There’s no denying that in today’s world, people have a false belief of what free speech is. And this article isn’t really about the country or the first amendment, it’s about a lot of stuff in general.

I said this before; sitting through a video, a news show, or a conversation might be difficult for some people if your beliefs are being challenged or the information is outside of what you consider normal. But difficulty is a good thing, and it was for a good reason that someone came up with the saying, “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

You stand to gain the most when something is difficult.

You don’t have to listen to something if you don’t want to, and you don’t have to watch something, read something, or sit through anything if you’d rather not.

You cannot however, stop someone else from speaking, listening, reading, or watching something, and the more you try, the more difficult you’ll make your own life. There’s an imbalance there if all you do is take away but never give, and the universe’s answer to that is karmic justice-it doesn’t matter if you believe in it or not-it’s just the way our world was created.

Thankfully, we have an amendment that protects our rights to express ourselves because seriously, look what’s going on.

Look how many people have gotten caught for attempting to silence opposition. Do you know how dangerous that is to us as a public that’s supposed to be well-informed?

The second thing is this, and I’m not going to hold back here; if you spend your days looking for ways to annoy, push, or aggravate someone else instead of handling your business and carrying on with your day, then you’re a scumbag. For real.

We all have bad days. Personally, I stay away from people when I’m dealing with something internal. I just canceled a first date with a girl I liked because I was in a terrible mood, and I did it because I didn’t want to take my problems out on her. I didn’t want to ruin her day or be sarcastic with her.

I stay away from people or just keep to myself until I’m capable of treating people with the respect they deserve, because in all fairness, they didn’t put me in a bad mood. I expect the same in return.

Don’t project on me, and don’t take your shit out on me. If you want to talk about something that’s bothering you, I’m your man. I’m not, however, a garbage can for you to dump your shit in, and I’ll let you know that.

And please, I’m not being arrogant. I’m fair, and I tell it like it is. I don’t play up to my audience. When it comes to how I feel, I’m consistent. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. I’m not trying to win your support because I’d rather earn your respect.

I write about my feelings, probably more than I should, but I think that’s what blogging is about. Not every post is going to be a short story, a poem, or a review about a mainstream news story.

When I created Nooz Buffet four years ago, I described it as an outlet of relevant information that’s progressive and in sync year-round, and I’ve stayed true to that.

Nooz Buffet is self-expression in its purest; that’s what separates Nooz Buffet from other blogs and that’s what separates me from other creators and writers. When you press that follow button, you’re not just following Nooz Buffet, you’re following me.

I can write poetry and short stories, and I do, but I wanted my blog to be something more. There’s a million blogs filled short stories and poetry.

You’ll get creative work here, but you’ll also get real emotions and feelings shared through stories of personal experience or shared in conversation. I’m not always right, and I never claimed to be, but I have common sense. I see things for what they are and without prejudice-not what they could be, should be, or what I would like them to be.

I don’t make up stories when there’s nothing to say, and I won’t put a truth label on some bullshit. Every story, at the very least, has two sides.

I could lie, and I do sometimes, but I’d rather not because I see the light-I see the truth. Lying is easy, so easy in fact, that it makes an honest man hard to find. Everyone is different, and I appreciate originality. I love the uniqueness of individuality and individuals who are masters of their craft.

Why?

Because they had the awareness to recognize themselves within the group, they were smart enough to know they were different, they were brave enough to claim independence, they had the courage to step into their power, and they have something to offer.

When I go to work, I-go-to-work. I go to work to earn my money, and I follow the rules.

If you and I work together then we’re coworkers. That’s all we are, we’re just two people who work together. If we’re anything more than that, then let time show us. We don’t owe each other anything, and we don’t need to speak about anything other than the task at hand.

I’m not serious, but life is, and I’m not playing.

I’m patient, and I let a lot of things go-usually until I’m directly affected.

I don’t like being bullied, and believe me, bullying doesn’t end in school. Our system has bullying integrated into it, and if you don’t believe me then start speaking your truth.

If something is bothering you, then you should speak about it.

Don’t be upset with someone who did something you were too afraid to do. In that situation, you’re the obstacle in your way. Like I said, I’m not always right and I never claimed to be, but I have common sense.

If everyone can do something, then it’s not special. Nothing worth having is easily obtained, and you’ll always have a greater appreciation for something if you had to work for it. It’s really amazing-this life we live, the people we meet, and the interactions we have. Our days are filled with opportunities and possibilities.

Somewhere along the way, I decided to take the middle path and I try to remain as neutral as possible. Because at the very least, there are two sides to every story. I used to take the news in stride and get on with my day, but then I realized how much influence the internet and television has over our lives.

Remaining neutral is hard, although most people would disagree. I entered this path with one thing. Most people think it’s easy, but it’s far from easy. Remaining neutral is deceiving-people think it means not getting involved with anything.

When you’re committed to the middle path, you’re really committed to truth. It’s the complete opposite not getting involved. You’re committed to the story in its entirety-both sides. You’re open to hearing both points of view because that’s the only way you can make the best decisions for yourself and ultimately, discover the truth.

The person who commits to the middle path understands right behavior, what’s right, and the difference between right and wrong. They understand balance and justice. They understand why and how things work, they understand the importance of time, they understand nature, the nature of things and the natural world. They understand perception, they watch, they listen, and they observe. And most importantly, they understand themselves. I see the light on this path. The light is the truth and the light is the way, and I see it literally and symbolically.

Interestingly enough, I don’t need anyone to tell me I’ve succeeded or mastered this path. I’m just trying to figure out the relationship between this path and everyday living, the daily grind, and this thing we call our system. Is it a separate way in and of itself, or does it cross paths with some of the more mainstream roads?

Can I chose? Am I supposed to chose? Where does it go? How far does it go? I could spend the rest of my life on the middle path-in contemplation, learning, loving, teaching and growing. I can feel the difference-it’s something I do have to detach from. So, it is a completely different frame of mind and being.

It’s okay to love yourself, it’s okay to be proud of yourself, it’s okay to put yourself first, and it’s okay to tell people no. All of that is admirable and respectable, but only to those who truly care about you.

The most important thing, even more important than money, is health. Poor health=poor person. Take care of yourself. Take care of your body and take care of your mind. Health is wealth.

When you master yourself, you master the people and the world around you. When you know your worth, you know who’s worthy of your time. Your time is valuable because your time is limited. What you do with your time is your business, but don’t waste mine.

If I can’t say something to you when we’re face to face, then I won’t say it behind your back. Mocking, ridiculing, and lying about someone who isn’t present to defend themselves isn’t cool.

Image isn’t everything but it’s important. It doesn’t matter what people say about you, and it doesn’t matter what people think about you. It only matters what certain people say and think about you.

The world’s view of you will be the one you present to it.

So, take your time. Think about it. Maybe you’ll show a little more of this and a little less of that. Maybe, you’ll hide that completely and show this instead. Shave this not that, wear these not those, and presto!

Your view of the world should NEVER be the one it presents to you.

I’m not always right, and I never claimed to be, but I have common sense. I have enough sense to know that whatever you’re showing me is exactly what you want me to see.

This isn’t your version of the world, it’s mine, and I’m telling it like it is.