A'Villan

Understanding your own heart and living wholeheartedly. https://brucelee.com/podcast-blog/2016/8/24/7-emotional-content

Today was a beautiful sunny day despite it being winter. Was meant to step outside and get some practice in, see friends and just take it in. Ended up watching TED talks, reading up on free market capitalism and scrolling through VT.

Vivid memories. There's a few. Apologies for that not all are fun and lighthearted. As a young boy there was an attempted kidnapping/abduction on me. Very, very scary sh*t people. Lord knows what I managed to escape from. We had goats when we lived on the mountain growing up. One decided to knock me of a box I was standing on to help him get the higher branches and I fell into the blackberry bush so thick it could handle my body-weight and I was suspended in branches of prickly blackberry bush. Fun times. The resident dog of a property I was walking by came barreling down to the front porch to bark at us. The resident cat was sleeping on the porch and didn't appreciate the ruckus, went straight up to the dog and bopped it on the head with her paw. Dog lets off a whimper and runs back inside. Was playing golf in the park with my sister, still at an age where we'd dob on each other for petty sh*t, and I told her to stand basically directly behind me because I didn't want the ball hitting her and her running to tell on me. What do you know? I manage to ping the ball directly back and smack her on the head. As she cried I begged her not to tell and she was as amazed as me with my efforts that she agreed. At a beach camping spot, can't remember how old I was but I still had to wear nappies at night so I dunno probably 24, only joking, but I still had to wear nappies in overnight much later than most, maybe I was 5 or 6, anyway a girl who had invited herself into our campsite asked me if I wanted to milk her cows. Two girls on school camp when I was 10 approached me and told me they thought highly of me. They would pass me all the black jelly beans that they didn't want on the bus ride. And I also remember their mothers not being happy about us kissing. Her older sister getting her male friends to surround me and hit me in the gut a few times. Then like a week later sister and her henchmen tried to get us to kiss in front of a circle of people which I'm remembering as half their class.

Coelho's The Alchemist

1. Fear is a bigger obstacle than the obstacle itself “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.” Any new pursuit requires entering uncharted territory — that’s scary. But with any great risk comes great reward. The experiences you gain in pursuing your dream will make it all worthwhile. 2. What is “true” will always endure “If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil. And one can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return.” Truth cannot be veiled by smoke and mirrors — it will always stand firm. When you’re searching for the “right” decision, it will be the one that withstands the tests of time and the weight of scrutiny. 3. Break the monotony “When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.” Gratitude is the practice of finding the good in each day. Life can easily become stagnant, mundane, and monotonous, but that changes depending on what we choose to see. There’s always a silver lining, if you look for it. 4. Embrace the present “Because I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man.” There’s no point dwelling in the past and letting it define you, nor getting lost and anxious about the future. But in the present moment, you’re in the field of possibility — how you engage with the present moment will direct your life. 5. Your success has a ripple-effect “That’s what alchemists do. They show that, when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.” Growth, change, and evolution are weaved into the fabric of reality. Becoming a better version of yourself creates a ripple effect that benefits everything around you: your lifestyle, your family, your friends, your community. 6. Make the decision “When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he has never dreamed of when he first made the decision.” It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the unknowns and finer details of your dreams. Actions will flow out of having confidence in your decision; sitting on the fence will get you nowhere. 7. Be unrealistic “I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen, not what actually does.” Some of the greatest inventions would not have happened if people chose to accept the world as it is. Great achievements and innovations begin with a mindset that ignores the impossible. 8. Keep getting back up “The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” Because the eighth time could be your breakthrough. Some of the greatest novels in history were published after receiving hundreds of rejections. Thankfully, those authors never gave up. 9. Focus on your own journey “If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” It’s easy to be influenced by others, but you’ll be miserable if you end up living someone else’s life. There’s nothing wrong with taking advice and learning from others, but make sure it aligns with your desires and passions. 10. Always take action “There is only one way to learn. It’s through action.” You can study, read, and listen until you turn blue in the face, but the full experience is when you take action, and let the rubber meet the road. Once you’re done aiming, pull the trigger.

Isolation is the dream killer, not your attitude. Not the most entertaining video but I think her message has a lot of truth to it.

No, it's about bloody time we took some responsibility for our actions, or lack of. It's easy to pass that responsibility on to the next amoeba. We need to be honest, that we are all fallible, we have this entrenched dogma that we are the most superior phenomena on the planet. Australian and American indigenous people lived in harmony with the land for at least 60,000 years and 15,000 years respectively. Over 50% of wildlife has gone extinct in the last 40 years. Let's take that into consideration when saying we're the most advanced people to date. Let's also consider that indigenous people who lived here for so long are also basically extinct due to genocidal efforts by cultures that occupy the land today. Now I don't align myself with the right-wing, but let's pretend they are correct and assume that there is a natural social hierarchy, survival of the fittest if you like. Well, doesn't a people who live for 60,000 years outdo those who have basically killed off the planet in a few hundred in the survival department? Death is not life. Inflicting death is not solely what enables survival. Yet the youth of today, the males especially, go around thinking that's the foundation of masculinity.

I wonder what sort of experiences transpired in the 17 year olds life to bring him to a point where he throws an innocent kid off a building?

I might be having a blonde moment. If we are 9 hours ahead, doesn't that mean that English folk are reading our contributions after they've been made? Haha! How the tables have turned! (I have no idea what I'm on about, I've spent 5 minutes questioning why your post has gone over my head, to no avail) I thought the consequence for stealing from the Lord's orchard was the fall of man, hardly a small price, and it was a few more generations back from great Grandaddy.

I should. Should probably also include dating apps. I was referring to facebook and instagram. I never got on board twitter.

I only find myself on social media like once a fortnight. When I do though I spend my whole day on it. Outrageous behaviour.

Tell 'em, Whitney!

I never said Smith was reliant on Brentford. I spoke about Brentford's system for recruiting players. I indirectly insinuated they don't have the clout to pull in top caliber players. If you have read my posts on Smith I have either stated that prior to our interest in him, I was unaware of him, after researching him, I think he's a great asset. It is yet to be proven, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised as I have an inkling to believe, that any football club that had faith and invested in him would reap rewards.

At a guess, and if I'm honest a bit of a stab in the dark, it's because of the way Brentford operates as a club. They produce a system that allows players to thrive. They have a statistical and numerical analysis system which identifies players that are affordable and have traits to complement the Brentford system. Take those same players out of the Brentford way and you often have a player who hasn't really established their talent on the world stage and will rarely go on to do so elsewhere.

You can tell a lot about a person by the dialogue they have with others in my opinion, there's an energy about the language they choose to use. I know intuition only gets you so far, but the way Wes Edens comes across is very genuine, sincere and even caring. About his projects, but also about his people. I'm glad you took the time to look into him, because so many will judge him on the success of the football alone. Thanks for posting.

I don't know where Bolton are at these days. Don't really care either. But I do remember a goal they scored in the top flight, can't recall the players names involved though. Honestly, and surprisingly, one of the nicest and well executed passing sequences I've seen for a simple but skilled finish. They say Arsenal pass it into the net. Well, this made Arsenal's build up play look convoluted and OTT. Bolton used the perfect combination of width and directness to dance their way through their opponent's lines. Think it might've won goal of the year, or certainly was a contender.

Edit: Might update when things are more concrete and the vetting process is over.

I'll stop clogging up this thread with my sh*t for a little while after this.. But I will post a highlights compilation of my basketball season, at the end of the season, as every game is streamed live and recorded. They have already published a personal mixtape for me highlighting my efforts against the back-to-back reigning champs, who we beat by 25!

My future! Big* day!

I've got to go to bed now so will miss this one unfortunately, as I've got a bid day tomorrow. Was very keen to tune in and see how we match up against solid opposition. Look forward to reading the commentary from VT when I get the chance, and hopefully watch some highlights. Will be watching the Spurs game live come hell or high water!

Superstar quality and team player are not necessarily the same thing. You can have both traits, either or, or neither. I would say Jordan had both, and due to the chemistry that the Bulls developed achieved a shot in the playoffs without him. I would say LeBron has the former, and due to the lack of team morale and chemistry Cleveland, probably among other influences, were shit. But I feel like both of us have made arguments to consider, and so I'd like to agree to disagree from this point.

I suppose it's how you define success. For me, basketball is a team game, sure you need individuals to perform, but I'll take a superstar team over a team of superstars every time. Jordan understood this and listened to his coaching staff, and eventually developed trust in his teammates to take on a greater role than him going it solo. Tim Duncan is a better player than LeBron James for me, his dynasty and legacy has championships in three different decades. He lead the TEAM to that record. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, both understood the team game, and because of that they were part of dynasties that will be greater than any LeBron took part in. Miami Heat with James made four consecutive finals, okay, that's pretty special, and they won two. With three top 5 draft picks in their prime, you'd expect as much. LeBron's a special, special player, but he's not basketball's greatest. Not for me. He might be in terms of my favourite personality, I think he holds himself really admirably. As for THAT season. Golden State won one more game than the Jordan led Bulls to break the regular season record. So they were one regular season game better. I'd argue that the Jordan led Bulls would be the best candidates, but I'd say the Bird led '85-'86 Celtics, and a few others would have a real good crack at knocking them off. Okay that series was an absolute masterclass by LeBron, no two ways about it, the record for numbers he put up shows his influence. Westbrook's triple double statistics were absolutely through the roof one season. No one had ever done it before, for an 82 game season, not a 7 game series. I don't know. I'm not a Westbrook hater, but I'm certainly not trying to model my game around his. I just don't get the GOAT argument for LeBron. Any of them.

For lack of a better expression, F*** YEAH! That's got to be one of my favourite posts in this thread. More power to you.

I'm not sure he's even the best small forward to play the game. Kyrie Irving matched LeBron in points scored and clutch plays in that Cleveland win, they were both incredible! I am a LeBron fan, although I've been critical of him as a basketball player, as a person I think he's ace. What you've highlighted about the pressure that he's had to endure is something that must be commended. Shows the person he is. But nearly everyone that experiences greatness in their life, whether it's success, disappointment, trauma, happiness, they all have a story to tell. James is one of the finest athletic physical specimens to walk this earth, from an early age guaranteed phenomenal wealth and opportunity if he put in the work. James was a made man from those teenage years, despite what any fan or hater thinks of him, he knew early on he was an NBA player. Jordan didn't make the cut for his high school basketball team.