The Iso Tank Blog

At one time or another we’ve all felt trapped under the grates. The light is dim, the air is thick, and you think your chances of escaping are slim to none. But then you begin your journey upward, and those feelings start to lessen. The sun returns to your view, you start to breathe easy again, and your trip is not so much an escape as an accomplishment. Life returns to how you remembered it. Except for a few fundamental differences — You are stronger, you are wiser, and you are more in control of your mind, body & spirit.

During milestones we are instilled with something new, be it a lesson, a frame of mind, or a mental note to stay away from or gravitate towards a certain situation or person. Without hitting the ceiling from time to time we might never know what it is, or who it is, we should be around or with as we continue down this unguided path.

Challenges present themselves without warning. It’s how you handle the challenges that make the difference. Facing them head on and dealing with what you need to when you need to will will propel you forward. Putting your head down and covering yourself with a blanket will set you back. It’s not a science we can dictate on paper, and there is no structured formula — It’s a power bigger than our rational thoughts; it is our subconscious kicking in and our survival mechanism engaging.

Take comfort in knowing when you need the tools they will be there. You will get through the rocky times, and surpass what you perceive to be limitations. You will rise to a higher level of spirituality with each step you climb.

Those who love you will be there to push you should you need a bit of help. They’ll wrap themselves around your worries, and enhance your joys with a smile, a hug, a shoulder to lean on or a hand to grasp, just so you know they’re there.

In the end, everything will be okay, and you will continue to thrive, to learn, and to live.

When does the line in the sand get drawn differentiating what we need from what we want? Physically, emotionally, and mentally. Should that be something we just know; something we just feel? Do some of us even need the line? If so, do we at least get a discount on the stick?

It would be nice if we could keep our needs & wants organized in boxes. Our inventory would be updated weekly, and sent to us via email so we could keep a running tab. And, for $1.99/month, it would also determine where each ‘item’ fell in the bigger picture. What a deal!

Unfortunately, there are no organized boxes for intangible items, nor can we have another person keep track of our ever growing inner-inventory. Someone should have thought of that. We came up with Oreos; why this is so hard? I’m not sure. But a lot of people have trouble figuring out what it is they truly need from another person, and more importantly, for themselves.

Do we need and want differently at different ages? At different milestones? After different life experiences? Sure. Though I don’t think it makes it any easier, as there will always be new feelings & desires to categorize.

When you were younger you needed to eat enough vegetables, and wanted freeze pops. For 20- and 30-something year olds you need a steady income, and probably still will want freeze pops, among other things. For 40- and 50-something year olds it’s about needing to have your t’s crossed and i’s dotted in your IRA’s, and, you may still want freeze pops. Or a vacation home. Maybe you want both, which is understandable.

I don’t want a luxury car, or a mansion, or a vacation home. I want to love, to create, to find passion, understanding, respect & laughter. For myself, I’ve always considered my wants to be my needs, and my needs to be my wants.

Maybe at the end of the day some of us don’t want to categorize things. Maybe some of us don’t want to struggle with determining the differences.

Maybe some of us choose wide open spaces instead of divided ones.