Only to Realize Later…
He amassed 800 pages of notes…
during his early time of working with these teachers —
only to realize later…
just two or three pages had any value.
From the notebook:
It’s a lesson we learn over and over. [Irony piled upon irony.]
We assume we know what we want…
BIG MISTAKE?
Clearly what we want changes.
Techniques & Awarenesses — [How to sublimate the process]
Identify the urge
Give it a symbol
Symbol serves as reminder
This has happened before
Give something away… “This is what I will be doing if I follow this urge.”
Unless it really does bring joy.
Does it ever?
Still, you’ll still end up giving it all away… or throwing it away. You can’t take it with you.
We amass and amass, only to realize later the amassing was a diversion, a distraction. But, it was useful because it contained a lesson so easily forgotten — stuff takes space and time away from what matters most. [It’s an expensive hobby] — [It makes the things that matter most more distant.]
What matters most requires very little space,
but only comes into its own
when it is given as much space as it can fill.
{We are such forgetful creatures.}
We have forgotten our essential unity.
We complain about the suffering we cause ourselves.
We covet what
We could probably predict
Will later be discarded.
So many things to covet, so little time.
How many times have I learned this? I can’t even count the stuff I’ve coveted and collected and couldn’t throw away… but finally did. Couldn’t wait to get rid of it.
(And, of course, we fail to appreciate the irony in our predicament.)
Two or three pages sounds about right.
He amassed 800 pages of notes…
during his early time of working with these teachers —
only to realize later…
just two or three pages had any value.
This week’s guest perspective comes from Cynthia Giles in an article published in the Medium publication, Change Your Mind, in which Cynthia shares some insights from Charles Belyea. Charles dedicated his life to teaching Taoism, a spiritual perspective I find infinitely intriguing. His insight about his notes is such a great metaphor for the human experience. The more you experience, the more you realize, less really is more.
Cynthia is a curious creature. She explores her environment like a cat. And she takes you with her. How cool is that? Tarot is a persistent theme. She seems to have a thing for cards. She’s written about cooking, koans, beautiful books, what poets know, and a stream of other topics to which she applies her unhurried perspective. She’ll give you layers of observations about what she’s experiencing. I find keeping up with her as she wends and zens her way through her world is enormously refreshing for my own perspectives. Perhaps you will, too…
That’s it for today.
You honor me with your time!
“In Real Life” is a psychic nutritional supplement to help you keep your perspective fresh, your attitude energized, your curiosity fully engaged, your mindset flexible and focused, and your outlook tuned for opportunities. It comes in minimal daily doses. Each serving is infinitely reusable and has no adverse side-effects.
Every portion consists of an insight and an action, both engineered and designed to be easily assimilated and incorporated into your awareness, your routines and your ruminations.
The current theme for “In Real Life” is Master YOUR LIST, an ongoing, orienteering exercise for those who are creating their own path in life. You compete with yourself, not against yourself or others. Your goal is continual improvement, not winning a race.
*****
YOUR LIST is where you keep up with what’s important to you.
YOUR LIST is multi-dimensional.
Every role you have in life has its own list. The different types of relationships you have all have different versions of YOUR LIST — romantic, sibling, parent, spouse, friend, really good friend, co-worker, employee, etc.
But, they’re all YOUR LIST.
Managing YOUR LIST is the most important thing you do. Deciding what’s on YOUR LIST, and what’s off YOUR LIST, and which things are more important within every context, are the most important decisions you make.
Habits are important, but what’s on YOUR LIST is the only way to know if your habits are the right ones.
Managing YOUR LIST with confidence will give you confidence in every area of your life.
Being able to slip between roles seamlessly, shifting priorities on the fly, is a huge advantage — a time-saver and an energy boost.
Yet more people than you realize don’t even think about it when they do it. Most LISTS are kinda hodgepodge.
Part of mindfulness and awareness is active engagement with and management of YOUR LIST. YOUR LIST is one of those things you can control. Control it.
Mastery of YOUR LIST is essential to any definition of success.
YOUR LIST is your compass, your flashlight, your-fire making kit, your water bottle, and your sleeping bag. It is also your vision, your mission, your purpose, your priorities and where you keep up with what has meaning and why. It’s your contract with yourself.
Originally published @ bubblesmedia.com
