I love the idea of monthly themes to focus on. What a good idea. It makes a new challenge seem so much more doable or... not to do. I enjoyed the article very much on what we say we want. A new perspective on the "I want" way of thinking. Thanks Sarai.
I think that’s what I like best about monthly themes, the idea that I can choose NOT to focus on something at the moment, because there will be a time and place for it later. That seems liberating.
Yes, let’s create structures for living. But let us do so looking down as from above, as you say, “…considering how to create processes that serve the larger perspective… get things done and accomplish more, but in the service of something that matters.”
A lot of the struggle between the extremes of goal setting and being kind to ourselves stems from living in our current world of information overload. I feel like I have to stick with one school of thought/entity/guru/"fill in the blank" to follow, or else I'll lose my mind in overanalyzing the contradictory ideas those groups have. Perhaps that's also a right/left brain dilemma. Side note: I'm totally ordering the book The Master and His Emissary.
The concept of adding structure to my life is scary. There are too many outside influences I can't control, and then at any moment, my structure is blown up. It feels like failure when I can't meet a goal, so it's easier to not set one. It's probably a boundaries issue, too.
So, for right now, I'm not worrying about structure and I'll contemplate that opening photo of January 1. It's beautiful, but also is a bit hidden and leaves some questions. These Making Time newsletters remind me of things I want to read and see-thank you.
I think you’re on to something there. I just read an interview this morning with one of my favorite artists, saying that getting older enables you to hold two contradictory ideas at once, and I think that really is true. I hope you like the book! It can be a bit academic, but I highlighted the heck out of it.
If you’re interested in the right/left duality, you might also look into the work of Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, if you haven’t already. She is a neuroscientist who suffered a severe left hemisphere stroke, and what she has to say about the impact is astounding. She has a great TED talk from way back when.
I haven't read Dr. Taylor's work, but you talked about her book on the podcast and I was intrigued. I used to be a high school teacher and was really geeky about the brain and attended quite a few seminars/workshops on the brain, particularly with engagement and learning. Fun fact: teaching isn't really an art, as most people say. It's science; it's the brain. I'm looking forward to reading something more academic on a topic that interests me...it's been awhile.
I love the idea of monthly themes to focus on. What a good idea. It makes a new challenge seem so much more doable or... not to do. I enjoyed the article very much on what we say we want. A new perspective on the "I want" way of thinking. Thanks Sarai.
I think that’s what I like best about monthly themes, the idea that I can choose NOT to focus on something at the moment, because there will be a time and place for it later. That seems liberating.
This is beautiful, Sarai.
Yes, let’s create structures for living. But let us do so looking down as from above, as you say, “…considering how to create processes that serve the larger perspective… get things done and accomplish more, but in the service of something that matters.”
Thanks, I’m glad it resonated with you. ❤️
A lot of the struggle between the extremes of goal setting and being kind to ourselves stems from living in our current world of information overload. I feel like I have to stick with one school of thought/entity/guru/"fill in the blank" to follow, or else I'll lose my mind in overanalyzing the contradictory ideas those groups have. Perhaps that's also a right/left brain dilemma. Side note: I'm totally ordering the book The Master and His Emissary.
The concept of adding structure to my life is scary. There are too many outside influences I can't control, and then at any moment, my structure is blown up. It feels like failure when I can't meet a goal, so it's easier to not set one. It's probably a boundaries issue, too.
So, for right now, I'm not worrying about structure and I'll contemplate that opening photo of January 1. It's beautiful, but also is a bit hidden and leaves some questions. These Making Time newsletters remind me of things I want to read and see-thank you.
I think you’re on to something there. I just read an interview this morning with one of my favorite artists, saying that getting older enables you to hold two contradictory ideas at once, and I think that really is true. I hope you like the book! It can be a bit academic, but I highlighted the heck out of it.
If you’re interested in the right/left duality, you might also look into the work of Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, if you haven’t already. She is a neuroscientist who suffered a severe left hemisphere stroke, and what she has to say about the impact is astounding. She has a great TED talk from way back when.
I haven't read Dr. Taylor's work, but you talked about her book on the podcast and I was intrigued. I used to be a high school teacher and was really geeky about the brain and attended quite a few seminars/workshops on the brain, particularly with engagement and learning. Fun fact: teaching isn't really an art, as most people say. It's science; it's the brain. I'm looking forward to reading something more academic on a topic that interests me...it's been awhile.