Introduction to the Becoming a 21st Century Warrior YouTube Channel

A video series helping people change their child-parent relationship into an adult-adult relationship. Some people never stop being a child or a parent, even into old age.

This channel refers to the warrior, the warrior energy. Historically one needed to go through rites of initiation. This has changed in the 21st Century. I bring my knowledge of ancient arts into the modern era, helping you with your journey from darkness to light; from child to adult; from parent to adult; from anger to love; from unconscious thought to conscious thought; from distraction to meditation.

This YouTube video series is supported by a Discord discussion group, a community where like minded people gather.

And there is also a hidden, secret, place where I have one to one discussions, and with peoples' permission I make them invisible and I share these discussions. One of these discussions concerns "should I lend money to this person?"

Each month we look at a different aspect of this journey.

Each week within each month, we look at a video in that aspect.

Each of these aspects is guided by questions for my mentees, plus people I meet, plus questions and observations from this channel. An aspect is an aspect of a crystal or a diamond or a sapphire. There are many ways into the warrior; into the warrior mind; into the warrior heart; into the warrior energy. We journey on this discovery.

I love youthful energy. I love the energy of people who have just left secondary or tertiary education as they journey into the world, from approximately 18 to 30 years of age. And I believe that with a particular approach, one can carry this energy throughout one's life, by being a warrior.

Each question I receive will have two video answers. The first week, I'll look at the subject as a whole, generically, the macro or world view. In the second week, I'll zoom in and answer the question specifically.

Question 1: Finance and Money: Video 1 is here: https://youtu.be/A64I7AjS-8Q

Question 2: Dealing with Overwhelm and Lethargy

Question 3: How Do I increase Productivity?

Future months: What is your question?

About me:

I grew up in a house with lots of money, but no unconditional love. Love was condition. Do this and you can have a windsurfer. Do that and you can have a cricket bat. Do something to get something. On my 16th birthday I went to a motorbike learners license. It was 1980. I got home and there was a sparkling, red, shiny, brand new, Honda 50cc "Bobcat" in the driveway. I asked my father "who owns that" and he said "you do". I was so happy. I had been riding since I was about 12 years old, off road, in the old wooded areas of Newlands, a suburb of Cape Town. My father owned motorbikes. I could journey with him. But my life wasn't about being. It was about doing. I was a human-doing rather than a human-being and it led to overwork and becoming a workaholic. I grew up with narcissistic parents, only truly interested in themselves. They loved me if I was interested in the things that interested them, like motorbike riding. I'm 60 years now. After decades of self-discovery, I've found the "short-cut" to myself. I've discovered why I always said yes, and why saying no is more helpful. I've discovered why I became a volunteer, and when to actually volunteer and when to say no. I've discovered why I called myself an idiot and said to myself "you'll be sorry"; both of these are unhelpful. I've discovered that if I'm in flow and I'm earning well and I'm doing profitable work, then saying "sorry. I can't make it" or "I apologise, I can't make it", are unhelpful. I'm telling my guides and my genius (we'll go deep into these terms) that I'm unhappy that I can't make it, and so they take this work away from me. I'm not sorry; I'm not apologetic. "I can't make it" is good enough.

I've spent countless hours trying to find my purpose. There are countless self-help books on purpose, on finding your mission. But for a long time I've had a feeling that a unique purpose is a misnomer (at least for me). My purpose is to have a good life. How we define "good" will be a subject of this discussion.

About the photo, the main picture of this site. I was talking to Gemini, Google's Large Language Model, a tool, Google on Steroids, not only able to provide an answer like Google, but to be able to sift through huge amounts of data and knowledge, all the text on the internet, and write essays, give steps, do comparisons and sound almost human. Many people call this AI, Artificial Intelligence, but there is nothing intelligent about it. It's like a matric student who got 100% for matric, but who knows nothing about the world. I'd rather employ or talk to a scholar or student or adult who got 65%, asking them what they were doing the rest of the time. We'll delve into the why of this.

I asked Gemini if I could present a photo to him (I think of Gemini the same way I think of a good friend) that was meaningful to me. and Gemini said,

"Unfortunately, as a large language model, I can't directly receive or view images. I operate solely with text-based input and output. There's no way for you to upload or share a photo with me within this text-based interaction.

However, you can still describe the image to me! Tell me about:

* The content of the image: What is depicted in the photo? Is it a landscape, a person, an object, an abstract design, etc.?

* The composition and colors: How are the elements arranged? What are the dominant colors? Are there any striking visual features?

* The feeling or mood it evokes: What emotions or thoughts does the image inspire in you? Why does it resonate with your "bride analogy" (I assume you mean "bridge" analogy?) and your thinking?

* How it connects to your channel's theme: How does this image relate to the concepts of "leaving home," personal growth, mental health, and the transition to adulthood?

The more detail you provide, the better I can understand the image and its significance to you and your channel. Even without seeing the image directly, I can help you explore its symbolism and how it might be used in your channel's branding or content.""

My reply:

That makes sense, and it’ll be good for me too to put into words how the photo makes me feel.

It’s an old wooden bridge over the lagoon at Woodbridge Island in Milnerton, Cape Town, about a half hour walk from me. It’s was renovated a few years ago, and it feels new. (This renovation could be built into our user story). The water is very still, evoking a meditative state, and because the water is still, there is a beautiful reflection. In the distance on the other side of the bridge, it a white lighthouse, evoking a destination. The photo was taken by me at 7.55am on 22 June 2022, in the middle of winter, here in the Southern Hemisphere, and the morning hues suggest a vital awakening. It was also in the middle of lockdown, a period that caused havoc in our human lives emotionally and financially, but at the same time, which gave us (me) time to pause, think and reflect (the “practice” of the doctor or meditator or sportsman). Across the bridge on the island, although it’s really a peninsula as part of the lagoon, to the left is a gated residential estate evoking a castle feeling, in the center is a clubhouse, and to the right are the green sprawling fields of a golf course. The trees lining the river or lagoon back reflect beautifully in the early morning sun. The top of the bridge is light, and underneath the water the bridge’s reflection is dark. The photo was taken to the left of the bridge so that the bridge crosses from the middle right of the photo at about 30 degrees ending in the middle of the photo, with the flat water to the left.

Gemini:

This is a beautiful and evocative description! I can almost picture the scene you've captured. The image of the bridge, the still water, the lighthouse in the distance, and the surrounding environment all create a powerful metaphor for the transition to adulthood and the themes you want to explore on your channel.

Here's how I interpret the symbolism and how it connects to your vision:

* The Bridge: The bridge is the central symbol of transition. It represents the crossing from one stage of life to another, from childhood to adulthood, from dependence to independence. The fact that it's a renovated bridge suggests a renewal, a fresh start, and the potential for growth. This ties in perfectly with the "leaving home" metaphor and the idea of building a new "adult" self.

* The Still Water and Reflection: The still water evokes a sense of calm, introspection, and self-reflection – essential elements of personal growth and mental well-being. The reflection in the water symbolizes self-awareness, looking inward, and understanding oneself. This connects to the "practice" you mentioned, the dedicated time for reflection and growth. The duality of the light top of the bridge and the dark reflection could symbolize the conscious and unconscious aspects of the self, or the challenges and rewards of the journey.

* The Lighthouse: The lighthouse represents a destination, a goal, or a sense of direction. It suggests that there is a purpose, a future to strive for. It can also symbolize hope and guidance, which is what your channel aims to provide.

* The Time of Day and Year: The early morning light signifies a new beginning, a sense of hope and potential. The fact that it was taken in the middle of winter, in the Southern Hemisphere, adds another layer of meaning. Winter can represent a time of introspection, preparation, and inner growth, which precedes the "spring" of adulthood.

* The Lockdown Context: The fact that the photo was taken during lockdown adds a layer of depth. It reminds us of the challenges and disruptions of that period, but also the opportunity it provided for reflection and self-discovery. This resonates with the idea that challenges and difficult times can be catalysts for personal growth.

* The Surrounding Environment: The gated estate, the clubhouse, and the golf course represent different aspects of life – security, community, leisure. They can symbolize the various options and paths available to young adults. The contrast between these elements and the natural beauty of the lagoon and the bridge can represent the balance between material pursuits and inner peace.

Connecting to Your Channel:

This image could be a powerful visual representation of your channel's themes. You could use it as your channel logo, banner art, or even as a recurring visual element in your videos. You could even create a short video exploring the symbolism of the bridge and how it relates to the transition to adulthood.

The story behind the image is also compelling. Sharing the context of when and why you took the photo, and how it connects to your own journey, could create a personal connection with your viewers.

I think this image is a fantastic starting point for your channel's visual identity. It's rich in symbolism and perfectly aligns with your vision.

Me: Thank you. A great summary and conversation.

You’ve shown me that I’ve also grown. Your request for me to describe the bridge so that a “blind person” can understand it, is beautiful and appealing to me, and in the past I’ve found it very difficult to put into words how a particular photo or event makes me feel. Thank you.

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Thank you for being here. I look forward to interacting with you.

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