I know I am showing my age by bringing up this song, but when I was 19, there was a big hit by Peggy Lee, called “Is That All There is?” The song reflected the disillusionment, from living from the ego and being stuck in the material world, as well as, lack of meaning and depth in their life. I know a lot of you may feel this way now, due to the economy, spending most of your life working for one corporation, expecting much more, and finding as Joseph Campbell would say, “Your ladder is leaning against the wrong wall”. What matters then? What is our purpose? What makes us want to get up in the morning and put our best foot forward?
About 8 months ago, I had acquired an art coach. She had helped me produce art regularly, make goals, join a gallery, become published and have a lucrative show. At that time I was also reading Eckhart Tolle’s “New Earth”. Reading ET’s book was life changing, but it also burst my balloon. I was moving, moving, moving and then reading the book it basically said that anything that I did with form or even saying that I was an artist didn’t matter. Anything with form was an illusion. Whatever I accomplished did not make me or break me. The bad part as a result of this awakening was there was some good news and there was some bad news. The good news was that I was perfect just the way I was, the bad news was how living in the spirit can be a quandary, trying to have goals and objectives with the drive I once had, is no longer available to me or desirable. Living in the spiritual realm can be bliss and difficult, although, I am not ready to shuck it all in. I am not going to be alive forever. So now is the challenge to play with form, enjoy life and create meaning.
As of now my purpose has changed. I am realizing that I am here to heal myself and by doing that it heals the world. I am also realizing that I must keep my vibration up everyday and how I do that is helping others and creating, whether it is art, poetry or writing. The most important thing is to not let life pass me by to not have “my ladder be stuck on the wrong wall”. I know now that form is just to be played with. Having this new philosophy, can give you the freedom that you never had before. It allows you to wear as many hats as you want, experiment and explore, with detachment.
I would love your take on it. What keeps you moving? What makes you want to wake up with a spring in your step and say, “Thank God I am Alive”.
This is a very thoughtful post.
I too feel that I am constantly faced with the competitive nature of my peers and those who are eager to pull the rug from under me. I stress and worry incessantly that if I don’t stay on top of my game, I will fall to the wayside and become hidden in the shadows of much more powerful individuals. But, recently, I have found that when nighttime comes around, the voices around me have fallen silent and I am left to my own thinking. I think about what makes me human, what gives me worth, and what is genuine in life. My family, especially Blake are genuine. My love for my fiance is also a real tangible expression. And my passion for all things creative also holds true.
Then what do I say to work and competition and reality…things that bring me the money that enables my life to be “happy”? I believe it is moderation and not letting your job own who you are. You can still be successful and grow in your occupation without being a drone and absorbed, but it is easier said than done.
All I know to achieve this is to take time at night to listen to myself and what is real in life and learn to balance and enjoy and appreciate the things that don’t last forever.
Blair, what a wonderful comment. It pleases me that you would take the time to respond. I love what you said and I love what you have become. You are an amazing person and to say you are my son makes me very proud, as well. You have many years to play with form and I know you will do it well. Thank you, love you, Mom
Hi Janet,
The flow of energy can be a difficult for anyone to deal with. remember that just as in nature we all have our down days to recoup & start fresh again. The way I find the energy & motivation to do things in my life is through a simple exercise that helps me to focus in the moment. By focusing my energy in the present moment I’m able to find inspiration for anything I want or need to accomplish. This process is different then setting an intention & fulfilling your desire, it is truly a way to focus energy in the present moment which will bring inspiration & motivation. I hope it helps.
I sit quietly & take a few deep breathes trying which each breathe to feel the breathe fill me up from the deepest part of me (when we reconnect with our source there is more energy then we can ever use). I clear my mind & only focus on the breathe & energy flowing through me. On the last breathe, I hold it for several seconds till I feel the energy expanding out of me. when I release the last breathe, I feel set in the current moment & energized able to accomplish anything.
Hope it helps,
Bill
Lovely Bill thank you for responding. I will certainly try it. Nothing better than getting connected to the unlimted energy of the universe.
Janet, your thoughtful post is so apropos to me. I have recently meditated on where my place in the universe would be right now, today, this minute – if there hadn’t been a lifetime of belief, opinion and judgment imposed on me. What if I was never told or instructed about the existence of any form of higher intelligence, religion or spirituality?
Hi Sharon, the answers are within us. “If we seek we shall find”. It can be taught to us and it becomes religion. I am a catholic, but don’t base my beliefs on religion, but experience. The way to find is by meditating, asking and most of all listening. I have spent many hours in the quiet of my room and listened, received many consolations. But there comes a time when we must get off the mountain and bring boons to the world. Thank you for sharing. I reall appreciate your comment.
I always have a strong reaction to the idea of detachment. I understand that being overly concerned with worldly matters can render you unhappy and disconnected from yourself. Still, I can’t help but notice that I am happiest when I allow myself to become attached to people, projects, ideas, helping others, finding who I am. My energy, like everyone else’s will ebb and flow, but when I am most connected to the world, I am one with my true nature…I can breathe in life, I can give and create, I find time is my ally and I have enough for everything I want to set forth in the world. I can be a mother, and a friend and an author, a consultant, an entrepreneur. And, dizzing as it may sound, each role is nothing but expression of who I am, so they are not separate, and they do not pull me in different directions. Rather, each role expands on being who I truly am and offering to the world what only I can offer, with generosity and purpose. Every thing I do, every task I take on, every person I meet are part of the experience of life. No detachment there, no worries about whether I will make a difference: I am.
Hi Monica, Thank you for sharing, that is definitely what I love about you is your vibrance and love for life. That is the best part of life isn’t it when you totally immerse yourself in all it’s gifts. Eckhart Tolle talks about playing with form. You are great at that at the same time you are also very real and authentic.