Posted by john on August 04, 2002 at 11:57:46:
In Reply to: Bob's Answers -- for whatever (2 cents) they are worth. posted by Bob - the Alien on August 08, 2002 at 21:09:09:
Great advice from a decidedly philosophical point of view. I mean as a philosopher would put it. But I have my doubts about the true ramifications of some of it. TV, no argument there. It is the biggest drug in America. But the comment on living as if you would die tomorrow can't be lived practically because the fact is most of us won't die tomorrow, and then what. We can't realistically throw our responsibilities out the window with complete abandon because you can't go backward. I mean I get your point, but if I was going to die tomorrow I sure as anything wouldn't go to work, and I'd leave my car right wherever it was and go do something real. But then the next day I would be forced to revert to my life and patch up the damage or make another conscious decision to throw away the trappings. You see it's a downward spiral and you can't live like that for long.
I'm not disagreeing, only saying it can't be practiced. The statements, like many philosophical ideas must get dilluted with reality until they can be implemented, and this is often less than satisfactory for the practitioner... at least it is for me. That's why I continually search for the answers that work in expereince. They are out there, but we must never discount experiential knowledge. Ideals are like paintings, they are nice to contemplate, but they do little in the real world.
(this message compliments of the giveaway's flame thrower-- you build it, we'll try to burn it)
: 1) The TV Issue -- Turn on the TV only if you truly want to see something. Never just because it is there or there is nothing else going on. Never arrange ANYTHING in your life around wanting to see something on TV. On the contrary, if you catch yourself wanting to go home or stay home to see something, deliberately go do something else. I do watch TV occasionally. But always as a deliberate choice and with an awareness that I am doing so. (And I don't have cable.)
: 2) Embrace life by contemplating death -- You have a very different perspective on the importance of your actions. Its a standard question: If you were to die tomorrow, what would you do tonight? Live every day and night by your answer to that question. Die without regrets and with as little wasted time as possible. Life is precious. Enjoy it, embrace it, revel in it.
: 3) Reflect on everything -- I've been an obnoxious person many times in my life. I've had people hate me. I've hurt people. I've offended people. But I try to be better every day. I spend some time every single day reflecting on who I am, where my life is, how I can improve it both on a personal level, and how I can improve my interactions with people to improve their lives. When I reach a conclusion on any of these issue, I try to maintain an awareness of that issue and actively change for the better. Its hard, because you are breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones. But over the 10 years that this has been an active practice in my life, I have noticed a profound difference.
: How does this help with living in the moment? Make that your first issue that you consciously and mindful of and work on it.
: 4) Don't take anything too seriously -- Life may or may not be intended to be fun. But its good to make it so when you can. Don't let your problems get you down. Look for solutions instead of focusing on the problem. When others hurt you, let it slide away, and give instant and sincere forgiveness. And don't even take being a 'better' person too seriously. You even have to let go of your attempts at self-improvement and growth at times and just cut loose.
: 5) Eat food that makes you wiggle with pleasure -- Ok, maybe this one is just me. But hey, whatever works, right?
: With Love,
: Bob