Comments on: Getting to the Essentials

By: The end of the world as we know it (I feel fine)

The end of the world as we know it (I feel fine) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 06:10:33 +0000

[...] either way, I think it may be time for a little ‘What If‘, ala [...]

By: Don’t jump just yet… — How To Matter

Don’t jump just yet… — How To Matter — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:33:27 +0000

[...] this. But if I could buck that tide for just a moment, I think it may be time for a little “What If“, [...]

By: The end of the world as we know it (I feel fine) — How To Matter

The end of the world as we know it (I feel fine) — How To Matter — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:27:20 +0000

[...] either way, I think it may be time for a little ‘What If‘, ala [...]

By: Richard Reeve

Richard Reeve — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:39:43 +0000

Wow Zoe, I couldn’t agree more, the ego-centrism will be our undoing unless we can place this awesome gift in right relationship to the whole of creation.

By: Zoe

Zoe — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:51:29 +0000

This is a fantastic “what if.” I believe we must do what we can to live mindfully and joyfully — and I mean accessing what makes us genuinely happy and passionate, not fleeting thrills — and this positive energy will do its best to curve us in the right direction.

I hope this does not sound too cynical, but I believe quite strongly in the power of nature’s cycles and flow. If we are toxic to this earth, we will eventually wipe ourselves out — all wonderful things of human beings are wonderful only for human beings. Is that a sustainable dynamic?

I suppose I’m still sorting through my thoughts on this…

Zoe´s last blog post..15 Day Creation Challenge

By: Richard Reeve

Richard Reeve — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:14:41 +0000

Hi Mike,
Tremendous contribution to this discussion and to pull a slogan from the 12 step archive…”its one day at a time…”
I love that you shared the synchronicity of the radio tune that affirmed your message. Those signs, the meaningful coincidences, help me remember that there is more going on in this show then I can ever even start to grasp. I do not know the “Power of Now” and will track it down…

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:23:13 +0000

Rick,

I agree that there is something we can do each of us to influence the direction of the world. But I do not think it’s on a macro level that our efforts will be seen, but rather their impact will be on a personal or micro level.

I recently read CS Lewis “Space Trilogy”. The third book, “That Hideous Strength” (written in the 1940s ) has some applicable thoughts. In particular the idea that by sowing the seeds of love and honesty we maintain and build the strength of goodness in the world and that it is done one person, one task at a time. What I saw in this story is that many of the evils and fears the world faced as reported by Lewis apply to today as if Lewis was writing today. I suspect, not being and historian, that the same patterns of evil were swirling in the societies even 3000 years ago. So if I stop with this image of a struggle that never ends, I would be extremely discouraged. However, I also believe that during the same repetitive periods of negativity on the macro level the reverse is true. There has been a repetitive or the consistent presence of positive energy throughout the world, throughout history.

I feel inadequate to philosophize or pontificate on any of this — I just know that for me, I believe that little acts of charity, love, and every little effort that I can put into the positive makes my life today better and in a sense I win the battle were today.

One last thought, my life view is significantly rooted in the underlying philosophies that are found in many of the 12 step self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. These philosophies and viewpoints were borrowed from many places throughout the world — throughout history. Similar expressions about how each of us can significantly impact the directon of our own lives and thus the world, can also be found in the book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle.

I may find time to cite the actual passages from his book, but for now, if anyone is interested in exploring a more optimistic view — the titles I mentioned above as well as many more can show that there is a view and a way that goes beyond “the world is going to hell in a handbasket and there’s nothing I can do about it”. Thanks for listening.

PS — coincidentally as I finish this comment there is a song on the radio called “Beautiful Life” by Ace of Base (I think)

By: Only Time Can Tell | Detlef Cordes

Only Time Can Tell | Detlef Cordes — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:04:51 +0000

[...] like “Richards idea, we both being two grumpy old bloggers standing to the side” by the time, shaking our heads – [...]

By: Richard Reeve

Richard Reeve — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 01:06:13 +0000

Indeed Chas,
So often the Inner child is a cause for selfish immaturity in mid and late life because it has us unknowingly… One of the most accessible ways to engage the unconscious, but also a way as tricky as all parenting, is through relationship to the inner child.

By: friday afternoon update! 14: digging in the dirt — creative lifestyles

friday afternoon update! 14: digging in the dirt — creative lifestyles — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:15:43 +0000

[...] as it were, is richard reeve of ccseed. oh yeah. i’ve mentioned him before. well he brought something up yesterday that i want to explore a bit, based on an idea from carl [...]