Rights vs Obligations
“The single biggest thing I learned was from an indigenous elder of Cherokee descent, Stan Rushworth, who reminded me of the difference between a Western settler mindset and “I have rights” and an indigenous mindset of “I have obligations”. Instead of thinking that I am born with rights, I choose to think that I am born with obligations to serve past, present and future generations, and the planet herself.”
Stages Of Life
I put on a bit too much weight while I was away so I upped my exercise regime aiming for that Norwegian 4 x 4 I mentioned a few newsletters ago.
I now do 100 lunges and 100 leg raises on the way to the exercise station at the park. There I do 4 sets of these:
30 second sprint
25 star jumps/jumping jacks
25 squats
25 dips
30 second wall sit
25 dips
5 burpees
25 mountain climbers
25 shoulder taps plank
25 pushups
30 second dead hang
20 pull ups
with two minutes of different stretches between each set.
I say that not to brag (my belly is doing more than enough of that for both of us!) just to indicate that if you feel you are in the third category, it is remedial!
No Happiness Without Action
The Artist
“Musicians, (singers, painters, ALL artists) are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth.
They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime.
Every day, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they’ll never work again.
Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. with every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life – the car, the family, the house, the nest egg.
Why? Because musicians are willing to give their entire lives to a moment – to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul.
Musicians (and artists) are beings who have tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart.
In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be.
And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.”
—David Ackert, LA Times.
Therapy In The Garden
Stay Above Fear
Shine Your Light
Be Yourself
As a side-note, be the best you that you can be. Always be working on improving/upskilling you. Get rid of the things that have been added to youn an attempt to be what others consider more desirable/appropriate/optimum.
Understand You
There is some truth in this but it does not address the necessity to improve the quality and quantity of whatever the product is that you produce. Or the fact that much gain can be had from increasing your knowledge, awareness and competence.