Comments on: Looking, Learning, Opening Up to Life http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/ Happiness As a Spiritual Practice Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:45:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: cheerfulmonk.com » I Didn’t Know That! http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-560 cheerfulmonk.com » I Didn’t Know That! Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:54:04 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-560 [...] posts: Lifelong Learning, What I learned From Being Downsized, Looking, Learning, Opening Up to Life, Stay Curious annd Open to Life, Holy Curiosity, Creating Our Own Inner Guide, Building a Solid [...] [...] posts: Lifelong Learning, What I learned From Being Downsized, Looking, Learning, Opening Up to Life, Stay Curious annd Open to Life, Holy Curiosity, Creating Our Own Inner Guide, Building a Solid [...]

]]> By: Jean http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-559 Jean Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:46:32 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-559 <strong>chris</strong>, I know what you mean about the days just slipping by. About having nothing to show for it...I'm not sure I feel that way. I've always been growth, rather than achievement, oriented, so as long as I keep exploring, learning and sharing, I don't feel I'm wasting my time. That's why I love having my <a href="http://cheerfulmonk.com/about-jean" rel="nofollow">basic philosophy</a>, it keeps me in tune with what my life is about. One suggestion self-help books make is to write your own obituary. What would you like people to say about you after you die? I don't care what they say, what I care about is how I live my day-by-day moments. What about you? What do you care about? chris,
I know what you mean about the days just slipping by. About having nothing to show for it…I’m not sure I feel that way. I’ve always been growth, rather than achievement, oriented, so as long as I keep exploring, learning and sharing, I don’t feel I’m wasting my time. That’s why I love having my basic philosophy, it keeps me in tune with what my life is about.

One suggestion self-help books make is to write your own obituary. What would you like people to say about you after you die? I don’t care what they say, what I care about is how I live my day-by-day moments. What about you? What do you care about?

]]> By: chris http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-558 chris Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:51:12 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-558 I remember before college graduation I would always read these help self books and other literature, like how to plan for the real world, how to land a job and everything, but now looking back I realize that just from being out there I've learned so much more. We do create imaginary walls for ourselves and sometimes get so caught up in just going through the motions that it feels like someone just stole the day or weeks from us and we have nothing to show for it. I remember before college graduation I would always read these help self books and other literature, like how to plan for the real world, how to land a job and everything, but now looking back I realize that just from being out there I’ve learned so much more. We do create imaginary walls for ourselves and sometimes get so caught up in just going through the motions that it feels like someone just stole the day or weeks from us and we have nothing to show for it.

]]> By: Jean http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-556 Jean Sat, 26 Jan 2008 18:55:33 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-556 <strong>Peter</strong>, As you know, I'm a great fan of <a href="http://iwillchangeyourlife.com" rel="nofollow">your blog</a>. Peter,
As you know, I’m a great fan of your blog.

]]> By: Jean http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-555 Jean Sat, 26 Jan 2008 18:50:17 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-555 <strong>Peter</strong>, I think it's great you want more fulfilling work. As you know, that's one of the things I care most about. My dad used to tell me, "Watch what I do and do the opposite." He was a conscientious worker, but he hated his job, and his main hobby was going to bars and drinking. He could be very happy and fun to be around when he was drinking, but he hated himself afterwards. So the reason I worked so hard when I was in high school and college was because I wanted to find work that I loved and to be as happy as my dad without resorting to alcohol or other drugs. I think it's great you love blogging and fatherhood. You have something solid to build on. Let me know if you try <em>What Color Is Your Parachute?</em> Bolles revises it every year to keep it up to date, and it looks like a fun way to search for a new career. :) Thanks for coming by. Peter,
I think it’s great you want more fulfilling work. As you know, that’s one of the things I care most about. My dad used to tell me, “Watch what I do and do the opposite.” He was a conscientious worker, but he hated his job, and his main hobby was going to bars and drinking. He could be very happy and fun to be around when he was drinking, but he hated himself afterwards. So the reason I worked so hard when I was in high school and college was because I wanted to find work that I loved and to be as happy as my dad without resorting to alcohol or other drugs.

I think it’s great you love blogging and fatherhood. You have something solid to build on. Let me know if you try What Color Is Your Parachute? Bolles revises it every year to keep it up to date, and it looks like a fun way to search for a new career.

:) Thanks for coming by.

]]> By: Peter http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-553 Peter Sat, 26 Jan 2008 06:00:56 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-553 Yes, usually "impossible" is more a set of imaginary walls we have constructed around our lives and our thinking than the true reality of our situation. Personally, I am becoming more and more aware that I should have as much passion and energy for my career as I put into other things in life, eg blogging and fatherhood. I am sick of settling, and pretending that I enjoy my work. Sure, my job is ok. But as I wrote about this week, I want more. Yes, usually “impossible” is more a set of imaginary walls we have constructed around our lives and our thinking than the true reality of our situation.

Personally, I am becoming more and more aware that I should have as much passion and energy for my career as I put into other things in life, eg blogging and fatherhood. I am sick of settling, and pretending that I enjoy my work. Sure, my job is ok. But as I wrote about this week, I want more.

]]> By: Jean http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-550 Jean Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:03:03 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-550 <strong>Tom</strong>, Your "What's good about this?" is similar to my "What's the opportunity here?" I agree, good questions do open our minds and redirect our attention. Thanks for coming by! Tom,
Your “What’s good about this?” is similar to my “What’s the opportunity here?” I agree, good questions do open our minds and redirect our attention. Thanks for coming by!

]]> By: Tom Volkar / Delightful Work http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-549 Tom Volkar / Delightful Work Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:56:04 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-549 I find that my view of things open the widest when I simply ask this beautiful sunny side question. What's good about this? It's all good is the best assumption I've ever made because it causes me to look for and then see the good. I also believe that any movement works. Just by getting up and walking around my perspective changes and I can then see openings that I was once blind to. I find that my view of things open the widest when I simply ask this beautiful sunny side question. What’s good about this? It’s all good is the best assumption I’ve ever made because it causes me to look for and then see the good.

I also believe that any movement works. Just by getting up and walking around my perspective changes and I can then see openings that I was once blind to.

]]> By: Jean http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-548 Jean Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:24:54 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-548 <strong>bikehikebabe</strong> and <strong>Wendy</strong>, Thanks for sharing your experiences. At the moment I'm using bikehikbabe's approach: small steady changes. But it's nice to know if we want to make a big change quickly that Wendy's method works so well. Please let us know if you have to meditate regularly to maintain your new way of being. bikehikebabe and Wendy,
Thanks for sharing your experiences. At the moment I’m using bikehikbabe’s approach: small steady changes. But it’s nice to know if we want to make a big change quickly that Wendy’s method works so well. Please let us know if you have to meditate regularly to maintain your new way of being.

]]> By: Wendy http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-546 Wendy Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:26:03 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/01/21/looking-learning-opening-up-to-life/#comment-546 Last week I did a 5 day meditation retreat, a kind of new thing for me. It was intense. I have no words to describe where I went on my journey inside myself, but I feel like I've come out with a new brain. I feel like it altered the way I think, I feel more supported inside, and don't feel inclined to go back to some old habits to which I've been too attached. Sitting cross legged for 6 hours a day is grueling, times I wanted to stand up and scream, or leap in my car and speed off into the distance. But as a fast track way for some inner renovation for me it was quite effective. Last week I did a 5 day meditation retreat, a kind of new thing for me. It was intense. I have no words to describe where I went on my journey inside myself, but I feel like I’ve come out with a new brain. I feel like it altered the way I think, I feel more supported inside, and don’t feel inclined to go back to some old habits to which I’ve been too attached. Sitting cross legged for 6 hours a day is grueling, times I wanted to stand up and scream, or leap in my car and speed off into the distance. But as a fast track way for some inner renovation for me it was quite effective.

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