life's priorities - a question of balance?

[Guest guest]

> At 07:43 PM 10/12/00 +0100, you wrote:

> >I wonder is there anyone else out there who would care to comment on

life's

> >priorities as they see it.

> >

>

What an odd realization to understand that I really have no sense of life's

priorities!

 

For a long while, just getting through another day seemed to be enough of an

accomplishment...later, my priority was simply to work on becoming whole--or

at least patching some of the larger cracks in my soul. Now, what? I have

a good life and finally know the meaning of happiness--that alone would have

been an impossiblilty just a few years ago. I think that my priorities

lately have just been trying to maintain the status quo--I still

occasionally awaken with a start, wondering if, when I open my eyes, all of

the good things in my new life will have vanished in a dream, and I'll be

back to my formerly broken state of being.

 

Question: How do we find our priorities? It's not enough just to keep on

keepin' on...how do we find our purpose? Meditation, prayer,

journaling...they all tell me that I have a great deal of learning to do.

Is this enough of a priority in itself? How does one conduct a quest when

one is not quite certain of the object of said quest? It feels so shallow

to write this--it would feel dishonest, however, *not* to. I joined this

group to learn. I learn a great deal here every day. Can someone suggest a

way to get in touch with my purpose in life. I'd really like to get on with

things and start giving back some of the positives that the universe has

gifted me with in the last few years. Through the generosity of several

people on this list, I've realized that I'm drawn to Reiki, have found a

master in my area, and begin my lessons at the end of the month. I think

this is a step in the right direction...I'm now wondering where this new

direction will lead me. Any advice for late-bloomers like myself who may

just now be finding themselves, or finding themselves *again*?

 

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

Florie

[Guest guest]

What an odd realization to understand that I really have no sense of life's

priorities!

 

Question: How do we find our priorities?

....how do we find our purpose? .

to write this--it would feel dishonest, however, *not* to. I joined this

group to learn. I learn a great deal here every day. Can someone suggest

a

way to get in touch with my purpose in life. I'd really like to get on

with

things and start giving back some of the positives that the universe has

gifted me with in the last few years.

 

You already are Florrie, there have been times when your emails have moved

me to tears and have provided me with hope for the world and myself. You,

along with many other people have restored my faith in humanity. I believe

that we can all heal and share the journey and I thank you for sharing your

experience, insight, wisdom and love.

 

 

Any advice for late-bloomers like myself who may

just now be finding themselves, or finding themselves *again*?

 

Florrie , sometimes you just have to wait and see. This question has

troubled me for the last couple of years,.(When, Lord, What?) All of a

sudden I find myself flying through being led to unexpected places,

situations, people. Let go and trust.

 

 

Love and Light, NInox

[Guest guest]

Perhaps reading a book called " Messages from Michael " which provides a

different perception on reality and what life is all about, might give you

some of the answers that you are looking for. Mind you, I am not trying to

change your mind about anything, just pointing out a source that might

provide you with greater insight and awareness about the human experience as

it has for me.

 

Karina Garcia

 

-

Richard M. Gray, Ph.D. and Florence Tomasulo Gray <florie

 

Thursday, October 12, 2000 6:00 PM

Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

 

 

>

> > At 07:43 PM 10/12/00 +0100, you wrote:

> > >I wonder is there anyone else out there who would care to comment on

> life's

> > >priorities as they see it.

> > >

> >

> What an odd realization to understand that I really have no sense of

life's

> priorities!

>

> For a long while, just getting through another day seemed to be enough of

an

> accomplishment...later, my priority was simply to work on becoming

whole--or

> at least patching some of the larger cracks in my soul. Now, what? I

have

> a good life and finally know the meaning of happiness--that alone would

have

> been an impossiblilty just a few years ago. I think that my priorities

> lately have just been trying to maintain the status quo--I still

> occasionally awaken with a start, wondering if, when I open my eyes, all

of

> the good things in my new life will have vanished in a dream, and I'll be

> back to my formerly broken state of being.

>

> Question: How do we find our priorities? It's not enough just to keep on

> keepin' on...how do we find our purpose? Meditation, prayer,

> journaling...they all tell me that I have a great deal of learning to do.

> Is this enough of a priority in itself? How does one conduct a quest when

> one is not quite certain of the object of said quest? It feels so shallow

> to write this--it would feel dishonest, however, *not* to. I joined this

> group to learn. I learn a great deal here every day. Can someone suggest

a

> way to get in touch with my purpose in life. I'd really like to get on

with

> things and start giving back some of the positives that the universe has

> gifted me with in the last few years. Through the generosity of several

> people on this list, I've realized that I'm drawn to Reiki, have found a

> master in my area, and begin my lessons at the end of the month. I think

> this is a step in the right direction...I'm now wondering where this new

> direction will lead me. Any advice for late-bloomers like myself who may

> just now be finding themselves, or finding themselves *again*?

>

> Thanks in advance for the feedback.

>

> Florie

>

>

>

> ****************************************

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> For administrative problems -owner

> To , -

>

> All messages, files and archives of this forum are copyright of the

group and the individual authors.

>

[Guest guest]

Ninox:

 

What a lovely gift you gave me this morning.

 

Thank you so much for that lovely way to start my day.

 

Love,

 

Florie

[Guest guest]

Karina~

 

Thank you for your suggestion. I'll look for the book this weekend. It has

a certain resonance (we lost a beloved friend named Michael two years

ago--we were lucky enough to be with him at the end, and I still sometimes

feel his presence and protection), and I appreciate your taking the time to

recommend it.

 

-

" Karina Garcia " <loyo

 

Friday, October 13, 2000 9:21 AM

Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

 

 

> Perhaps reading a book called " Messages from Michael " which provides a

> different perception on reality and what life is all about, might give you

> some of the answers that you are looking for.

[Guest guest]

For some of us, the journey is the destination. For some of us, the path is

more clear. The trick is to find out what the right direction is for you.

Perhaps Reikii, is where you need to go, perhaps it's the next step.

Priorities don't generally express themselves in what we specifically do,

they're more related to how we approach things.

 

For myself, I've pretty much come to accept that my path is defined by

intellectual wandering. What seemed like a lack of focus now appears to be a

nature that requires me to understand as many things as possible. Not to the

depth of an expert, the world has enough of those. But, to try to get the

big picture I think you have to stick your feet in a lot of different ponds.

But, that's my path.

 

For what it's worth,

Ray

 

 

> " Richard M. Gray, Ph.D. and Florence Tomasulo Gray "

><florie

>

>

>Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

>Thu, 12 Oct 2000 19:00:52 -0400

>

>

> > At 07:43 PM 10/12/00 +0100, you wrote:

> > >I wonder is there anyone else out there who would care to comment on

>life's

> > >priorities as they see it.

> > >

> >

>What an odd realization to understand that I really have no sense of life's

>priorities!

>

>For a long while, just getting through another day seemed to be enough of

>an

>accomplishment...later, my priority was simply to work on becoming

>whole--or

>at least patching some of the larger cracks in my soul. Now, what? I have

>a good life and finally know the meaning of happiness--that alone would

>have

>been an impossiblilty just a few years ago. I think that my priorities

>lately have just been trying to maintain the status quo--I still

>occasionally awaken with a start, wondering if, when I open my eyes, all of

>the good things in my new life will have vanished in a dream, and I'll be

>back to my formerly broken state of being.

>

>Question: How do we find our priorities? It's not enough just to keep on

>keepin' on...how do we find our purpose? Meditation, prayer,

>journaling...they all tell me that I have a great deal of learning to do.

>Is this enough of a priority in itself? How does one conduct a quest when

>one is not quite certain of the object of said quest? It feels so shallow

>to write this--it would feel dishonest, however, *not* to. I joined this

>group to learn. I learn a great deal here every day. Can someone suggest

>a

>way to get in touch with my purpose in life. I'd really like to get on

>with

>things and start giving back some of the positives that the universe has

>gifted me with in the last few years. Through the generosity of several

>people on this list, I've realized that I'm drawn to Reiki, have found a

>master in my area, and begin my lessons at the end of the month. I think

>this is a step in the right direction...I'm now wondering where this new

>direction will lead me. Any advice for late-bloomers like myself who may

>just now be finding themselves, or finding themselves *again*?

>

>Thanks in advance for the feedback.

>

>Florie

>

 

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[Guest guest]

You might also want to check out Jennifer James' " 20 Steps to Wisdom. " I've

found it useful.

 

 

> " Richard M. Gray, Ph.D. and Florence Tomasulo Gray "

><florie

>

>

>Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

>Fri, 13 Oct 2000 09:49:24 -0400

>

>Karina~

>

>Thank you for your suggestion. I'll look for the book this weekend. It

>has

>a certain resonance (we lost a beloved friend named Michael two years

>ago--we were lucky enough to be with him at the end, and I still sometimes

>feel his presence and protection), and I appreciate your taking the time to

>recommend it.

>

>-

> " Karina Garcia " <loyo

>

>Friday, October 13, 2000 9:21 AM

>Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

>

>

> > Perhaps reading a book called " Messages from Michael " which provides a

> > different perception on reality and what life is all about, might give

>you

> > some of the answers that you are looking for.

>

 

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[Guest guest]

Dear Ray--

 

 

-

" Ray Hunter " <rayhuntermt

 

Friday, October 13, 2000 10:51 AM

Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

 

 

> For some of us, the journey is the destination. For some of us, the path

is

> more clear. The trick is to find out what the right direction is for you.

> Perhaps Reikii, is where you need to go, perhaps it's the next step.

> Priorities don't generally express themselves in what we specifically do,

> they're more related to how we approach things.

>

Thank you for the wisdom and the reminder about the journey sometimes being

the destination. Sometimes it's so difficult to accept in ourselves what is

obvious to others. Your reality check made me realize that it's *all* a

journey, and we're all learning all the way.

 

 

> For myself, I've pretty much come to accept that my path is defined by

> intellectual wandering. What seemed like a lack of focus now appears to be

a

> nature that requires me to understand as many things as possible. Not to

the

> depth of an expert, the world has enough of those. But, to try to get the

> big picture I think you have to stick your feet in a lot of different

ponds.

> But, that's my path.

>

> For what it's worth,

>

It's worth a tremendous amount and I thank you for expressing it so well.

Your description reminds me of a term that Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. used in his

novels to describe the same type of journey. He referred to this as

" Dancing lessons from God " .

 

Keep dancing, and thank you for the friendship and clarification.

 

PS: Thanks for the book recommendation too. The folks at Barnes and Noble

are going to love me this weekend!!!

 

Be well,

 

Florie

>

 

>

[Guest guest]

In more pragmatic terms, robert Heinlein, the science fiction author,

describes the personality type as a " general specialist. " If you get a

chance, take a look at his " Moon is a Harsh Mistress. "

 

 

> " Richard M. Gray, Ph.D. and Florence Tomasulo Gray "

><florie

>

>

>Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

>Fri, 13 Oct 2000 11:35:38 -0400

>

>Dear Ray--

>

>

>-

> " Ray Hunter " <rayhuntermt

>

>Friday, October 13, 2000 10:51 AM

>Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

>

>

> > For some of us, the journey is the destination. For some of us, the path

>is

> > more clear. The trick is to find out what the right direction is for

>you.

> > Perhaps Reikii, is where you need to go, perhaps it's the next step.

> > Priorities don't generally express themselves in what we specifically

>do,

> > they're more related to how we approach things.

> >

>Thank you for the wisdom and the reminder about the journey sometimes being

>the destination. Sometimes it's so difficult to accept in ourselves what

>is

>obvious to others. Your reality check made me realize that it's *all* a

>journey, and we're all learning all the way.

>

>

> > For myself, I've pretty much come to accept that my path is defined by

> > intellectual wandering. What seemed like a lack of focus now appears to

>be

>a

> > nature that requires me to understand as many things as possible. Not to

>the

> > depth of an expert, the world has enough of those. But, to try to get

>the

> > big picture I think you have to stick your feet in a lot of different

>ponds.

> > But, that's my path.

> >

> > For what it's worth,

> >

>It's worth a tremendous amount and I thank you for expressing it so well.

>Your description reminds me of a term that Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. used in his

>novels to describe the same type of journey. He referred to this as

> " Dancing lessons from God " .

>

>Keep dancing, and thank you for the friendship and clarification.

>

>PS: Thanks for the book recommendation too. The folks at Barnes and Noble

>are going to love me this weekend!!!

>

>Be well,

>

>Florie

> >

>

> >

>

 

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[Guest guest]

At 05:38 PM 10/13/00 GMT, you wrote:

>In more pragmatic terms, robert Heinlein, the science fiction author,

>describes the personality type as a " general specialist. " If you get a

>chance, take a look at his " Moon is a Harsh Mistress. "

>

 

 

Ahhh! Another Heinlein fan! It seems that there are a lot of us out here

that need to know as much as possible about as many things as possible.

Almost as if we are working to put the learning of many lifetimes into one.

I used to be known in the circles I used to travel in as the " walking

encyclopedia " and the term was not used in a positive manner. I have

learned to recognize that it is their insecurities that drove the tone of

their comments and have moved on. I on the other hand am always interested

in meeting and sharing or just listening to someone who has more experience

or a different perspective than my own. I figure that as long as I am

learning that I am still alive and well.

 

May you never thirst!

Sandy

********************************************************************************

" What this world needs more of is loving: sweaty, friendly and unashamed. "

 

Maureen Johnson-Smith in To Sail Beyond The Sunset (Robert Heinlein)

********************************************************************************

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and

knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.

 

-Albert Einstein

********************************************************************************

[Guest guest]

I couldn't tell you whether he influenced me to be the way I am or if I

" discovered " him because of the way I am. In any case, he's had a profound

impact on my life and philosophy.

 

From your comment about other's reaction to your knowledge I assume you're

an American. As a culture, we don't respect knowledge as much as we might.

That is to say that we respect experts, but we tend to ignore that people

without white lab coats have some knowledge. Our biggest failing is that we

tend to expect others to do our thinking for us. I haven't heard as much of

this in other cultures and I would submit that ours wasn't always that way.

For example, look at the way that scientists were regarded in the 1930s-50s.

 

The best thing we can do to counter this is to share our love of learning

with others.

 

" May you love as long as you live and live as long as you love. "

Ray

 

>Sandy Roberts <angharad

>

>

>Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

>Fri, 13 Oct 2000 14:52:02 -0400

>

>At 05:38 PM 10/13/00 GMT, you wrote:

> >In more pragmatic terms, robert Heinlein, the science fiction author,

> >describes the personality type as a " general specialist. " If you get a

> >chance, take a look at his " Moon is a Harsh Mistress. "

> >

>

>

>Ahhh! Another Heinlein fan! It seems that there are a lot of us out here

>that need to know as much as possible about as many things as possible.

>Almost as if we are working to put the learning of many lifetimes into one.

>I used to be known in the circles I used to travel in as the " walking

>encyclopedia " and the term was not used in a positive manner. I have

>learned to recognize that it is their insecurities that drove the tone of

>their comments and have moved on. I on the other hand am always interested

>in meeting and sharing or just listening to someone who has more experience

>or a different perspective than my own. I figure that as long as I am

>learning that I am still alive and well.

>

>May you never thirst!

>Sandy

>*******************************************************************************\

*

> " What this world needs more of is loving: sweaty, friendly and unashamed. "

>

> Maureen Johnson-Smith in To Sail Beyond The Sunset (Robert

>Heinlein)

>*******************************************************************************\

*

>Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and

>knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.

>

>-Albert Einstein

>*******************************************************************************\

*

>

 

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[Guest guest]

At 07:19 PM 10/13/00 GMT, you wrote:

>I couldn't tell you whether he influenced me to be the way I am or if I

> " discovered " him because of the way I am. In any case, he's had a profound

>impact on my life and philosophy.

 

 

This echos my thoughts exactly. Reading Heinlein for me was very much a

coming home...there were others in the world who felt as I did.

 

 

 

 

 

>From your comment about other's reaction to your knowledge I assume you're

>an American. As a culture, we don't respect knowledge as much as we might.

>That is to say that we respect experts, but we tend to ignore that people

>without white lab coats have some knowledge.

 

Again very true. The same people who spent so much of their energy trying

to " put me in my place " are also the same people who spent great amounts of

money paying the so called experts to " teach " them what they could have as

easily learned with a bit of effort on their own simply so they could put

some letters after their name or a piece of paper on the wall in an effort

to make themselves important enough to make " big bucks " from the knowledge

(you notice I didn't say wisdom) that they had gained.

 

 

 

>The best thing we can do to counter this is to share our love of learning

>with others.

 

When people ask me if I am a teacher, I tend to say no not really but I am

happy to share what I know. I feel that as you have said in this country

(USA) that we have a very flawed idea of who and what a " teacher " really is.

I tend to think of myself as a mentor at most and a fellow explorer at the

least. Who I am and what I have is available to all who know the questions

to ask and are willing to share in return.

 

Bright Blessings,

 

Angharad Truthsayer

aka Sandy Roberts

 

We within us carry all the knowledge necessary to create a beautiful

universe filled with love, laughter and joy. Begin today to find this

within you and share it with the world. You will find that it will be the

greatest journey you can ever imagine.

[Guest guest]

-

" Ray Hunter " <rayhuntermt

 

Friday, October 13, 2000 1:38 PM

Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

 

 

> In more pragmatic terms, robert Heinlein, the science fiction author,

> describes the personality type as a " general specialist. " If you get a

> chance, take a look at his " Moon is a Harsh Mistress. "

>

>

Thank you, Ray. I grok pragmatism!

 

F

[Guest guest]

Our culture seems to think that one can't learn anything without the

appropriate papers. Apropos of which, do you know what the difference

between a grave-robber and an archeologist is?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credentials.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Ray

 

 

>Sandy Roberts <angharad

>

>

>Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

>Fri, 13 Oct 2000 15:41:03 -0400

>

>At 07:19 PM 10/13/00 GMT, you wrote:

> >I couldn't tell you whether he influenced me to be the way I am or if I

> > " discovered " him because of the way I am. In any case, he's had a

>profound

> >impact on my life and philosophy.

>

>

>This echos my thoughts exactly. Reading Heinlein for me was very much a

>coming home...there were others in the world who felt as I did.

>

>

>

>

>

> >From your comment about other's reaction to your knowledge I assume

>you're

> >an American. As a culture, we don't respect knowledge as much as we

>might.

> >That is to say that we respect experts, but we tend to ignore that people

> >without white lab coats have some knowledge.

>

>Again very true. The same people who spent so much of their energy trying

>to " put me in my place " are also the same people who spent great amounts of

>money paying the so called experts to " teach " them what they could have as

>easily learned with a bit of effort on their own simply so they could put

>some letters after their name or a piece of paper on the wall in an effort

>to make themselves important enough to make " big bucks " from the knowledge

>(you notice I didn't say wisdom) that they had gained.

>

>

>

> >The best thing we can do to counter this is to share our love of learning

> >with others.

>

>When people ask me if I am a teacher, I tend to say no not really but I am

>happy to share what I know. I feel that as you have said in this country

>(USA) that we have a very flawed idea of who and what a " teacher " really

>is.

>I tend to think of myself as a mentor at most and a fellow explorer at the

>least. Who I am and what I have is available to all who know the questions

>to ask and are willing to share in return.

>

>Bright Blessings,

>

>Angharad Truthsayer

>aka Sandy Roberts

>

>We within us carry all the knowledge necessary to create a beautiful

>universe filled with love, laughter and joy. Begin today to find this

>within you and share it with the world. You will find that it will be the

>greatest journey you can ever imagine.

>

 

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[Guest guest]

....In more pragmatic terms, robert Heinlein, the science

fiction author, <BR>

describes the personality type as a & quot;general

specialist. & quot; If you get a <BR>

chance, take a look at his & quot;Moon is a Harsh

Mistress. & quot

 

 

You've got my curiousity by the collar here Ray! What are

the chances of an explanation without hunting down the

book????

 

In peace,

 

S.

 

___________________________

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- Join a club or build your own!

[Guest guest]

" Moon is a Harsh Mistress " is set in 2075. Luna, is a colony that has been

converted into a sort of Botany Bay. Prisoners can't leave because their

bodies have adapted to lower gravity. Of course, neither can theor

offspring.

 

Manuel Garcia O'Kelly Davis is the protagonist. He is a second generation

Loonie and we first meet him while he is fixing a computer. The book is

written in first person and he describes hmiself as such:

 

" But despite two training tours I was not gung-ho computerman; higher maths

are beyond me. Not really electronics engineer, nor physicist. May not have

been best micromachinist in Luna and certainly wasn't cybernetics

psychologist.

 

But I knew more about all these than a specialist knows - I'm a general

specialist. Could relieve a cook and keep orders coming or field-repair your

suit and get you back to airlock still breathing. "

 

(note: I have a theory that MAnny speaks with a slight Russian accent, shich

accounts for the odd syntax)

 

Manny is probably the most obvious, but most of the Heinlein protagonists

and their supporters share this characteristic of wide ranging knowledge.

 

Something in this spoke very powerfully to me. Years before I was introduced

to his work, I was at a party not too long after high school graduation.

Talk turned to plans for the future. I said that I wanted to learn

everything that there was to know. My friend replied, " That's impossible. " I

answered, " Yeah, but imagine how much fun I'm going to have trying. "

 

Hope this answers your question.

 

Ray

 

>Sonya <d_izzie1

>

>

>Re: life's priorities - a question of balance?

>Sat, 14 Oct 2000 08:26:12 +1100 (EST)

>

>

>...In more pragmatic terms, robert Heinlein, the science

>fiction author, <BR>

>describes the personality type as a & quot;general

>specialist. & quot; If you get a <BR>

>chance, take a look at his & quot;Moon is a Harsh

>Mistress. & quot

>

>

>You've got my curiousity by the collar here Ray! What are

>the chances of an explanation without hunting down the

>book????

>

>In peace,

>

>S.

>

>___________________________

>http://clubs..au - Clubs

>- Join a club or build your own!

 

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