Bit of a mini-revelation, but for context. Whenever I feel I need to, I do what I call a Wicca-Ojibwe Mix, in terms of rituals. In layman's terms I smudge, but rather than use Ojibwe Prayers I use Wiccan Incantations to better focus my will and intent.

Now the one thing Native Medicine and Wiccan Practices have in common other than the herbs being used, is that they have what is known as Calling Corners. In which you have to face a certain direction to have your intent more heard.

In the case of Wicca:

1. North: Earth
2. South: Fire
3. East: Air
4. West: Water

In the case of Native:

1. North: Protection
2. South: Love
3. East: Finance
4. West: Letting Go.

Now in reference to my Previous Article, where I went to let things go was often West, because I've had friends and family that lived further west of me and much of the stuff that kept me entertained such as the arcades I went to would often be further West. Or so I thought. Because of the change in transportation that happened over the past year, I went West, Then North to where I needed to go. Letting go and protection. Which made me realized that the places I went to were Spiritual Safe Spots. Places I needed to go to protect myself and others around me without any effort whatsoever. Simply go there, do what you gotta do, call it a day and go home.

Now before I did my recent smudge, Traditionally I go North, South, East and West. North to give thanks to the Earth, South in respect of my element Fire and East and West in respect to others born under those elements in my circle. However just recently as an experiment, after doing North, South East and West, I did another smudge. Facing the directions between them. Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast. Combining Protection and Love with Finance and Letting Go. Basically combining the elements in a way that no one else thought of, because of a few following factors.

1. It never occurred to them.
2. If it did, they didn't think it would work.
3. It breaks what they view as tradition and they fear consequence.

Now I must admit, I am a stickler for some traditions, but while I do insist I'm still Wiccan as my core, I never really got fully immersed in any religion, because I started seeing faults. In terms of Christianity, lessons and values that contradict with other lessons and values.

Part of the reason why many parents have trouble controlling their children and putting them on the right path to life, is because they want their kids to do things strictly THEIR way and not even remotely listen to suggestions that could have improved them. It's why so many kids suffer, because they have trouble finding the line between pleasing their loved ones and doing their own thing.

Part of why my life was so miserable, was because I was under the impression that God, or whatever was up there, was punishing me for not listening to them at all, when in actuality, I was only supposed to listen to advice that was important and useful, but reject what doesn't apply to me and do my own thing. Basically Jeet Kune Do'ing Life in a nutshell. At first I thought they were afraid I was gonna fail, but in actuality, certain people, even with the best interests at heart have often tried to subdue me because they were afraid of being proven wrong about me. And every time I've done so, even by accident, makes them double down on trying to control me. It's basically the feud between Homer Simpson and Ned Flanders all over again:

People have often tried to root for Homer, simply because he was the main character and he resonated with those in similar situations as him. However, when I look back at this clip, Homer was in the wrong about everything in this. He was under the insecure delusion that Flanders believed he was better than him and was bragging about it. When in actuality, Flanders simply wanted Homer to be his friend. It's why the episode ended with Homer being further humiliated. Because he assumed everyone was like him and would suffer like he did, only for the episode to end saying "Not everyone is like you, so stop trying."

Myself, if I saw a potential friend with cooler stuff than me, I don't get jealous, I just think the person is awesome even if they don't think so themselves. If something happens that makes my life better, I try to share with others through my experiences in hopes they'd find something that would help them out of their own funk. They don't have to be like me, but at the same time my advice is not unwarranted. Hell, much of the reasons why people both online and in the real world hate me so much, was because they simply assumed that I thought I was better than them.

I'm not trying to be better than anyone, I never see life as a competition even if others disagree. I'm simply me. I do things my way, but at the same time appreciate the help that got me there.

The only regret was, that it took me a long time to realize that, because I used to seek out those that didn't care for me for validation. Now that I gotten over that, I can freely move on with my life without any obstacles that can't be overcome. And if I can do that, so can you. Stop focusing on what people have that you don't. Stop focusing on trying to please everyone be it your personal, professional or even religious life. Just be yourself, do things your way. Add your own spin on an old tradition or break it entirely. Life should never be an endless cycle anymore. Break the cycle.

Take care, stay safe and stay tuned for more.