Here we go as we have a fresh new start in 2017. I've always found the odd years to be less harsh on humanity than the even years, so let's hope that trend continues this year. Still reminiscing back upon my last post and last year, I kept on thinking about the darker emotions that fill life, such as anger or resentment, frustration, or sadness, and how they all leave a lasting scar of pain. I remember watching Kobe's Muse documentary and him mentioning, "It's a scar, it's pain, it's a bad memory. Some people are afraid to tap into that side of them, but it's such a powerful thing. Once they own it themselves, then the sky is the limit because they are going to drive themselves and pull it from who they are and all of their life experiences and things that have motivated them."

It's pretty weird to think about how powerful of a weapon a scarring memory or memories in life can channel a whole new element in oneself. I would think that the scar would be a way to further chop away at the tree until it finally gives way, but I guess it doesn't have to be thought of in that way. In fact, I think I've been able to see that slow transition in thought process in myself over these past two years especially. The inner rage and frustration from how things have fallen into place for good and bad for me have unfolded into a side of me that I never thought was within me.

I remember growing up having rage really get out of hand when I unleashed, especially out on the soccer field. It honestly was a pretty big problem but was something that I couldn't explain to others in words. Maybe it stemmed a bit from my upbringing and maybe it stemmed from my undying passion for the game, but I realized one thing from my time out on the soccer field that is transferable to everything in life: "Passion that stems from rage and sorrow is uncontrollably destructive to the mind and heart, but it paves the way for excellence and greatness."

Cultural integration has further shown me this to be true. Yes, Kobe has undeniably shown this to be a fact time and time again throughout his career and that is what makes it so marveling to watch him as a spectator. I think another avenue I have been able to find this to be case is through Bollywood movies actually. The Indian/desi culture of passion, care, and love is something hard to understand at its true core as an outsider. But watching movies, such as Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, will hopefully further broaden your perspective on the idea of passion and rage and how they intertwine as a powerful weapon to use in life. If anything though, it helps you become more cultured, which I find very valuable in one's lifetime, by watching bits and pieces of both movies.

As you can all tell, I love to look at the way the journey unfolds and the story that colors that journey. Every story has its base which it uses as a launching pad for what unfolds. I've come to find that the most compelling stories stem from this darker side to things due to the larger degree of an internal inspiration for every detail of the story. As someone who loves to see things "crisp and sharp", I seek to find the thoughtful meaning behind actions. That is tough to find when you don't have as powerful of a weapon of use as that which stems from an internal darkness of passionate rage.

Looking forward to the upcoming year, each of us will not have a restart to our stories but rather the turning of the page or start of a new chapter. A lot of us find ourselves lost in the abyss that is global society and the external factors weighing heavily down on each of us for different purposes. It becomes all too much to handle when there isn't something really driving you behind everything you do. Take it from me - I've been wandering around aimlessly for some 17 to 18 years of my life until I brought out my own scarring weapon just some 2 years ago. Not only does it give you clarity when you unleash your scarring weapon but it also paves the way to enlightenment and peace within yourself. That is because you are able to take the large pit that has been wedged deep inside of you and let it out in a huge sigh of relief which comes through you allowing your life to be molded and centered around your scarring weapon being discovered.

If I get too much further into this topic and its personal relation to me, I don't think it will bode well for my own psychological well being, so I'll just leave it as is for now. I just want you all to keep in mind of this power and optimism that can come out from the darker emotions. Do realize that bad can also come out of them if utilized in the wrong manner and for the wrong reasons. However, that ultimately is a choice you have to make in regards to how you plan to write the next few words in your life journey. You'll get lost from time to time along the way and that is alright. It happens to everyone where they come to a dead end after feeling they were on the right road for so long; it is a matter of how you pivot from the halt in your path that will make all the difference. It may be tough trying to figure out how to pivot from one stage to the next, as it might take weeks, months, or even years. Above all else though, make sure to keep that scarring weapon as the base for everything, and I'll guarantee you that everything will work out for you.