New playlist: Chill the funk out

Chill the funk out from wiz_charlzifa on 8tracks Radio.

The Disillusionment of Reality

It’s been a while since I blogged, much less wrote anything besides poetry. I think maybe the reason why I've been writing poems incessantly is because they are a means of expressing myself without being too direct. However, even though I have a million thoughts racing through my mind, I’ve decided to talk about the culture that we live in today. 

What’s so wrong about it? What’s so great about it? What drives us, what hinders us, what scares us, what makes us all inspired?

And I’m not going to answer any. Why? Merely because I can’t. Why can’t I? Well…because I think it’s a situation all so complex that if I were to actually wrap my brain around it, I may actually delve into maddening depths.

So then what’s the point of this introduction?

Why all the questions?

It’s because we all have them, at some point or another. We all find ourselves in that inexplicable moment away from the crowds and lost in our thoughts, wondering what makes us different from the ‘them’. Wondering what exactly is our purpose….

Does a purpose actually EVEN exist? Yes that’s arguable but if it doesn’t exist, then WHY NOT???
You see, what I’ve come to realize is that there’s two sorts of persons. There’s person A who believes steadfast in life’s purpose, and about whether there is one or not whilst person B continues questioning.  What’s so different about these two apart from the obviously stated? Well for one, it may seem bias of me to say but I believe that it’s quite dangerous to be so comfortable in your personal belief about life’s purpose and I say this for many reasons. Firstly, the world in which we live in is subject to the individual. The way you glimpse at life is your reality as seen through your eyes and shaped by your idiosyncrasies. This subjectivity means that therefore everyone in this world sees their own reality; the universe being something as a reflection of one’s thoughts and experiences.

Taken in a cultural context, one can start to see my point shape up. In the Catholic faith, one’s purpose is to live through Christ’s teachings and idealistically be rewarded for such or otherwise be placed in purgatory for our sins. In some minor portion of the Islam faith, the rewards of following Allah are the promise of virgins after life.  The Hindus believe that the last breath yields the first of another life or re-incarnation as it is so called. These are all examples of what is expected after death and hence the end result. The reason I highlight this is because people question life’s purpose based on what they believe the end result is going to be. Say for example, if one knows without a doubt that upon death that he will be rewarded with treasures beyond his wildest belief, then his questioning of life’s purpose may be somewhere along the line of, “Surely I must do good things to get this reward. This is the way to get it”. This is akin to what religion offers us; divine intervention for a life of doing good.

What about the Nihilist who differently but steadfastly believes that there is no purpose to life? The Atheist who believes in no God and hence no reason for our existence? To me, they all seem absolutely sure that what they believe is correct and are all persona Type A.

So now, what about person B??  The one who from whatever background in life, be it religiously, socially, economically or what have you. This is the person who objectively views the Universe. But then how does this person do this? This person sounds like a scientist, you proclaim.

I then proceed to tell you that a scientist need not be exclusive to this group. Exclusive to this group is person B ; someone who looks outward beyond themselves..someone who says ‘Hey, something isn’t right. ‘ With all the complexities of humans on such stratospheric levels, it is easy to get lost amongst the groups that you are affiliated with, be it your political party, your religion, your community, nationality etc. You identify within some sort of social atmosphere and strata. However, there is always that one person who sticks out their head amongst the crowd and realizes that their train of thoughts is influenced by that of society. Essentially our meaning of life comes from what our society tells us it is. Hence, detachment from society, isolation if you will, comes a great connection to the Universe as never experienced before.  You suddenly realize that your subconscious and the Universe are one; you and the Universe are one.  Your brother and sister are all connected to these threads linking us all throughout the globe in inexplicable webs etching towards our centers with the notion that we are all ONE and the SAME..despite complicated and variable backgrounds.

So then, person B, you ask yourself, what is the purpose of life?

Why were we born?
Why at that exact moment were we conceived?
Why were our DNA construed to produce us the way we are despite the almost infinite others that could have been created? WHY? WHY? WHY?

Person B may never know…but the questions will never stop.

-Charlie

The Beauty of Melancholy

Sadness dissipates and with it,

Comes the realization that life goes on.

Time ticks and time tocks

Slowly washing over you is the beauty of melancholy

A feeling like no other.

The pain, the paradoxical joy of suffering

Suddenly is evident to you. 

There is no elation if one knows not of suffering

This is assuring and as true that there is no wind without air,

Sea without water and courage without fear.

~Charlie 

New playlist

Soulful refuge from wiz_charlzifa on 8tracks Radio.

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream in the dark recesses of the night awake in the day to find all was vanity. But the dreamers of day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, and make it possible.” 

~ T.E. Lawrence 

 

The Stranger in Me

‘With a constant beauty

Amidst a wave of charm

Who in this world would ever bring you harm?’

She lay contemplating her dire situation;

The complexities or absence of such, sometimes

Of life.

She knew that the time was approaching when she would have to make that decision

The intricacy of such

Weighed upon her like a behemoth upon her chest.

Yet she knew she could not be bested, not even by herself.

And as such, the decision was to be made.

So she uncovered her fog ridden desperation

And climbed into what was to take her away.

All along she knew that it was never her place to stay..

So alas, she ventured into what she deemed to be her duty,

What she deemed to be the solution to her questions asked,

Not merely even, her given task.

Yet, as she climbed in

With one foot forward

Ready to go

A single thought process pierced through.

‘Who in this world would ever bring me harm?”

Just then and there

Her reflection was caught in the mirror ever so swiftly

With the dawning of realization,

Slowly she whispered

“Me”

-Charlie

Basically hahahaha

Friends don't let friends use "bae".

— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) June 9, 2014 ">

Charlie's Mixtape

Click here for my new Charlie's Mixtape  :) Basically just some recent add ons to my music collection

Linus

Sometimes I laugh 

Sometimes I cry. 

Sometimes I'm spontaneous 

Sometimes I'm shy. 

Either way 

I fumble through my steps 

As life passes by. 

Sometimes I think about the 'what ifs'

And the 'buts' and the 'maybes', 

The 'should I' and 'should nots'

The strings all tugging and tying Into knots. 

A walking talking oxymoron 

If only people would see that I'm not that strong 

Because underneath it all 

I feel as though I don't belong  

The struggle each day as I step into the reflective pool,

Drowning 

Yet having to play it cool. 

Sigh 

Sometimes it's the ones who seem to have it all together 

Who have traversed through the toughest weather. 

Yet, not ask me my pains and I'll tell you no struggles 

Because in the end it's all seemingly good 

~Charlie 

A Time for Friends (PPC)

This is a little speech I made for my friends to be read at my birthday dinner. Sometimes I have difficulty expressing myself out loudly, so writing does help . Hopefully they will  like it >.<

P- P is for the people that are you all, my wonderful charming friends who mean so much more to me than you will ever know. Through all the hardest and the happiest times casts a memory of you all that brings a smile to my face. Through all the diverse and complex personalities, our relationship could not be any simpler; one based on a fundamental understanding of who we are and what we mean to each other. We are much more than that labeled thing ‘friends’. We’re brothers and sisters who love each other through and through, and not just in that arbitrary sense but in the way it’s supposed to be. We tease and bicker, and laugh and play and our bonds keep growing stronger day by day.

P- Is for the purpose that all drives us all. We’ve all been drawn together because of our common goals and aspirations which we all lend support to each other for. We all aspire to be great things and know what it takes to get there. We’re driven and all work so hard, displaying such discipline in this time of our lives when others wish to be free spirited. What makes us rise up after being worn is the support and continued strength that we all give each other.

C- Is for Companionship that we all share. There is no denial that our friendship is unique as they come, especially in a world where the term’s meaning has no bearing. There’s been a spark that enlightened all of us and keeps us strong. Without each other, this journey would not be as memorable or as enjoyable. We’re no doubt friends until the end; friends to grow old with and look back at memories fondly (or in annoyance: P)

Cheers to all the memories made and all the more to be made

Love,

Charlie

It's my birthday!

Today marks another year ventured and I can't express my gratitude enough. I'm thankful for my all my loved ones; my family and my friends and all thankful for all the countless little things. Could not wish for anymore save my continued blessings (which ironically is a lot)

Charlie XD

Fated but not faulted

~ By Charlotte Bebee

One may suggest no act as trifling nor as fleeting as play

Yet the thought lingers day by day

 Often, we all ponder what it’s like

To do as you like, to do as you please

Not giving into the thought of consequence,

Yet the thought ensues

Albeit never ever acted upon

Until one day

You awake only to realize

That the fleeting feeling had not been for nought,

 But instead finally some tangibility to the thought.

And when the time came

The consequences you once lay ponder about

Now seem so insufferably inconsequential

But only because this was the time that was Fated

There was no room for doubts, no questions, no fear,

For only a poet can feel a poet’s conflict and woeful despair.

“Fated” they say,

“Not faulted”

Was the reasoning for them being here 

Charlie XD 

Pen to Paper

Just a little scribble for tonight:

Putting pen to paper is an awfully daunting task...thoughts dashing in and out..heart's racing with your head in the clouds. An appreciative audience is twice as nice as a non existential one. Perhaps. maybe even that would suffice. 

Putting pen to paper, what an outrageously courageous task...the crudeness..the depth..oh the questions that people will ask.

Putting pen to paper..what a proper thing to do..thoughts engaged...pride disengaged..Ready to bare soul to soul..to my audience. So bold.

Putting pen to paper..Truth be told..half the time, thoughts aren't meant to be thoughts if that makes any sense; let alone be dispensed.

Putting pen to paper keeps me high..where I ought to be..where you're ought to be..not metaphorically bound and tied.

Putting pen to paper...What a daunting task..an absolutely daunting one. 

-Charlie

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

These are lyrics by Baz Luhrmann (known for this hit song in 1999, screenwriting as well as directing the 2013 version of "The Great Gatsby"). Heard it on BBC Radio this morning and thought that it was definitely worth a share...every single line could not be any truer. This could very well be my daily dose of inspiration. 

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99 

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be 

it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by 

scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable 

than my own meandering 

experience…I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not 

understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. 

But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and 

recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before 

you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you 

imagine. Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as 

effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing 

bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that 

never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm 

on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing everyday that scares you Sing Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with 

people who are reckless with yours. Floss Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes 

you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with 

yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you 

succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Stretch Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your 

life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they 

wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year 

olds I know still don’t. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe 

you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky 

chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t 

congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your 

choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body, 

use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people 

think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever 

own.. Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for 

good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the 

people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you 

should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and 

lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you 

knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live 

in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will 

philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize 

that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were 

noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, 

maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one 

might run out. Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will 

look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who 

supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of 

fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the 

ugly parts and recycling it for more than 

it’s worth. But trust me on the sunscreen…

Dreamer's Disease 101

Sometimes being a dreamer is dire...I get lost in the essence of what is..and when my dream alludes me ...I'm left awfully disappointed at touchdown
-Charlie 

Dazed, Confused; Ironically Unperturbed

Boxed

Each time

Last to flourish, last to dine

Pretending she’s fine.

Hurts

The feels

She can’t endure

Always ready;

Back against the door.

Time

She wonders

May be the cure

What is it?

That could make someone so unsure?

She wonders

She ponders

One day

Not anymore.

-Charlie