July 31, 2007
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Stimulus
There is an idea that flies around a lot that people need to do what they want, that they will be happy if they have the time and freedom to do as they please. It sounds attractive, but having been in this situation a few times I find that I don’t agree with it.
It is not merely the fulfillment of our desires that makes us happy, but often our response to what the world imposes on us. We wish that what we want should come to us, but often our lives are given shape and meaning by the arrival of what we do not want, and without such stimulus we may find ourselves drifting in a vague limbo.
There is of course a part of us that has ambitions and desires that go beyond visible and everyday situations and tasks, but we cannot live permanently in it, because we are creatures of parts, and some part of us – locked into a need to struggle with the outside world, because it was made for that purpose, as a tyre is made to grip the road – that part hungers for the world’s attention, and though it seeks love, would rather have a blow than indifference.
Of course this is merely my opinion, written authoritatively as though I were some great sage – which I aren’t, but that’s my usual style.
What do you think?
Comments (9)
I think the world gives us what we ask for, frankly. And when we are stuck in a downward spiral, the world just gives us more of it. Which is why staying positive is so important. I simply will not let things get me down for long and I feel that I draw in positive experiences because of it.
For instance my book sales for June were insanely out of line with what people told me and with Amazon rankings. I went into a depression and then what happened? A friend got all bent out of shape about a political statement I mad and started attacking me.
Damage control: I stopped paying attention to the sales figures. Started sending out positive messages, and today is mucho better. (Plus I got many writers telling me that their own publishers’ figures are off, too.)
My spiritual views are even weirder than that, so don’t get me started.
RYC: I didn’t even have the control or U buttons down. It just does that underline thing sometimes after I post a picture. I’ll be damned if I can figure it out. I also have a Mac, and Xanga is famous for not supporting Macs, despite my constant complaining to them. It could be that.
I’d love to see your fat cat. We have a fat one, too. 19 lbs., but surprisingly muscular.
Lynn
I think the world gives us what we ask for, frankly. And when we are stuck in a downward spiral, the world just gives us more of it. Which is why staying positive is so important. I simply will not let things get me down for long and I feel that I draw in positive experiences because of it.
For instance my book sales for June were insanely out of line with what people told me and with Amazon rankings. I went into a depression and then what happened? A friend got all bent out of shape about a political statement I made and started attacking me.
Damage control: I stopped paying attention to the sales figures. Started sending out positive messages, and today is mucho better. (Plus I got many writers telling me that their own publishers’ figures are off, too.)
My spiritual views are even weirder than that, so don’t get me started.
RYC: I didn’t even have the control or U buttons down. It just does that underline thing sometimes after I post a picture. I’ll be damned if I can figure it out. I also have a Mac, and Xanga is famous for not supporting Macs, despite my constant complaining to them. It could be that.
I’d love to see your fat cat. We have a fat one, too. 19 lbs., but surprisingly muscular.
Lynn
I think too much freedom is sometimes a bad thing. I think too much of any one thing is usually bad. I sit all day and dream of doing nothing or rather anything other than working. Today I’m off work, am doing nothing, and am bored out of my mind. I think a man’s mettle is formed in struggle…and if we have the world at our fingertips, what are we to struggle against? What then would we become? I don’t want to fight all the time, but sometimes I think it’s necessary.
rather moving isn’t it? Life is lived as a pursuit of hopes of freedom of some kind. We stuggle to gain more stuggles which keeps our lives ever so free. It is kind of ironic. And you are a sage…isn’t everyone a sage of somesorts
I certainly agree that our lives are given shape and meaning by things we do no want or did not plan/expect. We may hate that they have happened to us, but in the end, in light of the different/more mature/better person they have made us, we wouldn’t want to change the past. And I love the last line of your third paragraph – well written, and so true.
If we have to do everything we want, then the world will be like a gigantic race to see who can get to this destination or object first or who will have the biggest share of something, etc…. I think it’s a good thing to balance out between what you really desire by sorting it out and taking the top 3 priorities and pursue them…The other things can wait. We can achieve and get it all, just not all at once.
I feel we are always in the ‘wants’ stage, but dreams I believe can become reality if we visualize and manifest continually!
I’m just going to marry a doctor. Then I can pursue my origami full time.
I think people need a sense of purpose, they need to feel needed. I think that we find fulfillment in doing something that impacts others. Humans are social creatures; despite the fact that today’s societal structure embraces nuclear families rather than the more historically traditional family, people still need people. I