Self Improvement

[NY1877]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Worrying if one makes the harvest is not, I humbly suggest, is not really a very practical approach on focusing one's energies.

The question I often ask myself, after accepting my most "interesting life" as a series of karmic entanglements for the purpose of learning thyself, is what specific activities should I partake in as to accelerate this process of self discovery?

I can safely assume that most of us, in this forum, have given up the illusions of self aggrandizement and materialism. After freeing myself from such "distractions", I was surprised to find out how much free time was suddenly at my disposal.

Since then, I have been doing the following:

1. Reading: one or two books a week plus several magazines/newspapers and websites (like this one).

2. Exercise: 3 or 4 times a week. Strict routine: Run+Walk 1-1.5 miles, 40 sit-ups, 25 push-ups, and then 3-4 laps in the pool. The benefits of this activity are spectacular. I could do a whole thread on this topic alone.

3. Meditation: immediately after exercise, 30-40 minutes.

4. Reflection: usually at the end of the day. This is where my self evaluation/criticism comes in where I try to work on my: patience, forgiveness, anger, empathy, and purpose.

5. Travel: 3 to 4 times a year. I love the ocean. I am most at peace when surrounded by thousands of fish. I also prefer places with historical meaning (I hate Vegas).

6. Playing Music (instead of just listening): 1 to 3 hours a day. Another very rewarding activity. The feeling cannot be described--it must be experienced! It may be difficult when beginning but if you persist...ah!

Other activities I am contemplating:

1. Serious Cooking (culinary semi-pro)

2. Going Vegetarian: This may need to be discussed in another thread.

3. Service to others: Eventually. I am still "regrouping" and contemplating my purpose. But fear not, I shall make up for lost time for I am one who goes "all the way" when committed.

I would appreciate any recommendations, criticisms, concerns.

[ayadew]

Your lifestyle is alike to mine although I study at university + does not travel. I rather travel in my own imagination! learning visualization
As you style yourself as non-materialistic I do wonder how you find the funds needed to travel. Well, money is just one way a possibility may come, and if you've thrown yourself out into faith and trust it to guide you successfully then I suppose everything is possible. Wealth is indeed the ability to do whatever you want to do when you want to do it, regardless of how this is practically done.

The specific activities you should do is to act on your excitement; to do what you feel most strongly for. This you seem to do already though.
I present to you the idea that all paths are optimal.. including worrying about harvest, promoting self aggrandizement and materialism.

[NY1877]

Your lifestyle is alike to mine although I study at university + does not travel. I rather travel in my own imagination! learning visualization
As you style yourself as non-materialistic I do wonder how you find the funds needed to travel. Well, money is just one way a possibility may come, and if you've thrown yourself out into faith and trust it to guide you successfully then I suppose everything is possible. Wealth is indeed the ability to do whatever you want to do when you want to do it, regardless of how this is practically done.

The specific activities you should do is to act on your excitement; to do what you feel most strongly for. This you seem to do already though.
I present to you the idea that all paths are optimal.. including worrying about harvest, promoting self aggrandizement and materialism.

I appreciate your feedback brother.

As for the money question, it is a paradox. The less I worried about accumulating the easier it comes to me. It is an interesting situation indeed. To truly disconnect from materialism makes you remarkably, I hate to say the word, "powerful" on what once enslaved you. I am at a loss so I try to spend money on meaningful pursuits.

The other paradox is that my detachment enables me to handle attachments more efficiently. I feel a great responsibility to use my gifts in the service of others although I am not yet ready to re-join "the game" for I foresee that I will cause much harm if I do not learn to control my emotions (too much anger, too much pain).

I am remarkably flawed yet blessed. Sometimes I wish I was just "normal."

[Lavazza]

Thank you for sharing your lifestyle, my friend! I find it inspiring. Would that I had the same amount of freetime, I would gladly partake in all of the above activities also. However at this time my home life is largely consumed with raising two beautiful, infant children. You would be amazed at how much time this takes, although the internal reward that is reaped is quite large. I feel intuitively that this children are part one of my service at this time. Once they are grown, I foresee some other service, yet I know not what it is yet.

(I only have time to post at bring4th when I am at "work"... he he!)

[fairyfarmgirl]

Your lifestyle reflects your level of wealth and singlehood. Glad you have a plan... and as with all plans... life happens while making them! LOL

fairyfarmgirl

---

Thank you for sharing your lifestyle, my friend! I find it inspiring. Would that I had the same amount of freetime, I would gladly partake in all of the above activities also. However at this time my home life is largely consumed with raising two beautiful, infant children. You would be amazed at how much time this takes, although the internal reward that is reaped is quite large. I feel intuitively that this children are part one of my service at this time. Once they are grown, I foresee some other service, yet I know not what it is yet.

(I only have time to post at bring4th when I am at "work"... he he!)

I am raising twins they are toddlers now--- is this what you are raising as well-- twins that is?:idea:

I create time pockets for myself to be here on this forum and others by creating engaging activities for the twins to do and learn through while I type and ponder and learn/teach all while they are in view and earshot and within a few steps of me... It is a CHALLENGE that would be crazy making if I was not schooled as a teacher to begin with! I am not as gifted as you are to work, parent, and still keep both jobs!

Love--

fairyfarmgirl

fairyfarmgirl

[Lavazza]

I am raising twins they are toddlers now--- is this what you are raising as well-- twins that is?:idea:

No, we have a 2 1/2 year old, and a 6 month old, both boys. How fortunate you are to have twins!

I create time pockets for myself to be here on this forum and others by creating engaging activities for the twins to do and learn through while I type and ponder and learn/teach all while they are in view and earshot and within a few steps of me... It is a CHALLENGE that would be crazy making if I was not schooled as a teacher to begin with! I am not as gifted as you are to work, parent, and still keep both jobs!

Now you give me too much credit. My amazing wife is the one who takes care of them during the day, whereas I go off to work full time. You certainly must have your hands full, I can well imagine! It sounds like you're doing a great job regardless though!

[JoshC]

I've actually had very similar thoughts and was considering writing a similar post. I found out after a while that worrying about the harvest was not helpful in the least and decided to just live life / let life live me.

I've started to do pretty much what you're doing:

Reading classics (Wuthering Heights, The Count of Monte Cristo, etc. (U have any recommendations?))

Exercising quite a bit (How can you swim when it's Winter!? Maybe I'm a pansy :p) ~I've dropped 30 pounds in 3 months *yay*

Meditating after exercise / in bed before sleep

I tend to reflect nearly immediately on most things I do during the day since I have lots of free time during the day, or when I'm not so free, at the end of the day as well.

I want to start traveling! I can't really go anywhere too far since I'm still in college, but I'mma take off this summer and do something or other :p

I think I may take up piano again, I've been dithering on it for a month or so now.

I've also decided with near certainty to start a career with the Red Cross rather than doing what I'm studying for atm, not sure how this'll affect my major/schooling though...

One other thing I've had to do is deal with low self-esteem and all the related problems that follow being unconfident, etc. Life is so much more enjoyable now that I've started improving myself in this area, I'd recommend it to everyone!

[Lorna]

hey josh, just wanted to say how wonderful it is that you're seeing the results of dealing with your self esteem issues. that's something i have had to overcome too and it took a long, long time. you sound like you're doing brilliantly the piano is a beautiful instrument, go for it!

[Brittany]

I think all of your suggestions are great. I think anything that really resonates with a person and makes them feel spiritually connected is definitely worth putting time and effort into. Creatitvity, meditation, reading, journaling, developing the body, experiencing nature, dancing, music, animals, sharing with friends...anything that makes you feel closer to the Creator. Of course, I also know plenty of meat-eaters who aren't fond of exercise who are doing just fine as well, but I believe to those who constantly seek out ways to grow, improve and grow closer to the One, cultivating the relationship between mind, body and spirit in such ways are extremely helpful tools. They all have a basis in self discipline, which in an important thing to develop if you want to reacher the deeper levels of mind.

Thanks for sharing!

-Lynn

[AnthroHeart]

A good thing to ask yourself is, if you knew you had to repeat 3rd density, would you be ok with that. I'm learning to enjoy the moment, being in the now, realizing Creators pure and perfect harmony. I begin to realize that, no matter when or where I'm at, I am still in Creator's light.

Worrying if one makes the harvest is not, I humbly suggest, is not really a very practical approach on focusing one's energies.