beauty of the world

I often feel overwhelmed by what the world offers us. To experience all that I want to experience in life I figure that I’ll require at least another two or three lifetimes. How can we cram everything in to just one life? While thinking on this issue I was reminded of a scene from the film, ‘American Beauty’ of a footage of a plastic bag dancing in the breeze.

‘It was one of those days when it’s a minute away from snowing and there’s this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that’s the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and… this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember… and I need to remember… Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart’s going to cave in.’

This excerpt sums up exactly how I feel. There is so much beauty, so much goodness, and so much ‘life’ out there to explore that I sometimes feel like it’s all too much.

For instance, I have books, some which I have read, but a lot that I am yet to read. However in any given week I only have a small window of time which I can actually dedicate to reading. So the books I already own don’t get read as quickly as I would like. Adding to that all the books which I don’t own, that have been in circulation from the time when books began through to today, that means there are likely to be a lot more books out there which I’m sure I’d enjoy. Then I have to take into account all the books which are currently in the pipeline.

Where does this leave me? Well I feel like I’m fighting an uphill battle and will never have enough time to read all the great books out in the world. For instance say I read one book a week and I enjoy approximately 75 book reading years that means that in my lifetime I only have the capacity to read roughly 3,900 books.

Then there’s music. I have a pre-existing base of music which I like, but there are so many more artists out there who I am yet to discover or who are yet to start producing music. Then as my musical tastes change and grow, I open myself up to even more artists and once again I fall behind. Let's say it would be possible for me to listen to about 10 CDs a week. Once again if I estimate an average CD listening lifetime of 75 years, I would be able to listen to about 39,000 which seems fairly high, but given the number of CDs out there in the world, I’ll barely be able to make a dent.

Travel is also a bit of a concern. I often get the travelling itch but still haven’t had the opportunity to travel overseas. When I examine my future travel prospects it is all a little worrying. Say I get to travel to 2 destinations every year and that I have approximately 45 travel possible years in my life, that means that I’ll be able to only travel to about 90 places. Sure that seems like a few, but what if I want to go back to a few places? What if I have a long stay somewhere? This calculation does not bode well…I’ve really got to get on the road and get cracking.

Then there is the time needed to ponder all manner of other beautiful things in the world. Things like sunsets, patting dogs, sleeping in, eating, drinking, friends and family, competitions,mountain biking, learning music, wildlife, jeans, shoes and storms.

I won’t even begin to think about the number of films, music gigs and TV shows which I would be able to fit into one measly life. Especially considering time lost when you factor in sleep and work hours. It makes me think that I need to carefully consider how to best use every minute of my time and try to waste as little time as possible on inferior offerings.

Question. Where will we fit everything in? and another. Why bother?

greatness?

Yesterday, after a talk with the boss, I had many thoughts in my head during the ride home.

I stand on the edge of my past, looking out into the future. My path diverges at this point, and either road seems just as easy to go down, with varying outcomes, of course. The choice is not mine. My part in the choice was to take the path that got me here.

Actually, while planning out my possibilities, I also managed to slot in the opportunities that I was afforded so far. And I must say I am a rather lucky guy, if you believe in luck that is. Some people never get what I was lucky enough to have presented right in front of me. It could be such that some people never bothered to grab what was right in front of them too.

In any case, yes, I stand on the verge of 2 entities: greatness or indebtedness. I intend that I achieve the former of course, thus the planning. Sure, it can only bring me so far, and in the end, it's the action and eventual outcome that will show where I end up.

the master of none

Question: Is there a place for the intrinsic value of learning a skill—for example, playing hockey or the violin—even though you know you won’t be the best in the world?

Answer: Mastery is an addiction. Most people never master anything and never experience the thrill of being on the other side of the Dip. As a result, they don’t seek out new opportunities for mastery. I hope that as parents, we can do a better job of teaching kids this habit.

As for being “best in the world,” it doesn’t have to mean you play like Joshua Bell. The world can be whatever world your market chooses from. The best acupuncturist in town or the best $45 shoes ever made.

Of course there’s room for passion—for doing stuff because you love it. I hope that my book doesn’t dissuade a single person from playing the violin for love. But my book is about investment and effort, in doing things not just for the pleasure of doing them but because you expect something in return.

- Seth Godin

I thought this was quite apt for people my age. I know alot of friends that have stopped themselves from doing something because they deemed themselves too old to try it out. The thing they wanted to do is deemed a thing you do when you’re younger because your fingers are more nimble or that your brain was just more apt in learning stuff.

Whatever the case, it shouldn't be stopping anyone or you in not taking up what you desire. Sure enough we won't be masters in that aspect, but how many of us are masters in anything anyway?

So if you see yourself as truly enjoying it, go ahead, you’ll never know what doors might open for you when you do so. Maybe they aren’t the doors of mastery or true zen, but it might be doors to something better.

Anyway the whole article can be found here.