It remains the dream of every life to realise itself, to reach out and lift oneself to greater heights. A life that continues to remain on the safe side of its own habits and repetition never engages with the risk of its own possibility, remains an unlived life.*
John O’Donohue

We learned lots of very valuable skills, but we weren’t taught how to be here, how to be fully present in this moment, how to not be distracted or stressed or worried or anxious, but just be here, and nowhere else – wide awake to the infinite depth and dimension of this exact moment.**
Rob Bell

You won’t find them on the school curriculum
or the training courses for your work,
But your kind of magic and mystery
are only a moment away–

*John O’Donohue’s To Bless The Space Between Us;
**Rob Bell’s How To Be Here.

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Another world for the particular is moment … .**
Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

True wholeness brings the inner and the outer together, the personal and collective, the soul of the individual and the soul of Earth united.^
Philip Newell

Am I ready?
I brace myself for today’s reality–
The deeper reality beyond the reality–
Life invites me to be here–
To be here in this moment and to be open–
To be open to what is wanting to emerge–
Emerging between me and the world–
Emerging between me and you–
Emerging between me and me–

To be able to walk into the street and to see in the most ordinary things, even a shadow, something that gives you this aesthetic thrill is marvellous. It enriches life.^^

*One world – primordial, unified reality;
**Bill Burnett and Dave Evans’ How To Live A Meaningful Life;
^Philip Newell’s The Great Search
^^David Hockney, from Martin Gayford’s Spring Cannot Be Cancelled.

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If you’re going to walk away [from AI], the path is clear. Your work has to become more unpredictable, more human and more nuanced.*
Seth Godin

I invented ideas early on; I synthesise ideas – mine and others – now.**
Arthur Brooks

I read the information leaflet that accompanies technology:
It appears there can be many unpleasant side effects–
The leaflet continues: to counteract these,
I must take more time and make more of an effort
to know you, to feel the Earth,
And to quietly connect with myself–
Perhaps we could meet soon?

*Seth Godin’s blog: Walk away or dance;
**Arthur Brook’s From Strength To Strength.

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You are your actions. Your actions are you. Your self-image doesn’t matter as much. When you realise what you need to do, it doesn’t mean that’s who you need to be. You can just pretend.*
Derek Sivers

I learned so much about art from watching a kid draw … kids don’t call it art when they’re throwing things around, drawing – they’re just doing stuff.**
John Baldessari

Rehearsing our self-stories into action–
Pretending is how we begin–
It’s how we learn–
It’s practising doing stuff–
Without permission–
Life is all pretend and practise–
The list of what we can do becomes endless–

*Derek Sivers’ Useful Not True;
**Quoted in Austin Kleon’s Don’t Call It Art.

SOME RANDOM THIN|SILENCE
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Don’t forget to ask
that really important question
before you leave–

SOME RANDOM THIN|SILENCE
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The main thing in life is to keep the main thing the main thing.*
Ryan Holiday

Fashioning a personal myth is not an exercise in narcissistic delusion, or a paranoid attempt tp establish oneself as God. Instead, defining the self through myth may be seen as an ongoing act of psychological and social responsibility.**
Dan McAdams

A myth comes to our aid,
Carrying us beyond ourselves
to others.

Whilst stories tend to follow
our lives, myths more often
lead with intent.

Their images of journey
and special-world^ language hold us to
our true Self.

What’s your main thing?
What’s your intention?
What’s your myth?

I have always thought of a myth as something that never was but is always happening.^

*Ryan Holiday’s Discipline Is Destiny;
**Dan McAdams’ The Stories We Live By;
^In Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, the protagonist crosses from the ordinary world into a special world of threat and challenge that is the making of them, identifying the boon for others they return with;
^^Jean Houston’s The Possible Human.

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Meanings are useful, not true.*
Derek Sivers

“This might not be for you,” is a fine slogan.**
Seth Godin

Each finds their meaning–
Wrapped in myth,
They guide our lives, and,
Enriched with
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
generosity
faithfulness
gentleness and
self-control,
They may be useful
to others–
No pressure, though.^

*Derek Sivers’ Useful Not True;
**Seth Godin’s blog: For people who don’t care that much.
^Galatians 5:22-25.

SOME RANDOM THIN|SILENCE
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To my surprise, when I was given permission to doubt the factuality of my beliefs, I discovered their actual life-giving purpose.*
Brian McLaren

There’s a time for certainty
and a time for doubt–
How do you know this isn’t
a time to doubt?

*Brian McLaren’s Faith After Doubt.

SOME RANDOM THIN|SILENCE
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When you live a life of obligation it steals from your strengths. Wisdom allows you to harness your strength.*
Erwin McManus

Life is short.
Be good. Do good.
Love and be loved.
Try to leave the place better than you found it.
Do the right thing.
Right now.**
Ryan Holiday

Wrong people,
Wrong path,
Wrong cause,
Wrong self–

Right people,
Right path,
Right cause,
Right self–

More than enough,
A noble life,
Living obligation,
Bringing your alchemy–

*Erwin McManus’ The Way Of The Warrior;
**Ryan Holiday’s Right Thing, Right Now.

SOME RANDOM THIN|SILENCE
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Contemplation is meeting as much reality as we can handle in its most simple and immediate form – without filters, judgements, or commentaries.*
Brian McLaren

Familiarity breeds love, not contempt.**
Edward Slingerland

Aw, but I like my shortcuts
to understanding and knowing;
Oh well, maybe getting lost
in something or someone
will have some benefit–

*Brian McLaren’s Faith After Doubt;
**Edward Slingerland’s Trying Not To Try.

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