Sunday, April 19, 2009

Just Thinkin'



One thing about driving along, you have plenty of time to just think. And quite frankly, I think many of you are finding yourself in "thinking mode" right along with me. (Thanks to this world-wide economic tsunami.) As I visit all of your blogs, however, I find myself becoming more and more excited about our future.

Pema Chodron, in her book "When Things Fall Apart", talks about when we are faced with the "gorilla in the mirror", i.e., all of our defenses are not working, and we are unable to manipulate the situation to make ourselves come out looking good. Now many of you are saying - "But I didn't do anything to bring on this economic mess - this doesn't fit my situation." And you are right, but just for a moment, think how the following excerpt can relate to you in any difficult personal situation you may find yourself in right now:

"It's as if you just looked at yourself in the mirror, and you saw a gorilla. The mirror's there; it's showing you, and what you see looks bad. You try to angle the mirror so you will look a little better, but no matter what you do, you still look like a gorilla. That's being nailed by life, the place where you have no choice except to embrace what's happening or push it away." She goes on to talk about other things like "leaning into the points", allowing ourselves to feel sad, mad, disappointed, embarrassed, whatever the situation calls for. But after a certain amount of time doing that, use the situation as a guide to show us where we might be stuck. Use it as an opportunity.

Could this meltdown be an opportunity? Blog after blog of talented, really talented, people are looking at themselves and asking if maybe they should make those widgets they always wanted to make, or write, or do their art, or start a company, or have an animal shelter. Maybe they won't make as much money, but maybe they don't need as much money

What do you think? Could this be an opportunity for an explosion of creativity in the marketplace? What would it look like if people were working from a place of passion? Do you have a passion for something you have always wanted to do, but never found the opportunity?

28 comments:

Natalie said...

I just said something similar on my blog, about wanting to find where my creativity leads me.

I did not think of it at the time, but when I posted my awards today, I wanted you to have the Rosas Award.
Words that are like roses. Your blog is my second home. :D

I will go fix it now.

aero said...

You're right. No one ever needs very many things to be happy. I wouldn't mind if I grew up to be lower class or if I didn't live in a large house. Thanks for posting this.

Sarah Lulu said...

Yes yes yes ... *smile* I agree so completely ....

Sae Han Park said...

Honestly, sometimes I don't how to deal with it. But the thing I want to do is I want to spend my time efficiently everyday.

Swetha said...

you are absolutely right !!!

CrazyCris said...

Driving does make me rather contemplative, but going through landscapes like those in your pictures directs my thoughts more towards the poetic than the practical ;o)

But yes, I too think that times like these lead people towards a more creative output. Necessity is the mother of invention after all!

Tess Kincaid said...

What a glorious world it would be!

Joanne said...

I think you're on to something - it would be wonderful if people took this downturn and turned it in their favor, revitalizing the dreams they put on the shelf long ago.

ellen abbott said...

Perhaps you are right. Maybe we will get back to being a more self sufficient world, not just feeding ourselves with gardens but depending on ourselves for a livelihood like before the Industrial Revolution that made us all dependant.

I embraced the eastern philosophy of 'less is more' many many years ago and it has served me well. I'm surprised by how little money we get by on.

tempo said...

lots of wonderful photoes

Anonymous said...

Hi LOL,
It's no secret that my passion right now is to enjoy every moment I'm alive. Here is a good question for people to ask themselves:

If you won the lottery, I mean the BIG lottery, what would you do?

When I used to ask myself that question years ago, my answer was always the same "quit work, go back to school and purchase the SPCA". It was a pipe dream back then, but life turned me upside down. I finally believe that my burnout was a blessing in disguise. I haven't quite won the lottery! ha ha. But I do have an income for the rest of my life, so it's my opportunity to "get it done", so to speak. It's scary, but it's happening. I almost can't believe it.

I think that there are so many creative and intelligent people in the world and if we can overcome our fear of "x", we can all live passionate fulfilling and happy lives!

Reading others' stories and blogs is definitely inspiration for me!

Leah J. Utas said...

Yes. I think we're being given a chance to restructure our lives and re-assess. We might even stop worshipping money and get after doing that which makes us truly happy.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Our current economy has made many of us reconsider what is a necessity. Made us all appreciate even more what we do have. As for creativity...that is now a necessity.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Terrific thoughts...beautiful photography! Thanks for the uplifting words on a rainy Monday...you brought a little sunshine! Cheers! Janine

Anonymous said...

I concur!

Lillian Robinson said...

Oh, the thoughts that run through my mind when I am alone on the road... A lot of times I talk to God. I take in the scenery.

But yes, I think what's going on in this economy sometimes gets in my thoughts on writing my book. I'd rather it didn't though. I write for pleasure and it takes away the pleasure to think about money.

Shrinky said...

I got caught up in the recession of the late 80's/early 90's. At the time, I thought the bottom of my world had fallen out. I went from payrolling 500 staff to working without drawing a salary for two years. In retrospect I can honestly say it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I would never have had the courage to be a stay at home mum without that earthquake. I may not have the trappings of a luxurious lifestyle, but I do have four well-adjusted kids and the priceless gift of the time to enjoy them. Things so often work out for the best.

dragonflydreamer said...

My family began experiencing the financial down turn about 7 years ago when my husband had spinal fusion surgery on his neck and became disabled at 38. We had to sell our home and move to a rural area where the cost of living would give us a better chance to survive. I had to leave the best job I ever had working with developmentally disabled adults and became very depressed. Strangely it has turned out to be a huge turning point and great opportunity to free me from the bondage of filling the void inside of me with materialism and following the path I thought I "should" be on and embrace a more authentic way of being. Thanks for the great post. It's great to see how many people are discovering a deeper, more meaningful way of life.

NaKoda's Random Life said...

This weekend I have decided to take a road trip to follow my creatiity and see where it takes me.

Lately, I have felt a strong need to change; change my life, change my career, and be an active participant in my life and happiness!

I don't need a lot of material things to be happy but I do need to follow my heart and listen to my soul!

Thanks for posting this!

ruthibel said...

this is such an awesome post.... I can't tell you how much I agree with what you're saying. Can you imagine if we saw this supposed recession as an opportunity to start working from a place of passion and finding creative solutions to problems??

Awesome Awesome Awesome post!

Kathryn said...

I agree - this may be the launching point of a huge movement in creativity, inventiveness, adaptability and other artistic and survival endeavors. Great artists and writers often have some sort of struggle in their personal history. A few years ago I worked for a large company when 800 people were laid (layed?)off in one black day. Many of them later came back to visit, saying that the layoff had been the push they needed to try new things, stay home with their kids, look for a job closer to home, etc.
Of course it's easy for me to be philosophical when I still have enough money to buy groceries and make my mortgage payments. For those in trouble in these two areas I really feel for you, and wish you extra creativity and optimism as you get back on your feet. Family and friends are important; "things", not so much.
Kathryn : )

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Wonderful question! My daughter and I had a conversation about this topic this weekend -- the difference of making a living and making a life.

Many I know are re- examining their goals and talents to come up with some creative solutions to survive as the economy struggles.

robert said...

Maybe even a chance to discover a 'sixth sense', which would be thinking - your entry made me think alot, thank you.

Lydia said...

Absolutely, I think you are right about this. In many ways I think we are all becoming more real during this time, kinda like the Velveteen Rabbit of our childhood.....we're learning to love what's in front of us, what's inside. We're remembering where dreams come from and how to nurture them.

Whitney Lee said...

I have a friend who is looking at potential unemployment, and we were just talking about how it may the necessary kick in the butt to do what they really want to be doing.

I want to thank you; you have inspired me to purchase & begin reading "The Power of Now."

Teresa Tayag: Trainer, Speaker, Public Speaking Coach said...

I never thought we could live on half as much as we used to spend. Even when things get better, I think my priorities have changed. I look at my shoes, my make-up, clothes...who needs it all. America has been a land of excess. Now, I value my mom's frugal ways and her wisdom. Who really needs all the material stuff we were used to consuming greedily? There are more meaningful ways to spend our money.

Thanks for the post. A real awakening.

Widesix said...

Much food for thought. I like that about your posts. They are a feast to the eyes and mind. Thank you.

muriel may campbell said...

Opportunity? Absolutely
Well said
Thank you


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Yes, we can