Musings: Life in Two Parts…
“Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Musings: Life in Two Parts... We are never alone but we must focus on the present
Do you have a To Do List that gets updated frequently with things you haven’t gotten around to doing? You are not alone. Many of us create these lists because we believe that, if and when we get to them, we will be able to get our lives in order and accomplish all the things we imagined possible. Like the ubiquitous New Year’s resolution, we create them with good intentions but then, life happens. Before we know it, our list of goals are derailed and we are back to square one; wondering how on earth we blew it. Truth is, we imagine our ego, the universe, our friends and family will hold it against us, but no one will. It’s our life and we might as well just get on with it.
The #Trust30 prompt today got me thinking about the things I put off/postpone: If you had one week left to live, would you still be doing what you’re doing now? In what areas of your life are you preparing to live? I’ve been working on a project for half the year and when I skip a beat because I’ve let something else consume my time, I justify it. While it is not a project about preparing to live, slacking/putting things off reminds me of what we put off for another day; the call to a friend, the email to a loved one, the birthday cards we plan to distribute, the gifts gathering dust because… something else came up. I believe that as we become more mindful of our lives and our interactions with others, we become more conversant with what is really a waste of time and what truly needs our time… Sure, it is a process and with effort it becomes easier. What are you doing mindfully?
“There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” Aldous Huxley
Musings: Life in Two Parts... NM Verylarge Array.... Focus on improving self first
How can your goals improve the present and not keep you in a perpetual “always something better” spiral? I remember back in my college days, when anyone would ask what I wanted to do with my life, I’d give them a slew of things and add “plus something better.” While there is nothing wrong with having high aspirations, we have to start somewhere… Ideally in the here and now. That is where our growth is and where we can learn the discipline to do our best work.
If you’re the type of person always looking out for the next thing, give yourself the chance to be present in the here and now; to do the best job with what’s in front of you… On the flip side, I take pride in being a patient person but the pitfall of patience can be inaction. So as I write this post, I know that my focus must be on completing not only this post but my project… And I invite you to do same if this might apply to you. Let’s get it done already. 😉
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” Dr. Carl Sagan
Musings: Life in Two Parts... Hoag's Object. Embrace the mysteries and live your life
Do You believe in Life on other Planets? I do; not in a Hollywood sort of way. While we busy ourselves with living our lives, we must be sensitive to the presence of other lifeforms. I’ve always believed that life includes more than us and that there are sentient beings in our presence. In times of great stress, people have claimed to see or meet angels; they come as ordinary folk to help us. By the same token, the movies have demonized alien lifeforms by making them evil which I don’t entirely believe… I think that, just like on earth, other planets or realms have life that exhibit good and /or evil tendencies…
The simple story of the raisin in a loaf of raisin walnut bread teaches us an important lesson: The stubborn golden raisin in a fresh loaf of bread refused to answer the hellos muttered by other raisins nearby. As far as he was concerned, he was the center of the universe and he didn’t care to connect, to learn, to grow. Even though the bright, golden raisin believed he was the center of the universe, he had simply never ventured beyond his little spot on the loaf to notice that there were lots of other raisins there… and walnuts too. Yes, there is life elsewhere and we can start by embracing and helping the kindred souls we meet on earth. What are your thoughts? What in your life are you putting off? What are your thoughts on life beyond our planet? Do share! Thank you. 🙂
This post was inspired by a WP Daily Post prompt: Do You believe in Life on other Planets? and a prompt from RalphWaldoEmerson.me: If you had one week left to live, would you still be doing what you’re doing now? In what areas of your life are you preparing to live? Bonus: How can your goals improve the present and not keep you in a perpetual “always something better” spiral?
Positive Motivation Tip: Live your life as if it will end tomorrow while keeping in mind you are not alone.
Related articles
- #149 Life on other planets (inkstaineddreams.wordpress.com)
- Ralph Waldo Emerson: Self Reliance Prompt #4 (miriamgomberg.wordpress.com)
- Do you believe in life on other planets? (laurieanichols.wordpress.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos of the planet, USA NM, Hoag’s object via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Ok yes there is possible life on other planets. And, I love your #30TRUST post too. I love that in college you added “plus something better,” when others asked what you were doing with your life and aspirations. I, too, get so involved that the present moment floats away fast and then procrastination does seem to take over (inaction)- For example, I cannot decide how to post Book Reviews on “in depth” books. I can do simple book reviews but not on when the book is more thought provoking thus leading me to procrastinate.
Live ~ Today ~ Tomorrow may not come ♥ Jackie
Thank you Jackie! It was not a bad thing to say but I think sometimes it can make us other focused. Yes, inaction comes in many disguises and we have to be vigilant about it. 😉
congrats, Eliz, it is very wise to answer to the silly question “Do you believe in life on other planets” with the quotation from Aldous Huxley: “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.”
Okay Frizztext! I hear you…. But I’m not the only one who believes in life after life and beyond… I enjoyed writing my bit on it and maybe you should write one too. 🙂
I really enjoyed this – a lot of good reminders and new food for thought. And I find it too hard to believe we are the only thing there is to NOT believe there is life out there somewhere : ).
I believe in the thin veil theory and the possibility if other life forms. I also believe they might not be as different as we imagine. Just my two cents! Thanks for stopping by my blog.I will visit you shortly to reciprocate. 🙂
I use to-do list but I often feel it is useless.
The situation surrounding us are changing every day.
I want to concentrate on now.
Me too… The list is not a bad thing unless we start to live our lives trying to catch up wit the list; then it’s time to chuck it and focus on being in the now. 🙂
I make a concerted effort to live in the moment as much as possible. It’s difficult. What makes it easier, at times, is realizing we can only control so much and the rest is just going to happen with or without us.
As for other planets… I suppose it’s arrogant for we earthlings to believe we’re the be all and end all, but if there is life out there it has to be very different from ours.
Thanks for an interesting and thought provoking post Eliz.!
I hear you! When we’re in the zone, we are focused and present and then there are times it’s a struggles… such is our humanness; nothing wrong with that. Perfection Not Required to be human. 🙂
I’m convinced there are other lifeforms that aren’t as different and that they can mutate to look like us; the soul quality and emotions mirror ours and then there are others out of my realm of understanding… 🙂
A very thought provoking post, as usual, Elizabeth!
I love making To Do lists but I’m even happier when everything’s checked off at the end of the day. Back to today’s list!
Hi Marcia,
If your TO Do list works for you and you accomplish your daily goals then fantastic…. Sadly, it is not our collective experience. Many of us don’t stick to it and then the vicious cycle of guilt begins. For folks that don’t stick to lists, staying present and prioritizing is better. 🙂
By the way, have you added email subscriptions to your new blog? Please do as I like to check in via phone and more. 🙂
Hi Elizabeth!
I enjoyed this post! Sometimes I feel I am living on a different planet!
To do lists: I often become overly anxious about making sure I fulfill all my to do items on my list, instead of just relaxing and trusting myself enough to know that I always get things done on time.
Hi Kimmie,
Glad to see you here… yeah, I feel that way sometimes too; Ladies from a different planet! lol! 🙂
As to the lists, you are right it does induce anxiety when we don’t meet all our scheduled plans. If we could go with the flow and adjust and prioritize, then our day is fulfilling not anxiety inducing… Your response explains the downside very well. TY! 🙂
I’m not saying I do not believe there is life on other planets-I do believe we have good/bad spirits around us. I just don’t dwell on the subject. I do well to take care of myself, and take care of my reponsibilities. Great post-many thoughts for pondering ! 🙂
Actually, I don’t like science fiction movies because I think what is out there is beyond what you can see in a movie theater… I believe there is life beyond ours and that the veil is quite thin… I like musing not necessarily visiting those realms… but hey, you never know. LOL! 😉
I love having a To Do list . . . for when I’m looking for something To Do . . . or when I don’t want to forget something (that is important, but not urgent). But it’s a TOOL to enhance my life . . . not a TASK MASTER.
And, when I focus on the list, I try to complete . . . “Just One Thing.”
Good post, E!
Yes, i get that too… I write a list when I’m going shopping so I won’t veer form my plan; especially as the aisle items get moved everyday… that psychology we understand already and i wish they would just stop it. If we could all see the list for what it is – a tool, it would be easier to stop berating the self over missed tasks. TY! 🙂
There’s so much we don’t know about the world, that I believe it’s very possible AND likely there is life on other planets. 🙂
I agree with you on that one.. so much to learn about the worlds beyond ours. 🙂
I recently saw the 1997 movie “The Bucket List” starring Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicholson. What a beautiful movie about two older fellas diagnosed with cancer and ticking off things on their bucket list. Highly recommended.
Oh wow! I’ve never even heard about that movie.
I will definitely look for it on NetFlix and watch it.
Thank you… and a terrific idea too! 🙂