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Help me out, folks! I’ve discovered these bone-like growths on both of my feet. The one on my right foot is definitely more pronounced than the left. I did a bit of Googling and turned up some stuff about cysts and benign tumors, but honestly, this feels like actual bone—it’s rock hard and only really hurts if I apply intense pressure. What am I looking at here? For context, I’ve been working with horses for over six months now, which means I'm constantly stuck in those heavy, suffocating rubber work boots. Is it actually possible for your feet to deform this much? Please weigh in, because I'll be the first to admit that I rarely make it into the doctor's office.
I am of the firm belief that every single individual must find One's own path. That journey, without fail, always leads toward true freedom. When a child is born, they are essentially a blank slate upon which their environment stamps its seal. This imprint acts as a sort of programming schema that dictates the very essence of that child's being. I was fortunate in one regard: I realized the profound importance and weight of the concept of UPBRINGING very early on. I grew up first in an unhealthy environment, and subsequently in one that was quite unnatural, which molded me into someone prone to laziness and vices. Today, I find myself locked in a struggle against my own nature. And frankly, if this battle must last my entire life, then so be it—because I will never back down. It is akin to an internal instinct that relentlessly pushes me forward, constantly highlighting my errors and flaws. Those who truly grasp the truth do not live in fear for their lives. Anyone who genuinely believes in something transcends the rest of us through their wisdom; indeed, that faith serves as their point of liberation, the specific perspective through which they perceive the world. In my view, there exists only one universal truth; everything else is merely relative. Who among us dares to dive into the dark depths of their own mind? But we must do so with eyes wide open and ears ready to listen. Then there is IDENTITY—this constant tendency to identify ourselves with what we consume, what we eat, who we sleep with, what we drive, what we do, and what we possess... I am a father, a son, a mother, a boss, a spouse, a driver, a mason, a police officer... But in reality, I am simply a human being. I am omnipotence. Ego is nothing more than an imposed program that our Self (our pure consciousness) uses as an experiential factor. Consequently, Ego is convinced that it is alive, that it is the very man whom everyone addresses by this name or that name. The most precious thing we possess is our consciousness, yet we hand it over for use to either the Ego or to Dominus (as I call him). We are terrified of losing our minds. We operate under the delusion that our physical bodies perish along with our Ego. We strive to be as faithful as possible to an "ideal"—to being a "normal" person, which is actually just a lie birthed from the collective Ego. The collective Ego is the spirit of the times; some even refer to it as culture. It is the only ideal for mediocrity. Does man shape culture, or does culture ultimately shape man?
At the same time, I am a scientist, a guinea pig, an artist, and a medium. Life is vast and serious, yet in the final analysis, life is nothing more than a game. It is up to us to achieve our aspirations and truly become human, because that is the actual purpose of existence—to live it as qualitatively as possible.
So, this is really my main question—is there a way to do this that feels more effortless, more natural? Over the years, I’ve managed to kick some bad habits, overcome social anxiety, and all that stuff. I’ve also successfully adopted new ways of thinking; my whole perspective has shifted. On the 🙂 flip side, the peace I currently
feel regarding the future... it almost borders on indifference. I can't tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing, because my future is still uncertain—financially and in just about every other way. I've reached this point where I simply don't worry anymore, which leads people to think I'm cold or heartless. I don't know, it's like an inner voice is constantly telling me, "Don't worry, everything will work out. Fear is unnecessary; anxiety is just a burden." And honestly, it's like watching a bird fly—it just happens: my basic needs get met without any real struggle. Actually, maybe the word "indifferent" should be replaced with "carefree," because indifference sounds somewhat depressing, almost suicidal. And for me, depression is a completely foreign concept. I've been through all the states: angry, empty, lost, hopeless—but never depressed. I guess I'm just one of those irritatingly positive people.
Self-help
So, self-help—it’s a term that has been having quite the moment lately. You hear it everywhere: Louise Hay, José Silva, Autogenic training, NLP, self-hypnosis, creative visualization... Is it all just pseudoscience, or is it a legitimate branch of psychology? Here is my humble take on the matter, kept brief.
It all kicks off the very second an individual realizes they aren't actually who they want to be. It’s a bit like an identity crisis or a midlife crisis, though I don't personally suffer from those because I've been battling that exact same feeling since I was fifteen. Of course, back then, I viewed my problems through a much different lens—one filtered by mysticism and the occult. I saw myself as a wizard, initiated into great secrets, three times greater than anyone else, blah blah blah... Fast forward ten years, and I view all of that from a much more mature perspective. Even back then, however, I knew what my core issue was. My character—the underlying programming that runs my being—was driving me in a direction I didn't want to go. I realized and accepted that fact early on: I am UNREFINED. Since that realization, "re-refining" myself has become my primary obsession.
Everything comes down to control. We are all governed by various subconscious algorithms, programs, sub-programs, patterns, and habits; these are the psychological elements that steer our lives. And honestly? We aren't the ones truly making the decisions. We are all slaves to these forces; that is the profound truth that leads to true freedom. However, even this grand truth is merely an idea that can remain false until an individual begins to believe in it. For an idea to manifest its miraculous power, it must be embraced; one must have faith in it. Ultimately, we become what we believe ourselves to be. Transforming one's character is a monumental task, but in a world where people are nowhere near aware of how fundamentally important self-refinement is, this might be the only path to freedom.
Everything starts at that specific point where a person finally recognizes they are a SLAVE.
Realizing this requires getting to know oneself deeply, which demands a high degree of objectivity and critical thinking. This necessary contemplation—this deep dive—is a process that forces an individual to face some very uncomfortable truths. That is precisely why one must remain objective. You need a period of introspection to observe your thoughts, emotions, reactions, and general psychological procedures. Know yourself, and you will know the world. Some people do this alone, while others seek help from a therapist; it doesn't really matter. What matters is how thoroughly you examine the material.
Developing discipline is the logical next step. Therefore, an individual should draft something akin to an action plan. This plan should work over time to instill new habits, new patterns, new algorithms, and a new program within the person. We encounter plans in our daily lives all the time; however, this particular plan should be written down on paper.
To start, let's write down three big questions: Where am I now? Where do I want to be? How will I get there?
Question 1
What am I good at, and where do I fall short? What are my talents and my flaws? What can help me achieve my goal, and what might block my way? What knowledge, skills, and qualifications do I already possess? What am I standing on?
Question 2
What do I love doing? What brings me joy and inspires me? What fulfills me? What can I gain, and what might I lose? What is my ultimate goal?
Question 3
How will I make it happen? Which methods or techniques will assist me? How can I stay motivated? How much am I willing to give? How much, and what, am I prepared to sacrifice? How will I measure my progress?
The best way to organize this entire project is to set short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. Doing this makes it much easier to track progress, and those small victories along the way will provide the motivation needed to keep pushing forward.
Establishing various daily, weekly, monthly, and annual routines and rituals is also essential, as this is how we build new habits and patterns. Furthermore, these routines serve as reminders to help us stay focused. For similar reasons, another vital element emerges: keeping a journal.
It would be incredibly beneficial to construct an "Avatar"—a fully realized persona that serves as a blueprint for your potential future self. Think of this Avatar as everything you aren't right now; it represents everything you aspire to become and, ultimately, the person you are destined to be.
Achieving this requires immense patience. You’ll need deep commitment, courage, unwavering faith, and a willingness to make significant sacrifices if you truly want to conquer your own limitations.
That's essentially my take on it.
Now, I’m eager to hear about your own experiences with this concept. I am interested in your theories, of course, but more than anything, I want to hear about your practical, real-world applications—if you have them.