Forever and ever. Someone asked me where the love songs went. I told her, they've changed. Love is wanting the best for someone even if the message has to hurt them. Even if it has to shake them up, make them break routine, and face their fears. Love isn’t easy, but it’s not flashy. Many are incapable of letting actual love take hold. It’s masked in ritual, in displays but seldom takes on the core issues that the parties involved need to grow. This ties into self awareness. Not just simply in what one wants, or in what one wants to see, but in what the truth is, beyond any individuals’ intent. Embody love, the hard way.

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At times you’ll face situations that don’t really have a clear win. All things come with multiple sides. Good or bad are sometimes grey. All of this comes down to the points of view for those involved. In those times all that you can simply do is your best, with the information that you have up until that point in time. Trust that, and move forward with as much confidence as you can muster. Some days, there are just tough decisions that must be made. They will change you , and may make you stronger if you seek the lessons that they bring.  

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Your potential is limitless. Often though many take these words as shackles. It’s more about a decision to do what you choose, than living up to what other people expect of you. Understand that you’re already a genius. You’re a living breathing supercomputer, with access to a massive network of information. You can build a road to anything that you want to accomplish. It takes time, but the potential is latent in you. Decide what you want and trust that you are everything that you need to get there. Skills will come with time, but you already are everything that you need.

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Friendship is not simply a mirror. It’s more of a balance. Pairings and groups are often archetypal, as humans rely on each other to advance in this world. The challenge lies in finding out which bonds can help us and which bonds will hurt. A few simple steps to make this process easier.

Test the waters. Be patient with people. Don’t jump in head first. All actions are done with a why in mind. Try to find out their why. At times it may simply be that they enjoy doing something. Other times it may be that someone has ulterior motives. Be cautious but remain open.

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It’s often hard for us to truly accept and understand our own self worth. We’re born whole, and open. Receptive to everything around us , we soak in information like a sponge. We can adapt and learn anything. Languages, diction, physical abilities. All of these are adopted as simply being natural. It’s like magic really. In our formative years , for many this comes the start of something not so easy to swallow. Our self worth is eroded. Not in its entirety, and not directly, but it’s put to us in the form of limits and doubt. Most times it's a reflection of those around us, putting their own built up doubt upon us. It’s easy to limit another from something that we fear. Some adopt it under the guise of safety but in truth it has little merit in the stories that we have yet to write. Our paths are virtually limitless, and the realm of current societal understanding has only gone so far. Much more is to be done. So in that, take great stock in yourself. Understand that self worth is essential. You’re complete, and you’re becoming more and more each day. Build yourself into the ideal that you seek. You will have nothing to regret once your cycle comes to an end.

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In the coming months, I'll be sharing with you words and work related to a series that I'm developing. It's the first of many in the world of Manikk Realm. 

It's called Gokiburi and I'm quite happy to let this project grow here. 
This story deals with the topics of self worth, friendship, potential ,tough calls, love, family, society, mental health, technological innovation, morality , ambition and death. 

Through these twelve branches, this story may grant you a better means to reflect upon yourself. 

The stories of Manikk Realm aim to serve as a mirror in which you can grow and learn. 

The most challenging thing, is to create with no filter. 
Development is necessary. 
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In order to maintain something, one can't hold too tightly to trends. Study foundation, and in turn at most pair yourself with deeper properties. Almost elemental, these qualities will span beyond a season, and speak to a deeper sense of humanity. Like darkness or light, emotion, they will extend beyond a single lifespan. This will serve as more than enough room to create and maintain something of deeper value. 

In time, attitudes will be reformed over and over again, flowing between polarities. Keep track of this pulse and know that there is always room for a revival. 

-Manikk- 

Show us your Realm. 

By changing the words used to describe things we restructure societal flow. Perversion of this imprints ideology as fact in future generations. When things shift too far, the truth is lost. Modernity should not be a route to degradation. Definition rewritten should not be a route to oppression.

-MANIKK-

I don't think some people actually realize how fortunate we are. It's insane how much of a fast track we have to education. Seeking the advice of masters, having scores of lectures with critical analysis of past works, the ability to pick up any language with the option of speaking to people anywhere in the world ready to study with you. It only makes sense to try for absolutely everything we want to accomplish. There aren't many barriers to entry, and no real gatekeepers to say your content won't be displayed. It's simple. Choose, learn, create, and share. You're far more free than you think.

Honest with no apology, be yourself entirely, show us your Realm.

-Manikk-

I'm learning that it's not about the resources, it's about being resourceful. 
When your back is against the wall and there's no other option, you win. 
There's nothing else. You must win. 

Honest with no apology, be yourself entirely, show us your Realm.

-MANIKK-

Sometimes the challenge, is building momentum. It's not always a hurdle in terms of skill, but in terms of mental resolve. Being able to dial in and do what's required is the key. Sometimes it comes down to imposed time limits. At others it comes down to setting the location's atmosphere, or getting a quiet space. Sometimes it's just the right type of noise to get into the flow. Any way that it's looked at, there's a certain necessity that must be realized. Your greatest fear should be deep regret, due to not trying your absolute best at the chance given. 

Don't give yourself the chance to experience this. 

Live honest with no apology, be yourself entirely, show us your Realm. 

​-MANIKK-

If the people are kept divided, they miss out on the bigger issues. Yes there's a situation, and everyone has to step up to take care of it. The siblings of the perpetrators and the victims, one in the same. Get caught up in the fight too long, get split along drawn lines too long, and you'll miss out, the wealth will be taken out from under you. History destroyed and rewritten, present day matters repackaged and used to program. The solution is simple really, but not too many are ready to take on the bigger challenge. Override it, override it all, step forward and write a new story , then again, this is the original story delivered yet again. ​

Solve it. Get honest with no apology, be yourself entirely, show us your Realm.

-MANIKK-

You might lose. 
It's a fact that you must come to terms with. 
Sometimes giving slack even in the slightest means that you might very well lose. 
Understand the importance of each opportunity. 
You'd rather not fall short due to preventable cause. 
No matter your disposition, 
no matter the climate, 
if you must do something, get it done. 

You might win. 

​-MANIKK-

In a mere few hundred days, nothing will be as it is now. 
In a mere few weeks, the season will have changed over. 
In a mere few days, opportunity's windows will close, and yet others will open. 
Although things keep turning over, one's reach is finite. 
There are only so many revolutions, so many chances to grasp at an ideal timeline.
Be cautious of this. 
Forget the minutia, delegate the lesser priorities, and seize the objective.
Remain honest with no apology, be yourself entirely and show us Your Realm.

-MANIKK- 

It's certainly terminal, this condition. Called from the dark and back to dust in the same breath. To you, cherish it all. Know nothing is mundane. For you have the same condition as I do. Eternally turning. 

Whether it be numbness or ringing of the ears, it's essential not to lose touch. In depth or shortness of breath, reddened skin , burned to ash, it's one in the same. Make the most of it. For just as I , your condition is terminal.

-MANIKK-

It's critical to stay objective. Too often people will paint a picture of reality and then project it onto others. Understand that people don't always see the way that you do. They don't think the way that you do. That's ok. It's allowed, and it's natural. 

The thing though, you can't let this encroach on your aim. Your vision for yourself and the future can't be seen by others. Some will understand, but ultimately it's your journey. 
Control your perception, understand that varying responses across the spectrum will come to meet your ambition, and not all will be on your side. Accept it , but don't let that shape you for the worse. 
You're capable. Stick to that vision, stay honest with no apology. Be yourself entirely. 
Show us your Realm. 

-MANIKK-

I was made aware of this concept by a good friend of mine in a talk last night. 
He pointed out that it's the method that we used to get where we are. 
It also seems to link up to other processes , such as working out, or developing any skill. 

The concept is that it's the opposite of fragility. With harder experiences, the more you get bounced around, the more pressure put on over time leads you to be refined. It's basically like stone to diamond.
As humans we're antrifragile. It's important to understand that the trials that we go through, shape us. They make us stronger. It's a choice though in many instances. In order to build up skill, you must push in the direction of your resistance. If something is uncomfortable that means you're facing a challenge and have an opportunity to grow through it. Really take this into consideration when challenges cross your mind. Know where you'd like to be, work backward / reverse engineer the process from that end goal, and then understand that adversity and some roughness are necessary to complete that route all the way through. You'll come to see that even more than your objective, the person that you will become through this journey is an even greater reward. 

Approach your goals with confidence, and remember, be honest with no apology, be yourself entirely and show us your Realm. 

-MANIKK- 

I'm used to it. 
I'm used to condescension, to disrespect, to malice, disregard, and false fronts. 
I'm used to half hearted attempts, selfish nature, and conflict. 
I know that this is common for many, so I'll speak as one of few. 
It seems like the only way above it,  beyond it , is to cultivate skill.
Cultivate it, not to silence the prior, but to place yourself into your own realm.
All of the tools that you need for liberation are within you. You were born complete, 
you were born enough.
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Through cultivation of skill , you can act upon the world instead of being a victim to it.
In truth you only have control over your mind and your body. Expand your mind, 
push the limits of your body, and become what you can.
You may already far more free than you think. 
Step forward, honest with no apology, be yourself entirely, show us your Realm.

-Manikk.

​Choose your words well for they determine the lens with which you see the world around you. 
It's really as simple as that. Although circumstances aren't entirely ours to control, by choosing how we describe the events that we encounter and the locations and people that we are around, there can be some sway in this process. Be cautious so as not to shade something incorrectly based on a skewed personal filter. Events are neutral, the world is chaotic and organized at the same time, and we have the ability to augment our experience through whatever free agency we have. Respond, don't react, choose instead of being forced. Through a progressive chain of choices , we can guide ourselves to most any destination. 
Also, remember, honest with no apology, be yourself entirely, show us your realm. 

In order to fulfill your creative aim it takes a blended approach. 
It must vary between technical and intuitive, back and forth. 
Setting out to hit an emotional target is a good start, though having the correct technical backing allows you to better express it. The tools at a point will no longer get in the way of the translation. After that the emotional impact can be targeted yet again. In music it can become tangible. Feeling the texture of the sounds, and seeing the atmosphere develop in the process. 

Let your creation become multi-sensory. 
Honest with no apology, be yourself entirely, show us your Realm. 

-Manikk-

If you created something that nobody besides yourself cared about, would you still be happy?
Would you still be just as driven to lose sleep over it. The push required to see it come into the world,  at times breaking your spirit. Met with discontent looks or at worst repulsion and words of discouragement. Would you press on if there was nothing more to gain from it than it's existence? You may face this all on your journey. Creating things that few are willing to support. Many will be more comfortable following instead of leading, and waiting instead of contributing. This though, is natural for some. 
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Know though that there are many that won't be defined by something external. They simply choose. They may often create for an audience of one. Willing to spend an entire lifetime bringing something into this world. Even if in time everything will be washed away and forgotten , the challenge is completely worth it. In this you can find solitude. 

-MANIKK-

Here's a prototype for the cover of book 1. 

Having one of those days again, though the ill vibes have to be converted into fuel. 
I'm learning that there are very few things that I can count on 100%. 
My body, my mind, and my craft are what keep me going. 
Hopefully this all comes together nicely over time. 

​-Manikk.

Recently I had the opportunity to spend some time with my family whom I hadn't connected with in a long time. It was interesting to see that everyone was on the same page. We'd started off years ago very close , and indirectly even though we hadn't had the chance to catch up , we'd found ourselves having a similar way of thinking. Maybe the early years formed the method by which we processed our experiences. I also learned about my heritage and about the values kept from the older generations. I also learned that people will always have similar problems and challenges to overcome regardless of the era. 

A lesson to be gained from all of this, is that it's far more important to voice your opinions and put your ideas into a trusted group as a think tank as early as possible. Due to this you may be able to change the trajectory of your entire life. Open up to positive potential, and understand that every person other than yourself has lived a life of their own. They offer unique points of view that you would otherwise not be able to connect with or even be aware of. 

Bask in the knowledge of the world and its people. Chase truth, and stay level headed. Also remember to be honest with no apology, be yourself entirely and show us your realm. 

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