True identity; the strongest force

The strongest force in the Universe is a Human being living consistently with his identity.

Tony Robbins

I read this off a calendar page, which had pictures of lightning bolts, aptly, because these wise words hit me like a lightning bolt.

If you ever wonder why your favourite singer, band, surfer or inspirational person, is just so good at what they do, it’s usually because they have an absolute conviction and passion for their identity and who they are. Kelly Slater seeks a swell and just takes off after it. The wave inspires in him a strong link with his identity and who he is. Walking past a bookshop, you may see a new novel or book by your favourite author; something that catches your eye and is consistent with your beliefs and identity. The next thing you know, you are enthralled in prose, again reinforcing in thoughts and beliefs what you believe to be part of your identity.

So when I read this quote, I stopped and thought. I flipped the calendar to this page and earmarked it. It’s amazing when a thought, action, vision or word inspires something in you that causes you to react in a way that is consistent with who you are. For me, a thousand thoughts came to my head, and immediately thoughts of surfing, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paulo Coelho and travelling flooded my consciousness. I never thought about it, that being who you really are, that enforcing your true identity could be a source of permeating and radiating strength in the Universe. There is a saying that if everyone did what they really loved, the world would be a happier place.

I know that when I am in the moment of surfing, this amazing feeling comes over me. It’s both a feeling of challenge and release; it’s like the energy of an atom splitting. You need to put energy in to release new energy, and for me surfing does that every time. The incredible centeredness and connectedness with my true identity I feel after surfing is indescribable and well, inspiring. I feel with the energy I get from surfing I create a ripple through the Universe, sending out messages of strength, happiness, confidence and peace.

Yes, peace. Because to be at one with the world, we must first be grounded and peaceful with ourselves and our identity. In yoga, my teacher said that each pose teaches you both strength and softness at the same time. You need to use strength to achieve softness and grace in the pose. In the beginning you look for strength to be able to find conviction and consistency in what you are doing. And that is how you build character and identity; that is how you build up the ‘mental yoga’ of your life.

What an amazing concept...that being yourself and living in consistency with your true identity and soul is the strongest force in the Universe? So the message is clear; live at one with yourself and keep at it!

Copyright SoulSurfer © 22 December 2011 at 3.41pm

MANspiration: Anthony Kiedis – a sex symbol incarnate

Few men can captivate me on such a native and grassroots level as Anthony Kiedis. He is raw and confronting in a totally sexy and charming way. He is sex symbol who pushes around the word ‘sex’ in his music, life and demeanour without explicitness. I look at his ruggedly striking features, and they tell a story of a man who is either impossibly simple or intricately complex.

He couldn’t have had a more rockstar upbringing, being under the care of his drug-dealing and using father since the age of 11. He quickly spiraled into a life of debauchery and drug abuse, despite being a straight-A student and getting accepted into university.

It’s in this disheveled world he met the original line up of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The rest (at least musically and in a multi Grammy-award winning sense) is history.

Through the ups and downs of his life, Anthony has found solace in his songwriting, and a medium through which to broadcast such issues as drug abuse, racism, poverty, globalization and loneliness. Confronting issues, which in a clever way, do not ‘scream’ for attention through their music, but tap deeply into your human conscience. Kiedis’ songwriting has a timeless transcendence, which strikes the heart of those who can grasp the metaphor behind the often incongruent and trivial lyrics.

Anthony Kiedis’ persona is one of cheeky, laid-back yet lovable arrogance. On one hand, his butt-baring, sock wearing (see Sox on Cox), high energy on stage performances are every bit the making of a psychedelic rockstar. But it seems his Mohican roots kick in when it comes to family and nature; being a devout vegan since the 1980’s and affectionately naming his son Everly Bear, because “it’s nice to have a little bit of earth in your name”. The past drug abuser does not abuse the critically-acclaimed fame he and the RHCP have garnered over three decades; he and the members are quick to rush in and trade their numerous accolades at once, in order to raise funds for tsunami-ravaged Japan. Kiedis still finds himself perfectly ensconced in the role of a rock star; it’s just as time goes on, him and his bandmates have found balance and happiness to be “radical and desirable acts”.

His inspiration, like his energy is boundless. With a new record and new guitarist in the works for mid 2011, fans await what the new RHCP lineup will unleash. Kiedis in 2006 was quoted as saying, “Somehow I find songs, in the bigness of what they’re doing”. Once again, we RHCP fans anticipate their songs to strike hard, dig deep and be Red Hot chart toppers. As for Anthony, ever-inspiring, in every aspect, he proves his own words; “It’s easy to be a junkie, but it’s not easy to be one of the best...songwriters of all time”.

Sox on Cox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Dql7EiMWE

Copyright © 29 May 2011 SoulSurfer

Rise and shine

Thought I'd kick off my blog with a music post which seems to just embody my carefree, multi-cultural, passionate attitude to life.
Who else but the Red Hot Chili Peppers, from their best album "Californication" ? (in my opinion anyway :))
I give you "Around the world", featured also on the 'Songs for Japan' album. Enjoy! :)