Life on Porpoise

December 13, 2009

I can’t help but feel a rumbling sense of something. A sense of urgency, willingness, passion, curiosity… purpose. This feeling tends to present itself as raw and uncoordinated enthusiasm. Lately my interest has been peaked by *so* many things. All of which is slowly being satiated. But I can’t help but feel that if everything is of interest, then I will likely and inevitably learn nothing.

Having a career or life long goal might help to provide direction and guidance. But sadly, I don’t have either. Unless you count ‘learn as much as you possibly can for everything that interests you before you die’ to be a solid goal. So to help tackle the unknown, provide focus, and get me closer to characterizing my purpose I decided to try implementing some heuristics in everyday life:

- Read everyday

- Do things that are healthy for you

- When you fail, learn from it, and recommit yourself to the problem

- Welcome diverse viewpoints and criticisms

- Listen intently; rather than wait for your chance for rebuttal

- Ask questions, even if you’re afraid to

- Slow down and pay attention to yourself and the world around you

- Don’t take things so seriously

- Remember to breath

I have always been the type of person to do what was easy and use what was readily available and not look to see beyond that. This indecisive and laid-back way of living is likely why I became (and stayed) overweight for a majority of my life. And it is still a part of who I am. Since my choices have been reactionary to surroundings I consider myself quite lucky to be in Northern Virginia. Being surrounded by people who are focused on health and fitness has changed my life for the better. But now is the time for change. The list above isn’t just a way to help guide my pursuit of knowledge and purpose. It is me committing to a way of life. Committing to my decisions and choosing my actions.

I can’t help but feel a rumbling sense of something. A sense of urgency, willingness, passion, curiosity… purpose. This feeling tends to present itself as raw and uncoordinated enthusiasm. Enthusiasm that lately has led my interest to be peaked by *so* many things. All of which are slowly being satiated. But I can’t help but feel that if everything is of interest, then I will likely and inevitably learn nothing.

Having a career or life long goal might help to provide direction and guidance. But sadly, I don’t have either. Unless you count learn as much as you possibly can for everything that interests you before you die to be a solid goal. So to help tackle the unknown, provide focus, and get me closer to characterizing my purpose I decided to try implementing some heuristics in everyday life:

Read everyday
Do things that are healthy for you
Fess up when you mess up
When you fail, learn from it, and recommit yourself to the problem
Welcome diverse viewpoints and criticisms
Listen intently; rather than wait for your chance for rebuttal
Ask questions, even if you’re afraid to
Slow down and pay attention to yourself and the world around you
Treat everyone as you would like to be treated
Don’t take things so seriously
Remember to breath

I have always been the type of person to do what was easy and use what was readily available and not look to see beyond that. This indecisive and laid-back way of living is likely why I became (and stayed) overweight for a majority of my life and up until a couple of years ago was deep in debt with pock-marked credit. This laid back nature is still a part of who I am. And since my choices have been reactionary to my surroundings I consider myself quite lucky to be where I am. Being around people who are so focused on health and financial fitness has changed my life for the better.

But now is the time for more change. The list above isn’t just a way to help guide my pursuit of knowledge and purpose. It is me committing to a way of life. Committing to my decisions and choosing my actions.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

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Categorised as: Life