Art
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” – Pablo Picasso
Children see the world from a lower point of view. A child’s eye level and perception of the world are much lower than most adults.
We forget about this perception as we gradually grow up. It’s so subtle that we barely notice the shift outside witnessing a child’s behavior.
This eye-level perception directly dictates our behavior. If what we see more and more often is goodness, then we will behave as if we are blessed. But if what we see more is degrading, then we will behave in an unsatisfied and prideful manner.
A bowl of fruit vs a box of doughnuts left on the kitchen table, we are not only what we eat, but we are also what we constantly see (visual cues).
But alas, I’m getting off track. Art is the expression of the soul, and children are the expression of untainted joy. The lens through which children see the world is much bigger and much more fun than adults!
Art is created with this imaginative perspective children employ naturally. The mind of a child is a free, vibrant, and artistic place.
Art is a creative expression. Children are creative, imagining that anything is possible and no limits can thwart their ideas!
Art is a curious expression. Children are curious, asking a million questions that seem to come from nowhere, but that mindset and inquisitiveness is what changes the world.
Art is a practice in failure. Children are not afraid of failure, hell they don’t even have a grasp on the concept of failure until later in life, this allows for some pretty awesome ideas to flourish past the giving-up phase.
Art is hard work. Children play hard, on a jungle gym, playing tag, or just doodling, there is an immense amount of excitement, energy, and focus going on in children that we can apply to our activities and work.
Art is an open practice. Children have open minds, they don’t care about race, religion, or socioeconomic status when it comes to playing and they are not scared to tell someone they like them.
Ever forget how to act and play as a child? Go spend some time with one! Their energy and enthusiasm will rub off on you quickly.
For example, do you remember just playing for hours and hours without reason, without explanation, simply because you wanted to? And then your reaction when your parents would make you stop.
You might have said, “But please, just one more minute, one more game, one more chase, please!”
This is where the importance of mindfulness comes into play.
All of your existence was in that minute, that game, that chase.
Being creative and being present are the same. Returning to the present moment enhances any experience, and we create a piece of art from scratch, that enhancement can mean the difference between enjoying the process and dreading it.
Reflection goes a long way too. Digging deep and finding out those creative expressions that bring out a sense of joy and goodness is a mindfulness practice.
Art is the same expression of play, a game of discovering joys. Whether painting, sculpting, drawing, writing, playing an instrument, or taking a photo, each artistic expression involves a discovery of joy.
If we are lucky, we experience a flow state as a result.
Do you remember when time would fly at the speed of light growing up? Games were played all day, friends were allies in the battle against monsters, and the playground became your endless OASIS.
When did we become fools thinking this is a waste of time? What children do is the most valuable time. I for one love playing, whether it’s a sport or game, cards, chess, trampolines, and water balloons.
This is what I think Picasso is saying: an artist’s mind is as playful and curious as a child’s, and he aimed to reach that place with every painting, drawing, and piece of art.
Try something creative like a child today and fully immerse yourself in that experience. For me, writing these words and formulating my thoughts on this page puts me into a state of child-like flow.
January 12, 2025