Head in the Clouds
Feet on the Ground
Practical people would be more practical if they
would take a little more time for dreaming.
—J.P. McEvoy
It was a Thursday: I was sitting in the sand on the beach in Santa Monica the other day, staring in awe of the glorious ocean and the gorgeous clouds. Looking up at the clouds made me think of my friend Mari. Mari is my (new-agey, airy fairy princess, hippie YES I’ve already seen The Secret thanks) friend, I’m always telling her she has her head in the clouds.
I tend to be more practical and down to Earth than my friend. I've always make fun of her, telling her to come back to the planet Earth. But the other day I realized something.
I suppose if we were all down to earth all the time, our yearning drive for innovation, betterment, and transcendence might have died out long ago.
On the other hand if a majority of us weren’t down-to-earth – firmly in touch with practical material reality – the human species might have died out long ago.
Balance is the key. Have your head in the clouds, but have your feet on the ground.
"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground."-Theodore Roosevelt
:- )
Name Meanings:
Jonathan- Gift From God
Nolan- The Proud One (Interestingly Appropriate)
My name is Jonathan Nolan Bankert. My Mother named me after John from the New Testament . My Father named me Nolan… After Nolan Ryan a pitcher for the Angels.
Yeah, my Pops was deep.
I AM:
I am competent and capable, fully engaged in the world with all its imperfections. I have a strong ability to adapt to my surrounding whether physical, social, or cultural.
My social circles are diverse, and I love it. I have so many different types of friends that I LOVE like my family, it’s really cool. I can get a long easily with others and fit in with many different cultural and social circles.
I love a great vacation, but I am not an escapist. I drink socially, never because I’m upset. Whatever problems or disappointments I encounter, I continue to take care of business- working, supporting my family, paying bills. Whatever I’m going through, I know when I focus I can make sh*t happen. I welcome and embrace and even love challenges, they help me to grow and evolve.
The story above about my new- agey friend was to display my subscription to what Freud called the Reality Principle – the acceptance of things as they are in order to make the somewhat more as we wish.
I am a realist and a visionary. I set to grab the world by the horns, master it, and from the ground looking into the horizon of my dreams transform my world as I see fit.
My Happiness is my Own Responsibility:
I tend to go from one of two extremes in relationships. Establishing bonds strong on affection, common interests, and companionship (as well as sex).
But sometimes, life happens and relationships can be the one place where the irrational erupts in my life. Hearts can break, and when this happens I just turn my back on relationships and go cold turkey for a while, keeping balance by dividing into platonic friendships and brief sexual encounters.
It Feels So Good to Be Alive
I feel comfortable with my body and I have a healthy appetite for foods and other pleasures of the senses (including, music, art, fashion), as well as sex. Being a creature of the flesh is so much f*ckin fun, and I apologize to no one for my natural God given drives.
My lover’s freedom is a matter of principle and pleasure to me. I don’t want my lover to stay with me because she made a vow or signed a piece of paper, but because she loves me and appreciates my company. Sex and companionship are reasons to be together, not promises and obligations.
Life is Supposed to Be Fun:
I like to play just as hard as I work. I am active, and full of fearless curiosity about the world. I find it more fun and relaxing to do something than to space out in front of the TV. (Although there are nights when I just want to lay on the couch, have a few beers and watch Family Guy or South Park) I do love to go to restaurants, parties, lounges, and cultural events.
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