Something simple for today.
Remember always to take care of yourself.
Category: Advice
Hidden costs
We’re aware of how much something costs. But what we forget about are things like what has to be given up to purchase, or what space will be taken up by the purchase, or transportation costs, and a great deal many other things.
It’s impossible to foresee every opportunity cost to an item, but there are major ones we should be mindful of.
- How many hours of work does this one purchase equal?
- If we didn’t purchase, what would we do with this money?
- What purpose is this purchase serving?
That last one is where hidden costs can really creep up. Is it a necessity? Or a want? Or just frivolous spending. Think about it, before spending your hard-earned money.
Making room
If there is so much in your life that nothing else seems to fit, you have to let go of some of it. Otherwise the new will never come your way.
The new is what we call out for – the reduction in stress; the better job; the relationship that will finally work out.
You must create space, so that the Universe can fill it.
Creating space in a positive way signals to the Universe that positive new can be sent your way.
It is, at its core, the law of attraction. But you don’t have to believe in it for it to work. Just thankfully, and honestly, let go of those things that do you more harm than good.
New day
Each day is a new day, with new challenges and new rewards.
Face the new day. Do your best. And that’s all that can be asked of you.
It’s all that can be asked of anyone.
Life is a school room
Sometimes we take it all too seriously. Life is about learning, and about experimentation. It’s not always cut and dry. It’s not always 1+1=2.
The truth is, we’re all given the same blank slate when we come into the world. Some of us have better financial situations, some worse. Some have terrible family lives, whereas others having amazing support systems. But what we come into this world with – it’s basically that same for everyone. You have a body, a mind, and time to use the both to their full advantage.
My full advantage won’t look like someone else’s. Sometimes, paths will align. Mostly, we run separate paths.
In The Four Agreements, number four is “Always Do Your Best.” It’s qualified after by saying that some days your best will be (objectively) better than others. However, if you’re always doing your best, no matter the external circumstances, you’re living up to your end of the life-bargain.
“Under any circumstances, always do your best, no more and no less. But keep in mind that your best is never going to be the same from one moment to the next.”
Improving
It’s no fun working to get better at some things. Most of us aren’t inherently wired to find joy in the difficult tasks.
Maybe that’s going to the gym. Or cleaning house. Separating transactions into individual accounts.
For a select few, that is a place of extreme joy. Some people love going to the gym and pushing themselves to their very limits. Some people love organizing, cleaning, and meticulously managing a household. And some people love numbers in such a way that accounting becomes both game and reward.
Us others are left looking in with amazement. However, we can cultivate that joy. We can improve. It’s just a matter of sticking with it.
We may be limited in ways that will prevent us from being top performers. We may not be. We won’t know until we try.
But no matter what it is, we can get better by doing.
Pulling the trigger
Nonviolently. I believe we’re all blessed with the ability to create ideas. Seth Godin, in his interview with Tim Ferris, said that the way to have good ideas is to have bad ideas. “If you put enough bad ideas into the world, sooner or later your brain will wake up, and good ideas will come.”
So, the thing to do is to put your ideas into action.
I’ve sat on ideas. I’ve seen some come to market from other people. I’ve seen some never materialize. And I’ve even put a few into the world myself – this blog for instance.
This blog isn’t anything revolutionary. It’s just my ideas, flowing out into the world. The way to get the good ideas out is to get all the ideas out. Eventually, the one that is revolutionary will make its way to its audience. And that’s when the change can happen.
Combating moments of inertia
When I’m under the weather I tend to retreat into myself. I like solitude and privacy for my recovery. Currently I am under the weather which is why this is coming up.
There are moments when we are addled with inertia. When we cannot seem to find the drive to do anything remotely productive.
First, it’s okay. We can easily become overwhelmed. Don’t beat yourself up.
Then realize that it’s just a matter falling back on routines. The routine you’ve established will be what gets you through. If you developed a routine of writing every day, even in an inert moment you’ll make time to write.
It’s then most important to develop routines when you’re feeling capable, so that in times of doubt you’ll have an easier time maintaining those routines.
More
It seems that we’re constantly in search for more. More money, more time, more freedom, more happiness.
I’m actually looking for my space on my computer, prompting this post.
And I started thinking about all that I already have. And it’s a lot. I think we accumulate a lot of stuff. Would I like more time? Sure, but I could be using the time I have a little better.
More money. Absolutely! But I don’t need to be spending the money I do have on things that aren’t enriching my life.
We often focus so much on the more, we neglect the why. And if you’re not appreciating what you currently have, then do you really need more of it?
Kondo
In my realm of time-suckery, I’ve been decluttering a house ala Kondo. It’s exhausting. When I’m not working, I’m decluttering. There’s quite literally stuff piled on every possible service in this house, because I’m emptying boxes, cabinets, drawers, and doors that had been closed off for years. Jimmy Hoffa may still be in one. I haven’t checked them all.
While doing the task, I’ve noticed I’ve had little energy for reading or writing. My mental capacities have been used up in decision making – Does this item bring me joy?
If the answer is no, it’s gone. But then it gets separated into donate, sell, or trash/recycle/shred. It seems as though I’ve spent 16 hours a day on this project, though I know that’s not possible. Not because I’m sleeping 8 hours a night, but because I know I can’t concentrate on any one thing for that long. And I’m tempted to just leave everything outside and let Dorian take it when it comes by.
However, the light is starting to appear at the end of the tunnel, and it is a joy-filled light free of unnecessary things.
Michael's Musings 