MeaningFULL lives
I’m doing a lot of meaningful things in my life. A complete 180 from my late teens and twenties when I did almost nothing meaningful. Depression followed me around back then. I’m convinced that for me a lack of a meaningFULL life brought it on. Those were grey days, for sure. I don’t recall anyone ever mentioning the phrase, “meaningful life.” Always, “make money” or “get good grades” or other such empty silliness. What do good grades mean? I never quite got that one.
Now I view it as a way to keep you so pre-occupied with something stupid that you don’t have time to shape your own life. Do good grades mean you are smart? Care about humanity? Ready to make a contribution to society?
Thoughts?
Been on this campaign to do good in the world. I’m defining good to mean standing up for doing the right thing, spreading the good word about creativity, getting my words into the world, alleviating suffering when I can, being someone you can count on to keep their word, organizing activities in my community.
My recent projects:
a) Organizing a moonlight walk at a fab parcel of land my town just bought. This will be in October. The night is so undervalued, yet so beautiful and quiet. I’m looking for places to hear my own thoughts these days.
b) Standing up at some recent town meetings about monies being “given” to one favored group that should have been returned to the people for them to make the decision. Let me tell you that I took quite a verbal whipping for doing so. But my philosophy is that it makes me stronger. My skin has gotten quite thick, yet I’m not cynical or jaded for the most part. O.k. maybe a little bit.
c) Writing my first “self-hope” book. This should speak to a lot of folks dealing with depression or the ubiquitous, “Why do I get up in the morning?”
Any of you doing meaningful stuff you’d like to share? Thanks! G.
RSS
I like that no-nonsense way of talking about how you lived in your teens and twenties (and I think we could also see that period as paving the way for who you are and what you have to give today). I think I’m having a similar experience now in my thirties — after my early twenties, I did not make music, at least not music I played to others, until a few years ago. I’ve begun again and am now engrossed in putting out my first (and possibly the first!) online animated musical.
Hi Chris,
Wonderful you are back playing music. Congrats on the in-line animated musical. How creative!
And I see your blog mentions a song. I’ll stop in and see it. Thanks for stopping by … G.
G, you were born to be in Rotary with your will to do good in the world. Check it out locally and shake them up a bit with your go get ’em attitude.
Hey Lou!
My father was in rotary for maybe 30 years. I will ask him about it this weekend and see if there is one around here. Good idea! Thanks …
G.
Good, love to have new fresh ideas and action in Rotary. It’s a new world in Rotary today, particularly in the U.S.
http://vimeo.com/25227171
I will check out a local rotary group if I can find one! thanks, g.
“Self-hope book”: love it! Hope is the thing that’s so needed right now. I’m finding hope and meaning through creative wisdom and the practice of “living deep.” And I just changed my blog over to a new site that fits in better with that. Isn’t it interesting how our meaning-making pursuits grow and change with us?
Hey Patty,
I know a lot of folks diss hope but without it we couldn’t even function. Living Deep is the coolest! I’ll check out your new purdy site … thanks, G.
Love this direction you are taking. I’ve found that giving of oneself, standing up for rights against a negative board – the way you did – and taking a stand can be more rewarding and fulfilling than almost any other actions. As for your book, hope is the biggest gift you can give anyone especially at a time where many are hanging to the edge- of sanity, survival, or hope – with their nails.
Keep up the good work. It will make a difference not only to others’ lives but enrich your own and anyone close to you.
Goo
Hi Penelope,
I agree with you that we teach the younger set to find fulfillment in such meaningless things like stuff. It’s all tied to a meaningless economy. To keep that sinking ship afloat. Say, what’s the status of your book? I want to read it!
G.