To have an impulse and resist it, to sit with it and examine it, to let it pass by like a bad smell – this is how we develop spiritual strength.*
(Ryan Holiday)
gratitude, compassion and altruism broaden our perspectives and break down the barricades we erect between ourselves and others in a vain attempt to protect the frightened, greedy, insecure ego**
(Karen Armstrong)
You’d think if we had access to unlimited resources, we’d be able to make something pretty amazing happen. It often turns out that the opposite comes to pass. Seth Godin here considers the latest Dr Dolittle movie:
Why is the new Dolittle movie so bad? Savaged by critics and viewers, it had:
- One of the most bankable movie stars in the world
- A story that had previously been the basis of two hit movies
- The best CGI houses in the world
- Unlimited time and money
I think the best way to understand why it failed is to look at the reasons above.^
When we have less – perhaps another word for this is “enough” – we have to slow down some, pay more attention, value what we do have, use our imagination, work with others more collaboratively, benefit from failure, reflect more, get creative, becoming fitter through the experience.
Things we can all do.
(*From Ryan Holiday’s Stillness is the Key.)
(**From Karen Armstrong’s Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life.)
(^From Seth Godin’s blog: The Dolittle effect.)
