The recent Los Angeles fires tell a story that’s far more complex than most headlines suggest. Like many of today’s environmental challenges, pointing fingers at a single culprit misses the bigger picture.

Mother Nature has always been a force beyond human control, but we’ve certainly made her job easier. In LA, local officials diverted crucial funding away from firefighting services. Now, as flames tear through neighborhoods, that decision looks particularly short-sighted. But that’s just one thread in a much larger tapestry of poor choices.

Take water management, for instance. More than half of LA’s water supply now sits in private hands. This raises uncomfortable questions: Should something as essential as water be a profit center? When basic survival meets quarterly earnings reports, whose interests win?

But here’s where the story gets darker. Climate change now costs American taxpayers over $2 trillion annually, a figure that’s climbing faster than the mercury in a Death Valley thermometer. While nature’s cycles have always included climate variation, human activity has pushed these changes into overdrive.

ExxonMobil’s own scientists saw this coming. Back in the late 1970s, their research clearly showed how their operations contributed to climate change. Their response? Bury the study and make sure nothing like it ever saw daylight again. Meanwhile, major oil companies perfected the art of influence, using campaign contributions to ensure friendly policies remained in place.

The irony cuts deep: We give ExxonMobil $4 billion yearly in research and development subsidies. They take our tax dollars, charge us premium prices at the pump, and leave us with a multi-trillion-dollar climate bill. It’s like paying someone to set your house on fire, then buying the gasoline from them at markup.

Recent political developments haven’t helped. Our newly elected leadership has been remarkably transparent about their relationship with fossil fuel interests. When industry leaders hear promises to “do whatever they want” in exchange for campaign contributions, they’re quick to open their checkbooks.

The solution isn’t simple, but it starts with recognizing that this isn’t just LA’s problem. Climate change doesn’t respect city limits or state lines. Some argue for nationalizing energy companies to eliminate profit-driven decision-making. Others push for holding these corporations financially accountable for climate-related damages.

But until we change how we vote – until we stop supporting politicians who prioritize corporate interests over environmental stability – we’ll keep writing checks from our own pockets to fund the destruction of our planet. The LA fires aren’t just burning homes; they’re illuminating a system that’s desperately in need of reform.

We can’t control Mother Nature, but we can control how we prepare for her fury. It’s time to stop treating climate change as someone else’s problem and recognize that every election, every policy decision, and every dollar spent either moves us toward a solution or deeper into crisis.

What’s your take on this? Have you or someone you know been affected by climate-related disasters? Share your story in the comments below. The more voices in this conversation, the harder we are to ignore.

If this message resonated with you, tap that share button. Each share helps break through the noise and reaches people who might not otherwise see past the headlines. Let’s get this conversation started.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

When I recently suggested that Jesus might have been a strong Black woman, the reactions were fascinating. Not because of their intensity, but because of their inconsistency.

Here’s what we know: Jesus wasn’t the blue-eyed, pale-skinned figure we see in countless churches and homes across the Western world. Born in the Middle East some 2,000 years ago, he would have had features typical of that region and era — darker skin, brown eyes, and Middle Eastern features. This isn’t controversial; it’s simple historical fact.

Yet something strange happens when we talk about Jesus’s appearance. The same people who readily accept — even defend — historically inaccurate depictions of a white, European-looking Jesus often become deeply troubled by suggestions that he might have been anything other than male or might have had darker skin. This selective outrage reveals something profound about our relationship with faith, truth, and our own biases.

Consider this paradox: If someone’s primary concern were historical accuracy in religious representation, wouldn’t they be equally troubled by all inaccurate depictions? The fact that many aren’t suggests something else is at play. When people accept a historically incorrect white Jesus but bristle at the idea of a Black or female Jesus, they’re telling us more about their own biases than their religious convictions.

To be clear, this isn’t about arguing that Jesus was actually a woman or any particular race. Rather, it’s about examining why certain departures from historical accuracy provoke outrage while others get a pass. A truly principled position would either reject all historically inaccurate representations or accept that artistic depictions of religious figures can vary across cultures and interpretations.

The deeper question here isn’t about Jesus’s actual appearance — it’s about why we cling so desperately to certain images while rejecting others. When someone vehemently defends one historical inaccuracy while condemning another, they’re often revealing deep-seated insecurities about their own beliefs. It’s as if accepting any alternative representation might somehow threaten the entire foundation of their faith.

This defensive reaction often masks a more profound spiritual uncertainty. Those most resistant to questioning traditional depictions may be the ones harboring the deepest doubts about their beliefs. Instead of engaging with these doubts honestly, they overcompensate with rigid adherence to familiar but historically inaccurate representations.

True faith, one might argue, shouldn’t be threatened by questioning surface-level details like appearance. After all, if one believes in the divine nature and message of Jesus, shouldn’t those transcend any physical characteristics? Whether depicted as Middle Eastern (historically accurate), European (traditionally Western), Asian (as seen in Korean churches), or any other variation, the essential teachings remain unchanged.

Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that our discomfort with certain depictions of religious figures says more about our own biases and insecurities than about our faith. A genuinely secure belief system should be robust enough to withstand questions and alternative perspectives without resorting to selective outrage.

The next time we encounter different representations of religious figures, instead of asking “Why is this wrong?” we might better ask ourselves “Why does this make me uncomfortable?” The answer might reveal more about our own spiritual journey than we expect.

Let’s Talk About This

I’ve shared my thoughts – now I’m genuinely curious about yours. This is a conversation that deserves to be heard, and your perspective could help others see things in a new light.

Drop a comment sharing:

• Your experiences with religious imagery in your community
• How different cultural depictions of religious figures have impacted your views
• A story about when your own assumptions were challenged

Tag a friend who loves deep conversations about faith and society. Better yet, tag that person who always has a different take than yours – sometimes the best discussions come from opposing viewpoints!

⏰ Quick favor: Instead of just scrolling past, take 30 seconds to share your initial reaction. Even a simple “This made me think…” helps start meaningful dialogue.

✨ If this post resonates with you, use the “Share” button to spread this discussion. Facebook loves when people engage early, so your quick action helps ensure this reaches others who might need to hear it.

Remember: The goal isn’t to prove anyone right or wrong, but to understand each other better. Let’s keep this conversation respectful and constructive.

#FaithDiscussion #RepresentationMatters #OpenDialogue

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Let me drop some hard-earned wisdom that’s been keeping my peace intact for years. If you have your own relatable story, please share it with us in the comments.

THE DATING SCENE
It’s like watching fuckery jujitsu in action. People out here with their red pill pickup artist nonsense, acting like little kids with their hands in the cookie jar. They throw empty words around thinking they’re players, but here’s the truth: If you’re treating relationships like a video game level to beat, then off to chase another girl or boy shaped toy, you’re part of the problem, not the solution.

TRUTH BOMB
I can go to bed happy, after a day of living my passions, totally content. You know what actually use to make me lonely? Those BS 3am love bombs from someone who doesn’t really want me. That “come here, I don’t want you” cognitive dissonance hits like getting punched in the face twice before breakfast in the safe space of your own damn home.

BOUNDARIES CHECK EDITION ✓
• Your lazy one-word texts? (Probably sent to 200 others) BLOCKED
• Your mass-sent “hey” messages? DELETED
• Your attempts to make me jealous? LAUGHABLE
• Your game-playing Love Bombing “Come Here, I don’t want you” nonsense? IRRELEVANT and I still wish ill upon you.

MAJOR PSA: My boundaries are excellent these days. I can have wonderful friendships with all kinds of people, including married folks and their partners. But try to include me in breaking faith with your partnership? That information’s going straight to the newspaper where it belongs.

REAL LIFE UPDATE: Just danced my ass off last night, did a great workout today, in the midst of writing a new beautiful song for my Musical Orgasms brand that you should totally look up on Spotify (or whatever platform you use), and the most recent “Come here, I don’t want you” cognitive dissonance bullshit I received had no effect on me (Growth, right? Drop a if you relate!)

LIVING ALONE VS. LIVING LONELY:
Sure, I love giving and receiving massages and I typically eat dinner alone. But let me tell you something – every single aspect of living alone beats trying to live with someone who makes you feel alone. Lived life experiences has taught me that many years ago.

THE BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME?
Allowing the wrong people to live rent free in my mind. I left those situations, sometimes emotional traumatized, and lots of healing to do. But guess what? Now I’m:
• Making decisions without bruising egos
• Working faster without waiting for “help”
• Living authentically without arbitrary criticism

ENERGY CHECK ⚡
Mine’s focused. Controlled. Purposeful. When I give attention, it starts with eye contact and a genuine smile. No games, no manipulation. If you can’t match that energy, don’t expect access to my life.

HARD TRUTH ABOUT HELP:
I love the idea of people helping people. When help is offered to later use as a bargaining tool to guilt trip you into future returned favors then I’d rather do it myself. If help is offered with no expectation to manipulate later, I’ll take it and odds are I will offer help when said individual needs help. Fortunately, I am extraordinarily healthy, strong, capable, and not afraid of rolling up my sleeves to work hard. Hard work is inevitable. Sure, it’d be nice to have someone cozy to collapse with after a day of honest hard work, but when you’re on Planet Mars like I am, a healthy protein shake or a fresh pressed green vegetable juice works just fine.

THE LUGGAGE TEST:
If they’re:
• Inconsistent ❌
• Insincere ❌
• Unmotivated ❌
• Selfish ❌
They’re not baggage – they’re behavior is worthy of garbage. And when you finally let them go, you won’t sink – you’ll float.

THE GOLDEN RULE:
You need people. You don’t need A person. When you stop needing someone and just want them instead? That’s where real relationships begin.

FINAL TRUTH:
Be under your own power. Every chore after that is just a swim. Stop towing people along who don’t want to be there. People aren’t luggage, and you’re not a courier service.

Share Your Story:
• What was your “enough is enough” moment?
• How did you find peace in solitude?
• What’s your best “I did it myself” victory?

Drop a if you’re done with half-present people and ready to be fully alive alone or in a healthy relationship.

#RealTalk #Boundaries #SelfWorth #NoMoreGames #AuthenticLiving #SingleLife #GrowthJourney

P.S. If this post resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is admit we’re Squidward in a world of SpongeBobs. And that’s perfectly okay.

P.P.S. Follow for more unfiltered truth bombs and daily reminders that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Picture this: You’re standing in line on Election Day, staring at two names you don’t particularly like. Sound familiar? It’s not just you — it’s by design.

The truth about our democracy isn’t pretty. While we blame politicians for its failures, the real story starts with us — the people who inherited this remarkable system but forgot how to use it. We’ve created a vacuum, and corporate America hasn’t wasted a second filling it.

Here’s what most Americans don’t realize: The general election is just the final act in a play that’s already been cast. By the time November rolls around, corporations have already picked their performers. They’ve selected both leads — one wearing a red tie, one blue — but they’re reading from the same script. The real power lies in the primaries, where barely anyone shows up to audition new talent.

Think about it. When was the last time you voted in a primary? If you’re like most Americans, you might not even remember. That’s exactly what corporate interests are banking on.

The numbers tell a staggering story. Policies that 80% of Americans support — across party lines — can’t get passed because they conflict with corporate interests. Even more shocking? Ninety percent of Americans believe corporate campaign donations corrupt our political system. Yet here we are, watching the same play, cycle after cycle.

The media won’t tell you this. They can’t. They’re part of the same corporate ecosystem that profits from the status quo. Every “debate” you watch is theater if no one mentions who’s funding the actors. It’s like watching a sports match without knowing both teams are owned by the same person.

But here’s the part that should make you sit up straight: We outnumber them ten thousand to one. Ten thousand to one. Let that sink in.

We’re not just talking about abstract political theory. There’s already a drafted 28th Amendment that would criminalize private money in public elections. But you won’t hear about it in the news. Why? Because it would pass in a heartbeat if people knew about it.

Think about this absurdity: In any other profession — law, medicine, education — accepting bribes is a crime that could land you in prison. But in politics? It’s not just legal; it’s practically a job requirement. The better you are at accepting “campaign contributions” (let’s call them what they are: bribes), the higher you can climb.

The solution isn’t complicated, but it requires something from you — something more than just showing up in November. It requires showing up when it really counts: during primary season. This is where real change begins.

Imagine walking into a voting booth and feeling genuinely excited about your choices. Imagine candidates who refuse corporate money because they answer to you, not shareholders. This isn’t a fantasy — it’s what happens when we show up for primaries.

The corporations are betting you won’t read this far. They’re betting you’ll maybe feel angry and then forget about it by tomorrow. They’re betting that come primary season, you’ll be too busy, too tired, or too cynical to show up.

Prove them wrong.

Your primary vote is the most powerful political tool you have. It’s more powerful than any protest sign, social media post, or November ballot. It’s the one thing they can’t buy — if you use it.

The next primary season is coming. Mark it on your calendar. Set an alarm. Tell your friends. Because this isn’t just about politics — it’s about who controls our lives.

Remember: By the time the general election arrives, the real decisions have already been made. The choices have been pre-selected. The deals have been struck. Unless we show up in the primaries, we’re just picking between two corporate-approved options.

We have the numbers. We have the power. What we need now is the will to use it.

Are you ready to take back your democracy? It starts with a promise to yourself: “I will vote in the next primary election.” Share this message. Make it go viral. Force this conversation into the mainstream.

Because if we don’t show up for the primaries, we’re not just missing an election — we’re missing our chance to break corporate America’s grip on our democracy as well as our lives.

The choice is ours. But remember: They’re counting on our silence. They’re counting on our absence. They’re counting on business as usual.

Prove them wrong. Show up when it counts. Vote in your primary.

Perhaps it partially starts with commenting here and sharing this post and other posts like this one to levels of going crazy viral.

We can’t be ignored when it’s over ten thousand of us to every one of them, unless we allow us to be ignored. Which we have, so far. Let’s draw a line in the proverbial sand and change that. Perhaps with a simple share and comment on posts like this we can force our collective voice into the mainstream. Social media has driven conversations that the media has had to reckon with before. We can do it again.

Let’s not give them our silence or our surrender to their chosen status quo.

Show up when it counts. Vote in your primary.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

I’m talking to this kid in the real world offline who couldn’t have been more than 20 years old that lit me on fire.

Here’s what stopped me in my tracks: While most people find out I never need to work for a paycheck another day in my life, they immediately ask for the hot tips (but please, nothing difficult, nothing inconvenient, and definitely nothing that costs), this kid was different. He’s asking me about the right books to read, the right philosophies to study, the way to look at things. He told me straight up that he’s willing and able to roll up his sleeves and work hard to become the person he wants to be.

Unlike most people, he wasn’t chasing quick wins – he wanted real freedom to spend his time however he wants instead of trading it for a paycheck.

I let him know right away – the fact that he’s asking about books and philosophies already sets him apart from at least 90% of the population. Most just want that magical hot tip that doesn’t require time, study, effort, or any upfront cost.

The whole thing started with typical small talk – “So what do you do for a living?” This kid is currently working two jobs, and remarkably optimistically at that. When I told him what I do, he immediately dove into the real questions: What books should he read? What philosophies should he adopt? What can he start working hard at right now?

And I had answers for all of those questions. Why? Because I’ve been there. I’ve done that. I’m one of the rare ones who’ve made it to the other side – the side of time freedom. I don’t need, and probably will never need, a job ever again. I will never again be in a position where I have to sacrifice my time for a paycheck.

But here’s the second part that convinced me this kid is different: When I gave him the answers, he didn’t offer up a single excuse. Not one complaint. There was no “I don’t have the money,” no “I don’t have the time,” no “I’ve got a boil on my butt,” no “Mercury’s in retrograde.” Zero excuses.

Let me tell you something – when I give someone answers and they immediately start making excuses, I know right then and there: that person isn’t going to make it. They’re going to live and die working for a paycheck their whole lives. But this kid? I believe he has more than a fair shot at escaping that uninspiring way to live.

That one-two combination is rare:

1. Getting the answers
2. Following up with zero excuses or complaints

It’s so rare to find these two qualities in an individual that it’s inspiring even for me, someone who’s already created that success. So inspiring that I’m making this video and corresponding article about it.

Now I want to know about you. What camp do you fall into? Are you among the many who come up with excuses and complaints? Or are you one of the few hearing this with an attitude of “I’m going to do it, whatever it takes, no excuses”?

Every mistake is something to learn from. Every win is something to learn from. It doesn’t matter if you experience a mistake or a setback – everything is something to learn from and move forward with. Everything is leverage.

So which camp are you in? Are you going to prefix an excuse with “but, you don’t understand my situation” or, “It might work for others, but..”? You’re right – I probably don’t understand your situation. We may not be able to relate to each other at all because we have two different worldviews brought on by two very different lived experiences.

It could be completely unfair and uneasy, but here’s the truth: No matter what, there is someone out there who had it more difficult and figured a way out of it. Facts of a tough set of circumstances are healthy to recognize as long as that tough realization is intersected with an attitude of “no matter what, I’m going to figure it out. Everything is just feedback. Everything is just leverage.”

Another way to look at a tough set of life circumstances is, how long do you wanna stay in that same set of tough life circumstances? Time is going to pass by regardless. Do you want to arrive at some future point in the same place you are now with no change, or maybe worse off than you are now, or some place that’s more desirable?

Health? Time? Goals? Projects? Job?

Maybe you love your job, and your goal is to get the big promotion? I’m not a job hater for people who love their jobs, if that’s you I hope you find your best life there or wherever your soul feels most alive.

These concepts I’m sharing here are not just for time freedom; they are for life itself.

Maybe you have a spiritual side that is not of this world. These concepts and philosophies apply.

The reason I commonly use wealth as an example, specifically leveraged forms of income as real wealth, is because that’s the one variable that gives a person their freedom of time to be able to do whatever one wishes to do with all other areas of their lives. It’s something that for most of you is a whole new set of dots to connect. That is, consciously acknowledging a direct connection between leveraged income and the freedom of your time to purse all other passions and goals in your life.

There is a very interesting connection between leveraged income and a spiritual side if you have a spiritual side. How much time and presence can you give the development of your spiritual side if you have to exchange a significant portion of your time and presence in exchange for a paycheck in perpetuity? It’s an interesting connection to make between money and spirituality because the two items couldn’t be any further apart from one another, but in this life, they are very much directly connected in the way I described.

Put your most important goals and passions in the forefront of your mind right now for the next part of this. It doesn’t matter if they are related to money, or not, but be honest with yourself if leveraged income is needed in your life in order to be able to pursue those goals and passions.

And ask yourself,

The Question That Matters

Which of these two camps do you fall into?

Camp 1: The Excuse Makers

• “But my situation is different…”
• “You don’t understand how hard I have it…”
• “That might work for others, but…”

Camp 2: The I’m Going to Figure it Out No Matter What People

• They see obstacles as feedback
• They turn setbacks into stepping stones
• They make zero excuses, period
• They acknowledge a tough situation as it is while deeply loving themselves, even after making mistakes, and sees everything as leverage to become better.

Comment below with your honest answer. Your response will reveal about where you’re headed. The powerful thing about your honest answer is that if you aren’t happy with it, you can decide to do something else about it while giving yourself grace and space to make mistakes along the way. Never forget that.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Today is my last day as a Beachbody Coach! After 18 years, it ends at the stroke of midnight tonight. While I haven’t been active in recent years, those residual checks kept coming – a testament to the foundation I built years ago.

This journey changed the trajectory of the rest of my life, quite literally. It started with P90X, elevating not just my physical health, but my entire perspective on what’s possible in life. Thanks to this opportunity, I never need to work a traditional job again. Let that sink in.

The beauty of this journey lies in how it sparked a chain reaction of growth. I learned the art of sales – skills that translate to anything life throws my way. I dove into real estate, building a portfolio of rental properties managed by others, creating true passive income. But more than money, this path opened my eyes to personal development, showing me a world bigger than I’d imagined.

Now I can pursue my passions without worrying about their profitability. I create music under my Musical Orgasms brand (find me on Spotify or whatever music platform you use!), take endless dance lessons, and travel whenever wanderlust strikes. No permission needed, no boss to consult. Just pure freedom to follow my heart.

Think about that – as of January 1st, 2025, for the first time since August 12th, 2007, I won’t be part of the network marketing industry. My MLM career is officially “adult” – old enough to drink in some states and even eligible for the draft!

But here’s what won’t change: I’ll keep sharing business advice, health tips, and wellness guidance. Not for money – I no longer have a profit incentive – but because I genuinely love seeing people make life changing breakthroughs. There’s nothing quite like celebrating someone safely coming off their medications with their doctor’s blessing, or watching someone break free from the traditional work grind.

I’ll continue driving with Lyft and Uber too – not because I need to, but because I enjoy it. Any earnings just fuel my next real estate investment. The moment they impose quotas or schedules, I’m out. That’s the beauty of true financial freedom – you can walk away from anything that doesn’t serve your soul.

Will I join another network marketing company? Maybe, maybe not. At the moment I have no plan to join any business opportunity anywhere. I might explore affiliate marketing opportunities, but there’s no rush. If I dive into something new, it’ll be because the timing and opportunity feel right. That’s how I live now – when something amazing crosses my path, whether it’s a new dance style or a recording studio opportunity, I go all in.

This mindset shift taught me that while research matters, action matters more. Analysis paralysis can steal your dreams if you let it. At some point, you need to trust your wisdom and just move.

Going forward starting TODAY, I would LOVE to build an ENORMOUS audience of fiercely passionate engaged people on YouTube and Facebook. (on YouTube search for “@metalpalace” or “Tom Birkenmeyer”). I LOVE creating content on dance, music, philosophy, tried and true business strategies, fitness, healthy eating, healthy living, and the random video that doesn’t fit into any category. Join me there. Subscribe to my YouTube channel – let’s build a community of passionate, free-thinking individuals working together for collective good while celebrating our unique gifts.

Life’s too short for the daily grind. It’s meant for pursuing passions, building dreams, and lifting others as we rise. Whether you want traditional employment or entrepreneurial freedom, I support your journey. Let’s create something extraordinary together, each bringing our authentic selves to make the world better for everyone.

Here’s to new beginnings, cherished memories, and the courage to EVOLVE. The Beachbody chapter ends, but my story – our story – continues and our story is so much bigger and broader than Beachbody ever was or ever could be.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Let’s talk about January 12th. The media calls it “Quitters Day” because this is when most people throw their New Year’s resolutions in the trash. Pretty sad, right? 80% of resolution-makers fail, and only 8% actually cross the finish line. (What happens to the other 12%? They’re probably still wandering around the gym looking for the smoothie bar.)

Here’s the thing: New Year’s resolutions are garbage. You know it, I know it, and that champagne-soaked version of you making promises between Christmas and New Year’s definitely knew it. Making life changes while you’re half-buzzed on bubbly and holiday cookies isn’t exactly a recipe for success.

But I’m not here to just mock the quitters – I want you to win. So let’s ditch the resolution nonsense and do something that actually works.

Grab a piece of paper. Right now. I’ll wait.

Got it? Good. Write these three headers:

1. Work/Business
2. Financial
3. Personal

Now here’s where things get real. Instead of making vague promises about “being better,” write down specific goals under each category. Want a promotion? Write it down. Need to save $10,000? Put it on paper. Want to be a better parent? Get specific about how.

But here’s the secret sauce: Don’t treat these like fluffy New Year’s wishes. Treat them like contracts. Because if you hired someone to fix your roof and they bailed halfway through, you’d be furious. So why do you let yourself off the hook so easily?

“But that sounds overwhelming!” Yeah, I hear you. That’s why we’re going to do some basic math. There are roughly 50 useful weeks in a year. That means each week represents just 2% of your annual progress. Two percent. That’s it. You’re telling me you can’t improve by 2% this week? Come on.

And please, for the love of all things sacred, be realistic. You’re probably not going to run a marathon, lose 100 pounds, start a billion-dollar company, AND learn three languages by December. Pick goals that stretch you but don’t break you.

Here’s my final piece of inspiration: Stop telling everyone about your goals unless you’re ready to be held accountable. I don’t care that you “only smoke when you drink” or that you’re “really going to start that diet on Monday.” Either do it or don’t, but spare us the commentary unless you’re talking to someone who will hold your feet to the fire.

Want to know if you’re serious? Take those goals you just wrote down and hang them somewhere you’ll see them every single day. Make them unavoidable. Sign them like a contract. Because that’s what they are – a contract with yourself.

The question isn’t whether you can do it. The question is: Are you a person of your word? Do the people in your life have any reason to see you as a person of integrity? That’s another thing about shooting your mouth off on what you’re going to do and then quitting. You condition people around you to take you about as seriously as a clown. Condition your friends, peers, and family members to take you as a person of integrity that they can trust. Be a person others can count on. Give them reason to believe in you. You need to follow through with what you say you’re going to do because your self worth and the quality of your relationships with others depend on it.

By January 12th, most people are choosing to be quitters. What are you choosing to be?

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Here’s the thing about diversity in corporate America: it’s not that people who push for it don’t care. They just miss the bigger picture.

Sure, seeing more diverse faces in entertainment and boardrooms feels like progress. But what good is it if most people are still struggling to make rent? This is where Bernie Sanders got it right. He didn’t ignore identity or throw marginalized groups under the bus. Instead, he united people through a simple truth: whether you’re Black, white, Asian, or Hispanic, you probably worry about paying your bills.

Think about it. When was the last time a CEO getting a promotion helped you afford healthcare? When did a TV star’s success make it easier for regular folks to pay for college? The math just doesn’t add up.

The Democrats know this, deep down. But there’s a catch: talking about class means confronting corporate power. And that’s tough to do when those same corporations fund your campaigns.

Here’s the real kicker: the loudest voices calling for “representation” often belong to elite members of those same underrepresented groups. They’re fighting for a seat at the exclusive table instead of building a bigger table for everyone.

Want to make a real difference? Fight for universal healthcare. Push for a higher minimum wage. These changes lift everyone up – Black, white, brown, all of us. That’s the kind of progress worth fighting for, not just making sure there’s diversity in the one percent.

Because at the end of the day, having more diverse faces in power means little if most people still can’t afford to see a doctor.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

While they obsess over diversity in boardrooms, they’re pulling off the greatest distraction in history. And boy, are they good at it.

Sure, seeing diverse faces in entertainment and corporate America is progress. But here’s what they don’t want you to notice: both parties are picking your pockets while you’re busy arguing about who gets to join the millionaire’s club.

This is where the likes of Bernie Sanders struck a nerve that terrified the establishment. He showed how all of us – Trump voters in rural Kentucky, progressives in Brooklyn, working families in Atlanta – are getting screwed by the same rigged system. Because guess what? Your bank account doesn’t care what color you are when it’s empty.

Let’s get real: Democratic politicians cry about representation while cashing checks from Wall Street. Republican politicians rant about freedom while taking payoffs from Big Pharma. They’re two wings of the same cash-grabbing bird, and they’re both feeding off your hard work.

You know who really understands this? Talk to a Republican truck driver about healthcare costs. Chat with a Democratic teacher about making rent. Grab coffee with an independent small business owner drowning in corporate competition. They’ll all tell you the same thing: the system is rigged against regular people.

The political elite’s favorite trick? Getting working-class Americans to fight each other while they raid the treasury. They love it when we’re divided – Democrat vs. Republican, urban vs. rural, identity vs. identity. Because as long as we’re fighting each other, we’re not fighting them.

Here’s the truth they’re desperate to hide: that MAGA supporter worried about their factory closing? That progressive activist fighting for affordable housing? That independent voter sick of their healthcare premiums? They’re all getting robbed by the same corporate-owned politicians who collect “campaign contributions” (let’s call them what they are – legal bribes) to keep things exactly as they are.

Want real change? Stop falling for the elite’s divide-and-conquer game. When they say “representation,” ask why they’re not talking about representing the 80% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck. When they preach about diversity in the boardroom, ask about diversity in who can afford to see a doctor.

Because until we unite against the corporate puppet show in Washington, nothing changes. Not for you, not for me, not for any working American – no matter who they vote for.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Politicians and media pundits are straight-up lying to you about Social Security. Not misleading. Not “spinning facts.” Lying. And they’re doing it to steal the money you’ve paid into the system your entire working life.

Here’s the stone-cold truth they’re desperately trying to hide: Social Security adds ZERO dollars to our national deficit. Not a penny. Not a dime. Anyone telling you different—whether they’re a smooth-talking Senator or a cable news “expert”—is peddling pure propaganda.

Want to know why they’re lying? Because Social Security is sitting on a $2.9 TRILLION surplus. That’s right, the same politicians crying crocodile tears about “saving” Social Security are conveniently ignoring the mountain of cash you’ve already paid in. These are the same hypocrites who vote for massive corporate tax cuts and bloated military contracts without batting an eye.

The corruption is almost comical: Watch how fast these “deficit hawks” approve billions in corporate subsidies, then turn around and claim we “can’t afford” to pay you the retirement benefits you’ve earned. The audacity is breathtaking.

Let’s name and shame: The Republican Study Committee—a group representing 80% of House Republicans—is trying to pickpocket $1.5 trillion from Social Security over the next decade. They want to jack up the retirement age to 69, basically stealing years of benefits you’ve already paid for. And they’re hoping you won’t notice until it’s too late.

Here’s a scandal that should make your blood boil: A CEO making $10 million pays Social Security taxes for about ONE WEEK, then stops. Meanwhile, teachers, nurses, construction workers—real working Americans—pay in ALL YEAR LONG. The media talking heads who defend this rigged system? Many of them are millionaires themselves, protecting their wealthy friends while pretending to be “objective journalists.”

The privatization vultures are even worse. They’re circling Social Security, drooling at the chance to hand your retirement over to Wall Street gamblers. These are the same financial “geniuses” who crashed the economy in 2008 and got bailed out with your tax dollars. Now they want to roll the dice with your retirement? Give me a break.

When you hear politicians talk about “entitlement reform,” translate that to what it really means: They want to rob you of money you’ve already paid in. It’s like if your bank suddenly announced they were “reforming” your savings account by keeping half of it for themselves.

Here’s what these charlatans won’t tell you about fixing Social Security:

1. Make the wealthy pay their fair share by removing the contribution cap.
2. Force investment income millionaires to contribute like everyone else
3. Close the loopholes that let the rich dodge their responsibilities that the rest of us are not allowed to dodge.

That’s it. Problem solved. No benefit cuts needed. No complicated schemes. Just basic fairness, which is exactly why the political elite fights so hard against it.

The next time you see a millionaire news anchor nodding along as some politician explains why your benefits need to be cut, remember: They’re not journalists reporting facts. They’re wealthy people protecting other wealthy people’s interests while throwing your retirement under the bus.

Social Security isn’t broken, it’s being sabotaged. It’s not failing, it’s being targeted. And the people claiming they need to “save” it are the same ones trying to destroy it.

You’ve paid for these benefits with every paycheck of your working life. You’ve earned them. And anyone trying to take them away, whether they’re wearing a designer suit in Congress or sitting behind a news desk, is trying to steal what’s rightfully yours.

The time for polite disagreement is over. These aren’t good-faith policy debates, they’re calculated attacks on your financial future by people who think you’re too distracted to fight back. Prove them wrong. Call them out. And demand that your representatives protect the benefits you’ve earned, or find themselves new jobs.

Remember: Every time they talk about “saving” Social Security through cuts, they’re really talking about saving money for their wealthy donors at your expense. Don’t fall for it. And don’t let them get away with it. Stop nominating and voting for them!

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

The recent case of Luigi Manon exposes a sinister shift in how our government weaponizes terrorism charges to protect corporate interests. When prosecutors labeled him a terrorist instead of charging him with murder, they weren’t just misclassifying one crime—they were laying the groundwork for a massive expansion of state power against citizen dissent.

Let’s be crystal clear: Government officials aren’t stupid. They know exactly what they’re doing. When Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas discussed the case, he barely mentioned the actual incident. Instead, he fixated on what he called “alarming” social media reactions—people’s justified anger at a predatory healthcare system. This wasn’t a slip-up. It was calculated.

“We’re seeing concerning rhetoric,” Mayorkas warned, using the classic authoritarian playbook of painting critics as threats. He spoke about monitoring social media and tracking “anti-government sentiment”—code words for surveilling anyone who dares question a system that kills 70,000 Americans annually through denied care. This is how authoritarianism creeps in: first they monitor, then they label, then they silence.

The public’s reaction wasn’t celebrating violence—it was a nationwide cry of anguish from people who’ve watched loved ones die because insurance executives needed another yacht. From cancer patients denied treatment to diabetics rationing insulin, millions of Americans have experienced the cold brutality of corporate healthcare. The government’s response? Label the critics as terrorists while protecting the real perpetrators of mass suffering.

United Healthcare’s body count makes any individual act of violence pale in comparison. When people talk about “blood on hands,” they’re not using metaphors—they’re referring to the thousands of death certificates bearing the invisible signature of insurance denials. The company isn’t just unpopular—it’s a machine of systematic violence operating under legal protection.

Comedian Bill Burr exposed the dark truth when he noted that insurance companies suddenly started approving more claims after the incident. Fear momentarily forced executives to acknowledge human life over profit margins. But rather than fix the murderous system, our government chose to protect it, by criminalizing the desperate and angry voices of its victims.

There’s a straightforward solution that would prevent similar incidents: single-payer Medicare for All. Every other developed nation has universal healthcare. They don’t have CEOs getting rich by executing people through denied coverage. They don’t have families choosing between medication and food. They have a rational system: everyone pays in, everyone gets care.

But instead of basic human decency, we’re watching the machinery of state power swing into action. The terrorism charge isn’t just legal overreach, it’s a deliberate strategy to equate corporate criticism with domestic terrorism. When authorities can’t defend mass death for profit, they criminalize those who dare name it for what it is.

The arrest of a woman in Lakeland, Florida, for expressing frustration during a phone call with Blue Cross Blue Shield isn’t an isolated incident, it’s a preview of what’s coming. The message couldn’t be clearer: accept your role as compliant consumers in a system that profits from your suffering, or face the full force of state persecution.

This isn’t about Luigi Manon anymore. It’s about whether Americans will organize and stand up against this blatant corruption of government power, or whether we’ll let fear and surveillance crush the last remnants of our right to demand better. The time for polite requests is over. We need massive, peaceful protests. We need coordinated civil disobedience. We need to flood Congressional offices with calls and letters. We need to organize voter drives focused on single-payer healthcare. Most importantly, we need to refuse to be silenced by those who would rather label us terrorists than face their own complicity in a system that kills for profit.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

A clever way to not get noticed of their organized systemic mass murder? The private health insurance industry certainly thinks so. You can only push people so far, until they…

Every year, 70,000 Americans die because of a system that values profits over people. The weapon? A spreadsheet. The perpetrators? They sit in boardrooms, wearing suits and ties, making decisions that end lives through the cold calculation of profit margins.

The private health insurance industry has mastered this deadly arithmetic. They’ve found a way to make death by denial look clean, corporate, and completely legal.

Here’s the brutal truth: both left-wing and right-wing voters are furious about our healthcare system. We’re all watching our friends and family suffer under the weight of insurance denials and sky-high costs. Yet election after election, we keep making the same mistake – voting for politicians who pocket “campaign contributions” (let’s call them what they are: bribes) from the very insurance companies destroying our healthcare system.

Some people, pushed to their breaking point, start thinking about violent solutions. But listen – assassinating healthcare CEOs isn’t the answer. That path only leads to more government crackdowns and authoritarian responses, while the spreadsheet murders continue unabated.

We’re angry – and we should be. But we need to be smarter about this fight. Our problem isn’t that we lack passion; it’s that we haven’t organized effectively enough to nominate and elect leaders who refuse corporate money. Every time we vote for a candidate who takes insurance industry bribes, we’re feeding the very system that’s killing us.

The solution? It starts with you. It starts with primary elections. It starts with drawing a line in the sand and saying: “No more candidates who take corporate money.” We can stop this violence – both the spreadsheet kind and the kind born from desperation. But we have to show up when it counts, during primary season, to nominate people who actually represent us instead of corporate greed.

The choice is clear: become part of the solution. Help build a healthcare system that values human lives over profit margins. Because right now, those spreadsheets are still claiming victims, one cell at a time.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Here’s a truth that transcends political parties: We’re all getting crushed by the same broken healthcare system. It’s not left versus right—it’s all of us versus corporate greed.

Every denial in health care coverage is organized systemic violence. Left and right voters experience the same denials of coverage. This is us against corporate owners in the Death merchant business.

Numbers that should unite us all: Universal healthcare would save our country $450 billion every year. That’s not a typo. But more importantly, it would save seventy thousand lives—our neighbors, friends, and family members. During COVID alone, universal healthcare could have saved over 335,000 lives.

Think about that. While we’ve been fighting over politics, insurance companies have been playing a deadly game with our lives. Every denied claim isn’t just paperwork—it’s a potential death sentence. These aren’t “insurance companies”—they’re merchants of death, profiting on the deaths their denials are causing.

Since the 1970s, an estimated $50 trillion of our money has been legally stolen from us and given to the wealthiest corporate owners. This isn’t about conservative or liberal—it’s about the powerful taking from the powerless.

But here’s the good news: We might be finally waking up. Both conservative and progressive voters are realizing we share a common enemy—corporate greed that puts profits over people. When your child is sick, your political party doesn’t matter. When your spouse needs life-saving medication, your voting record is irrelevant.

The solution is simple, but powerful: Unite against the real enemy. Every time insurance companies deny care to save their bottom line, they’re not just hurting “the other side”—they’re hurting all of us. Every time they jack up prices, they’re not discriminating based on political beliefs.

It’s time to reframe the fight. This isn’t about left vs. right. It’s about all of us vs corporate greed. It’s about life vs. death. It’s about people vs. profit.

Together, we can build a healthcare system that serves everyone. Because at the end of the day, we all bleed the same color, feel the same pain, and deserve the same care.

The question isn’t whether you’re conservative or progressive. The question is: Are you ready to stand with your fellow Americans against those who profit from our suffering?

The time for division is over. The time for unity is now. If we can reframe the fight from left vs right to all of us vs corporate greed on every issue that plagues us then we can finally have a government that represents us rather than a government that only represents their corporate owners.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

A vile CEO of a private health insurance company, assassinated.

Let’s be honest about what private health insurance really is: a predatory system that routinely chooses profits over human lives. Every day, insurance executives make calculated decisions to deny life-saving care to desperate people, knowing their choices will lead to death and devastation for countless families.

The numbers reveal the savage reality of this industry. Last year alone, 70,000 Americans died because insurance companies decided their lives weren’t worth the cost of treatment. Think about that – the entire population of a small city, wiped out by boardroom decisions. The company at the center of recent events actually tripled their denial rate from 8% to 22%, essentially signing death warrants for thousands while their profit margins soared.

The private insurance industry has perfected the art of legal killing. They hire armies of analysts whose sole job is to find reasons to deny care. They employ teams of lawyers to defend their right to let people die. They spend millions lobbying Congress to protect their ability to profit from human suffering. And they do all this while paying their executives millions in bonuses – blood money, earned through the systematic destruction of American families.

Medical debt now drives 40% of all bankruptcies in America, and most of these people actually had insurance. This isn’t failure – it’s their business model working exactly as designed. The industry creates policies deliberately full of loopholes, waiting periods, and exclusions, knowing that when people are at their most vulnerable, they can deny coverage and protect their profits.

While I cannot condone violence of any kind, the recent events force us to confront an uncomfortable truth: we’ve normalized a system of institutional violence that dwarfs any individual act. Every denial letter is an act of violence. Every rejected claim is an attack on a family’s survival. Every premium increase is an assault on Americans’ basic right to live.

The private insurance industry has built an empire on human suffering. They’ve turned emergency rooms into profit centers and transformed medical decisions into business calculations. They’ve created a system where a child’s cancer treatment is judged not by its chance of success, but by its impact on quarterly earnings.

When we talk about healthcare violence, we must acknowledge the daily brutality of a system that forces parents to choose between life-saving medication and feeding their children. A system that pushes families into poverty for the crime of getting sick. A system that has convinced us that letting people die for profit is somehow normal business practice.

The tragedy isn’t just in the numbers – it’s in the fundamental immorality of an industry that has perfected the art of monetizing human suffering. Every year, insurance executives earn millions in bonuses for finding new ways to deny care. They celebrate increased denial rates as “efficiency improvements.” They toast their stock prices while families plan funerals.

This isn’t healthcare – it’s systematic extortion backed by the threat of death. The private insurance industry has more in common with organized crime than with healthcare, extracting payments under duress and delivering nothing but paperwork and denials in return.

While violence can never be the answer, we must confront the blood-soaked reality of what private health insurance truly is: an industry that has turned death into a profit center and suffering into a business model. Until we acknowledge this fundamental truth, we cannot hope to build a healthcare system that actually serves human needs rather than corporate greed.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Unexpected major TWIST to my dance journey that has me reeling and figuring out what next.

Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a dance academy for two years straight. Day in, day out, you show up with unwavering loyalty and support. You trust the process, the teachers, their skill, their commitment. Never once do you question or argue. You’re always holding space for their vision.

Then, the unthinkable happens. The teachers host their first-ever dance social, a celebration of student anniversaries. One year, two years, even seven years – everyone’s milestones are being honored. You’re thrilled to be celebrating your own two-year mark. The music pulses, you dance with abandon, lost in the joy of the moment. This is one of the most fun socials I have ever attended.

And then, in an instant, everything shatters. Just before the recognition ceremony, one of my teachers hands me a bag with a plaque, a t-shirt, offers kind words and a hug. It’s a sweet gesture. The ceremony begins, names are called, students take the stage, but not me. I’m the only one excluded, left sitting alone on a sofa as strangers glance at me in confusion. Why wasn’t I called up? Why am I being left out?

The group photo is taken, and still, I’m excluded. I’m shunned with absolute confusion and bewilderment. The recognition ceremony has concluded. Two minutes into the next song, I get up, leave my recognition bag behind, and walk out. The teachers can find it later, a reminder of the one student they so callously disregarded.

The next day, radio silence. No call, no text, no acknowledgment of the hurt they’ve caused. I’m left reeling, trying to make sense of this sudden, inexplicable betrayal. There has never been an argument, a problem, or a moment of rudeness of any kind between myself and the teachers in the two years I had been paying for their largest ticket item each and every month consistently. I thought there was always a mutual respect. For a moment as I was sitting there experiencing this extreme exclusion I was wondering if I was somehow just an oversite? I don’t think so. It had to have been on purpose. I was there in clear site, one of the teachers handed me my bag just before the ceremony began, and strangers in the audience were baffled by my exclusion. The teachers had to have excluded me on purpose. And for what reason?

But here’s the thing – recognition has never been my motivator. I never expect such things in exchange for my support. What cuts deep is the sense of being shunned, of a “fuck you” from teachers I respected and trusted. The teachers gave me so much in two years, helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. That’s what makes this so heartbreaking.

Gratitude and Reflection:
I received unimagined value from the teachers over these past two years. They are highly skilled dancers and teachers. I would not be where I am in my dance journey today if not for these amazing teachers and nothing could ever take that away. That’s what makes this so sad for me, to be shunned in this way by two teachers I really looked up to and received so much value from. At the same time, it’s also an already known lesson in how not to treat people. It’s also a stark reminder that anybody you trust can turn on a dime without provocation and leave you in the dark without rhyme or reason. In life you have to be willing to let go of expectation and flow because people you trust will disappoint you in ways you don’t see coming. I also believe in forgiveness.

So what’s next?

I’m cancelling my membership and exploring other studios. I’m definitely diving deeper into Brazilion Zouk dancing. I may spend more time on my music. I was going to this dance studio 4 days a week as much as 4 hours per day. This was a huge regular time commitment I got use to for two straight years. So, now I have to get un use to it and move on in my life. It almost feels like breaking up with a girlfriend. Weird.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Despite the fun I had tonight – dancing with numerous partners, visiting multiple venues across different cities, meeting new people, and savoring every moment – I feel like my soul doesn’t belong on this planet.

Yet, here I am.

I’m unsure why, but I’ll keep pursuing my passions and enjoying myself while I can.

I have no idea when my time will come, whether it’s 100 seconds or 100 years from now.

Without missing a moment of this existence, I’m ready to go whenever the day arrives. My only request is to maintain my mobility, functionality, and independence for as long as I remain, for the only thing I truly fear is living in a body crippled by chronic pain.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Voters must show up in the primary season rather than only the general election. Avoiding primaries and offering corporate-backed candidates ensures electoral defeat. The only path to victory is engaging in primaries and providing yourselves with genuinely supportable candidates you’d be enthusiastic to vote for in the general election. Otherwise, elections will remain unappealing choices between corporate Democrats and falsely populist Republicans. If you continue bypassing the primaries only to show up in the general election you will continue to lose.

Blue maga believes a corporate Democrat can win. Red Maga believes their guy is an authentic economic populist. I personally don’t live in the framework of red versus blue or left versus right. The real correct frame is corporatism versus populism.

The belief in corporate Democrats’ viability is a damaging delusion. The true divide is between corporatism and populism. Democrats rightly criticize Republicans’ democratic shortcomings, but they have their own. The lack of a competitive 2024 primary and undemocratic selection of a weak candidate exemplifies this.

The country rejects corporate politicians. Democrats must stop nominating them and expecting different results. The establishment’s scapegoating of voters, bigotry, and demographics ignores their complicity in protecting corporatism.

Democrats are often seen as the lesser evil, but corporate Democrats have shown apathy towards social issues and personal freedoms. Regardless of who’s in power, rights are eroded. Democrats have failed to protect gay marriage, privacy, and personal autonomy. They’ve also neglected voting rights and democracy.

Democrats correctly label Republicans as anti-freedom, but they themselves seem uninterested in autonomy. To win, Democrats must offer a genuine alternative, engaging in primaries and supporting candidates who will fight for the people, not just corporations.

In short, I don’t see a path to victory in populism over corporatism unless more voters vote in the primaries for the purpose of giving ourselves someone we’d be excited to vote for rather than continuing the same failed path of only showing up for the general election to vote against the greater of two evils.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

There’s this deep longing to merge with art, to lose myself in the creative flow. It’s like our souls have these yearnings, these talents that burn inside us even when we’re not in these bodies.

It’s always left me with this ache, this sense of loss.

Art and soul, they’re like two threads woven together. That’s why so many artists are walking wounded. We feel everything so deeply. It’s not about being better than anyone else. It’s just that we need to tap into that deeper magic to bring our art to life.

And that’s why human connection is so key. When we find someone who truly sees us, it can unlock this flood of creativity we never knew we had. It’s like our sadness, our gifts… they’re all intertwined.

My whole life, I’ve felt like an outsider, like I’m here for a reason but I haven’t figured out what it is yet. As a kid, I’d gaze up at the stars, feeling this homesickness. I know I’m not from here. This world, it’s… it’s got its beauty, but it’s also dark, ugly. Sometimes it feels like humanity is this cancer. But my soul, it chose this. I’m still trying to understand why.

Because the truth is, I’m not human. Not really. I just inhabit this human skin. I still catch myself staring up at the stars, yearning to go home.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Emotional scaffolding is a crucial foundation for our well-being. It’s the internal framework that allows us to stand tall, to weather life’s inevitable challenges without crumbling. Think of it as the psychological infrastructure that supports our resilience.

When it comes to intimate relationships, the strength of our emotional scaffolding becomes particularly critical. We might be able to connect with a romantic partner on a deep, magical level, feeling seen and loved for who we are. But if our scaffolding is weak, if we lack a solid sense of self-worth or the skills to navigate conflicts, even a single misstep can lead to collapse.

Imagine a relationship as a bridge between two people. That bridge needs sturdy scaffolding to support its weight. If the scaffolding is flimsy, the bridge may hold for a time, but it won’t be able to withstand the inevitable stresses and strains that arise. A misunderstanding, a difference in needs, a moment of vulnerability… and the bridge can come crashing down.

So it’s not enough to simply find that magical connection with a lover. We need to take the time to build our internal scaffolding, to cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and healthy communication skills. This is the foundation upon which we can construct relationships that are truly strong, that can weather life’s storms and flourish over time.

We all require this scaffolding to some degree. It’s what enables us to cope with adversity, to navigate the complexities of relationships, to find a sense of purpose and direction. But the nature and extent of the scaffolding we need can vary greatly from person to person.

For some, the scaffolding might be relatively robust, forged through a combination of innate resilience, supportive relationships, and healthy coping mechanisms. These individuals can absorb the shocks of life, adapting and growing in the face of challenges.

Yet for others, the scaffolding may be more fragile, perhaps due to past traumas, insecure attachments, or ongoing stressors. These individuals might feel unsteady, as if they’re perched on shaky ground that could give way at any moment. They may struggle to cope with even minor setbacks, becoming overwhelmed by emotions they can’t seem to regulate.

In short, emotional scaffolding is the bedrock of our well-being and the key to building lasting, fulfilling relationships. It’s the internal strength that allows us to stand tall, to love fully, and to navigate life’s journey with grace and resilience.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Regardless of who we voted for or who won, our tax dollars will continue funding violence and genocide. This isn’t about party loyalty or single-issue voting. It’s about recognizing that genocide is a culmination of billions of injustices.

I understand the desire to belong, to prioritize issues that affect our daily lives. But we can’t ignore the fact that our actions have far-reaching consequences. The brutality of this genocide in the middle east currently unfolding with our financial and weapons support is unlike anything else. It’s a daily reality of terror that we’re complicit in.

Watching verified footage of the violence, witnessing the resilience of people amidst unimaginable horror… it haunts me. Some of us wake up from nightmares of burning alive, of being crushed to death. And then we see news empathizing with soldiers who can’t cope with the atrocities they’ve committed.

This isn’t about comparing suffering. It’s about recognizing that our choices perpetuate a genocide that the vast majority of the world has condemned. And it’s not just Israel – our own nation has ignored these war crimes.

I’m exhausted but resilient. I’m compelled to speak out because I can’t imagine a world where we accept this. When confronted, Kamala Harris essentially told us to prioritize our struggles over the lives of those facing genocide. Trump promises even more unwavering support. We’ve nominated two candidates who will undoubtedly perpetuate this horror.

I’m not asking you to choose between issues. I’m asking you to recognize that genocide is a moral outrage that transcends party lines. It’s about understanding that our choices reflect our values. We’ve enabled genocide before – in Yemen, in Darfur. The root is a system corrupted by corporate influence, prioritizing profits over human lives.

We focus on the MAGA cult, but the truth is that extremism has infected our entire political landscape. This division has never made me feel more disconnected from America. We were founded on a great ideal, but we’ve lost our way. I hope we can find our moral compass; perhaps for the first time in our history.

The world sees our hypocrisy. We can’t claim moral authority while electing officials who advocate for genocide. We need to reflect on the society we want to build. Change starts with us. We put these officials in power.

Please, let’s vote for a world where no child lives in fear of bulldozers, where no one has to beg us to stop funding their murder. Let’s find the courage to stand up, even when it’s hard. Let’s prove that we’re a people who will not turn away from injustice, who will not accept a system that devalues human life.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about taking a step towards a world where love conquers hate, where understanding replaces fear. Let’s raise our voices, but more importantly, let’s raise our compassion. Let’s show the world what it means to be human. We cannot just blame the politicians and the corporations who profit from war; we the people put them in power. We the people can put BETTER people in power who reflect our moral values of being anti genocide.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

In deep reflection this morning, I came to a realization. One of the deepest reasons I pour so much love and care into my music is that it allows others to truly see me. I yearn for connection, for understanding that transcends the superficial. You will never hear me say, “I don’t care what anyone thinks of me.” I want to be seen, to be known in my essence.

Creating original music is a way to share my inner world, to convey the feelings and thoughts that shape me. It’s a reflection of my soul, a window into my very being. I crave to be seen for who I truly am, and this desire fuels my creativity. From the way I dress and present myself to the words I choose and the way I express myself through movement, dance, and art, I am constantly seeking to convey my inner truth.

With this desire comes the wisdom of being selective in whose opinions I value. I am discerning in who I crave to be seen by, recognizing that seeking validation from everyone leads only to anguish. Some may declare they don’t care what others think, but this is often a shield, a form of self-protection. The truth is, we all care how we are seen by others to some degree. We all fall somewhere on the spectrum between wanting to be seen by a select few and wanting to be seen by everyone.

For myself, I know that almost everything I do is a form of self-expression, a way of bringing my inner world into the outer. But music holds a special place in my heart. It’s a direct line from my soul to yours, a universal language that transcends the boundaries of other forms of expression. I create music because it’s a primal need, an overflow of what’s inside me. It’s my soul’s language, and I long for you to hear me, to understand me in this profound way.

At the same time, I yearn to see you, to know you in your depths. True connection is built on this mutual seeing, this empathetic understanding. There’s a magic in reciprocation, in feeling truly seen and valued. Let’s embrace this, let’s be fully ourselves and let’s dive deep into knowing each other. Let’s swim in each other’s emotions and let’s bring our connection to a whole new level.

This intimacy can blossom in any relationship, between lovers, friends, kindred spirits, platonic intimacy is just as real as intimacy between physical lovers. I write these words, I create this music, because I crave to be seen. I want to be known in my essence, and I want to know you in yours. Let’s see each other, truly and deeply. Let’s look beyond the physical, beyond the ego driven dichotomy of right vs wrong, and let’s connect on a soul level.

Of course, there’s a caution. Some may hide behind masks, projecting a false image. We all know those who share curated versions of their lives on social media, who rob themselves of true connection in favor of illusion. Sometimes this comes from a place of pain and unawareness, and sometimes it’s a deliberate choice. But I say, let’s be different. Let’s strip away the armor of ego and let’s be true. Let’s truly see each other, and let’s let ourselves be seen.

This is my invitation to you, my call to action. Let’s engage with each other on a deeper level. Let’s create, let’s express, let’s be true. Let’s see each other, and let’s let ourselves be seen. Who’s with me?

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

The most important skill a person can develop for their financial well-being is the ability to create a perception of value in the eyes of others. The person who masters this mindset shift will have unlimited upside potential. This skill is transferable, so no matter how the market changes, you’ll always be able to create new wealth. It’s not about effort, time commitment, or just showing up; it’s about offering enough value that others are willing to pay for it.

When you can do this, you might as well be your own Federal Reserve, printing money out of thin air, regardless of market conditions. This is because people always spend on what they perceive as valuable, and those priorities shift from moment to moment based on various factors, including market conditions. Your ability to adapt and create perceived value ensures you can thrive in any environment.

For this discussion, there are two areas in business where you can leverage this skill: as an employee or as an entrepreneur focused on passive income. With a traditional job or as a non-passive-income entrepreneur, income is perpetually tied to time and effort. With a job, your income is time-based and predetermined, so the value you provide doesn’t impact your current pay, though it could affect future employment. While the money is guaranteed for the time you’ve put in, the trade-off is that it’s never-ending, has a built-in ceiling set by someone else, and can be taken away at any time without reason.

The most secure, stable, and time-freedom-oriented scenario is to be among the few with the skill set to create perceived value. This has no downside, only unlimited upside, and keeps control with the individual. By mastering this skill, you can break free from the limitations of a traditional income and build a financial future on your own terms.

The primary reason this is so challenging for most is that our system has conditioned people to trade time for a guaranteed paycheck, regardless of the value they provide. We’re taught from a young age that going to school, getting good grades, and landing a secure job is the path to success. But this path often leads to a cycle of trading time for money, with little room for growth or freedom. To break this cycle, you must rewire your mindset and focus on creating value that others are willing to pay for. This takes effort and adaptation, but the payoff is a life with no limits.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Don’t confine me to a box meant for objects, not for a person capable of growth. I’ve paid attention, I’ve learned, I’ve evolved. I’m not the same person I was yesterday, and I won’t remain the same today in order to become something more tomorrow. This evolution of my being will continue until the day I die, and even then, there’s the possibility of perpetual evolution in the afterlife.

How would you feel if someone punished you for the mistakes of your past, knowing you’re not the same person today who erred yesterday? It’s like holding a butterfly accountable for the caterpillar it once was. I’ve spread my wings, I’ve flown away from the person I used to be. Can’t you see the change in me? Can’t you see that I’ve grown?

They tried to bury me, but they didn’t realize I was a seed about to burst through the dirt and reach for the sky. I’ve broken free from the chains of my former self. I’ve blossomed into something new, something beautiful. Won’t you nurture this growth in me? Won’t you love me for who I am now, not for who I used to be?

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

My lived experience as a dancer has some interesting parallels with surfing that I was just thinking about. Just as a surfer must paddle through many mediocre waves to catch that rare, perfect wave, with dance I personally must move through numerous partners with mediocre chemistry to find that special, magical connection. It’s a numbers game, really. The more waves you chase, the more likely you are to catch that heart-pounding, exhilarating ride all the way to shore. Similarly, the more I dance, the more frequently I lock eyes and body movement with that one follow who just gets it, who moves in perfect sync with me.

When the connection isn’t there, as a lead, I set the tone. Sometimes it’s mirrored and sometimes it’s not. Sometimes I have to mirror my follow first before so that I can elevate the energy of our dance connection. It’s a delicate balance, a subtle negotiation of give and take, push and pull. But with experience, with time, I’m learning to read the signs, to sense the potential in every new partner. I’m learning to nurture it, to fan the sparks into flames.

I know that as I continue to give myself these experiences, as I continue to pay attention and remain sensitive to various energies from my various follows, I will innately become more skilled and effective at elevating the energy of the follows I don’t connect with well at the beginning of a dance. It’s a journey. And just as the hunt for the perfect wave is often more rewarding than the ride itself, so too is the pursuit of that magical dance connection just as valuable as the connection itself.

Because in the end, it’s not just about that one, perfect dance. It’s about growth, about learning, about pushing past your limits and discovering what you’re truly capable of. It’s about the journey, the struggle, the triumph. And just as every surfer knows that the only way to catch that perfect wave is to keep paddling, to keep chasing, so too must every dancer keep moving, keep seeking, keep surrendering to the music and the moment.

Let’s dance. Let shut our minds off and flow.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

What’s the secret to a relationship with a lover that keeps growing? Live each day like it’s the start of something new. Embrace every moment, every lesson, as if it’s your first, no matter how far you’ve come. The same can be said as a student of dance. The best mindset to have is a beginners mindset no matter how advanced.

Some might say it’s unrealistic to expect that initial excitement, those butterflies, to last forever. But I believe it’s more nuanced than that. Hold onto those feelings, let them renew you and your lover each day, even as you build a shared future based on a common goal.

In my experience, holding onto even a little armor of self-protection can lead to moments of immaturity, sabotage, and regret. Even if the spark remains, things can fall apart in an instant.

The key is to shed that self-protection armour, even if it’s hard. It makes you vulnerable, raw. You’ll learn who’s truly with you and who’s not. You’ll discover who belongs in your life and who doesn’t. Shedding armor is hard, but once it’s gone, you’ll never want it back. It’s easy to keep it off. What was uncomfortable becomes comfortable. It changes you at your core. I’m not the same person anymore. This growth cements progress, makes it impossible to fall back into old mistakes. On this journey, the only direction is forward, sometimes pausing until the next leap.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

I recently had an eye-opening experience in a dance class that I naturally thought of parallels for in how we approach intimate relationships and music. The teacher taught us about the five connections we must internalize as dancers, in order of priority. The number one priority is the connection you have with yourself. This self-connection is the foundation upon which all else is built. It’s about being fully present in your own body, aware of your breath, and centered in your power, much like the silence between notes that allows the music to resonate.

The next priority is your connection to the floor. This represents your grounding and stability. Just as a tree must have deep roots to weather life’s storms, we must feel secure and supported to move through the world with grace and confidence, like a steady drumbeat that anchors the melody.

After that is your connection with your partner. This is about trust, communication, and harmony, the same elements that come together to create a beautiful song. When both partners are in sync, the dance becomes a seamless co-created expression of unity, like two instruments blending in perfect harmony.

The fourth connection is with the music. This is where emotion and passion intensify, just as a powerful crescendo stirs the soul. The music is the heart and soul of the dance, and surrendering to its rhythm allows us to express our deepest feelings and connect with something greater than ourselves, much like how our favorite songs can evoke profound emotions and memories.

The final, and lowest priority, is the actual dance moves themselves. This may seem shocking, as most dance classes focus predominantly on mastering the steps. But without the first four connections, the moves are empty and lackluster, like a song with a catchy melody but meaningless lyrics. They are the outer expression, the physical manifestation of the deeper connections.

This prioritization of connections has profound parallels in our romantic and intimate relationships as well as in how we connect with the music that we love that moves us. A healthy relationship requires, first and foremost, a deep connection with ourselves. We must know and love ourselves in order to fully open to another, just as a musician must understand their own instrument to truly express themselves through music. Next is our connection to the earth, our sense of grounding and well-being. Then comes our connection with our lover, built on trust, open communication, and harmony, the same elements that create a beautiful symphony. After that is our connection with the external environment, our community and the world around us, like the audience that receives and responds to the music. And lastly, the activities we do together, the outward expressions of our love, are like the different genres and styles we explore in our musical journey.

When we prioritize these connections, the activities we do together become infused with meaning and joy, like a song that speaks directly to our hearts. If I’m in love with a woman, I’ll cherish every moment with her, no matter what we’re doing. Whether we’re cooking dinner, taking a walk, literally dancing, co-creating music, making love, traveling, or simply sitting together in silence, I’ll be fully present and engaged, like a musician fully immersed in their performance. Our reciprocating emotional passion will make every experience a dance of love and connection, a beautiful composition of movement and melody. And, if I happen to be in a loving relationship with an intimate partner who also is an actual dancer, then we can share in this paralleled dance both literally and figuratively together, moving in perfect harmony like two instruments in an orchestra.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

When we lose a lover..

whether through a breakup or death, our brains experience a similar kind of grief. The emotions involved may differ, but the process of mourning and healing we go through is quite alike. I believe our brains don’t differentiate between the pain of a breakup and the pain of a loss through death. Both types of losses are a separation from someone we deeply loved and to whom we felt connected.

The grieving process can be intense. We may go through stages like denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually acceptance, much like those experienced when someone dies. Even if a relationship ended by mutual choice, the sense of loss can still be profound. We grieve not just the person, but also the future we had envisioned with them.

But there is always hope for healing no matter how painful. Acknowledge these feelings and give yourself permission for time to grieve. Reach out to supportive friends, family, or a therapist for help processing these emotions. Engage in self-care like healthy eating, regular exercise, treating yourself to stuff you don’t normally treat yourself to, and sufficient sleep. Consider a hobby, passion, or new activity to take your mind off what pains you and bring in fresh experiences. And practice patience and kindness with yourself throughout the journey. With time, we can navigate the grief and move forward.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

When we think of intimacy, our minds often jump to the romantic and physical. Yet, intimacy encompasses so much more. Platonic intimacy, the deep connections we share with close friends, plays a vital role in our emotional and psychological well-being. It’s a reminder that not all intimacy is romantic, and that nurturing these non-romantic relationships is essential for a healthy, happy life.

Platonic intimacy offers a wealth of benefits for our emotional health. Close friends provide a sense of belonging and acceptance, which are crucial for our self-esteem and confidence. They offer emotional support during life’s challenges, helping us feel less alone in our struggles. Shared laughter and joy with close friends boosts our mood, reducing stress and anxiety. These relationships also encourage personal growth, as friends help us gain new perspectives and challenge us to become our best selves.

The psychological benefits are just as profound. Platonic intimacy helps us develop empathy, communication skills, and conflict resolution strategies. These skills benefit all our relationships, romantic, professional, and familial. Close friends also provide a sounding board for our thoughts and feelings, promoting self-understanding and mental clarity.

While platonic intimacy is deeply rewarding, it’s essential to approach these relationships ethically. Respect is key. We must respect our friends’ boundaries, never pressuring them to be more vulnerable than they’re comfortable with. Consent in emotional intimacy is just as crucial as in physical intimacy. It’s also important to avoid placing unfair burdens on friends, recognizing they have their own struggles and limits.

It’s also essential to avoid ‘crossing the line’ into behaviors that could be misconstrued as romantic or sexual. While platonic intimacy is deep, it’s not about fulfilling romantic or sexual needs. Behaviors that blur this line, like excessive flirting or inappropriately personal questions, are unethical and can damage the relationship.

So, how can we nurture platonic intimacy in an ethical, healthy way? First, prioritize time with close friends, as shared experiences deepen bonds. Practice vulnerability, openly sharing your thoughts and feelings. Yet, respect when friends aren’t ready to reciprocate this vulnerability. Encourage and celebrate friends’ successes, showing genuine interest in their lives. Work through conflicts openly and honestly, using these moments to strengthen understanding. Above all, treat friends with the same kindness, empathy, and respect you wish for yourself.

Platonic intimacy is a beautiful gift, one that enriches our lives in ways romantic love cannot. By nurturing these relationships with respect, care, and open communication, we can reap the many rewards of close friendship. In a world that often focuses on romantic love, let’s celebrate the power of platonic intimacy to bring joy, support, and meaning to our lives.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

I adore the dance of being open to trying new things, of embracing fresh experiences that spark excitement in my soul. Yet, I equally cherish the clarity to say a firm “no” when something doesn’t align with my heart’s desires. I’ve observed that some people are like sponges, soaking up everything without discernment, while others build walls, shutting out potential growth. But I believe there’s a beautiful middle ground.

A place where curiosity whispers “what if?” and wisdom gently guides us to discern which new experiences will truly nourish us, and which might leave us feeling drained. It’s this balance I strive for – the courage to explore, and the confidence to choose what’s truly good for my soul. And I invite you to join me in this dance. Let’s embrace the thrill of the new, but let’s do it with intention.

Let’s be brave enough to try, and wise enough to know when to say no. Let’s fill our lives with experiences that light us up, and learn to release what dims our spark. The world is full of possibilities – let’s explore them with open hearts and mindful wisdom.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Living now, living in the past, and living for tomorrow is a spectrum that deserves critical thought and balance. One extreme end of the spectrum is to be living only for now, giving in to every whim and desire without consideration for the consequences. This makes a person susceptible to doing things right now that will cause their demise and prevent them from also being able to enjoy tomorrow. For example, reckless behaviors like substance abuse or financial irresponsibility might offer temporary pleasure but lead to long-term harm.

The other end of the spectrum would be living only for tomorrow, constant planning and preparing without ever stopping to smell the roses. This makes it impossible to also live and find joy in today. You might become so focused on your goals that you neglect to appreciate the journey, to celebrate small victories, and to find happiness in the present.

The ideal is to find a healthy middle ground, to be mindful of the present while still considering the future. Do things now that your future self will thank you for, like making healthy choices, pursuing dreams or achievement, and building strong relationships. And do things now that your present moment will thank you for, like taking time to relax, pursuing hobbies & passions, and showing love and kindness to others.

The past is there to learn from and become a better version of yourself as you enjoy now and tomorrow. Reflect on your experiences, both successes and failures, and use those lessons to grow and improve. Don’t dwell on past mistakes but rather use them as opportunities for self-improvement. And cherish fond memories as they add richness and context to your life.

By embracing this balanced approach, you can live a life that is both meaningful in the moment and fulfilling in the long run. You can find joy and purpose in the present while still working towards a bright future. And through it all, you can become the best version of yourself, living a life you can be proud of.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

I’ve learned that sometimes it’s better to be opposite. You don’t have to be similar in everything. In fact, having a lover with different strengths can create a beautifully balanced relationship that parallels the beauty found in harmonies that exist in musical melodies.

Take neuroticism, for example. If my lover is a high neurotic person, she is excellent at “what if” scenarios and preventing problems from happening. She will think through all the potentials, worry a lot, and always have a backup plan to a backup plan to a backup plan. This means she rarely ever has a crisis or a problem but may be stressed out a lot.

On the other hand, low neurotic people are great in a crisis. If I am low neurotic, I’m the calm, level-headed one. I’m the rock that provides a safe grounding for someone going through something stressful. Having a low neurotic lover can be a lifesaver during anxious moments.

I’ve experienced that having both high and low neuroticism in a relationship can be incredibly beneficial. If you have someone preventing a crisis and someone who shines in a crisis, you’re covered. But if you’re both low neurotics, you might find yourselves in trouble – like accumulating financial debt because neither of you is proactive enough about preventing problems.

The key is understanding the mechanics of your differences and leveraging them for your strengths. I’ve learned to pick my traits carefully and communicate openly with my lover, absent of any self-protective armor, about what I need. Even just a small sliver of self-protective armor can sadly sabotage and do a disservice to myself and my lover. If I have a romantic partner and she’s feeling worried or nervous, she can talk through it with me because I’m calm and grounding for her. I won’t get upset or impatient with her. If she were to go to another high neurotic person, they might just make her more anxious! But with me, she finds grounding, safety, and peace.

The beauty of differences can make a loving relationship incredibly resilient. By embracing our unique qualities and learning to support each other, something truly special and emotionally intelligent can be built. So don’t be afraid of differences in relationships. With understanding, communication, a little patience, and the removal of all self-protective armor, you can turn your contrasts into strengths and build a love that lasts.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

We’ve all heard the mantra: quitters never win, and winners never quit. But what if I told you that’s only half the story? Quitting isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can be a powerful strategy for success that propels you forward. Give yourself permission to quit when it serves you and makes you bigger rather than when it destroys you and makes you smaller.

Think about it like this: if you’re stuck on a path that’s just not working, stubbornly slogging forward won’t get you any closer to your goal. Sometimes, quitting one approach to try a new one that still aligns with your ultimate vision is the smartest move you can make. It’s about quitting the method, not the mission.

However, if you’re quitting on your goal altogether, throwing in the towel the moment things get tough, then you’re setting yourself up for failure. At that point, you’re not just quitting – you’re giving up. And giving up is what makes you a loser.

Society loves to label quitting as the default to instant failure. But the truth is, quitting can be a powerful tool in your arsenal. It all depends on what you’re quitting, and why.

Imagine this: you’re stuck on a flawed approach that’s draining your energy and getting you nowhere. Abandoning that approach to make way for a better one isn’t failure – it’s adaptation. It’s evolution. Think of it like this: Plan A didn’t work, so it’s time to move on to Plan B. Maybe Plan A just needs a little refining rather than a complete overhaul.

That’s where the “fire, ready, aim” philosophy can catapult you forward. This approach is all about taking bold action, recalibrating based on what you’ve learned, refining your approach, and charging forward once again. It’s about creating an endless feedback loop of action, learning, and improvement until you start making real progress.

Just for fun let’s come up with a list of things and ideas that might be worth quitting on..

quit saying no to your health..

quit saying no to opportunity..

quit neglecting your personal growth & development..

quit regularly eating toxic foods..

quit spending time and energy with toxic people..

quit venting on facebook all the time..

quit making excuses..

quit selling your time for a paycheck..

quit being an obedient worker to a system that can take away your income at any time for any reason..

quit anything that isn’t making you better, more free, and happier..

Quit denying your dreams..

And most of all.. Quit hating yummy vegan chocolate =)

So don’t be afraid to quit. Quitting might just be the best decision you ever make. Embrace the “fire, ready, aim” philosophy: act, recalibrate, refine, and charge forward. With this mindset, there’s no obstacle you can’t overcome, and possibly no goal you can’t achieve.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

The Hunger Paradox

There’s a crucial difference between being hungry to win and being hungry to do what winning requires. The first mindset focuses on the outcome, while the second focuses on the daily actions necessary to achieve that outcome. This subtle shift in perspective can be the difference maker that stacks the odds either for or against you.

Winning Isn’t a Destination

Winning doesn’t happen overnight. It demands consistent, relevant action. As you continually learn, take action, and refine your approach, you’ll inevitably stack the odds in your favor, making winning an almost certain outcome. The alternative, of course, is to quit. But quitting isn’t always a bad thing. It depends on the context. If you’re quitting one approach to try a new one that still aligns with your ultimate goal, then quitting can actually help you win. However, if you’re quitting on your goal altogether, then you’re setting yourself up for failure and at that point you’re just a loser.

The Power of Quitting

Quitting is commonly known as the default to instant failure, but it can be a powerful strategy. It depends on what you’re quitting and why. If you’re abandoning a flawed approach to make a way for a better one, that’s not failure, that’s adaptation. Think of it like this: Plan A didn’t work, so it’s time to move on to Plan B. Maybe Plan A just needs a little refining rather than a complete overhaul. That’s where the “fire, ready, aim” philosophy can catapult a person forward. Take action, recalibrate based on what you’ve learned, refine your approach, and take action again. Repeat this process in an endless loop until you start making reasonable progress in a reasonable amount of time. That’s how you’ll know you’re on the right track. Embrace the “fire, ready, aim” philosophy: act, recalibrate, refine, and charge forward.

Measuring Progress

To gauge your progress, set some markers starting with a baseline. This will give you something to measure against. For example, let’s talk about money. Building wealth is a worthy common goal, and money is easy to quantify. But you have to factor in inflation. If inflation is 4% per year and you’re only growing your wealth by 3%, then you’re actually losing ground. Even if you’re matching inflation, you’re just treading water. You need to be growing your wealth at a rate that outpaces inflation. But what’s a reasonable target? 2% above inflation? 5%? 10%? That’s for you to decide, based on your goals and your finite time.

The Intangible Goals

But what about the goals that can’t be measured? Love, happiness, fulfillment – these are the wins that touch our hearts. We can’t quantify love or joy or fulfillment using numbers.

The best we can do to measure our feelings is by various pain scales such as the Numerical rating scales which uses numbers to rate pain. Or the visual analog scales which asks you to select a picture that best matches your pain level. And the Categorical scales which Primarily uses words, possibly along with numbers, colors, or locations on the body. How do we measure love? The opposite of pain. The best answer I have is to measure the heart flutters, the butterflies in your stomach, the giddiness, the tingles you feel throughout your mind and your body on a scale from 1 to 10. But who wants to do that? When you’re in love you just want to swim in how that feels. And that is totally valid! I’ve never once thought to try and scientifically measure feelings of love I have. When you’re in love, you just want to bask in the glow of it all.

Seizing the Day

At the end of the day, winning often just means having the guts to go for it. To take life by the horns and decide that you’ll do whatever it takes, as long as you keep moving forward. That’s the hunger that leads to winning. So, do, learn, refine, do again, and keep repeating. Embrace the journey, and the wins will follow.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Depression, it could simply be a matter of the brain’s inability to adapt to change due to low levels of BDNF and neuroplasticity. This concept shatters the traditional view of depression as strictly a chemical imbalance or genetic predisposition. Instead, it illuminates the critical role our brain’s resilience plays in withstanding life’s inevitable trials. Healthy levels of BDNF and neuroplasticity equip the brain to deftly navigate change, even the heart-wrenching kind that plunges us into depression – a soul-crushing breakup, the devastating loss of a loved one, or grueling life circumstances. Think of BDNF and neuroplasticity as the brain’s coping mechanisms, its capacity to flex and yield without shattering in the face of adversity.

This prompts an intriguing question: Am I succumbing to depression because of a painful circumstance in my life, or is my depression a result of inadequate brain health, with insufficient BDNF and neuroplasticity to adapt to life’s painful twists and turns? This potent question reframes our focus, shifting it from the external stressor to our internal fortitude in the face of that stress. It beckons us to explore whether our neural arsenal is equipped to weather life’s tempests without surrendering to the clutches of depression.

I put forth these ideas not to heap guilt upon those wrestling with depression, but to offer powerful empowering thought experiments. These reflections can guide us through life’s most jarring upheavals, illuminating a path towards emotional liberation from depression’s oppressive grip. Depression is a formidable foe that commands compassion and treatment. Yet, by grasping the pivotal role of BDNF and neuroplasticity, we can become proactive architects of our own healing journey.

So how does an individual go about a healthy production of BDNF and neuroplasticity from the brain? Lactate, a byproduct of intense physical exertion, serves as a potent messenger molecule. When you push your body to its limits through vigorous exercise, such as high intensity interval training (HIIT), your muscles engage in a dialogue with the rest of your body via a byproduct of vigorous exercise called lactate. This biochemical conversation sparks a cascade of adaptations, such as healthy muscle growth and enhanced cardiovascular prowess. The brain, which labors tirelessly during exercise, is also a keen listener to lactate’s signals. One of its key responses is to ramp up production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a tireless champion of neuronal growth in the hippocampus, a region in the brain vital for forging new memories, learning, and having insights which are valuable in moments of deep self-reflection. It also nurtures neuroplasticity, the brain’s remarkable ability to mold and adapt to a shifting landscape. In essence, exercise is the ultimate brain fertilizer, nourishing it to flourish with strength and resilience.

For those grappling with depression, low BDNF and neuroplasticity can render the brain inflexible, struggling to keep pace with life’s relentless ebb and flow. Their minds may feel brittle, as if on the brink of shattering under the weight of uncertainty. This is where high-intensity exercise emerges as a shining beacon of hope. By turbocharging BDNF production, it’s a natural elixir to bolster brain health. Prioritizing exercise allows us to take the reins in fortifying our neural defenses, cultivating the resilience needed to thrive even when challenged. Through physical movement, we become the architects of a stronger, more agile brain, one better equipped to withstand the tempests of depression.

Tom
https://linktr.ee/metalpalace

Can you tell the difference? Physical passion intensely desires a body; emotional passion deeply loves a heart and soul. Emotional passion dominates, offering a unique lens through which to see the one you love.

Physical passion fades after orgasm; emotional passion pulses before, during, and after, intensifying even sexless intimacy. Emotional passion is a heart-to-heart connection, effortless like breathing. Physical passion is fleeting, like conquering a video game level, only to pursue the next conquest. The push-pull of “come here, I don’t want you” reveals its cognitive dissonance and shows up in physical symptoms.

Sharing reciprocal emotional passion nourishes physical and emotional well-being, a wholesome union of body and soul. Yet we often forget to nurture this interconnection holistically. Emotional passion is rare for me, yet it fulfills in ways physical passion cannot. True emotional passion prioritizes a lover’s happiness above one’s own, even if it means letting go. It’s easy like breathing is easy.

Real love creates space, understanding, and safety. It sheds ego and armor, favors clarity over confusion, and chooses love over fear. Real love heals, grows, and transforms challenges into opportunities. It stands naked, vulnerable, and enthusiastically reciprocated. Investing emotions risks repercussions, but real love fuels growth and strengthens bonds.

Investing emotions in a lover can have emotional repercussions. Love, like a work of art, is open to interpretation and can get lost in translation. It’s the real love combined with emotional passion that drives a mutual reciprocating desire to show up in good faith, understand the other, and ultimately uses the challenge at hand as a steppingstone for growth and an even stronger relationship connection built on a foundation that resembles more like concrete than quicksand.

In a recent dance class I learned about 5 different connections in order of priority. Priority number 1 is the connection you have with yourself. Next priority is your connection to the floor. After that is your connection with your partner, then with the music, and finally the lowest priority is the dance moves themselves which happens to be what most dance classes focus most on. Isn’t that crazy? The one thing we put the most focus on, the actual dance moves, ranks dead last in a prioritized list of the 5 connections. Can you see the parallels here? This prioritized list of five connections in a healthy relationship could be connection with yourself first, connection with the earth second, connection with your lover third, connection with the external environment forth, and lastly the activities you and your lover do together. If I’m in love with a woman I am going to enjoy my time with her regardless of what we are doing because we have reciprocating emotional passion. I’m going to elaborate more on this niche topic matter in my very next blog style post very soon. It’s worth exploring more.

Give and receive love.

My soul needs to give and receive love, selectively but often.

Tom