The Tao of Beans
jenny | Jun 02, 2010 | Comments 7
Tao
Pronunciation: \ˈdau̇, ˈtau̇\
Function: noun
Etymology: Chinese (Beijing) dào, literally, way
Date: 1736
1 a : the unconditional and unknowable source and guiding principle of all reality as conceived by Taoists b : the process of nature by which all things change and which is to be followed for a life of harmony
2 often not capitalized : the path of virtuous conduct as conceived by Confucians
3 often not capitalized : the art or skill of doing something in harmony with the essential nature of the thing—Merriam Webster
All my life, I have been swimming in the stream of my own conscious and subconscious, trying to maintain a sense of balance and harmony with myself. I decided if maybe I wrote about it from time to time here, I might get some thoughts and philosophies from others who swim in the stream… either Battlestar Galactica Cylon 2 style, or just in general.
I wrote about my nature of control the other day, how I feel unproductive, even after a long day in which I spent the majority of my time producing, ie., via work or in my own creative vein. My tendency to spend an hour or more in bed at night before falling asleep hashing through my entire day and looking for ways I could have done more has really been weighing on me lately.
James and I were coming back from somewhere yesterday, and I tried to explain to him how I feel, but I’m not sure it makes sense. He says I do a lot, but most days I feel it’s not enough.
So, my philosophical goal for myself… the branding of my personal Tao, starts with achieving a sense of balance with myself. I need to be comfortable with everything I’ve done at the end of every single day. I will not go to bed at night and brutalize myself over the things I did not get done.
Instead, I am going to tell myself I am amazing and awesome, even if all I did all day was lie around in bed reading H.P. Lovecraft and eating Reeses Pieces.
I need to respect myself, and reflect on the good I do every single day. I need to acknowledge the time and effort I put in, and appreciate the downtime during which I formulate and explore new ideas. So, that’s what I’m going to do.
I’m going to appreciate myself exactly how I am, and stop pushing so hard. Otherwise, I’m never going to enjoy the things I do or have. I’ll just keep pushing for more, more, more all the time.
This is the Tao of Beans.
Filed Under: Life
Very nice. I like this mantra from Thic Nat Han, “Breathing in I know that I am breathing in, breathing out I know that I am breathing out, living in the present moment I know this is a wonderful moment” Days I can say the last part without irony are good balanced days.:)
Definitely agree. It’s being in the moment and living for the things right now.
Pearce Kilgour´s last blog ..Abandoning Fear
This is one of the things that drove me crazy when I first changed career paths from social work to computer engineering. I was always driven to look ahead to the next best job, the next best promotion never taking the time to enjoy or appreciate what I had. This carried over in to my personal like a lot as well to the point where I would be chomping at the bit for the next big/great computer thing to be released. I’m a little better about it these days, tho I still love the new and shiny on occasion. It’s human nature to be distracted, but you are 100% right in trying to appreciate you and all that you do cause you are full of awesome!
David Sobkowiak´s last blog ..So much time, so little to do…
To strive to expand, to do more, be more, to grow, that is not a bad thing at all. Sometimes though.. you have to accept what you have done. To be aware of the path you have traveled is as important as the look ahead.
Patrick´s last blog ..Up, Up and Away
Hey, sitting in bed reading Lovecraft and eating chocolate of any kind is what the gods intended.
I think this is a good thing to strive for. You’re totally awesome and should appeciate your own awesomeness.
I totally agree with Morgan above – I would love a day of Lovecraft and chocolate! But I’m glad you consider these questions, and I think you are in a good position to ruminate on them, without letting them eat you up.
Now I’m off to find chocolate.
Drew Beatty´s last blog ..Friday Fiction – Winking Existence Part One
Sometimes I swear that you crawl inside my mind and write down what’s swimming around inside of there.
I beat myself up all the time and sometimes don’t stop to appreciate the little things as they are happening.
I honestly think, though, that this may be a problem for a lot of creative minds because we’re never not thinking or in some state of exploration.
Nicole´s last blog ..Jennifer Hudock Discusses Who She Would Cast in a Dark Journeys Tale