I have spent the majority of my life jumping from job to job, dream to dream, and sometimes country to country. Through all of that adventuring, I've landed myself a simple life that I love very much. I have a job that I am good at, care about, and feel has purpose. This stability in my life has allowed a huge creative growth spurt in me - I have so many ideas for art and writing and mathematics!
I'm not naive. I know how lucky I am and I don't want to take this time and stability in my life for granted. But here's the thing: I am not good at stability. I have no practice.
I am trying really hard to cultivate my patience and diligence, because I feel like those are the virtues my work and my art need, but that presents its own difficulties. How do I better develop my focus? my patience? Are there psychological power-lifting techniques to bulk up these virtues fast? Or methods I can use to help me stay on project longer and longer? Sometimes I feel like I slip into this hard work zone, which is awesome feeling, but I always loose it or get distracted. It pops like a soap bubble.
I can't even articulate all the questions I want to ask, so empathetic expressions are welcome in lieu of answers.
TLDR: I was a hustler, always moving fast, but now I'm in a patient man's game. How to best adapt?
view the rest of the comments →
[–] Powersink 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I would suggest meditation. It helps build focus and relaxation. Or you could try weight lifting. Going to the gym frequently and learning how to do compound exercises requires focus and dedication.
[–] middle_path 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Seconding this. Healthy body and mind will take you far. Meditation will help you come to accept and appreciate your situation. I also suggest reading up on the philosophy of Buddhism and the root of suffering. This of course doesn't mean you have to become a Buddhist.
[–] 2347057? [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I recently studied the Eightfold Path while traveling through some very impoverished areas, thick with the exploitation of local populations for the benefit of Big Oil. I think the study would have had a profound impact either way, but within that context the reading helped to cut through my delusions like a scalpel popping a soap bubble. My mind, and thus my life, was changed by the reading.
So thanks! It was advice so good, I took it before you gave it! ^_^
[–] 2346968? [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I'm getting into meditation, which I really think is contributing to my creative swell. I'm not sporty by nature, but I will look up compound exercises. Any advice for a noob on that?