Lights & Truth

Shine Brighter

July 28th, 2025

For those who were chosen to lead

Blood Before Fruit

To be chosen sounds like a blessing.
And in many ways, it is. But like all sacred things, the role comes with a price.

Those who are chosen to be first are chosen to lead.
To lead is to walk a path that no one has cleared for you.
No one has swept the stones.
No one has warned you where the thorns are.
No one has mapped the terrain.

You will bleed before you ever taste fruit.

That’s why preparation is spiritual. It’s mental. It’s physical.
Because only the Most High knows what lies ahead of you.
And if you trust that, you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way.

Becoming the Servant

Eventually, after the pain, the trials, and the discipline—you harvest fruit.
But the fruit was never the reward. It was the evidence of the journey.

Every fruit contains seed. And every seed must be replanted.
As one of the chosen, your mission isn’t to hoard what you’ve gained.
It’s to share it, to guide, and to help others rise.

The sweetness of the fruit is only yours for a moment.
You were never meant to keep it. You were meant to distribute it.

This is divine order.

Seeing the Purpose

Some are called to carry truth. Others are simply meant to walk in it.
Either way—truth doesn’t need our protection.
It is eternal. It cannot be owned.

When we try to secure the truth, we distort it.
We begin to protect our version of it.
And over time, we drift further from the essence of what it was.

Truth isn’t meant to be captured—it’s meant to be followed.
And the beauty of following the path is that it helps
even our fallen selves remember how to return home.

The Revelation

There are many reasons we stumble, but two stand out:

1. We distort the plan by forcing others into it.

Sometimes we bring people into our journey who aren’t aligned with it.
They haven’t walked what we’ve walked.
They haven’t earned the map.
So we alter the path to keep them with us.
And in doing so, we both become lost.

2. We want to be first, but fear what it takes.

We love the idea of being chosen, but shrink from the cost.
We want the reward without the ritual.

But if we do reach the mountaintop, it’s not a place to stay.
It’s a place to see further—and to send down seeds.

Because the fruit is not the reward.
The journey is.

Call to Action: Shine Brighter

You were chosen. And you were called.
Don’t let fear of the journey dim your light.

If the path is hard, that’s confirmation—not rejection.
If you’re ahead, don’t wait—lead.

Remember, the fruit is never the goal. It’s the proof you’ve been walking.

So today, keep walking. Keep planting.
And shine brighter.
The Dream of the Moment

July 16th, 2025

Waking up for the first time in the morning, there is a certain peace.
Sometimes, if it follows a vivid dream, the world around you doesn’t even feel real. You lie there, just observing—still, quiet, untouched by anything external.

In that space, you are not reacting. You’re simply noticing. You are stillness itself.
But slowly, your mind begins to wonder—what would it feel like to participate in this moment?

You begin to receive impulses. The world becomes real again.
Something within you—many things, even—begin to stir.
You feel the beauty and the flaws of the moment at once.
You are no longer watching it—you are in it.

This new self is born, shaped by the moment. And because the moment feels beautiful—or intense, or fleeting—you try to preserve it. You try to hold on. You try to contain it in a glass case.

But that desire, however innocent, begins to change everything.

You forget that you were once just an observer. You forget that this moment came to pass, not to stay. You forget who you are.

Now you are the moment. And because you are the moment, you begin to want to change it.

But it was never yours to change.

That power belongs to the one who created the moment—not the one who wandered into it.

Frustration sets in. Then fatigue. Then silence. And you drift back into sleep—
a dream within a dream.

Until one day, you awaken again.
And the cycle repeats.

This is what it feels like to live in a world full of noise.
We don’t just observe it—we become it.
And in becoming it, we forget that we were always above it.

We spend so much energy trying to fix, perfect, or hold onto noise. But in truth, that was never our role. We were not meant to mold the moment—only to witness it, learn from it, and let it pass.

Stillness is the practice that returns us to clarity.
Letting go is the practice that returns us to peace.

When we stop caging experiences… when we release the illusion of control…
we begin to remember who we are.

And in that remembering, we find the freedom to move without fear.
To dream without attachment.
To act with clarity instead of confusion.

All moments come to pass. They were never ours to keep.
But they were always ours to witness.

Today, take one moment—any moment—and try not to change it.
Don’t label it good or bad. Don’t fix it.
Just sit with it. Breathe through it.
Let the noise pass, and listen for the signal underneath.

Who are you when you stop trying to become?
The Path

December 28th, 2024

The Journey of Free Will

Rather you believe in God or not, it is evident to most that each being walks a path. We begin life at a certain point, and in the very end, we all will reach a particular destination. In the beginning, we were given the power, in the form of free will, to quite literally do anything we put our minds to. There is not a single external force that exists that can take this truth away from us.

Even in the most extreme conditions, for example, slavery in the US, individuals were able to overcome oppression at such a high form and achieve things they once only dreamt about. A group of people who seemingly had no human rights or freedoms were able to obtain that which was once unobtainable through sheer will alone.

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The Inheritance

December 17th, 2024

A Father’s Legacy

There was an older gentleman by the name of George. He had spent his entire life working hard to achieve many great things. Though he had acquired material wealth through many years of sweat equity, to him, his greatest achievement was his children. He adored his children so much that early on in their lives, he had already decided how he was going to leave behind everything they needed for the day he was gone.

As the years went by, his children began to drift away from George. It seemed the many things the world promised grabbed their attention, and before long, they even stopped calling to check in with him as frequently.

His heart grew heavy as he aged. The children he was ready to give great riches to no longer seemed interested in the inheritance. The man began to grow ill, and still, there was no one around. As he came close to the end of his life, one by one, his children began to return to him. Having his children around once again filled George’s heart with glee. This feeling was short-lived, though, as he had conversations with each of them and noticed how much things had changed. In their time away from him, they had experienced many hardships financially, emotionally, and mentally.

In his final moments, George experienced a great deal of peace, knowing that once he was gone, his children would be taken care of. He was happy that, through his passing, his children could find peace. George passed away the very next day, and the funeral was held. His children began to argue over what was left behind. Each had their own hardships and felt, no matter what George’s will stated, that they had a right to be free from their pain. Each was given their fair share of the inheritance.

George’s home, business, and a lifetime of material wealth began to fade as his children blissfully spent all that their father had lived for. Though this windfall solved their immediate problems, the children found themselves back in the same position a few years later. They were again lost to the world—and this time, without George.

The Pursuit of Happiness

This story is a familiar one—it seems to repeat itself over and over. We need to look at these situations from a holistic approach. More importantly, let us look at them from a universal standpoint. Oftentimes, we find that we are motivated by promises of a reward. When we choose to operate on this idea alone, we ignore performing actions with purpose.

While it is true we create our own purpose for fulfilling a task by seeking a reward, we miss the true purpose of the task itself.

As working adults, we often perform great things for others with the promise that they will pay us for our effort. The reason we do these things is that we are focused on paying debts we may have or purchasing items that we want. As we complete this cycle, the sense of fulfillment is short-lived. Before we know it, we are pursuing happiness again, only to discover that it is not in the places we are looking for it.

We often treat each moment as a means to an end instead of living the moment itself. What we achieve does not make us better human beings, but the experience does. If you study at a university for many years to become an engineer only to receive a diploma, this does not make you an engineer. Achieving success does not make one successful. Though it is important to be goal-oriented, it is equally important to become that which you seek and not just seek results alone.

That Which You Seek

As we live our lives, it is important to realize that this is all an experience for us. If you believe in an afterlife, it is nice to consider the idea that we may be going to a better place when we leave this world. But instead of just waiting to pass away to see this new world, we should try to achieve it while we are alive.

Performing an action due to a promise lacks sincerity. We have to find purpose in this life to find heaven in the next. Just like the story at the beginning of this entry, if we only do what we think will grant us a better inheritance, we will eventually find ourselves in a worse predicament afterward. We all have an inheritance, but it is not waiting for us in a distant future—it is here for us now. The only thing we need to do is grab it.

Today, I would like for you to try to forget about all of your troubles. Realize that God has already taken care of everything for you. Instead of seeking the world, try—even if it is for just a brief moment—to live with purpose. If you believe you do not currently have a purpose, realize that you only need to look within to find that which you seek. Begin with loving yourself.egin with loving yourself and all things will begin to open up for you.
Patience and Growth

December 1st, 2024

There Is No Such Thing as Good or Bad

“There is no such thing as good or bad.” If you know me, you’ve likely heard me say this many times. But don’t misunderstand—I’m not saying that nothing matters. In fact, I believe everything carries meaning. The challenge is that we often limit our understanding of this meaning, creating a disconnect between individuals and the collective.

This disconnect becomes evident when we examine how people view the world.
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Inner World

November 13th, 2024
A Journey Beyond Sleep: Encountering My Inner World

My body was well asleep, but my mind was aware of all its surroundings. I opened my eyes to a world of black and white. I was lying in my bed, in my bedroom, yet it felt like another version of it existed on a different plane. An intense ringing filled my ears as I felt my entire being vibrate. Suddenly, fear began to take over. My mind was awake, but I couldn’t move my body. I wanted to speak, but there was no sound. Then, the comforter on my bed, which once seemed safe, began to move. It stood tall in front of me and crept closer and closer. In this moment, the world stood still.

Facing the Nightmare Without Fear

Normally, in this situation, I would try to wake myself from this “nightmare.” In the past, I always thought it was just a warning that something evil was after me. This time, however, things were different. The fear that had invaded my mind dissipated. Suddenly, I was back in control. I still could not speak, but it felt like my thoughts dictated what happened next. The comforter dropped lifeless to the floor, and there I stood alone in my colorless room.

“I should leave this room,” I thought. I walked toward my bedroom door and paused. “Doors do not exist to me here,” the words echoed in my mind. Normally, this would sound foreign, but somehow I understood. I looked up toward my ceiling and jumped through it. I was now in a deep void, flying at great speeds.

A City of Light and a Voice from Within

Blackness surrounded me, but I felt excitement as wind rushed over my body. I looked forward, attempting to find a horizon, and suddenly a wave of light in all colors appeared in the distance. As I got closer, the waves of light transformed into a golden city. There was no sense of up or down as the city seemed to surround me from every direction. Amazed by what I saw, a woman’s voice gently filled my heart.

“Welcome, you have finally made it home,” she said. Her words sounded like the most magnificent orchestra I had ever heard. It was sweet music, almost as if I alone were privy to the secrets contained within them. The blackness disappeared into a pure white flash, and I was back in my bed, opening my eyes for what felt like the very first time.

The Science and Mystery of Sleep Paralysis

Cleveland Clinic studies show that about 30% of people experience sleep paralysis in their lifetime. Some studies even suggest that sleep paralysis may warn of underlying issues. While I respect these findings, I believe that something more can be found within sleep paralysis.

As a youth, I felt I had a vivid imagination. Because of this, it seemed I experienced sleep paralysis almost weekly. Every time, it would start and end the same way. I would feel fear and try to jolt myself awake. Oddly enough, every time I woke up, I felt an urge to return to that dream. It was like something was trying to speak to me internally, but I could never hear the message because I let fear take over.

Exploring Our Shadow in Dreams

In previous posts, I’ve talked about addressing the shadow—the hidden parts of ourselves. Dreams are a place where your shadow becomes more visible. Our shadow consists of regrets, fears, envy, and unprocessed emotions. We constantly bury these within our subconscious, thinking it’s best to avoid them. Eventually, these energies become so concentrated that we are left with no choice but to face them. When we sleep, our subconscious mind is awake.

The Connection Between Lucid Dreams and Sleep Paralysis

Some people separate lucid dreams from sleep paralysis. I am here to suggest they are one and the same. Neither are inherently good or bad. They exist within us to guide us back to our center. Sleep paralysis may feel as if something is trying to harm you, but as I described in my story above, they may really be lucid dreams in disguise. Many things can seem frightening until we recognize what doesn’t belong. Keep this in mind as we move into the following exercise.

Exercise: Uncovering Hidden Feelings

Consider a feeling you have been ignoring. To identify it, think of an emotion that never seems to pass. You try several ways to ignore it, but it always returns. Sometimes it resurfaces or triggers without warning. If you’re struggling to bring this feeling to mind, try one that is easier to identify—maybe something that currently annoys you. Sometimes, what we see in others reflects what we feel within ourselves.

Once you have the thought in mind, try answering these questions:
- What do you believe is the root cause of this feeling?
- Why have you been avoiding or suppressing it?
- How does this feeling show up in your dreams, if at all?
- If this feeling could take on another form, what might it look like?
- What new insights or surprises emerged as you explored this emotion?
Discovering Strength in Facing Fears

Discovering yourself through fears and doubts can be difficult. If you open up and are honest with yourself, you can find strength. The things that make us feel weak can also be a source of strength. A good place to learn more about yourself is in your dreams. The next time you find yourself in a nightmare, try opening yourself up to receive the messages hidden within.

This takes practice, so if you struggle at first, don’t be discouraged. Be compassionate with yourself. Reflect on your experiences and keep moving forward.
Vulnerability and Ego

November 12th, 2024

The Darkness Within: A Moment of Reflection

It was a sunny day, but inside, I could perceive nothing but darkness. My partner and I had just experienced one of our first big hurdles in our relationship. My entire life, I was told by a parent not to trust others at all. Depend on yourself and God, and everything will be alright. I couldn’t accept this idea. For me, we were all a part of God, so how could we not depend on each other? In this moment, I began to see from the perspective of those who came before me. This entire situation caused me to shell up and go into deep meditation and meditative practices. Before I knew what was happening to me, I achieved what some would refer to as a heightened state of mind. I started to see things that I had never seen before, and my mind gained a new dimension of thinking. The best way I can explain it is that it felt like I could see every situation around me and have several conversations at once.
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Detached Living

November 11th, 2024

Embracing Detachment for a More Fulfilling Life

Imagine the freedom of living without being tied to specific outcomes. For many of us, this concept might feel unfamiliar; we often invest energy into perfecting every detail of our lives, only to feel drained when things don’t go exactly as planned. What if, instead, we redirected that energy toward growth and peace, independent of any specific result?

Detachment doesn’t mean indifference. It’s about understanding that while we have control over our actions, we don’t have control over every outcome. This approach allows us to live with intention rather than reacting to every twist and turn. Have you experienced the stress of overcommitting to a particular outcome, only to feel disappointed when it didn’t materialize as expected? Releasing attachment to results can open us to a deeper sense of fulfillment.
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Becoming Free

November 9th, 2024

Becoming a Free Thinker: Cultivating Awareness Beyond the Ego

Becoming a free thinker is essential for developing a cautious awareness of the world around us. Yet, achieving this is nearly impossible when we operate solely through the ego. When we choose to view life through the lens of ego, we selectively seek out information that reinforces our existing beliefs, ignoring perspectives that might challenge them. This creates a cycle of judgment and reinforces a closed mind.

To truly believe in something, we must first question it. By staying open to all possibilities, we invite a deeper understanding of ideas that might otherwise remain unexplored. Only then do we experience freedom in our thoughts, which leads naturally to freedom in our actions.
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Life and Death

November 9th, 2024

Embracing Life and Death: A Journey on the Same Pole

Everything in our reality exists along a spectrum, or pole, where opposites are just varying degrees of the same thing. From an early age, we’re often reminded by those older than us to enjoy our youth because one day, we won’t have it anymore. We begin to associate youth with life itself, believing that to truly live, we must seize every moment. Over time, this idea can grow into an obsession with prolonging our lives.

But life doesn’t belong to any single person; it’s a shared experience, a collective energy that flows freely and eternally—like a river. I’ve often pondered the meaning of life and concluded that to truly live, we must also explore the opposite side of life’s pole: the concept of death.
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Blood Before Fruit

Becoming the Servant

Seeing the Purpose

The Revelation

1. We distort the plan by forcing others into it.

2. We want to be first, but fear what it takes.

Call to Action: Shine Brighter

The Journey of Free Will

The Pursuit of Happiness

That Which You Seek

There Is No Such Thing as Good or Bad

The Darkness Within: A Moment of Reflection

Embracing Detachment for a More Fulfilling Life

Embracing Life and Death: A Journey on the Same Pole