A little problem

rustygardener70 said:you're right... I honestly don't know why those opinions mess with my head so much.🤷

I watched this short film recently, and I found myself sitting with it long after the credits rolled. There’s a quiet, heavy beauty in how it captures those small, unspoken moments that define our lives. It doesn't rely on flashy editing or loud soundtracks to make its point; instead, it trusts the stillness. It reminded me of a rainy afternoon I spent in Seattle a few years back, just watching the fog roll over the Sound. There was a similar sense of isolation, but also a strange kind of peace. Sometimes, you need that space to just exist without the noise of the world pressing in. It’s a thoughtful piece of work.

This is excellent.

I suggest finding your tribe online. If your friends aren't going through the exact same things you are, they simply won't get it. It’s impossible.
For instance, how could politicians swimming in taxpayer money ever truly understand the struggles of everyday Americans just trying to make ends meet?

Wait, was someone actually looking for me?😁

Aaron Cruz58 said:I suggest finding your tribe online. If your friends aren't going through the exact same things you are, they simply won't get it. It’s impossible.
For instance, how could politicians swimming in taxpayer money ever truly understand the struggles of everyday Americans just trying to make ends meet?

Look, when we actually make the effort to see things from someone else's perspective, usually that energy gets sent right back at us. You don't have to agree with everything a person says to actually understand where they're coming from.
But when we start feeling like the whole world is ignoring us, shouldn't we stop and ask ourselves why it feels that way?

electrictinker26 said:The reality is that I still find myself drawn to certain things
that I personally recognize as negative. It’s just that those
energies pull at you because they’ve become familiar; essentially,
the ego has learned how to extract value from all sorts of situations.
In those moments, friends can feel like a great way to feed that ego.
But then I find myself sliding back into old patterns, and honestly,
I don't want that. I want to move forward, yet it feels wrong to tell
my friends, "I don't want to hang out with you anymore."
They are dear to me, even if, from my perspective,
they carry certain negative traits.

It isn't that I have an issue with them, or that
I consider myself superior, or more valuable, for that matter.
However, when it comes to certain specific circumstances, I know a bit
more about some things, while they certainly know things better than I do.

And I wouldn't say that "better" and "worse" simply don't exist.
There is such a thing as a well-made pie and a poorly made pie.
There is a well-sung song and a poorly sung song.
One person might have a sense of style while another doesn't.
That doesn't make someone a worse person, but you have to admit
that most people gravitate toward quality, and I personally love doing quality work.
I understand that people play roles and that there is a logic to it all.
But looking at my own growth, I am feeling a bit ambitious. 🙂

My ultimate goal is to reach a point where nothing can sway me.
Of course, that hasn't been the case until now. And it sounds almost
too simple. If someone tells me they can listen to heavy metal
and feel good afterward, what does that mean? Would they need to be
raised to react the exact same way to everything? I wasn't
raised that way, and it actually has nothing to do with upbringing. Because if
I heard a song by an artist like Metallica when I was six and enjoyed it,
that isn't about how I was raised; it's about recognizing
love within certain things, and seeing where it is missing elsewhere.
I'm not sure what purpose negativity serves; perhaps it's just there
so we can identify it and cast it aside. I see no other use for it.

Now, look, I enjoy having a drink and I love to joke around. I can
easily choose not to drink or joke, and I'll still have a great time. It makes no difference
to me. But I have friends I've been close with for a long time—
probably fifteen years now—where traditions have formed and
many situations are emotionally tied to that history. In those moments,
I see scenarios that used to cause me problems, but now they don't.
I've shared my insights with many of them, and they haven't taken offense.
But it isn't easy work. 🙂 I will accept them as they are,
but when I am with them, I am reminded of those
old negativities. I suppose this is a lesson I have to
go through so I can learn to transform negativity into positivity.
And that approach has worked for me before.
It just saddens me when I find myself in a situation where
I see that there is nothing there, yet everyone else thinks there is.

Look, there is no such thing as purely good or purely bad; we’re dealing with a matter of dual perception.
You might be obsessed with Oliver, but I’ve been head over heels for electronic music since I was ten years old. For me, this genre isn't just a hobby; it's been a lifelong passion. In a strange way, I actually perceive the very concept of love through the lens of this music.
One fundamental truth is that there are no inherent divisions here—no objective "good" or "bad." It all boils down to perception and the specific choices made by the observer.
There is absolutely no need to make grand announcements to your friends or orchestrate some artificial distancing act. Once you truly commit to the heavy lifting of self-improvement, your entire internal frequency shifts. It’s like changing the station on a radio; naturally, you’ll find yourself drifting away from old circles and gravitating toward new ones. This happens organically, without any need for dramatic exits or tedious explanations as to why you seem to be "leaving" them behind.

electrictinker26 said:The reality is that I still find myself drawn to certain things
that I personally recognize as negative. It’s just that those
energies pull at you because they’ve become familiar; essentially,
the ego has learned how to extract value from all sorts of situations.
In those moments, friends can feel like a great way to feed that ego.
But then I find myself sliding back into old patterns, and honestly,
I don't want that. I want to move forward, yet it feels wrong to tell
my friends, "I don't want to hang out with you anymore."
They are dear to me, even if, from my perspective,
they carry certain negative traits.

It isn't that I have an issue with them, or that
I consider myself superior, or more valuable, for that matter.
However, when it comes to certain specific circumstances, I know a bit
more about some things, while they certainly know things better than I do.

And I wouldn't say that "better" and "worse" simply don't exist.
There is such a thing as a well-made pie and a poorly made pie.
There is a well-sung song and a poorly sung song.
One person might have a sense of style while another doesn't.
That doesn't make someone a worse person, but you have to admit
that most people gravitate toward quality, and I personally love doing quality work.
I understand that people play roles and that there is a logic to it all.
But looking at my own growth, I am feeling a bit ambitious. 🙂

My ultimate goal is to reach a point where nothing can sway me.
Of course, that hasn't been the case until now. And it sounds almost
too simple. If someone tells me they can listen to heavy metal
and feel good afterward, what does that mean? Would they need to be
raised to react the exact same way to everything? I wasn't
raised that way, and it actually has nothing to do with upbringing. Because if
I heard a song by an artist like Metallica when I was six and enjoyed it,
that isn't about how I was raised; it's about recognizing
love within certain things, and seeing where it is missing elsewhere.
I'm not sure what purpose negativity serves; perhaps it's just there
so we can identify it and cast it aside. I see no other use for it.

Now, look, I enjoy having a drink and I love to joke around. I can
easily choose not to drink or joke, and I'll still have a great time. It makes no difference
to me. But I have friends I've been close with for a long time—
probably fifteen years now—where traditions have formed and
many situations are emotionally tied to that history. In those moments,
I see scenarios that used to cause me problems, but now they don't.
I've shared my insights with many of them, and they haven't taken offense.
But it isn't easy work. 🙂 I will accept them as they are,
but when I am with them, I am reminded of those
old negativities. I suppose this is a lesson I have to
go through so I can learn to transform negativity into positivity.
And that approach has worked for me before.
It just saddens me when I find myself in a situation where
I see that there is nothing there, yet everyone else thinks there is.

Look, Yeeeah, I get it—I love metal too. And honestly? It doesn't leave me feeling like garbage.
But hey, I’m also a huge fan of Oliver. Every genre has its moment where it just fits perfectly, right? Sure, everyone's got their own thing, but if we all insist on being stuck in our own little bubbles of "taste," aren't we just letting our preferences run the whole show?

Michelle Sanchez2 said:Wow, that was easy.
First off, defining what it actually means to pursue spirituality and be a spiritual person is the fundamental question you need to sit down and contemplate.
Secondly, claiming that you have progressed while others haven't is nothing more than an expression of ego and comparison—one of the most difficult hurdles to clear on this path. Regardless of how much broader your perception might feel compared to theirs, you aren't in any position to compare yourself; you can't possibly know their specific journey or the reasons behind who they are. There is no such thing as a "higher" or "lower" perspective; it’s just different. To suggest otherwise is just another form of comparison, and frankly, who are we to decide what constitutes a superior or inferior viewpoint?
Regarding your friends, if you go around thinking you're losing them and becoming isolated, that mindset will simply manifest as your reality. These types of friends are actually incredibly useful for staying grounded. Often, people who identify as being "spiritual" tend to get way too "high in the clouds," completely losing touch with the real world, which rarely ends well.
True spirituality is demonstrated by your ability to socialize with almost anyone. Doing so shows that you accept Creation in all its diverse forms and that you can easily adapt your energy to suit those around you—which is essential if you actually want to maintain a social life.
You could choose to limit yourself strictly to "spiritual" circles, but you'll end up losing a part of who you were before. In a few years, you might find yourself regretting that decision because Life is cyclical. Just because you are drawn to this "spiritual" side right now doesn't mean you will feel the same way in a couple of years. Closing yourself off to everything except one specific type of society is, quite frankly, a poor tactical move.
As for alcohol, it essentially releases the mental brakes, allowing the subconscious and supersubconscious to flow through you without resistance. I am certainly not talking about getting wasted here—I'm talking about a casual couple of beers.

Things are simple: we are guests here, we are all One, and we are all part of a single, inseparable collective.

👍

Michelle Sanchez2 said:Wow, that was easy.
First off, defining what it actually means to pursue spirituality and be a spiritual person is the fundamental question you need to sit down and contemplate.
Secondly, claiming that you have progressed while others haven't is nothing more than an expression of ego and comparison—one of the most difficult hurdles to clear on this path. Regardless of how much broader your perception might feel compared to theirs, you aren't in any position to compare yourself; you can't possibly know their specific journey or the reasons behind who they are. There is no such thing as a "higher" or "lower" perspective; it’s just different. To suggest otherwise is just another form of comparison, and frankly, who are we to decide what constitutes a superior or inferior viewpoint?
Regarding your friends, if you go around thinking you're losing them and becoming isolated, that mindset will simply manifest as your reality. These types of friends are actually incredibly useful for staying grounded. Often, people who identify as being "spiritual" tend to get way too "high in the clouds," completely losing touch with the real world, which rarely ends well.
True spirituality is demonstrated by your ability to socialize with almost anyone. Doing so shows that you accept Creation in all its diverse forms and that you can easily adapt your energy to suit those around you—which is essential if you actually want to maintain a social life.
You could choose to limit yourself strictly to "spiritual" circles, but you'll end up losing a part of who you were before. In a few years, you might find yourself regretting that decision because Life is cyclical. Just because you are drawn to this "spiritual" side right now doesn't mean you will feel the same way in a couple of years. Closing yourself off to everything except one specific type of society is, quite frankly, a poor tactical move.
As for alcohol, it essentially releases the mental brakes, allowing the subconscious and supersubconscious to flow through you without resistance. I am certainly not talking about getting wasted here—I'm talking about a casual couple of beers.

Things are simple: we are guests here, we are all One, and we are all part of a single, inseparable collective.

Or maybe just a couple glasses of wine. 🙂

electrictinker26 said:The reality is that I still find myself drawn to certain things
that I personally recognize as negative. It’s just that those
energies pull at you because they’ve become familiar; essentially,
the ego has learned how to extract value from all sorts of situations.
In those moments, friends can feel like a great way to feed that ego.
But then I find myself sliding back into old patterns, and honestly,
I don't want that. I want to move forward, yet it feels wrong to tell
my friends, "I don't want to hang out with you anymore."
They are dear to me, even if, from my perspective,
they carry certain negative traits.

It isn't that I have an issue with them, or that
I consider myself superior, or more valuable, for that matter.
However, when it comes to certain specific circumstances, I know a bit
more about some things, while they certainly know things better than I do.

And I wouldn't say that "better" and "worse" simply don't exist.
There is such a thing as a well-made pie and a poorly made pie.
There is a well-sung song and a poorly sung song.
One person might have a sense of style while another doesn't.
That doesn't make someone a worse person, but you have to admit
that most people gravitate toward quality, and I personally love doing quality work.
I understand that people play roles and that there is a logic to it all.
But looking at my own growth, I am feeling a bit ambitious. 🙂

My ultimate goal is to reach a point where nothing can sway me.
Of course, that hasn't been the case until now. And it sounds almost
too simple. If someone tells me they can listen to heavy metal
and feel good afterward, what does that mean? Would they need to be
raised to react the exact same way to everything? I wasn't
raised that way, and it actually has nothing to do with upbringing. Because if
I heard a song by an artist like Metallica when I was six and enjoyed it,
that isn't about how I was raised; it's about recognizing
love within certain things, and seeing where it is missing elsewhere.
I'm not sure what purpose negativity serves; perhaps it's just there
so we can identify it and cast it aside. I see no other use for it.

Now, look, I enjoy having a drink and I love to joke around. I can
easily choose not to drink or joke, and I'll still have a great time. It makes no difference
to me. But I have friends I've been close with for a long time—
probably fifteen years now—where traditions have formed and
many situations are emotionally tied to that history. In those moments,
I see scenarios that used to cause me problems, but now they don't.
I've shared my insights with many of them, and they haven't taken offense.
But it isn't easy work. 🙂 I will accept them as they are,
but when I am with them, I am reminded of those
old negativities. I suppose this is a lesson I have to
go through so I can learn to transform negativity into positivity.
And that approach has worked for me before.
It just saddens me when I find myself in a situation where
I see that there is nothing there, yet everyone else thinks there is.

I’ve been down that same road before. There comes a point where your priorities just... flip. It’s like someone hit a reset button on your internal compass, and suddenly everything you used to care about feels totally irrelevant. And honestly? It’s messy. It ends up bleeding into your social life, too. I went through this exact thing with my old group of friends—we just weren't vibing on the same wavelength anymore. We weren't chasing the same goals or even finding the same stuff interesting. You realize you're basically speaking two different languages, even when you're sitting at the same table.

I felt the exact same way you did, honestly. I was spiraling about it, too. But eventually, the dust just... settled. Everything kind of fell into place. Sure, look—I don't hang out with certain people as much as I used to. Some connections just fade out, right? But with others? It’s like nothing ever changed. We're still good. I guess that's just how the wheels turn in life. That's just how it goes. 🙂

I didn't catch that he already weighed in on this:

Michelle Sanchez2 said:Look, there is no such thing as purely good or purely bad; we’re dealing with a matter of dual perception.
You might be obsessed with Oliver, but I’ve been head over heels for electronic music since I was ten years old. For me, this genre isn't just a hobby; it's been a lifelong passion. In a strange way, I actually perceive the very concept of love through the lens of this music.
One fundamental truth is that there are no inherent divisions here—no objective "good" or "bad." It all boils down to perception and the specific choices made by the observer.
There is absolutely no need to make grand announcements to your friends or orchestrate some artificial distancing act. Once you truly commit to the heavy lifting of self-improvement, your entire internal frequency shifts. It’s like changing the station on a radio; naturally, you’ll find yourself drifting away from old circles and gravitating toward new ones. This happens organically, without any need for dramatic exits or tedious explanations as to why you seem to be "leaving" them behind.

Zachary Gonzalez8 said:I didn't catch that he already weighed in on this:

What do you think? It seems like the issue is really about letting go of specific memories or the way we identify with a self-constructed illusion—basically, we get too caught up in our own personal narratives. I just thought of that in English and didn't feel like translating it back.

Morgan Morgan98 said:Wait, was someone actually looking for me?😁

Haha, it would be pretty ironic if you were the one to start a thread, Zachary Gonzalez8!

electrictinker26 said:What do you think? It seems like the issue is really about letting go of specific memories or the way we identify with a self-constructed illusion—basically, we get too caught up in our own personal narratives. I just thought of that in English and didn't feel like translating it back.

Exactly, and that’s where things fall apart.
If you're constantly fixating on how things "should" be or who you "ought" to be, you lose the ability to actually center yourself in reality,
which ruins your orientation and makes it impossible to see what needs to be done to reach a goal.
That desire for perfection—all those assumptions and mental images of yourself and the world—just gets in the way of seeing what's actually happening right in front of you.

electrictinker26 said:What do you think? It seems like the issue is really about letting go of specific memories or the way we identify with a self-constructed illusion—basically, we get too caught up in our own personal narratives. I just thought of that in English and didn't feel like translating it back.

Or maybe it's just an issue of accepting things as they are, right? 🙂
In my case, my people actually love me for exactly who I am—which is a little different from the norm—and we talk about this stuff all the time. We joke around about it, too; it doesn't always have to be some heavy, soul-searching drama. I mean, if you've found your path and others haven't, what, are you supposed to just stop hanging out with them? That sounds ridiculous.
And regarding the alcohol thing—that’s really on you. There are plenty of spiritual paths out there that will never tell you to quit everything cold turkey; instead, they teach you to accept reality as it stands and then work with it—to transform those habits into something higher, etc. I guess that's helped me... anyway, cheers.