Dan John often talk about the balance between Work, Rest, Play and Pray. I’ve been overly focused on the work component and I can feel the toll of neglecting the other aspects of my life. This weekend I was able to get a little rest, and I always find it curious that when I’m so focused on work it’s challenging to let go and rest. The unfortunate consequence of this is a global lack of presence when being with those that I love.
Source: Lifespan – David Sinclair
Lesson: I’m tend to be cynical and maybe inappropriately so
Part III of this book discusses the ethics of extending human lifespan. There was a tone of Stephen Pinker’s book Enlightenment Now. Generally, we are no longer living naturally. That we should be relying on the wisdom of an older population. That overpopulation is not a concern. That we shouldn’t feel guilty or morally wrong about extending lifespan. A lot of the language was optimistic about the benefits of extension of human lifespan. I think being in my low 30s I do have a “ageist” bias because I hold a lot of frustration against the baby boomer generation. I do view them as less technologically inclined. He provides several arguments against this thought process and my internal dialogue states he is speaking about the exception to the rule. I’m still struggling three weeks after starting this book with the concept that aging is a disease and that it can and/should be prevented. Maybe my mindset will change as I age, assuming I’m fortunate enough to do so. He discussed that if technology was developed to extend lifespan it likely will first be acquired by the rich and this will further allow them to accumulate wealth, thus increasing the income gap. I think the challenge is hoping for the best of all of humanity, while believing that the majority of people waste the privileged life that they have. I’m also curious if this is the result of living in the US and being surrounded by materialism, consumer debt, and people wanting better quality for others with a reluctance for self-sacrifice. I think my frustration and negativity around these ideas is likely a waste of time and is putting out negative energy.
Source: don’t remember
Lesson: Negative thoughts are prayers for the bad to happen.
As above, I need to remain mindful that negative thoughts are essentially curses. I’m mentally cursing those who disagree with me. I’m cursing people who are going through struggles that I don’t know about. Will these curses lead to any productive outcomes, probably not. The question I have is how to change this mindset, how can I focus on what I can control, and how can I emulate my life as a disciple of Christ. There are some quotes that have stuck with me. One of them was from a monk. He stated don’t tell people what to do, show them. Be so attractive in your peace, humility, and service that other people want the love that fills you. This is where I’m getting stuck. I know that it’s a process of finding peace. This will likely come from a mindful practice towards the life I want to lead. I do think it’s necessary to have a vision of the ultimate you and work towards that person.
Source: Jim Wilson
Lesson: Sacrifice is the Christian ethos
He had a couple quotes today that I liked. “In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up that makes us rich” – Beecher. “Who we are as a congregation is nothing more than the aggregate sum of our sacrifice.” The first quote ties nicely into a quote that was in James Clear’s newsletter. “Success is largely the failures you avoid. Health is the injuries you don’t sustain. Wealth is the purchases you don’t make. Happiness is the object you don’t desire. Peace of mind is the arguments you don’t engage. Avoid the bad to protect the good.” Sometimes it’s not giving up, but not taking up unnecessary things. Don’t get involved in insignificant matters. Don’t take up vices. Not starting those habits is probably one of the best things we can do. Sacrifice as the ethos of Christianity is a challenging concept. Is this life our own? Is a life lived for others our best life? How do we maximize our time on this earth? Does sacrifice lead to resentment? If you resent it, is it worth doing in the first place? How long do you sacrifice before you elect to stop? When does sacrifice turn into submission? I’m not sure I’ve answered these questions in my own life.
Seeking Progress 