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“Great writers are indecent people, they live unfairly saving the best part for paper. Good human beings save the world so that bastards like me can keep creating art.” ~ Charles Bukowski

I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning thinking about how so many of the “Top 5 Ways To” or “Crazy Hot Sexy” or “Must See Video” article views climb rapidly into the thousands here on elephant journal while many articles with real substance fall by the wayside. After about 10 minutes of that eating at me, I turned on the computer and here I am, at 4:10 a.m., hashing it out. I only mention the time of day, as it’s hard for me to imagine someone waking up passionate enough about sex and weight loss to sacrifice sleep in an effort to write about it, though in some cases, it probably happens.

I’m not saying I’m personally some slave, or martyr, to the written word. I do believe when writers are passionate about their work, it usually reflects in the writing, which then typically translates into having a deeper effect on the reader than that of a quickly thrown together post, which its main intention is that of getting views.

I’m writing this article on behalf of myself, and the many other great writers who contribute gut wrenching, brutally honest articles from the deepest source of our being. The writers and articles which are typically overlooked due to the lack of sexy, yoga, weight loss content. We are here, and while we typically don’t take the simpler way out in our articles, reducing them to quick lists or videos with a couple of sentences, I believe if you take a few minutes to get to know us, chances are, you won’t be disappointed.

This may sound like a disgruntled writer’s piece to many of you, but rest assured, it truly is not.

In the most humble way possible, I’m lucky to have a wonderful literary agent who’s currently negotiating my proposal with a major publishing house for a forthcoming book. I’m grateful that there’s not a lot riding on many views what I write here gets. And most likely, those writers that do come here and bare their souls, or at least offer articles with deep substance that affords the reader a real opportunity to think outside of sex and materialism topics, probably aren’t heartbroken about the lack of readership their work gets, though of course it can be disheartening.

Regardless of what I say however, many of you will write me, and this article, off as some jaded writer bitching about lack of interest in his work, which is totally cool with me. If you could at least do one simple thing for me,  it would be greatly appreciated.

Take 10 seconds to think about the last two or three articles you read on elephant journal, or anywhere for that matter, and be brutally honest regarding the intention behind why you did. Was it purely for tips on improving material conditions, and if so, why?

Do you ever gift yourself the opportunity to read topics on improving inner conditions and deepening the connection to the real inner you too? If not, why not? Why not try to incorporate at least one article of deeper substance into all of the crazy, hot, orgasmy stuff, which dominates readership?

I guess this is particularly easy for me to write about because I never really gave a fuck about being a cool kid, fitting in or being overly concerned with material shit, but even for those that are, or even slightly are, isn’t there a little room for expansion and growth?

I truly don’t mean to come off as brash or offensive to anyone here, it’s sincerely not my intention whatsoever. I can get lost in my passion sometimes I suppose. If anything, I’m really hoping to help persuade even just one person reading this to broadening the horizon of material they ingest into their daily reading.

Why do I care? I suppose it’s the cockeyed optimist in me who still believes if one of us heals on a deeper level, we all do. And while crazy hot sex is great, and I guess can be healing, or at least stress relieving, it’s usually not the ticket that will take us to serious, deeper places of well being in our lives (unless you’re some awesome tantra practitioner, in which case, carry on!)

So in an effort to step outside of my own comfort writing box, I’ll give you three non-crazy, not out of this world tips on sex, weight loss and even provide you with a must see video.

1. Make love/have sex with someone you care about. Filling a gap through sexual acting out is only a temporary solution that will ultimately only bring you greater pain in the long run.

2. Eat healthier. I have a sweet tooth myself so I’m not going to talk shit on any particular diets or food, but moderation my friends. It’s always key.

3. Exercise. Find something you enjoy doing, whether it’s running, hiking, walking, bicycling, skateboarding, whatever. Do something to physically exert yourself a little bit and make your heart happy.

I promise, if you follow these three totally un-crazy, but very sensible tips, you’ll quickly be on your way to an integrally overall sense of well being. And now, a must see video!

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Editor: Kate Bartolotta

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