Everyone (well, almost everyone) talks about how stressful the holidays are. It seems there is never enough time to buy gifts or never enough money to pay for them. On top of that, there are the parties to plan and the relationships to manage. There are the family feuds and the unplanned catastrophes, flat tires and travel delays.
Stress often arises when there is a gap between the way things are and the way you think things should be. But here’s some good news: things are exactly as they need to be. When we realize that the universe is operating with perfection, the gap between the way things are and the way we think things should be vanishes.
Sitting at our desks amidst our tiny lives, it’s not always easy to gain a broader perspective. How can someone say that Darfur should be happening? Or that the holocaust was a necessity? It certainly wouldn’t be a popular perspective. But it is because of these atrocities that humanity is able to learn, grow, develop and evolve. I refuse to believe that the six million Jews that died in the holocaust died in vain. And I refuse to believe that humanity isn’t growing and learning from Darfur as we work to end the crisis.
On a much smaller scale, the difficulties in our lives are really oportunties. They should be there. And, they are needed for our personal evolution.
When we close the gap between the way things are and the way things should be, stress can find no home in our lives or in our heart.
December 27, 2008 at 10:55 am
wow.
i get stressted in the holidays and im just a kid so i wounder how my parents feel lol
love ur blog
December 27, 2008 at 11:13 am
I like the blog this week Davey, anyone can get stressed out to anything but I one of those few who don’t complain about it. I hate for those people that do. So I learn to deal with both states. Have a nice day Davey, Cheers!!!
December 27, 2008 at 11:19 am
I absolutely love and adore and agree with this post because the sentiment is perfect. Things only ever seem to get worse when we try to control everything and make everything run how we think it should when the imperfect, spontaneous moments and mistakes lead to some of the best memories of the time.
As for the point about tragedies of others not being in vain because we, as a people, learn from it, I can’t agree. While I’m sure you’re not saying that they died for others’ sake, I think that the senselessness and their dying in vain is what shocks us into paying attention and learning and trying to be better. Their living and having lived, though, wasn’t in vain at all.
December 27, 2008 at 11:50 am
love ya blogggg <333,
you’re gorgeous
December 27, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Of course the holidays are stressed! Life cannot be experienced in a vaccuum – there must be balance….I combated the stress by listening to Alanis AND by remembering how Christmas was before it turned into a moronic display of fake cheer and greedy gift mongering.
My plan of action was to cut back this year and celebrate togetherness, friendship and ACTION! We made things, we did things, we laughed. And above all, I was NICE to everyone…especially with my friend who was upset at the fact that this was her first christmas without her son who committed suicide.
December 28, 2008 at 4:04 am
Oh my! i’m so sorry for your friend’s loss, Rocky! I’m glad she has you as a friend, i’m sure you are a really great one!
December 27, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Davey,
normally I love your blog and find your insights to be, at the very least, thought provoking. However, I just wanted to express how deeply I was offended by this post. I am Jewish. I have relatives who lived through the Holocaust; have relatives who died in the Holocaust; have friends whose family’s have similar histories. In Hebrew the word for the Holocaust is “Shoa” which means “calamity”; that’s what the Holocaust was and to say that it in some way enriched the world, made the world “learn”, etc. is in someway vindicating the perpetrators of the crime. The world would have been a far better place had the Holocaust not taken place.
December 28, 2008 at 4:11 am
Max, i agree with you! but perhaps what Davey means is something along the lines of what Maya Angelou once said long ago: “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again”
in other words, We can learn from history ourselves so we won’t repeat it.
December 27, 2008 at 12:38 pm
What? no pictures of you and no talky for a long time!
we need visual aid!
Right guys?
December 27, 2008 at 12:39 pm
i totally agree with everythingyou said in this blog. im only 17 and ever since i can remember ive been telling people that even though a catastrophe is devastating and horrible, think about how much you learn from it and what it changes for you…. you learn that things may just be unfair or how much value life holds…you grow and get stronger from such experiences, and not only bad experiences but good ones too of course you learn something from everything that happens every minute of everyday. in the moment of typing this i learned that the phone im typing this on f*****g rocks
(thanks santa!)
good blog davey! thanks for being my god
December 27, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I found your blog via YouTube and was intrigued by this post…
It’s interesting whenever people mention Darfur in relation to the Holocaust, because when we look at history, we’re so quick to criticize people of the past who seemingly stood by as others were murdered. In reality, we’re just like them. Each year we look back and say “never again” but whenever it does happen again, in Darfur or Rwanda or elsewhere, so many of us seem to stay focused on the past without raising any awareness of recent and even situations that are all too similar. Years from now when people read through their history textbooks, we’re the ones they’ll be judging while asking, “how could they let this happen?”
It’s a sad point to bring up around the holidays, but it’s always important to remember what we can be doing to help others and what we can learn from this.
December 27, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Kind of funny how I was feeling before getting here. This is exactly what I was thinking about : THERE IS TOO MUCH DIFFICULTIES IN MY LIFE and I’m bored. Too much problems kill problems. I’m so fed up.
December 27, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I totally agree with you Davey,the holidays are really stressful and I become real sad in these days.
December 27, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I always believe in overcoming things in my mind before they occur. Plan for the stress you know will happen so you can deal with it as it’s occuring. Remember, someday those close to you that are only see on the holidays won’t be around and then you will miss them. Accept the fact all your relatives and friends have faults, but it’s because of the positives they bring into your life the reason you love and need them.
December 28, 2008 at 4:13 am
What a great tactic, thanks Sean!
December 27, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Hi Davey
I love your blog, your vids on Youtube, and other things. I guess this is why a little Davey Wavey does go a long way, that is why I want more of this. Thanks Davey…You and Scotty Dynamo are both cute and awesome!!!
December 27, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I was thinking Exactly what Laur ( + the guy who has personal involvement with peeps from the holocaust) said. There is NO REASON for the continual repeat of atrocities BOTH before + AFTER the holocaust, the LESSON should have been learnt BY NOW + long before the HOLOCAUST which itself has not stoped MASS genocide/racial prejucide on country wide scales( PolPot etc etc etc anyone?)IRONICALLTY to what U say the Twin Towers has only WORSENED racial LUNACY worldwide (including the fanatical/insane Xtianity of the USA itself) – look how the west relationship with Iran and muslim countries is getting dodgier HELLOO WW3 – fantastic lessons learnt…. NOT… AND the HOLOCAUST was SUCH an HUGE MASS HORRIFIC EVIL it should have stopped any repeat – it hasn’t, we are simply organisms that evolution has “fashioned” for survival in its environment – unfortunately fate made evolution too efficient with us – evolution is merely a process of NATURE not a god (that itself theorized to be merely brain hard wiring trait selected out by evolution to aid survival by quelling fear when man was hunting for food) – by design perfection may be so unlikley to exist in nature its an has or never will AND clearly humans are highly faulted as a species; SELFISNESS,heartless GREED (driver of the wests capatalism)delusion, arrogance are far more commoner that we would like to admit for our ideal of (religious TWADDLE based) humanity – just like the real scientific view of nature is filled with pain + suffering beacause they are the most effective traits of survival – but at least in nature evolution still has control – that some animals suffer means a that the majority will survive.
Of course MORE significantly you FORGOT to mention the NATURAL DISASTERS thru the entire HUMAN Existence where god knows how many (millions ?) have died GOD HORRIFIC SLOW PAINFUL DEATHS and/or HAVING suffer the psychological hell of long awareness of their impending doom (rising flood,ground etc) not only the Tsunami(sp), but the Chinese earthquake and in your OWN COUNTRY the huricane tradegy/immense suffering most recently. How can you say there was ANY FCUKING point to such suffering + death – thankfully i believe in the science of RANDOM CHANCE or else gods knows i could come to terms with it – the religions certainly can’t unless U agree that all those who suffered and died in the Tsunami were ALL UNACCEPTABLE UNCLEAN SINNERS who were bound for hell :GIANT rollseyes:
PS.Clearly anyone suffering from Mental illness by definition cannot control the very symptoms (including stress) of their illness without medicine and/or psychological therapies
December 27, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I was not stressed at all this x-mas holiday! I found your blog to be a very good one!Thanks for sharing Davey!
December 27, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Hey Davey,
Great topic today. This is something that I use to struggle with a lot (and still do sometimes). After years of depression, I’ve totally changed my life around. I don’t think I’ve completely learned to drop my expectations and judgments, but most of the time I am able to catch myself and things just seem much easier to handle. Some things still get me frustrated, but I rarely dwell on them. Most of the time, I just go with the flow and appreciate things as they happen.
December 27, 2008 at 10:28 pm
The Holocaust a necessity? When is the slaughter of innocent people a necessity?
December 28, 2008 at 4:17 am
Its not that it was a necessity. I think his use of the holocaust as an example is to drive home the fact that what occurred did happen and nothing can change that! But we can learn from it and try our best to prevent it in the future. There is no sense in pondering over how things should have been, because it is a waste of time and energy. If we realize things are as they are, then from that we can actually work to make things better especially in stressful situations. It sounds kind of emotionless, but all the horrible events that have occurred in the past, no matter how horrific they are happened because they happened. If we look at it that way then we can proactively better the present situation and thus the future….
December 28, 2008 at 12:36 am
Definitely can allow stress to creep into our lives…it’s one of those things we let in and have to manage. Just remember to keep things in perspective.
Much love to all the blog buddies!
Ciao! – J
December 28, 2008 at 4:01 am
You hit the mark with this one Davey! I just have to remember to keep reminding myself that things are the way they are and that it is within my control to manage my emotions and responses to stressful situations. Its all about perspective!
Thanks
December 28, 2008 at 4:13 am
Yeah probably should have left the Holocaust out of this.
December 28, 2008 at 10:00 am
Yeah probably should have left the Holocaust out of this.
[Reply]
Stan Kendz on December 28, 2008 9:54 am Dear Wavy,
Every comment on all of your blogs is absolutely correct from the level of consciousness of the writer/reader.
What is not understood is that humans have consciousness and depending on their evolution, an individuals functional state of consciousness can be any where along a continuum from individual to Universal. What is also little understood is that the reality one experiences is predicated by the state of consciousness they have evolved to.
On the lowest, individualistic end of the consciousness continuum a person thinks of and as an individual herself/himself first in relation to all experiences. Right and wrong and good and bad are inherent at this level of consciousness and so is death. From this prospective an individual is is separate from all other things and lives in a individualistic world.
Life lived with joy and suffering at this level of consciousness and the individual is subject to the whims of the world like a football is subject to being thrown all over.
On the higher end of the consciousness continuum Universal awareness is prominent. All opposites are seen in their wholeness as forever wed together. Right and wrong, good and bad and even the illusion of death is transcended. Orderliness and a greater good perpetually unfolding, is experienced in all thought and actions. The Self is Known to contain universal qualities. At the Universal level of consciousness the universe is Known to be within. Nature rejoices at the life of such a Being and effortlessly supports her/his actions. Functioning from this level of consciousness life is experienced as bliss and spontaneous right action fulfills all desire. Action at this level produces all good to all things and no non good to no thing.
Knowing about and understanding that everyone is evolving from individualistic consciousness to Universal consciousness we can see that seemingly conflicting experiences and opinions are absolutely correct at that individuals level of consciousness.
Those who suffer in life actually suffer, and those who see all good actually see good and both are simultaneously correct.
Those who are individualistically functioning are consciously and physically(since consciousness is structured in the physiology, consciousness also has physical values)not capable of knowing anything but suffering.
No amount of telling and sharing from others functioning at higher states of consciousness can convince them of anything.
This is why there is so much conflict in the world. The big joke is that everyone is correct.
Fortunately, there are techniques available to everyone interested in living a life of bliss, that have been scientifically validated to spontaneously evolve consciousness.
Suffering for any reason is no longer necessary and life can be lived in total bliss and peace with all good happening to all things and no non good happening to no thing.
I Know because I have made the journey from here to Here from i to I and for me life is Bliss, Truly Heaven on Earth.
Namaste!
BrahmaStan@yahoo.com
[Reply]
December 28, 2008 at 9:54 am
Dear Wavy,
Every comment on all of your blogs is absolutely correct from the level of consciousness of the writer/reader.
What is not understood is that humans have consciousness and depending on their evolution, an individuals functional state of consciousness can be any where along a continuum from individual to Universal. What is also little understood is that the reality one experiences is predicated by the state of consciousness they have evolved to.
On the lowest, individualistic end of the consciousness continuum a person thinks of and as an individual herself/himself first in relation to all experiences. Right and wrong and good and bad are inherent at this level of consciousness and so is death. From this prospective an individual is is separate from all other things and lives in a individualistic world.
Life lived with joy and suffering at this level of consciousness and the individual is subject to the whims of the world like a football is subject to being thrown all over.
On the higher end of the consciousness continuum Universal awareness is prominent. All opposites are seen in their wholeness as forever wed together. Right and wrong, good and bad and even the illusion of death is transcended. Orderliness and a greater good perpetually unfolding, is experienced in all thought and actions. The Self is Known to contain universal qualities. At the Universal level of consciousness the universe is Known to be within. Nature rejoices at the life of such a Being and effortlessly supports her/his actions. Functioning from this level of consciousness life is experienced as bliss and spontaneous right action fulfills all desire. Action at this level produces all good to all things and no non good to no thing.
Knowing about and understanding that everyone is evolving from individualistic consciousness to Universal consciousness we can see that seemingly conflicting experiences and opinions are absolutely correct at that individuals level of consciousness.
Those who suffer in life actually suffer, and those who see all good actually see good and both are simultaneously correct.
Those who are individualistically functioning are consciously and physically(since consciousness is structured in the physiology, consciousness also has physical values)not capable of knowing anything but suffering.
No amount of telling and sharing from others functioning at higher states of consciousness can convince them of anything.
This is why there is so much conflict in the world. The big joke is that everyone is correct.
Fortunately, there are techniques available to everyone interested in living a life of bliss, that have been scientifically validated to spontaneously evolve consciousness.
Suffering for any reason is no longer necessary and life can be lived in total bliss and peace with all good happening to all things and no non good happening to no thing.
I Know because I have made the journey from here to Here from i to I and for me life is Bliss, Truly Heaven on Earth.
Namaste!
BrahmaStan@yahoo.com
August 1, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Calm down, what you seem to be forgetting is that gays were also a major group targeted as part of the “Final Solution” in the Holocaust and notice how we don’t have a victim mentality about it (so quit trying to pull that card and shame us). What Davey is saying is that we learn from mistakes and even though that doesn’t make what happened excusable, there is still some benefit to humanity in the long run. (also you can’t use a semi-colon like that since there is no subject in some of those sentence fragments)