There’s work to be done
And it’s mandatory. It’s required, essential, necessary work.
One way or the other we have to take care of ourself—mind, body, and soul.
But of course that’s not actually true.
This work is entirely voluntary.
We’re not obligated to do anything we don’t want to do. We can blow off anything or everything. We can throw anything we don’t feel like doing into the fuck-it bucket.
Except that most of us don’t actually mean to live our life not caring.
Do what you think the world could use a little more of
I recommend making a certain sort of list where you identify: 1. What you want (no self-judgment, no holding back), 2. How you expect that would make you feel, and 3. How that feeling reveals a need (again, no self-judgment).
I’m often thinking about things that help me figure myself out, hoping they’re helpful to you, too.
I read the books I read for the same reason and listen to podcasts and audiobooks with the same thing in mind—trying to figure myself out.
But more precisely, and more personally, I’m aiming to polish up my shine.
I’m working on things that feel like they could use a little improvement—my outlook and attitude, acceptance, sense of peace, staying real in this hands-off world we’re becoming so used to.
Mostly my aim is to do for myself what I think the world could use more of—peacefulness, an attitude of love before judgment, being real and staying real, respect for all beings, and reverence for this planet we all share.
What I do for myself, I do for the world.
Sounds almost arrogant, but…
As within, so without
Those who practice treating the self with kind attention, love, peacefulness, acceptance, gentleness, reverence, and respect affect those who are and who aren’t doing the same.
In other words, this is good for the world.
As within, so without.
Outer peace through inner peace.
Be what we want more of in the world.
Create what we want more of in the world.
Whatever paths you journey along, I say it’s mandatory that we keep bringing good to the world. Even though “mandatory” sounds forced, it really is that important.
Go where curiosity leads
For me, I do what feels expansive. I’m drawn to reading , writing (poetry and journal writing), exercise (as in mostly pole), artwork (collage, taking photos, watercolor), and good old talking to people (and sometimes/often just myself).
When we do what feels expansive, we bring our best to the world. When we bring our best to the world (or many times just our pretty-good because that’s the best we can do sometimes), we bring our best to those right around us.
This is how we create more of what we want in the world.
Coaching is one way to process things—a solid choice. Catch up with me here to find out more.
And while AI touts itself as a great coach, it’s not only not a human, which is weird to have to remind ourselves, it’s programed software—a machine, not a coach.
Sure, it can answer a lot of questions and give loads of encouragement, but it’s responding to us as a machine, not as a fellow human.
AI doesn’t have feelings, it doesn’t have a personality, it’s not listening with peace, kindness, and understanding.
Get real, be real, stay real
It’s important, even mandatory that we get real. It’s important that we be real and stay real, mind-body-soul.
There are a zillion options, no AI or internet needed.
Read books, write in a journal, write poems and stories and cards and letters, write a whole book, doodle, draw, build things, lick a stamp and send someone a postcard, walk, ride your bike, swim, climb and swing from things like I do, touch grass… as the kids are saying now, breath outdoors with no air “conditioning” or air “freshener,” roll the windows down in your car, talk to someone or even yourself without a device around to listen in, go barefoot, feel the sun on your skin, get in the water, go far out on the water by boat, clean out your garage or a closet or your junk drawer.
Do things, feel things, expand your experience and your being.
Live a real life, not a hands-off life.
Be real and stay real—body, mind, and soul.
All this is good for the world.
