TED talks
Ideas worth spreading
Slow down, you move too fast.
You got to make the morning last.
Just kicking down the cobble stones.
Looking for fun and feelin' groovy.
The 59th Street Bridge Song
As a kid, I listened to Simon and Garfunkel. Mostly because my parents did. I never really thought much about slowing down. Liked the song- liked that it had the word "groovy" in it. That was about it.
Today, I got up early and compiled my past few "to do lists" and rolled them into one. It is now much like Santa's long list and curls up on each end like a wordy scroll. I seem to add more on than I check off. To be sure, my list contains big ticket items like "practice gratitude, embrace humility, serve others, influence people who need you, learn from anyone and everyone you meet today" as well as mundane chores such as "get your car inspected, buy almond milk, send email, buy patio cushions."
I am not a lazy person- have been up since 4, did a load of laundry, ran 3 miles, fed and walked furry friends, emptied and loaded dishwasher, and took a yoga class. It is not yet noon. So it isn't as if I don't attempt to tackle the list. However, I find myself coming up short each and every day. Sigh. Maybe my energy and effort isn't the problem. Maybe I need to rethink that which makes the list.
Today, I ran across a TED talk titled "Want to be happy? Slow down." As intrigued as I was, I caught myself thinking: If only I had time to read that! Wow. Stop. Freeze. I find time to create "to do lists" and so many other things- and yet the idea of reading something that would empower me to be a better person seemed like such a luxury to me. How telling is that? I put everything aside and engaged myself in TED.
I don't regret the time I spent viewing, reading, listening and learning from this piece. I never do. TED talks are always a good use of time for me as I learn and think and transform. Today was no different.
Inviting you to take just a moment to slow down and read/view this. Asking you, when is the last time you kicked down the cobble stones?
I am highlighting a few of my favorite points from the piece.
“IT SO OFTEN HAPPENS THAT SOMEBODY SAYS ‘CHANGE YOUR LIFE’ AND YOU REPAINT YOUR CAR RATHER THAN RE-WIRE THE ENGINE.” PICO IYER
“ENLIGHTENMENT IS ELIMINATING MENTAL CONFUSION, ELIMINATING HATRED, JEALOUSY, MENTAL TOXINS, CRAVINGS. THAT’S VERY SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD. WHETHER YOU CAN DO IT OR NOT IS ANOTHER MATTER.” MATTHIEU RICARD
“EVERY DAY THERE ARE SMALL MOMENTS WHEN WE HAVE A CHOICE: WILL WE TAKE IN MORE STUFF, OR JUST CLEAR OUR MINDS OUT FOR A BIT?” PICO IYER
The Dalai Lama often says, “The problem in the West is people want enlightenment to be fast, to be easy, and if possible, cheap.” So by cheap, he doesn’t mean by paying money, but cheap in the sense of “you know, just do it casually, it will work.” But you don’t become a good pianist instantly; we’re not born knowing how to read and write, everything comes through training, and what’s wrong with that? Skills don’t just pop up because you wish to be more compassionate or happier. It needs sustained application. But it’s joy in the form of effort. Everybody who trains to do something, musicians, sportsmen and so on, says there’s a sort of joy in their training, even if it seems to be harsh. So in that sense, it does take time. But why not spend time? We don’t mind spending 15 years on education, why not the same to become a better human being?
Today, I threw my list away - just crumpled it to smithereens. I started a new list. Only 1 thing on the list - at least for today-
Be a better human being.
I know my list will evolve and grow again, but I would like to think every once in awhile, I will have the courage to crumple it up and simplify my thoughts to the very essence-
Be a better human being. Spend energy changing the engine rather than painting the outside.
Lisa
