Many people go through their days not paying attention to what goes on around them. They worry about what is going on in the world instead of what is tangible to them. We can sometimes forget that our world can be exactly how we want. In order to get there, we have to uncover the veils that are obstructing our senses. The five basic human senses are sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. In today’s blog, I want to speak on these five senses and show how to use them to remain present. A person’s belief is their own to govern, but the human senses are something that we can share together. We cannot forget we are all humans on this earth to share in abundance and live in harmony. In this breakdown, I will show the skewed views that are happening all around the world today and, in the end, share ways how to redirect your senses toward a better tomorrow.

Now, before I dive into the senses and their breakdowns, I want to explain what it means to be human. To be human is to go through life with the idea that we are all on this earth to live. There is no one who is better or worst than us. We are all equal because we are all human. With that being said, of course, we know there are certain class/rank systems that have been put into place, but that does not have to define who you are as a person. Your character should stand firm against all the negativity and harshness the world has to offer. This is where being human comes into practice. We all have emotions, desires, needs, and wants that are unique to us. I believe that people often forget that no one person is the same. That includes ideas and opinions. However, what can be shared among people? What basically makes up humans? Well, that is to have a soul and to be able to experience life with what basic senses we possess.

The first sense I will talk about is – sight. Sight is a blessing for all those who have it, but it can also cause great harm to our progression as humanity. As I am writing this blog, there are race wars going on all over the war. People are judged by the color of their skin, nationality, or religious views. If you know as a human that you have just as much right as the next person, then how can you fill yourself with so much hate? The issue is that people have an opinion and cannot respect another person’s ideal if it is not in line with theirs. Now, this is not true for everyone, but this type of behavior is seen every day.

The hate people see through their eyes has an effect on their character. Perhaps you are the type of person who will help anyone in need help, but if a person does not look or think like you, then you might give that person the same treatment as you would another person. Why can’t a man/woman treat another as such? When I see people, I see the human in them. I do not need to judge another by their skin color or belief. This is what we see in the world. The world is labeling people, and it is causing unrest. I think Morgan Freeman said it best in an interview. Essentially he said, “In order to stop racism in the world is to stop talking about it. Stop calling a person by the color of their skin and simply call them the gender they identify as.”

So with this sense of sight, we are seeing the evil of the world. Though racism is something that is learned, you can unlearn anything that does not benefit you or the world. You can’t lump a group of individuals as delinquents/gang members just because they talk, look, and represent themselves. Most of what you see as a problem is the cultural expression of these people. I’m not saying that every person is good either, but if you take the time to know and learn about someone, then your outlook on them has the ability to change. We have to learn to see past what is visible and look on the inside. To understand a person and respect them for who they are. When I see a person, I see another person who is capable of great things. What are you seeing?

The second sense I will talk about is – hearing. This is a sense that can actually be negative, in my opinion, because it allows the largest amount of outside stimulus to enter your life. There are two forms of hearing. The self-talk/internal hearing is good (for the most part). This is you talking and working things out for yourself. The other talk that can be a trouble side is what you hear from other people in the world. These people will fill your ears and mind with negative ideas that will not benefit you in any way. I think the news does it best. They are more worried about views than they are about making good human beings. This outside stimulus has become a huge issue because now people are hearing one thing and choosing to believe what they are told.

The outside noise and opinions of other people can have a huge impact on reaching your goals. Right now, the media is saying to stay home because of a virus, but if you go out, it is not as bad as they are saying. I agree that there is a virus out there, and it is doing damage, but how can you live a life in fear? How can you think that your opinion is the end all be all? I understand and respect others’ opinions, but I think other people have a challenging time reciprocating that act. Maybe the words they have heard have swayed them to believe one truth, but the only middle ground is to respect another’s opinion. That is why I think that having great teachers and mentors around growing/developing minds is essential. Not only will they continually hear positive thoughts and ideas, but they will also hear words of encouragement that will reassure them that things will be alright.

The kind words of the past have been lost somewhere. The words coming out with our opinion have been formed into daggers, and people are out for blood. You might be able to see humans as humans, but when you are so easily influenced by what other people say, it can make you just as bad as someone who looks at a person and judges them by what they look like rather than the quality of their character. For me, when I hear advice or news, I use that as information. I do not use that as a definitive belief that I am right and the rest of the world is wrong. I do not tell people what I say is all that matters and that they should listen. I talk a lot, and if I can say one thing that you can take away and make your own, then I have done my job. Use your hearing to hear the good in the world. Hear the whisper of the wind and listen to the story that wants to share with you instead of listening to words and segments on the news filled with fear and worry.

The next sense I will be addressing is – touch. I believe this sense is easy to make human. We can use our actions for good or for bad. If we take away the negative part and only use our actions for good, then the world will be a better place. We have to remember that the person next to us is human, just like we are. They might be going through some more difficult times than you at the moment, so be compassionate. This presents you with an opportunity to do good for them and also feel the adverse effects it will have on you. There is a saying that goes like this: “The only time you should look down on another person is when you are helping them up.”

In the current climate of the world, our touch has become more violent. Some police officers are abusing their power, causing harm instead of doing good. Regardless of what other people are doing in the world, you can continue to do good and touch people’s lives for the better. You can help people in need and make sure that violence is not the answer. If you ball your fist up in anger and intend to hurt someone, then I want you first to pay attention to that fist. Can you not fill that hand with love instead of anger? Can you not use that hand for good instead of negativity? I know it is possible, but people have chosen to use touch as something that is negative instead of positive.

In order to reverse this violent transgression in our sense of touch, we must realize that we are cable of being and doing good in life. Though our eyes are filled with tears, and we cannot unhear the wails of our fellow brothers and sisters, we must not let violence enter our being. We cannot let violence be the initial action that we take when dealing with adversity and challenges in our life. Instead, use actions that produce positive results. We must remember to use actions that are nonviolent and be the leaders of the world that lead by example. You can not go around punching the wrongdoers in the face and destroying property because you are upset. Be the change you want to see in the world. It can be done by implementing a gentle touch to the situation. A gentle hand will always save more lives than a heavy hand ever will.

The fourth sense I will talk about is – smell. This sense is good for identifying your environment. Is your world on fire? Can you smell the smoke that has filled the streets with gas canisters and gunshots? That is the world we are living in. If you are in that type of environment, then you have to realize that the smell is not an inviting one. You have to realize that you can be in a whole better situation. Use your sense of smell to determine if you should stay or leave out of an area. If you are in a field of flowers and all is good, then remain and enjoy, but if that field of yours is a battlefield, do your best to get out.

The last sense I will talk about is – taste. For this one, I want to share a zen story that was first told to me by my brother. When he first told me this story, I did not understand it, but now I love to think about this story because it helps me to be in the moment. This story helps to remind me that life is precious, regardless if things are not going the way you would like. It helps me to realize that life is filled with struggles, but there can be something gained from the chaos that is happening right now. What can be gained is a small moment of peace and bliss that cannot be taken away until you have savored that moment in its entirety. The answer is everything can be gained from that small moment of bliss/full sensory.

~ Initium

A man was walking across a field when he saw a tiger. Fearing for his life, the man fled, but the tiger gave chase. The man reached the edge of a cliff, and just as he thought the tiger would get him, he spotted a vine growing over the edge of the cliff. Grabbing onto it, he swung himself over the edge to safety.

The tiger came to the edge and snarled at him from above. While precariously perched like this, the man saw another tiger growling at him from below. Trembling, he held on to the thin vine that was keeping him from being dinner for the tigers. What could be worse than this, he wondered.

Just then, two mice scampered out and began gnawing at the vine. As they chewed and the man pondered over his fate, he saw a juicy, red strawberry on a ledge next to him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry into his mouth with the other hand. How sweet it tasted!

~ Fin

This story is like a fine wine for all who read it. At first, they do not understand it, but at second glance, they start to notice how complex it is. Even over the years, these words have the ability to evolve and present you with a truth that has always been present. The truth is that there is always something to savor in life. Regardless of what is going on, you can enjoy the simplest of things that you may take for granted each day. When was the last time you ate slowly and allowed your pallet to notice all the flavors? When was the last time you hung from a vine about to be mauled by a tiger? Well, I hope the last one hasn’t or doesn’t come true. We have to remember that we have one life. We have a chance right now to show the world how amazing we can be.

In closing, our five primary senses can be used to guide us to a better life. We have to remember that what we allow in our life is not the same as what we allow to stay in our life. The world is in a tailspin, but we do not have to crash. We can get through this together by simply being human. Simply understand that people are people who have their own thoughts and ideas. Learn to respect others, but do not let yourself be a victim of another trap. The trap of lies and deceit is all around. If you would take your blindfold off, then you will see the truth. If you are ready to see the world for how it truly is, then you must master your senses and learn to be human again.

Until then,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven Concepts