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The Awareness Advantage
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Your Third Journey
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5 contributions to Your Third Journey
Feb 2 •
More meaningful
I look forward to your responses! My short response is "thoughtful interaction."
0 likes • Feb 5
Hi Art, I love the videos and I loved this piece about meaning. YOUR QUESTION: “If my life felt more meaningful right now, it would probably include more…” Before I answer this sentence, I’d like to say the following: I’ve been at war with the predator in the bloodstream, as I call it, most of my adult life. The predator is the entity that pops into my head every time I sit down to find meaning in my experience. The predator says, and in a threatening way, “STOP! YOU’RE WASTING YOUR TIME! YOU ‘SHOULD’ BE DOING…!” I think I’ve spent around 40 years fighting this demon. How do I fight? Every time I sit down to the typewriter or take a walk and think and the predator comes up, I lift my middle (go F yourself) finger and wave it about in the air in a room where there’s nobody around but me… Why am I saying this. I’m saying this because I believe that the business of seeking/creating meaning requires GOING TO WAR. I believe it’s not an easy journey. It takes time, energy and a great deal of solitude. So, how would I finish the sentence: “If my life felt more meaningful right now, it would probably include more…” I’d say… (NOT more, but just what I’m doing) CONTRIBUTING TO ART BINGHAM’S GROUP. I’d just keep contributing to your group, Art. It’s really a wonderful thing you've made and brings relief and it’s just enough community to bring relief. Loren Hecht
Jan 24 •
Crossroads
In the comments/discussion area share which of these types of crossroads most resonate with you and why.
0 likes • Jan 25
- Great video! Wonderful that you’ve figured out how to use the platform and I love that you give a talk & I love the talk you gave and I love that you ask us to answer a question! I think this is going to really work out for you, Art. How you're working this platform is RESONATING with me! - Which of the four choices do I "resonate" with? The MEANING crossroad. I’ve done nothing in my life BUT sought meaning in my experience. Before age 20, I did this without pen/pad-- today, I find meaning by writing down thoughts and sometimes expanding on them. I find the pursuit of meaning MEANINGFUL because by way of this I find myself, my brain, my own images, what I think, what I see. The “I”… this has always been the central need of my life. To discover the “I”— who am I? What do “I” think, feel? Though this concern around the “I”, the self, is considered by many a sin, “being selfish”, to ME being SELFish is EXACTLY what I believe has value. Why valuable? To know the self means, for one thing, to figure out how not to hurt others:“Why did I punch that guy in the nose? Oh, wow, perhaps it’s because I’m pissed off about ———; thus, I took it out on that guy. Yowza… big mistake!” Also, by seeking meaning, I’m depending on ME alone, not the community, no one else to give me what I need. This independence from others is to me, imperative. Finally, by spending time with “I”, and to do this by writing and thus seeking meaning, I’m made whole and that allows me to completely focus on the other person when with the other person. By allowing myself to get to know myself, spend time with myself, I do not, as many people I know do, compare myself with others. This makes me love being with others when I’m with them. This allows me to value the values of others when I’m with them.
Jan 17 •
Why do we lose interest in exercising?
My father passed away in 2023 at the age of 88. Until he was 78 he played tennis two or three times a week and relied on that to keep his strength. It didn't work, which is why his tennis buddies told him he was too slow to continue playing. Instead of responding to that situation by diving into a more rigorous exercise routine, he became sedentary. When he turned 80 he realized that he had lost a lot of strength and said that he knew he needed to exercise, but just couldn't bring himself to do so. This morning, I spoke with a woman who turns 81 in March. She complained that she was losing weight and strength. Naturally, I checked to make certain she has seen her doctor to get checked out. She said she had and that she had been given a clean bill of health and a lecture about muscle loss as we age (sarcopenia). I suggested that she might consider joining a silver sneakers group and working out, or finding a yoga group to join. She let me know that she has no intention of doing so. This makes me wonder. Aside from people who lose the ability to exercise because of an accident or health condition, why do people stop exercising? What are your thoughts? And, what can be done to motivate someone to get back into some kind of exercise routine?
0 likes • Jan 19
My situation is similar to Duff's. Have the ankle issue, have a knee surgery that's a bit of an issue, things hurt. I used to call exercise... running five miles a day. Now, standing up from my chair is considered, by me, EXERCISE! Of exercise... when I was youngER, exercise was kept up because I wanted to parade myself on the streets-- it helped to be young and fit so men could look at me-- I felt like I was on stage, especially when the sun was loud in the sky-- felt like a spotlight-- kept me running! After 60, I don't care to be seen so I'm less excited about movement.
0 likes • Jan 19
Actually, I don’t sit down for about 12 hours a day. I’m always diddling about and moving in the house. But, I don’t do intentional exercise often. I think the key to intentional exercise is… finding the right music and making happen the right dream in the head. Without that, one feels the thought, “Why bother?”
Jan 12 •
Self-intro and a bit of sharing
First, tell us your name, your general location, and whether you are already retired or planning to retire soon. Then, take a moment and finish the following sentence - no polishing required: "In my latter years (my "third journey"), what I want more of is ________, and what I'm tired of is ______." Share as much or as little as you'd like. Here's my response: "In my latter years, what I want more of is optimistic exploration of how to do or create something, and what I'm tired of is pessimism masked as 'realistic thinking'."
0 likes • Jan 15
SELF INTRO: my name is Loren Hecht. I'm retired right now and really not looking for a new life because I've developed and am in the process of developing even more my new life. BUT... I want to be part of this community anyway because I believe I'll find fascinating people's thoughts. What I want more of is nothing that I don't got! What I'm tired of is... exactly what I'm writing a story about. Thanks to Art Bingham!
Jan 14 •
What feels wrong
Yesterday I listened to a podcast by someone who calls himself "The Functional Melancholic." I found myself relating to much of what he had to say and felt compelled to subscribe even though I normally avoid such negativity. The episode is titled, "When the System Dies, You Finally Get Your Life Back" Then, this morning my inbox included an article on the Medium platform titled, "Why Modern Life Feels Impossible - And What Comes Next". Both the podcast and article recommend that we do three things to cope with our current situation: limit our attention to things that matter most to us, decide what is "sufficient" instead of constantly chasing "more, more, more", and join and cultivate genuine community. I think both the podcaster and author were thinking primarily of local, physical communities. However, I think it is possible (though difficult) to create community online on a platform like this one. It will require effort on my part AND participation from those who join. To that end, I'm curious . . . what ideas do you have for ways to grow this community and make it engaging and worth your time?
0 likes • Jan 15
This is FABULOUS advice! And I'll listen to the recommended videos. My thoughts about ideas for growing community... JUST THIS: reading what you and others contribute and commenting as we need-- I think this will naturally hook us into each other. I love this platform that you've set up, Art, because it's no pressure and we can engage any time we need. Also, I just need you to know... my inbox did NOT get this comment from you. I had to come to this website myself. If there's some way to have your comments be sent to our inbox so we're reminded of this community, that would help. Signed: I SUCK AT TECHNOLOGY SO I'M NO HELP WITH THIS. Loren Hecht
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