Comments on: A Thought From My Hero http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/ The gentle art of sanity amidst civilization Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:02:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nea | Self Improvement Saga http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8564 Nea | Self Improvement Saga Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:14:26 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8564 I agree that following our principles is a part of being on the right personal path. But its important to make sure that those principles are truly ours--not those taken by others to become ours. I am one who loves to follow my bliss and I won't stay on a path that feels wrong to me. However, I do also agree that there can be moments of feel-good when on the wrong path. What I like to do is stop and ask myself if what I'm doing is actually in alignment with my ultimate bliss--not just something momentary. .-= Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/selfimprovementsaga/~3/vBmmRJ4_G3E/" rel="nofollow">10 Ways to Live in the Now and Reawaken to the Present Moment</a> =-. I agree that following our principles is a part of being on the right personal path. But its important to make sure that those principles are truly ours–not those taken by others to become ours. I am one who loves to follow my bliss and I won’t stay on a path that feels wrong to me. However, I do also agree that there can be moments of feel-good when on the wrong path. What I like to do is stop and ask myself if what I’m doing is actually in alignment with my ultimate bliss–not just something momentary.
.-= Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last blog ..10 Ways to Live in the Now and Reawaken to the Present Moment =-.

]]> By: Brenda (betaphi) http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8380 Brenda (betaphi) Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:02:10 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8380 The last time you quoted Emerson it was "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know." As much as I love Emerson, I'm not crazy about either of these statements. a) I love quotes and b) I love high spirits. He references two separate things, raised spirits and inner peace. I agree that "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself." But joy is a different thing. Joy comes from external events like those Emerson mentioned. Joy is loud and peace is quiet. For balance we need both. Similarly, a balance between high and low principles may be best. My poor son, who has his standards for women set sky high, is missing out on a lot of joy that can come from dating. Instead, he 'settles' for a quiet, principled life. There's nothing wrong with being a monk, but I want the joy of grandkids for myself, and the joy of children for him. Peace and principles without joy aren't enough. There is an awful lot of talk about following your bliss. You seem to be suggesting something different, following your principles. I don't know, David. The bliss route sounds like more fun. Maybe they aren't mutually exclusive. .-= Brenda (betaphi)´s last blog ..<a href="http://betaphilings.com/?p=1166" rel="nofollow">Riddles and Puzzles</a> =-. The last time you quoted Emerson it was “I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.” As much as I love Emerson, I’m not crazy about either of these statements. a) I love quotes and b) I love high spirits.

He references two separate things, raised spirits and inner peace. I agree that “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” But joy is a different thing. Joy comes from external events like those Emerson mentioned. Joy is loud and peace is quiet. For balance we need both. Similarly, a balance between high and low principles may be best. My poor son, who has his standards for women set sky high, is missing out on a lot of joy that can come from dating. Instead, he ‘settles’ for a quiet, principled life. There’s nothing wrong with being a monk, but I want the joy of grandkids for myself, and the joy of children for him. Peace and principles without joy aren’t enough.

There is an awful lot of talk about following your bliss. You seem to be suggesting something different, following your principles. I don’t know, David. The bliss route sounds like more fun. Maybe they aren’t mutually exclusive.
.-= Brenda (betaphi)´s last blog ..Riddles and Puzzles =-.

]]> By: Erin S. http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8364 Erin S. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:13:53 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8364 "Needs are hard to notice when they are being met." What a great line for a song... Happiness is a choice. So many wait for some external sign, but it comes from inside us. Emerson has some wonderful insights. I believe we have lost our sense of contentment. That is one thing that makes us so unhappy as a society in general. It is why people seek something in buying stuff, eating or drinking to excess, needing a relationship even an unhealthy one. Contentment is not a bad word. It is stepping outside a daybreak, feeling the earth waking up. Taking a deep breath, noticing how good you feel from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. You have what you need. There is no lack. Life is so good. And you believe it. Let it settle in. You still move on with your day. You can still improve yourself, complete projects, create new ones. But some live in constant hunger, anger, longing and never know a moment of contentment. It is learned, it is peaceful and healthy. .-= Erin S.´s last blog ..<a href="http://prayerthegate.com/2010/02/the-holy-one/" rel="nofollow">The Holy One</a> =-. “Needs are hard to notice when they are being met.” What a great line for a song…

Happiness is a choice. So many wait for some external sign, but it comes from inside us. Emerson has some wonderful insights. I believe we have lost our sense of contentment. That is one thing that makes us so unhappy as a society in general. It is why people seek something in buying stuff, eating or drinking to excess, needing a relationship even an unhealthy one.

Contentment is not a bad word. It is stepping outside a daybreak, feeling the earth waking up. Taking a deep breath, noticing how good you feel from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. You have what you need. There is no lack. Life is so good. And you believe it. Let it settle in. You still move on with your day. You can still improve yourself, complete projects, create new ones. But some live in constant hunger, anger, longing and never know a moment of contentment. It is learned, it is peaceful and healthy.
.-= Erin S.´s last blog ..The Holy One =-.

]]> By: Brad http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8361 Brad Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:42:42 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8361 Nice quote. Poets amaze me. .-= Brad´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WordADayWonder/~3/3E_Pr4nZMiA/" rel="nofollow">Deportment Gone Awry</a> =-. Nice quote. Poets amaze me.
.-= Brad´s last blog ..Deportment Gone Awry =-.

]]> By: The_Timekeeper http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8358 The_Timekeeper Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:56:12 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8358 Beyond asking if a path has heart, I have to balance whether the path has truth ... or if I am following an imposter principle, as you say ... or a "principle" masquerading as fear, denial, distraction, ambition, altruism, service, habituation, emotional or psychological distress or disorder, or a path based on "shoulds," societal, familial, community or otherwise. The key must be in mindfulness, openness, willingness, humility and earnest effort. The paths in life are not so important, I think, as what we learn from choosing them and travelling them. Beyond asking if a path has heart, I have to balance whether the path has truth … or if I am following an imposter principle, as you say … or a “principle” masquerading as fear, denial, distraction, ambition, altruism, service, habituation, emotional or psychological distress or disorder, or a path based on “shoulds,” societal, familial, community or otherwise. The key must be in mindfulness, openness, willingness, humility and earnest effort. The paths in life are not so important, I think, as what we learn from choosing them and travelling them.

]]> By: Darren http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8354 Darren Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:47:47 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8354 Great article. Pleasure and pain are simply two sides of the same stick. You can't have one without the other. You slowly and gently rub your arm and it feels very nice; you rub it too hard and fast and it tears the skin and burns. Pleasure and pain are also fleeting; one of the keys to inner happiness is to be detached to both sensations. That doesn't mean we can't enjoy the pleasures or express our discomfort with the pain, but we can only be aware and accept that both are fleeting. Of course I wish I could say I'm already living this ideal; I am merely striving towards it. Great article. Pleasure and pain are simply two sides of the same stick. You can’t have one without the other. You slowly and gently rub your arm and it feels very nice; you rub it too hard and fast and it tears the skin and burns. Pleasure and pain are also fleeting; one of the keys to inner happiness is to be detached to both sensations. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the pleasures or express our discomfort with the pain, but we can only be aware and accept that both are fleeting. Of course I wish I could say I’m already living this ideal; I am merely striving towards it.

]]> By: Char (PSI Tutor:Mentor) http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8353 Char (PSI Tutor:Mentor) Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:19:48 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8353 True~ I've not been in such a situation as that extreme~ but I have been in ones of a lower level and that gives me hope. I am pretty sure I would not be playing volley ball on the beach tho. Or telling him to shut up. Or putting him somewhere where I could keep him out of mind. I know how to make a stretcher from trees and shirts, and can start an outboard motor. I think I could smother him...if he asked; tho in the movie they had other options, and they chose the hedonistic ones. .-= Char (PSI Tutor:Mentor)´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.psipsychologytutor.org/2950/new-store-item-geographical-boundaries-and-global-markets-outline/" rel="nofollow">New Store Item: Geographical boundaries and global markets outline</a> =-. True~ I’ve not been in such a situation as that extreme~ but I have been in ones of a lower level and that gives me hope.

I am pretty sure I would not be playing volley ball on the beach tho. Or telling him to shut up. Or putting him somewhere where I could keep him out of mind. I know how to make a stretcher from trees and shirts, and can start an outboard motor.

I think I could smother him…if he asked; tho in the movie they had other options, and they chose the hedonistic ones.
.-= Char (PSI Tutor:Mentor)´s last blog ..New Store Item: Geographical boundaries and global markets outline =-.

]]> By: David http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8352 David Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:35:54 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8352 Good point Patty. There have been times when I've defended a fear or prejudice I had by convincing myself that it was some noble principle I held. For example, I used to (or maybe still do) defend myself against suggestions that I was too quiet by believing that others talked <em>too much</em>. It was just a basic fear masquerading as some higher principle. I talked about that in <a href="http://www.raptitude.com/2009/04/how-to-always-have-something-better-to-talk-about-than-the-weather/" rel="nofollow">this article</a>, but I hadn't thought of this as "impostor principles" until I read your comment. Good point Patty. There have been times when I’ve defended a fear or prejudice I had by convincing myself that it was some noble principle I held. For example, I used to (or maybe still do) defend myself against suggestions that I was too quiet by believing that others talked too much. It was just a basic fear masquerading as some higher principle. I talked about that in this article, but I hadn’t thought of this as “impostor principles” until I read your comment.

]]> By: Patty - Why Not Start Now? http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8351 Patty - Why Not Start Now? Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:21:25 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8351 The triumph of principles. I've never heard that quote before. I think you and Ralph are right. But I also think that principles are sometimes skittish little creatures, hard to pin down. And sometimes what we think are principles are instead imposters dressed up as such. .-= Patty - Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..<a href="http://whynotstartnow.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/at-the-end-of-the-day-a-poem-about-happiness/" rel="nofollow">At the End of the Day, A Poem About Happiness</a> =-. The triumph of principles. I’ve never heard that quote before. I think you and Ralph are right. But I also think that principles are sometimes skittish little creatures, hard to pin down. And sometimes what we think are principles are instead imposters dressed up as such.
.-= Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..At the End of the Day, A Poem About Happiness =-.

]]> By: David http://www.raptitude.com/2010/03/a-thought-from-my-hero/#comment-8347 David Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:03:28 +0000 http://www.raptitude.com/?p=2709#comment-8347 Well thank you Yasmin. Thank you for reading, for the friendly words and the insightful comment. All those times when it felt like "Finally! The planets have aligned" were on their way out as soon as they arrived. We can't count on them. I hope to hear more from you. Well thank you Yasmin. Thank you for reading, for the friendly words and the insightful comment. All those times when it felt like “Finally! The planets have aligned” were on their way out as soon as they arrived. We can’t count on them.

I hope to hear more from you.

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